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amcnutt
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
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 Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 9:34 am Post subject: Best schools in South Korea? |
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I'm looking into working in Korea teaching english, leaving this summer, and I am wondering what are some of the best institutes people have worked with. I've heard plenty of horror stories, and am not looking to hear more. In general, what companies have people had GREAT experiences with?? Reliable, good housing, honest, and so forth.
I'm planning on working in Seoul, if that helps. I know many are all over the country though.
OK I haven't gotten any responses yet, so maybe I'll change that to GOOD/DECENT experiences with...I hope some people out there have had a favorable experience   |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: Best schools in South Korea? |
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| amcnutt wrote: |
I'm looking into working in Korea teaching english, leaving this summer, and I am wondering what are some of the best institutes people have worked with. I've heard plenty of horror stories, and am not looking to hear more. In general, what companies have people had GREAT experiences with?? Reliable, good housing, honest, and so forth.
I'm planning on working in Seoul, if that helps. I know many are all over the country though.
OK I haven't gotten any responses yet, so maybe I'll change that to GOOD/DECENT experiences with...I hope some people out there have had a favorable experience |
You forgot to add, "How high is up?"
You are asking a question that realistically and practically has no answer.
Schools change - sometimes more often than you change your socks.
In the case of a public school, 20% of the staff are transferred every year so what may have been a great school last year could be hell this year. The reverse is also true. What may have been a bad school last year may do a complete reversal with a change in the principal or VP or department staff that the FT has to work with.
In the case of a hakwon things can change depending on enrollments (financial security) change in K-staff, change or addition of a new "head teacher / manager".
Many schools open, close or get sold/change names every year as well so the director changes and good schools go bad or bad schools get better.
You'd be better off reading the FAQs, getting an understanding of the "education industry" here and then asking some intelligent questions.
"How high is up?"
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Last edited by ttompatz on Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:10 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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amcnutt
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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I want to teach for a private school. I know sites can be different, I was just wondering if there were some that were - on a whole - more reputable than others in terms of chain schools.
I'm only asking because I have heard some bad things about ones like Avalon and YBI. |
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AussieGav
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
Location: Uijeongbu
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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| ^^^^ yeb absolutly correct on every point. They do all change sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. Good luck though. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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| amcnutt wrote: |
I want to teach for a private school. I know sites can be different, I was just wondering if there were some that were - on a whole - more reputable than others in terms of chain schools.
I'm only asking because I have heard some bad things about ones like Avalon and YBI. |
In that case I can only offer these few didbits of my humble advice (take it for what it's worth).
Each school within a chain is different. There is virtually NO oversight from the head office in any chain or franchise.
They change as often as they change staff (sometimes month by month).
That said there ARE some things you can do to mitigate any potential problems.
1st, contact SEVERAL recruiters. (do not limit yourself to just one or 2).
Take a look at what they offer.
When you find a position that looks good, get the details and the contract.
THEN:
1) READ THE DAMN CONTRACT. Most of the time that is what they will use to hang you. DON'T assume anything. If it isn't in writing you WON'T get it. If it is in writing as least you have something when you head to the labor office.
2) ASK questions. 120 teaching hours? HOW MANY CLASSES is that?
It can vary from 120 classes to as many as 240 classes per month.
ASK!!!!!
3) holidays - 10 days paid + national holidays. ASK. When do you get them. WHO decides the dates. Do they occur on school breaks (not all hakwons close for a school holiday), Limited to when they can find a sub, 3 or 4 days midweek (so you can't travel anywhere), or at the end of your contract.
4) Medical and Pension. Do you actually get enrolled in the national plans (as required by law) ? Do you get the booklet issued by the national nedical plan or just get told to "use your ARC" which means NOT enrolled.
THEN - talk to one or two of the staff (via e-mail and phone) when the boss is NOT looking over their shoulder.
Ask about things like:
pay - on time?
overtime - do they really pay it? (most hakwons don't)
extra stuff not in the contract - what ?
surprise changes - how often?
quality of life stuff:
What is the apartment like?
Where is it?
HOW much do you pay for utilities and maintainence (sp) fees?
these can add up from 50-200k PER MONTH, vary from apartment to apartment and you are responsible for them.
Access to shopping - is the home-plus / e-mart close by ? Sucks to drag your groceries 20km by bus.
How far to the subway station /bus stop? (might be a hike)
How far to work from home? can you easily walk or do you need to pay for bus/subway every day?
You get the idea.
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