Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mdsb87]

Oh-sungsik English Club in Gumi

Any info on school and location?

Thanks a million

[Troglodyte]

Never heard of it. Never been to Gumi.

But my advice to you is this - put the name of the school and city in the thread title. You'll get a lot more replies, because a lot more who have been there or know of it will know what your question is actually about. Most people don't open every single thread on the board.

[meaghan]

also, check the blacklists, google the school's name to see if it's mentioned in any blogs, and run a search through facebook to see if anyone's listed the school as a current/previous employer.

[mdsb87]

Thanks follks.

I have done that and it appears to come out clean. I also got the native speakers phone number to sus it out. Suppose that's better than a blacklist in any case.

I did notice that there was an outlet of the same name in Daegu. My worry is that the hagwon got blacklisted in Daegu and moved off up the road to Gumi and set up shop again.... Is this a realistic possibility?

Thanks again

[Hotwire]

Seems to be a bit of name changing going on back and forth. this is from 2009 and it seems they changed the name FROM what you wrote to something esle and now are changing it back again... Seems they are part fo the jungchul franchise... Bizarely I'm starting with a jungchul in gumi in a cpl of weeks, already have visa etc....

http://teachenglishinkorea.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=0&Itemid=9&limit=10&limitstart=200

A few Ohsung sik's are blacklisted on this blacklist site -http://blacklist.tokyojon.com/

Best always to speak to current native teacher and scope it out.

[mdsb87]

That is odd !

Ah hopefully the phone call will reveal all!

[Hotwire]

Bear in mind that blacklist site is not up to date. A scary ammount of Jungchuls on there too! But then again there are a few SLP's on there and I and coworkers found our SLP to be decent way back when.

[Troglodyte]

Try to get in touch with FORMER teachers. Current teachers aren't always a reliable reference. Sometimes they are under pressure to help the school get a new teacher (at the risk of not being paid their last salary or some such nonsense). Just because they're in the same boat as you, doesn't mean that they won't shaft you to save their own hides.

[meaghan]

Also, often your phone conversation will take place with their supervisor listening in. GET THEIR EMAIL so you can follow up, and hopefully get a somewhat more honest opinion. Though as troglodyte mentioned, current foreign teachers may feel they need to deceive you to protect themselves. Former employees aren't always an option, but at the very least try to talk to two current employees.

[smjstevens]

I've been living in Gumi for almost a year, and most of the foreigners here know each other. PM me the name of the foreign teacher and the area (dong) of the city, and I might be able to tell you what I've heard around town.

Also, I'd be happy to help you around once you get here (if you take the job)

[Hotwire]

[Gumi]

I could be currently working at the hagwon in question. I believe mine was named Ohsungsik, but that was before I got here.. The salary, hours, and the rest is precisely the same, but that doesn't mean much. If you can PM me some more details about the position offered and the first name of the teacher you'd been given as a contact, I might be able to give you a definite answer. No Jung Chul affiliation with ours as far as I know, but there might be something going on there.

P.S., If it is my school, please do not for the love of all that is holy accept a position, and I'm being completely honest.

[Hotwire]