Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kingssurfer]

I was just hired by these guys (Korea After School Education) to work at a public school in Seoul.

My undertstanding is that the hours are from 12 -5, and I only have to teach 5 classes a day.

It seems like a really sweet gig, but they told me the last teacher was let go because he shot a bb gun at one of his students'. I find that somewhat hard to believe.

Does anybody know anything about these guys? I finally got out of hagwon hell, and want to make sure I know what I am getting myself into. Would appreciate it.

[OculisOrbis]

It's possible that happened. Just dont shoot anyone with a bb gun and youll likely be ok.

I dont really have much other than that, except after-school programs used to be notorious for having teachers open a second bank account and giving them the PIN so they could avoid paying taxes and have the foreign teacher liable for every won they laundered through the dummy account. Dont fall for that.

Other than that, do your due diligence - go over the contract carefully and ask for the previous teacher's contact info, current teachers contact info. And, after you start the job, keep an eye on your deductions from you monthly pay and then call pension and health to make sure you have been enrolled in their programs under the proper monthly income and they are actually submitting said deductions.

Some after school programs can be great, others can be total sleaze - same as hagwons.

[plynx]

[OculisOrbis]

[cert43]

What's your recruiters;name? If it's a Kevin Kim, stay away
Not sure if it was this one or another one, but I signed a contract for
one program, submitted my documents for some elem school in Yongin/
Seoul and then got placed in some sketchy hagwon gig out in the middle
of east bubble f***, ( this was all after he illegaly and rudely held on to my documents for 4 weeks assuring me that everything was ok, otherwise I would have been looking for another job in that time period)

After about 8 months, things went sour with this school ( they were illegaly holding pay, and forcing overtime) and even after I was fired,illegaly evicted, and replaced by some dude that looked like he just stepped outta the ghetto. :shock; he never even had the common curtisoty to to assume resposbility for being the one that placed me there to begin with. ( it was just forced on me). He was also the one that told me I would recieve the lovely withholding pay ( 1,200) back upon vacating the apt,but never assumed resposbility when the director refused to communicate with me about it.


This withholding pay ( along with other ilegal things)is stated in his lovely written illagal contract ( $200 pay dudections for every day your out sick). infremidy being laid off pay and bilateral trade agreements?

He even had the audicaty to cross out the old school name ( on the same contract no less) and then just write the new school name on top of the other one.

Oh, yeah and I was the who paid for the flight over there. Nice, huh?

So yeah if it's the same one I am thinking of:STAY AWAY!! If not then proceed.[/quote]

[wesharris]

[Steve_Rogers2008]

I thought expressing yourself in an erratic fashion is the norm rather than the exception on this board?


But given the OP named the worker with (Korea After School Education) in the first line, seems more likely the writer had an axe to grind, and didn't care who's thread got hijacked in the process....



But nothing's better when ESLers turn to vent their frustrations...

[kingssurfer]

Thanks guys.

plynx,
Can you pm me so I can get more info. I don't have 25 posts yet. Curious as to why you only worked 6 months. Was that how long you signed for? I start next Monday and would appreciate all the info I can get.

cert43,

I had two recruiters Mehg Hyun and Phillip Kim, and unless Phillip has changed his name it's not him. Hopefully not. They only place people in Seoul public schools. I am sorry to hear of your troubles. What about the Labor Board? Kangnam Labor Law Firm?

OculisOrbis
Thanks for the numbers. I haven't started yet, but will do when I get the first chance

[cert43]

Hi,

- Yes, it was Seoul Public School Placement. We found it on work and play and it looked very legit at the time ( just like a normal job, nothing different of skechy)Anyways, proceed with caution (was under the assumption that After-Schools Programs are strickly for f-2 holders because they are run soley on your student enrollment).

When we didn't have enough students sign up;we simply couldn't continue on with the program.Not saying there aren't some legit programs out there, just be careful, that's all.

If you want to teach in Seoul Public School, then I would apply directly to SMOE. It is the safest bet. There is really no such thing as a 12-5 gig for an E-2 Holder ( you have to have 30+ hours and a saleried position
to even get E-2 Sponsership) and MOST are hourly with less then 30 hours a week.

Re: labor board? This wasn't going to help the situation. I think the worst part was is there was there was nothing to be done once it happened ( couldn't be mad at the recruiter), couldn't be mad at my boss( wasn't his fault). But, damn they could have given me the withholding pay back.

[alleyratz]

kingssurfer: How do you like KASE? it's been a few months since your post. I just interviewed with them today and thought it went well and they would like to work with me.

How is working with them? Thanks!

[gwhitey09]

Don't listen to Cert.
An idiot. Can't spell.
KASE is a good program.
Straight by the books.
Teach from 1-5:15 MWTuF
2-5:15 Th.
Much less than 30 hours. Have an E2.

[lifeinkorea]

There are a few things not being addressed:

1) In what capacity are you working for KASE relative to the actual public school you will be working at?

If you just go to the public school and KASE handles payment, housing, vacation, etc... then it doesn't matter if KASE is good or bad.

Remember, you don't work with the principal at a public school. You don't work with the hagwon owner, and with KASE you will NOT work with the owner of KASE. You will work with a manager at KASE.

This middle management stuff can go sour or can be good. I worked with "Okey Dokey" and outfit from AKYEC. I worked with one manager, things worked well, but she informed me she was quitting cause she couldn't stand her job. Two part-time managers replaced her and upheld agreements, but when they left, the 4th manager didn't.

Up until then, I had a distance between them and the public school I worked at. I was able to work directly with the students and not be "bugged".

Take this into consideration. Find out who the manager is, who are you to answer to.

2) What curriculum do you use?

Are you teaching from KASE's curriculum or are you making your own? If you have to make your own it could be good. Just make sure KASE is willing to pay for some of the materials. If they provide them, then ask to see some of the lessons before you commit. As mentioned in 1, there was a 4th manager in my case. They decided to provide a curriculum but the books all had black and white photos from the 80's.

[kingssurfer]

I like it so far. They even gave me a part time morning job for an extra 400 a month. The hours are from 12-5:15, and it's just you and the Korean teacher. It is as exactly as gwhitey09 described it. Plnyx said

If you have ever had a bad job in Korea, this one will seem like heaven.

I agree so far.
I am pretty sure I work with the recruiting managers, and I barely ever see them. You get paid full time to work part time hours, and you are pretty much left alone, and free to teach how you want. I don't know what cert43 is talking about. He had to be referring to a different company.[/quote]

[kingssurfer]

I have been with this company for four months, and it seems to be going pretty well so far.

To anybody that is currently working for them (KASE).
(The after school program in Seoul)

How has your experience been?

I have recently been getting a lot of inquiries about this company as there seems to be quite a bit of turnover in the past 4 months.

I would appreciate any info.
I would also appreciate any info from someone who did or did not last their conratact with KASE.

PaulPizzazz

I have responded to your inquiry, but I don't have 25 posts yet, so let me know what you want me to do. I could answer on here or elsewhere.

Thanks

[le-paul]

Kase is German for cheese