Korean Job Discussion Forums

[scolon725]

I'm considering both POLY and EPIK. It seems to me, from what I've read, that POLY is a better choice, in that the pay is better, the program is a little more rigorous (not a joke), and I'll be able to choose my working location. Ultimately, it's my decision, but if anyone who's experienced working in either program can give me some advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[jvalmer]

Poly is a hagwon, EPIK places you in public schools.

[scolon725]

Thank you for the reply. Yeah, I realize that Poly is a hagwon. I was hoping people with experience working there would give info about their experience. I hear, as hagwons go, it's pretty good.

Thanks again.

[InDaGu]

I've never worked at Poly, but my best friend did. Standard hours at every location are 9am-730pm (yuck) and you will have to do a ton of grading at home (double-yuck).

[vermouth]

Do you want more money or more free time?

If you like teaching young kids Poly is one of the better schools out there.

I just started working for a Poly school, coming from a CDI April where i taught Kindergarten as well and my impressions are pretty good if you don't mind working long days.

Unlike my last school which may have been the shadiest Hagwon anyone I know had ever worked for, these guys were very honest and fair with me. I wasn't even working considerably more hours but there was a nice big raise in it for me. The students are pretty good kids who've mostly been abroad which gives them a high speaking level.

Public schools I've never taught there. It seems they get a lot of time off and benefits and the pay is lower than at a Poly school which pay about as well as any Hagwon.

[jc1257]

I've taught at Poly for a little while and they seem to be a pretty good operation.

I've never had any issues with them not following the contract, and don't know anyone who has had issues.

The kids all have a very high level of English and you are teaching actual material from US based text books. The pay is also really good.

That being said, you do work a ton of hours and I often have to take grading home, though I've heard it varies from campus to campus.

For me, the money is worth the extra hours, and you do get used to the long hours. You just have to figure out which is more important to you.

[scolon725]

Thanks for all the help; it's much appreciated. Just wondering, have any of you worked at the Poly location in Bundang?

[cedarseoul]

POLY is awesome. I've been at a franchise for three years...three best years of my life.

I have a friend at Bundang. He says it's very professionally run.

[tokkibunni8]

Last year I thought about changing jobs and tested the market and got quite a few offers with one of them being POLY. Even though POLY was one of the better offers I got it didn't come close to my public school job with GEPIK. An average of 32 classes a week for 2.5 mill with two weeks of paid vacation.

My school is with GEPIK but it was great, which made it hard to leave so I stuck around for a 4th year. I made more than 2.5 mill just teaching 22 hours a week and had anywhere between 10-12 hours of overtime at either 25k/hr or 40k/hr depending on which class I was teaching. And, a guaranteed 25 days of paid vacation, which usually resulted in a lot more.

There are some good public schools out there.

[hawkeyz11]

[NohopeSeriously]

I haven't heard about POLY until now. So, ummmm is there an official website on POLY?

(having Gwichanism 귀차니즘 right now )

[hawkeyz11]

[northway]

Poly is a bit ridiculous. They pay marginally more than your average kindergarten hagwon while expecting you to work long hours and teach more during those hours. I don't think it's hard to find another kindy hagwon that isn't going to expect you to kill yourself.

[hawkeyz11]

[northway]