Korean Job Discussion Forums

[globusmonkey]

I have a few interviews coming up, and I haven't been able to find a posting of good interview questions to ask of the directors (I keep getting the blank search screen when I try to use it). I did a quick google search and came up with the following. Does anyone have questions to add?

What are school hours and when am I expected to be at the office?
Are all classes held at one location?
How long are classes and what constitutes a "teaching hour"?
How long has the school been operating?
Is there an English speaker to act as go-between for NET and Korean staff?
How are classes grouped (age, proficiency, etc.)?
Is there a standard discipline model/policy?
What kind of teaching resources are provided?
Will I be expected to create new materials/lessons?

I'll also be asking for the contact info for the current foreign teachers, to ask about housing conditions and location of amenities, but is there anything else I should bring up in the phone interview that I couldn't figure out from the contract? If this has been covered before, please post a link and I'll take it from there. Thanks!

[Skill]

Ask if they have a curriculum. You'll be suprised.

[globusmonkey]

Surprised as in "Christmas Morning When I Was 7" surprised, or "Bear Attack in the Woods" surprised?

My understanding is that the decent schools will have a fairly standardized/basic curriculum that the NET can work off of and supplement. If they don't have something in place, is it a good indication it's not a good school to work for?

[sanityorlove]

thanks for this. i have been trying to find a thread with the same exact stuff. i have somehow managed to have about 7 jobs thrown at me in the past 48 hours and i'm trying to keep everything organized. if anyone has any other questions to add please feel free! i definitely don't want to regret not finding out as much as i possibly can...

[thegadfly]

[theevilgenius]

Depending on the hagwon it doesn't really matter what you ask, some will tell you exactly what you want to hear just to get you on that plane.

[Whistleblower]

Here's some more questions:

1. How would teachers describe your school/yourself?
2. Is national pension/health insurance provided?
3. What would be your perfect teacher?
4. Tell me more about your experience of language education?
5. Why is the current position available?
6. Why did/is the teacher leave/leaving?
7. Can I speak to a current English teacher?

Hope this helps.

[tran.huongthu]

Only one question you need to ask and if you don't get an honest answer then leave immediately. Ask if they are having financial difficulties.

[oldtrafford]

At what point will you royally screw me over?

[some waygug-in]

Ask to speak to a teacher who has already left (if possible).

That way you know they aren't under pressure to lie about the school.