Korean Job Discussion Forums

bdurrani · Joined: 19 Sep 2011

Hello. I am hoping somebody can help me get some information about/heard of the Avalon English Academy in Suncheon. I received a job offer from the school's director and everything sounds good, but I just want to be sure.

After searching this forum and the web I haven't been able to find any information about the school. I have read up on Avalon schools but want to more know about this school in particular. This will be my first job teaching in Korea and don't want to waste my time applying to a school with a bad reputation (not paying on time, taking money out of the paycheck, changing the work hours, etc.)

jamasian · Joined: 01 May 2011

I live in Suncheon and it's not easy to get in touch with the expats here. I will see if I can find it but just so you know the city's pretty laid back. Quaint little place to live and if you do get here and dislike it, there are other jobs opening up as it's that time of year.

Of course I understand that changing jobs would be annoying so I'll let you know if I find absolutely nothing. Sad

bdurrani · Joined: 19 Sep 2011

Thanks for the reply. Laid back is perfectly fine with me. It'll give me more time to enjoy Korea and not feel overwhelmed. I sent my documents the other day so hopefully I am still on my way to Suncheon. What else can you tell me about the city?
Is there a gym?
How's the public transportation?
Any sports teams?

bobloblaw · Joined: 30 May 2010

I know several people that worked at this hagwon in the past. PM me and perhaps I can put you in touch with one of them. I lived in Suncheon for 14 months and I would definitely go back.

toadkillerdog · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Location: Daejeon. ROK

Can't speak about the school but Suncheon is a great city in a great area. I lived there for 6 years and really miss the place.

bdurrani · Joined: 19 Sep 2011

@bobloblaw. That's good to hear. The more I hear about Suncheon the more I'm starting to like it. I do not have enough posts to PM you. Could you send me a PM?

jamasian · Joined: 01 May 2011

I'm glad others know about the hagwon because I haven't had time to go to it Embarassed

The city is pretty big so there are quite a few gyms to choose from and spas with pools. I joined a Japanese hagwon and a dance school. Not that everyone's English was so good but it was enough to join in, so don't worry about signing up for random classes.

We also have a few options available if you want to learn some of the language...for free Very Happy

I know there is a foreigner soccer team in our neighbor Yeosu, but I'm not sure about anything being here. I'd suggest taking the 15min $2.50 train ride into Yeosu for sports if you don't find what you like here.

Transportation is great. I get around the city very quickly and easily. I usually use the bus but there are an abundance of taxis too.

There are bars for miles, a few clubs and quite a few restaurants have put English onto their menus.

It's fairly warm here. I mean since it's winter it's cold, but not freezing like Seoul. Only been here since December so I'm not sure what the other seasons are like.

hmmmm anything else you want to know?

bdurrani · Joined: 19 Sep 2011

@jamasian: Thanks for the info! I guess I'll learn more about everything once I'm actually in Suncheon, but I'm glad I at least have an understanding now.

bobloblaw · Joined: 30 May 2010

escarole · Joined: 06 Nov 2009

OP, watch out.

I don't know if there's more than one Avalon in Suncheon, but I know someone who worked at an Avalon in Suncheon and had a wretched time there.

The owner of the school was absent, didn't speak any English, and had repeatedly changed the management.

The person I know was fired after I believe 2 months, for fabricated reasons, and Avalon tried to get airfare and recruiter fee as well. Furthermore they refused to give a letter of release, that is until another well-connected employer went to bat for the person who'd been fired. New employer has had zero problems with this employee as far as I know so I have to place the blame on Avalon.

Student enrollment was dropping and they needed to blame it on someone other than themselves, so they made a scapegoat.

Also, I heard the other foreign teachers there have recently quit.

You might be replacing some foreign teachers who quit for good reason...

Be careful.

bobloblaw · Joined: 30 May 2010

Hearsay, escarole.

plchron · Joined: 26 Feb 2011 Location: Korea

this is Korea. It sounds true.

escarole · Joined: 06 Nov 2009

I'm still in regular contact with the person who was fired, and I could probably also get the emails of the other foreign teachers who quit.

bdurrani, please post here if you want that information.

bobloblaw, have you had any contact with the school or its teachers since the management changed?

bdurrani · Joined: 19 Sep 2011

escarole, yeah if you could send me a PM I would appreciate some firsthand information on the school.
I've talked to one teacher who currently works there and they say the school has been good so far without any issues.
I haven't seen this school appear on any blacklists so maybe this one is newer.

SeoulNate · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Location: Hyehwa

Just be wary with Avalon right now because of the Saturday work, I have no idea about that branch.

All of the Avalon's will be going to new contracts in March to get their teachers to work on Saturday. Now, this wouldnt be terrible if they gave you Monday off, but they just provide Sunday and another random day during the week off. If it is fine for you to never really have a 2 day weekend, then by all means go for it, but it is something to think about imo.