Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tonyynot]

I have 2 job offers on the table right now, one of them is at an Avalon in Suwon with 11 foreign teachers and the other is a privately owned hagwon in Gangseo, Seoul with 1 other foreign teacher. The Seoul location is great and the apartment is supposedly right in front of the Dungcheon subway line.
Here is my concern with the Seoul job: I will be a 1st year teacher and I have read warnings about smaller hagwons in Seoul and how directors take advantage of newbie English teachers that want to be placed in Seoul. The director seemed very nice and organized and mentioned how he had been in business for 7 years. I just don't like the idea of being with only 1 other foreign teacher.
So what would you guys recommend?

[asdfghjkl]

Work in Seoul. Suwon has most of the undesirable features of Seoul but few of the good ones unless you're really into prostitutes.

Do your research and don't let anyone take advantage of you.

[The Sultan of Seoul]

Speak to a foriegn teacher at both locations and ask them about the job conditions and working relations before making a decision.

Suwon aint so bad, only a 45 min bus ride from downtown Seoul.

Working with a lot of other foriegners could be good as it will equate to an instant social life. Or if you're a quiet person, working with just one other foiegner would be good. either way, plenty of ways to meet people here if you are adventurous and join meetup groups etc.

But at the end of the day working at a place reccomended by the current foriegn staff means you're more likely to have a happier year, so certainly get on that.

[Chimie]

I work at that Avalon. Feel free to send me any messages or email me at thomas.streetman(at)gmail.com

Were you offered middle school or elementary school position?

[Hokie21]

Actually I think he's coming to ours.

[Chimie]

[mohair_blues]

definitely talk to both schools' teachers,

one glaring risk of small private school is that they tend to fold quicker than a franchise/chain hagwon

[Hokie21]

[tonyynot]

[Chimie]