Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Findoggydogg]

I am writing to inform prospective teachers of what to expect in this branch.

The school employs a very regimental curriculum that involves a huge amount of administration on the part of the teachers. This means that when you start work and are getting used to the curricula, you can expect to work 11 hour days, 5 days a week. Once you adapt to the system, you will be able to cut this down to an average of 9 to 10 hours a day. However, this will only be after around 4 to 5 months work.

On top of normal teaching duties, you will be expected to carry out demonstration classes for all of your co-teachers, at least once a month. You will also be expected to give demonstration classes to prospective and current parents. These promotional classes can take place from 1 to 4 times a month. There are also a number of other duties, such as cleaning the branch each morning and counting the books every 2 months, that will require extra time outside what you would call normal working hours.

One month ago, I agreed to supervise a special Saturday program for 5 hours. The school paid me 24,000 won for work carried out. This is incident is entirely indicative of what to expect in this branch. The academy is no doubt profitable and these profits can be in large part attributed to massive workload that is expected of both native english speaking teachers and Korean teachers.

I am finishing a 6 month stint. I kept 'hanging on in there' in an unhealthy situation, trying to save money before I left for work in Europe. I don't feel bitter because I made a conscious decision to stay here for this long. However, looking back, I should have left earlier as I think I have repressed many of the frustrations I have experienced in my time here. Overall, I am disappointed my time in Korea hasn't been more healthy and happy but I have met some great people outside of work and that is great consolation.

Perhaps the main reason I am posting this is a new native speaking teacher started here 2 months ago. When he began, he brought a great positivity to the work environment but he has literally been crushed under the work load and the unrealistic expectations. I can see in him what I went through and realize I should have been more vocal.

Finally, I will say that the teaching experience I have gained here has been great, as I have taught the full range of ages and dealt with an intense workload. If this is all you are travelling to Korea for, then this branch will suit you. I would advise you however, to seek out a workplace that allows you to live a fulfilling and balanced life here.

One final addition is a reference to the parent company of BR English, dahn yoga:
http://www.google.ie/#hl=en&source=hp&q=dahn+yoga+cult&aq=1&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=dahn+&gs_rfai=&fp=26c4d7079d47775e

The exercises that take place before each class come from Dahn Yoga. It is the philosophies of this questionable group that inform the management of BR English.

I would also encourage anyone who has had a positive experience with this group to post a comment. Perhaps this is a unique problem to the Geumjeung branch here in Busan.

[CarolinaTHeels]

Is BR English really this bad? I saw where another poster enjoyed his time there.

[northway]

They make you clean the school every day? As in, they don't have custodians?

[marsavalanche]

You're complaining about only getting 24k for 5 hours of work on a Saturday?

You DO realize that other teachers here work on Saturdays unpaid, right?

And you DO realize that you could have asked about unpaid overtime, longer hours, and other questions to a current/former teacher there before you signed the contract, thus getting a red flag, and ultimately deciding not to work for this school?

From what you're writing this contract easily could have been avoided.

[Ramen]

[CarolinaTHeels]

Anyone got the scoop on this Hagwon? Ive heard conflicting stories...

[Ji-ok]

I also would like to know about this school. Has anyone got any info about the Bundang branch?

I tried using the 'search' function, but it times out more often than not.

Cheers.

[tardisrider]

I'd like to learn more about this person who "has literally been crushed under the work load and the unrealistic expectations." I can't believe that this hasn't been in the news.

Are there photographs of this? Did it make a big mess?

[CarolinaTHeels]

anyone else worked for this hagwon?!?!?

[shannonm2461]

I've been working for the Busan- Gaegum branch for six months. I think this branch is great. I work 6 hours a day on M/W/F and about 5 hours on T/TH. The director is very nice and my colleagues are helpful. I'm satisfied. I guess it all depends on what branch you work for.

[CentralCali]

[fezmond]

I worked for these clowns in my first year here. They neglected to mention that every class started with hippy yoga shit and meditation. Kids hated it, teachers hated it but that's what the parents were paying for.

Tried to screw me out of holidays, didn't pay pension, over taxed and constantly arranged Saturday camps with 'native teacher present' on the posters and failed to tell us about it (we refused mostly due to other plans/lack of notice).

Boss was a nutcase. Would ask us to do something then come screaming out of her office and rip the displays off the wall and bellow. Co-teachers were all great though, just an odd introduction to Korea.

They have a job going in Mokdong at the moment, go for it Dave's ESLers.