Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kraft Dinner]

Hello,
Just wondering if anyone cared to comment on Wonderland schools in general or one in Pusan specifically.

I have a job offer with them through RBI but the recruiter says that the director, "didn't need no interview cause [my] resume look so-ok-good".

Is that just by virtue of the fact that I am a good ol' NA guy and that's all they care about, OR is this laxed hiring policy indicative of the quality of people I may be working for?

Job is Nam Cheon Dong, 1.9 mill, 110 hours/month, 9:30-6:30, M-F

any input would be well received,

KD

[chronicpride]

There are over 100+ Wonderland schools in Korea with 100s of teachers working there and 100s of teachers who used to work there. But there are a dozen or so bad online reports from some teachers who had bad experiences there. Usually, people who have never worked at a Wonderland, usually have the most to say about them.

No one is truly sure if the teachers that had bad experiences at some of their schools, had a bad experience with Korea in general, a bad experience with their specific director, or a bad experience with all 100+ schools. That's the problem with online reports. They have more holes in them than swiss cheese and we are assuming that the teachers are pristine angels who are being completely forthcoming and representing that school's vantage point, in addition to their own.

This is the internet and I would put less trust in a teacher's online testimony, than a phone interview with a school.

As for the school, I only know this school from talking to the director about their hiring needs. They have teachers there that you can talk to about their experience. I would put 500 times more stock in what they have to say about the school than anything that you may find on the net, as most are just going to be assumptive generalizations and stories with big gaps in them.

[discostar23]

wonderland = wonder what the hell you are doing here

[chronicpride]

[oneiros]

I would be really hesitant to work for a school if I haven't talked to them, or to teachers past or present, first. By "hesitant", I mean I wouldn't do it.

Ask the recruiter to set up an "interview" time for you, so you can talk to the school.

9:30 - 6:30 means you're working pre-school.

[Kraft Dinner]

Interestingly enough, I just received an email from RBI (representing Wonderland) expressing how interested the director is in talking to me about the position. Strange how this interest has developed only a day after I told the recruiter my thoughts on them not needing an interview....

I really can't decide which of the two parties in this whole recruitment game makes me fell like I need a shower more: the recruiter, for whom every school is "a really good fit for you..." or the directors, with their transparent, hyperbolic compliments on either one's resume or picture.."you look like you love children, especially young ones... (???!!)". I don't have the heart to tell them the possible interpretation of such a compliment in North America.

In any case, all advice from you guys has been great. As I have for all offers, I have asked them for some current teachers to talk with.

I also found a web site devoted to bashing Wonderland. However, as someone who likes statistics, despite the endless barrage of bad stories, I still have to assume that it is conceivable that these aren't representative of all experiences with this chain and that the experiences are an artifact of the franchise system where the owner dictates the climate.

Thanks,
KD

[maxxx_power]

That's a bull shit shift as well for that little money. Think about it.

What does the contract say in terms of teaching hours? Will you be teaching 5-6 50 minute classes each day or are those 110 hours going to be split up by the minute for 7,8, or 9 classes each day. Not to mention you may be at the site for 9 hours doing paperwork, twiddling your thumbs, or coerced into doing extra duties.

Check to see if a teaching hour is defined as a 50 minute class and 10 minute break. If the hours aren't specifically defined you might end up getting jerked around and teaching way too many classes for pittance.

Definitely talk to current teachers at the school and former if they are willing to give out the contact information. Wonderland has a bad rep but specific schools are different. Find out as much as you can about that branch.

From the information you gave, and the shift alone I would say no to this job. Calculate the worst case scenario of 1.9 million won/180 (potential) hours at the jobsite and you'll see your wage could be around 10,500 won an hour. Taxes, bills, and mystery deductions will lower that amount even more. Don't believe the hype. The only thing cheap about this country is the transportation system. Food and entertainment are more expensive that back in the U.S. by a long shot. You'll be amazed that rice is so pricey and you'll have to sell a kidney to buy a melon or a sack of potatoes.

Would you leave your home country to live in Korea for the same wage you'd be earning by working retail in the mall? Sure you get "free" housing but the bonuses by no means outweigh the negatives of this place.

At a bare minimum I would look for 2 million won, 5-6 50 minute classes each day with a maximum 6 hours onsite + reasonable prep time (eg. 2pm-8pm). Extra duties should be specifically written into the contract with a decent overtime rate and all deductions accounted for. To earn a reasonable wage here as an English teacher you should use those morning hours to take on a second (illegal) job at another school. Otherwise you'll be kicking yourself for earning so little and dealing with the large amount of abuse that comes with being a whitey in the land of the morning xenophobe.

[kprrok]

[oneiros]

[chronicpride]

[CanadaCommando]

[just because]

I know of two different Wonderlands...
One is shockingly bad(the typical Wonderland stereotype) and the other is not so bad.

[chronicpride]

[oneiros]

[marista99]

I really can't decide which of the two parties in this whole recruitment game makes me fell like I need a shower more: the recruiter, for whom every school is "a really good fit for you..." or the directors, with their transparent, hyperbolic compliments on either one's resume or picture.."you look like you love children, especially young ones... (???!!)". [/quote]

Yeah, I had a director look at my picture and declare "you are definitely a very happy person." Sure...and given the fact that people almost always smile when they have their pictures taken, I'm guessing he would probably think everyone was very happy.