Korean Job Discussion Forums

[philinkorea]

I found it strange to find my current hagwon, Chungmoon Language Institute on 2 blacklists. Im here now, the boss and the staff have been totally cool and everyone here is really happy and in fact everyone other than perhaps (but not sure) myself are extending their contracts. My only reason is because I feel ive had enough of split shift scheduling but its an adult school so to be expected.

An older teacher recently left after 2 years and was an EFL lifer and said my school was 'The best hagwon he's ever worked for'. I just found the comments quite odd. Im not saying my school is the best there is or anything. The pay is 1.9 so I guess pretty standard but its just been a totally pleasant ride. The boss looks after everyone well. I would be kind of interested to know anyones actual bad experiences

[TheUrbanMyth]

Is it a franchise? Regardless, just because a school makes it on the blacklist does not mean it is a bad school. Some teachers like to distort the facts to make it seem like they were innocent victims and some teachers outright lie. There are bad schools to be sure, but in at least 50% of the cases (IMO) it's six of one and half-a-dozen of the other.

[captain kirk]

Re; you finding the 'lifer's' comment rather odd ('this is the best hagwon that I've ever worked for').
I said the same thing a few months ago and the head Korean teacher started laughing and joked, 'don't lie'. It really cracked her up. She's been at this school for FOUR years, since it opened.
I meant that there have been few stand-offs and 'scenes'. Yes there have been, but they've been water under the bridge. Not held and made into grudges. Since the management is female, and 6 of the eight teachers, I think they let off steam thru gossip and talking behind one's back. Their responses are more like asides, like dismissive 'tsks'. Discreetly hidden, behind the scenes, on the margins. It's a 'male' society, and the women have their guerilla tactics while all's hunkey dorey in the sweet light of day. Throw in the Korean 'group harmony' illusion maintained for everyone's 'face' and it's a pretty pleasant atmophere. If I remain deliberately 'transcendent' about what a poster said above. About greedy WJN's (and staff who want to keep their jobs and follow the trickle-down scoop) who only care about how much money the foreign teacher can make them. While despising them.
A poster recently said, after three months teaching in Korea, that he and his girlfriend have come to realize that they aren't treated as 'adults' here. A 'lifer' copes by ignoring this sense of being perceived as an underling, with Koreans superior. The 'lifer' whose comment you found odd has adapted over the years. To put up with a lot. He's not doing 'hard time' anymore. And by no longer being able (it was so long ago) to compare how he was perceived in his home country, an 'adult', capable person. He has built up defences. Possibly he doesn't notice this adaptation he's been doing over the years, so the 'job' looks better.
Rather poignant, I can hear violins playing as I write this, but there it is.

[adventureman]

Phil, would you mind providing the web adresses of these blacklists?

[seoulmon]

Why was it on the black list?

I've heard pretty good things about that school, but I wouldn't say it's the best.

[philinkorea]

sorry not sure the addresses now but will look but i can say they both spoke of racist management which i found kind of strange. we have one korean american guy working with us. im not saying who posted these were liers but it did just seem odd considering the happiness of the present staff. anyway, ill search for those addresses