Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Son Deureo!]

[Steel Dreams]

I've been with YBM for a couple of years. Scheduling is generally by seniority so you can work your way out of splits in the larger centers. However, the thing to expect is to work toward a stable split that works in your favour. I don't know how Pagoda handles this.

I don't mind splits as it benefits my study schedule and breaks up my day. Splits also provide more time to prepare properly - especially for the motivated classes.

In my experience, the early morning classes are the most motivated. I've found that anyone who registers for a class after 7am is considerably less interested in really learning than the ones who take earlier or longer classes in the morning. Of course, a class has to have some content to keep these motivated students in the seats.

Most of the business people are underwritten by their companies if they have 80% attendance. I think this causes the phenomenon of registering but not attending. They sign up, they fake their attendance record, they look like they are working toward professional development and everyone - including the school is happy.

[John Henry]

If I can't slide into a sweet uni gig off the bat, I'm going to try to go with a big chain. I'm familiar with Pagoda, but what does YBM stand for?

[Homer]

Personally, I avoid jobs with big split shifts.

I can do with a couple of hours off between classes on a given day...but not the massive split some jobs have (ex: 10AM to 5PM).

[chickenwhat]

i got off split shifts after three months at ybm, now start early finish early, and not even teaching conversation anymore, just teaching motivated students who have a goal in mind!

[OneWayTraffic]

These days splits at Pagoda could last up to a year if you are unlucky in the timing of your starting date i.e. behind a heap of new hires. There's really no guarantee when you will get off them. I managed after only two months.

More common these days is 6-8 hours spread out over 10 or 12 hours even after you do get off the splits. Occasionally you'll get like 5 hours in a row if your boss and/or cancelations favor you. But with the opportunity to teach weekend classes you can make real money here. I've averaged 3mil plus this past year.

Splits aren't the only thing about teaching adults.

[PolyChronic Time Girl]

Personally, I avoid teaching kids like the plague and you'll find me more than happy and willing to deal with the splits. I work them now....it's really not that bad, probably because I am having so much fun teaching the adult students. I like the split because it gives me some more time to really hone and tune my lesson plans. I teach two classes in the early morning...then come back and teach three evening classes. My classes are actually 60 minutes, but when I'm with these adults, we often get so wrapped up in the conversation that I tend to always keep them over. Kids were pure hell for 40 minutes and I was always looking at the clock or praying for the sweet release of death.
One thing with adults is that you can never slack off...you are always on your toes and have to be in top form when you teach. This can be good or bad depending on how you look at it. It is definitly making me into a better teacher and putting a lot of though into my lesson plans, whereas the kids I just though of games to appease them and not bother me(like mile-long wordseaches), so I get through that painful 40 minutes. Yes, I do have a couple of difficult adult students who are never happy and complain about this and that...(yet these same students are the ones that come EVERYDAY ) But the majority are very awesome to talk to and I have learned so much from them as well.
But like the other posts said, your body will feel the effect of the splits. I always sleep in the afternoon and become extra biatchy when I can't get that afternoon nap. Managing to get sleep is definitly my top priority everyday. I never get the 8 hours of sleep in a row and I sleep like a vampire on the weekend. But it's worth it in my opinion...maybe that will change though...I've only been doing this for two months (thank god I'm on a six month contract)

[Col.Brandon]

I worked splits at Direct English for 5 months last year. My advice? Avoid it like the plague.

It sounds great on paper, but once you deduct all the cancellations you'd be better off working at Burger King. Wake up at 5am, 30 minute commute, turn up at 7am (they dock your pay if you're late)... then wait and see how many cancellations you get. Head home late-morning, then do it all again come 5.30. Some days I was lucky to make 60-70,000 won. Work that out on an hourly basis. No thanks.

To that you can add all the incompetence and mean-spiritedness of the management and working environment. Seriously, do yourself a favour and give it a miss. The sad thing is that the formula has so much great potential, but of course it's had the Korean Midas-touch applied to it.

The thing about teaching kids is that it might suck, but it only sucks for 5 or 6 hours a day - not 16. Teaching adults is great, but be careful what you wish for.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I have one kindie class from 10.45 to 11.30, then I work hogwan from 3.00 to 7.30. The morning class keeps me disciplined, gives me a long break to work out and get things done, and keeps me from staying up all night and sleeping til one. There are times when I really wish I didn't have it, but all in all I'd say it's been really good for me.