Korean Job Discussion Forums

IamBabo · Joined: 16 Jun 2005

Anbody dealt with this chain, they seem to be pretty straight forward, just want an opinion. I think it's in Sanbon. Help is appreciated..

Is it common these days to buy your own plane ticket and get reimbursed?

purple_buddha · Joined: 18 Apr 2003

From what I've heard, the BCM branch in Sanbon is okay. I worked for one in not-so-far-away Bucheon, and it was fantastic. BCM is a large chain; it depends on the individual director of each school, as to whether or not it's reputable. Also, I hear (but don't know personally) that Sanbon is a nice area in which to live.

I think it's best to buy your own plane ticket with the intention of getting reimbursed. That way you avoid having long layovers in multiple airports or just a lousy itinerary in general.

Another word of advice: process your E-2 visa BEFORE you come. You don't want to be stuck teaching without it, awaiting a visa run to Osaka, Japan. Korean Immigration is checking a lot of schools nowadays. If you get caught teaching without it, it could be major problems for you, as these officials are not granting a lot of leniency to the ESL teaching crowd.

Good luck!

peppermint · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:15 am Post subject:

I believe thqat's one of the franchise schools, so even though I worked at the headquarters for the chain a couple of years ago, my info isn't entirely relevant. The textbooks were solid but dull, so have supplementary activities. the hours were rough, but aside from a little nickle and diming, the school was okay about pay.

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

peppermint...
When you say "the textbooks..."
Please tell you me you are NOT referring to the "Let's Chat" series.

Honestly, I could vomit on paper and I could teach my students more. It has to be the worst "teaching" ANYTHING I have ever seen.
You should enquire as to what textbooks are being used. As i said, let's chat sucks so hard. That said, every school is different and after a bit of coaxing even my school figured out that the books kinda sucked.
Pmint....what are some other 'BCM books"? We have to find another series sometimes this coming week but i am scared; very scared.
Min did his doctoral thesis on Rote learning (at least, this is what it said in the handbook i/the school recieved upon openning). It is difficult to respect that...

sigh... Oh well.

my hours are cool....pay as great (my hagwon loves me...)
vacation sucks.