Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cdn_guy7610]

A friend of mine is wondering how good the YBM schools are? The salary is between 1.8-2.2 million a month, and they will offer 10 million for key money, but charge 50,000 won a month for interest and no rent money on top of the salary. That doesn't sound right. They do offer shared housing, but at a lower salary of about 1.7 million. I have never heard a Canadian making so little. he said he can't handle having a roommate, being at home with one is bad enough.

I would like to hear anyone elses experiences with this school. He is interested, but the salary/housing is an issue. I wouldn't sign as it is now, but maybe he hasn't understood the information properly. Anyway, thanks all.

[plattwaz]

YBM is a massive chain. They have several branches within their chain as well -- YBM ECC (Kindie and elementary), YBM PSA (preschool academy), YBM IA (International Academy, meant for returning students), and YBM ELS (adults). Each different branch of their little empire includes franchised schools as well as company owned schools.

In other words, there are good YBM schools and not so good YBM schools.

[tomato]

Hello, CDN Guy!

My first job was with a YBM school in Kimcheon. The hours were long, the director was unsupportive, and all the foreign teachers lived in a sardine can.

I'm glad you weren't too quick to sign.

[denverdeath]

I don't know much about the other subsidiaries of YBM, but I have a friend who worked at an ELS branch who said it wasn't terrible. All of the adult places have both advantages and disadvantages. Main disadvantages: usu some sort of split shift, "professional" dress, sometimes nametags/badges(at least they had that policy at one of the "McDonald's" locations I worked at), and questionable contract clauses. Advantages: adults. In other words no punks pulling your "monkey-hair" out of your forearms. 10mil key money sounds better than the peanuts Pagoda gives, but Pagoda can give you single housing. Granted, you have to pay anywhere from 300,000 to 500,000(sometimes more) in monthly rent which will significantly reduce your monthly take-home pay even though it seems like the money is better there. Yet, you can often choose you own housing and they will assist you in finding it. Also, most of those places offer oppotunities for extra income like interviews, OT, and Saturday work...but do you really want to be a slave for the won? If I were your friend, and I was seriously considering their offer, I would go for the monthly interest option...seems like a better deal anyway. I would also be asking for at least a 2mil guaranteed base salary, but they may refuse to give it if s/he doesn't have at least a year's experience in the ESL industry.

[YoungLi]

I applied at a YBM SISA branch (adults only) not a franchise and I REPEAT NOT a franchise. The lies that came out of the Academic Supervisor's mouth were astounding, shocking and humiliating to say the least. I was told it was legal to work on a tourist visa.... legal to work with only a visa issuance number and no E2 stamp on my passport.... legal to work offsite at any location they wanted to send me ..... that immigration will never question or trouble YBM because it's so large.... mandatory that I send the school my original degree for the application procedure..... that certified copies from the consulate were no good in Korea for immigration..... that E2 visas are NEVER issued in the USA and "they [consulate employees] don't know ANYTHING." Furthermore, the director yelled at a teacher while on the phone with me who was trying (under diress) to convince me of all those lies. I wasn't buying any of them. Stay away from YBM if you know what's good for you.

[jacl]

[jacl]

Y B a Moron.

[PEIGUY]

I worked at an ECC (company owned school) and hated it. I also worked part-time teaching adults at there adult branch and it was cool. But, that was just because the Academic Supervisor was great... I would never work for ECC not worth the effort. You can get a better job if you're in Seoul and are on location to check a school out.

[cdn_guy7610]

I work for a great adult academy near Suwon station. I haven't had any real complaints. Good bosses, good co workers, very supportive, pay on time. So it's great, minus a few little things. The split shift isn't so bad, especially when it gets you away from the kiddies.

However my friend was interested in the ybm school teaching adults and I was just wondering about other peoples experiences. So generally they don't give you any extra money for rent if you don't take the shared housing? Did anyone have to pay interest on the key money? That seems strange to me. I am lucky I found a great school to work for.

[denverdeath]

[jacl]

There, there. Don't cry.

[tomato]

CDN Guy, I work at a good school near Suweon Station, too.

I thought for sure you worked at the same school until I noticed the words "adult academy." It can't be the same school, because the school where I work is a kiddie academy.

Two pleasant workplaces in the same area is quite a rare coincidence,
so I'm curious regarding where your school is.

[cdn_guy7610]

I work at Easy Foreign Langauage Institute, right near the Station. It is great, even the weekend classes, which are optional, but the overtime can be nice.

[cdn_guy7610]

Where abouts are you teaching? Is it any good?

[Milwaukiedave]

I work in one of the YBMe2u schools in the southern part of Seoul. The hours are good, I work 3-10pm. I'm the only native speaker. In fact, I'm possibly being offered a position in R&D which would be longer hours, but it depends if I get a salary bump though.