Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cfedora]

Hey guys,

A job opportunity has just come up for me with a company called Ding Ding Dang in Daegu (Jisan area). I am just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this company, and in particular, this location. I just want to do my research before I make a decision.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I can't speak for that location but the one I worked at was terrible. I quit after seven months and am soooooooooo happy I did. Most of them have a terrible reputation. I've done a bit of research on the Net out of curiosity. Re: Daegu branches I've read one positive comment by a certified teacher from Canada who was really happy there (surprised the hell out of me) and a whole whack of negative ones about Daegu DDDs, including one of two teachers who were left with no heat at their place for two weeks in winter.

Every branch is different and you can take your chances if you wish, but I'd give chains with terrible reputations like this one a miss. The people who buy these franchises are businessmen who don't really give a damn about the kids or teaching. They likely have a kindergarten and lots of younger elementary kids who are just monsters. They bend over backwards trying to cater to every idiot parent's last whim and feed the parents so much BS that it basically amounts to fraud. DDD is also very fond of telephone 'teaching', the biggest waste of time possible and something you'll never be paid for properly if it means working extra hours to finish it. Because of their kindie programmes they also often have split shifts.

If you need another reference I can provide you with a contact of a former co-worker who also quit out of disgust.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I should note as well that the sample contract they post on their website has a lot of BS in it including a requirement to provide 90 days notice if leaving.

They also write: 'We are not a placement agency headhunting for illegitimate Hogwons. We are hiring teachers for our own franchise schools, each governed by a standard contract and unifying set of principles in accordance with Korean civil law. We take pride in treating our employees with respect, dignity, and honesty.'

*Nothing* could be further from the truth.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Finally check out http://eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?p=597719&highlight=&sid=03ffc51926ab531a6c7a43bdb28d6784 .

[cfedora]

This is the first bad thing I have heard about them. I checked the Hagwon Blacklist, and they aren't on there anywhere that I could see. I have an interview with the direcotr tomorrow night, and then I will get to talk to a current teacher. So, hopefully I will get some real info from the teacher about what it's like at that location right now, cuz I know the recruiters and the directors try and paint a rosy picture of everything. I really wanted to go to Seoul, but I haven't been able to find anything too promising there yet. Daegu seems like a good city though. Where did you work for Ding Ding Dang?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I worked at one in Incheon.

First, does the job involve Saturdays? When I first came over I thought it was just standard, but it's not. There are lots of jobs that don't involve Saturdays, and even if it's only for a short afternoon it completely torpedoes your weekend and prevents you from doing much fun stuff.

Second, do you have a contract yet? Get one sent and go over it carefully. Post it hear and sweet talk Grotto and some others into analysing it for you.

Third, request the emails of *all* current teachers there so that you can write to them in confidence. Promise them you won't say anything to management and just ask them what the hours have been like and if they'd recommend it. Be careful here. They might be short a teacher (runner) and a current teacher might paint a rosier picture just to get someone to help ease his load.

Finally, Daegu's an all right city and only 1 hour and 40 minutes from Seoul by KTX.

BTW, which blacklist are you talking about - could you provide a link?

[cfedora]

First off let me say thanks for helping me out. You have replied to a few of my other posts in the past and you've been pretty helpful. I appreciate it. Here is the link for the Blacklist I have been checking: http://www.geocities.com/hagwonblacklist/list.html

I know there are a couple out there, but this one has a lot of names on it. I will deffinitely make sure to get the contact info for the other teachers working at this Daegu location. The saturday class thing kind of sucks, but it is only for 3 hours and it adds a lot to the paycheque. When I started off my search for a job in Korea, I didn't think it was going to be this difficult, but there are a lot of dodgy places to watch out for. It gets kind of discouraging. But, I am determined to go, so I battle on.

[nev]

I've known a number of people who have worked in Ding Ding Dangs in Daegu, though I'm not sure if they were at the Jisan one. A fair number of these people did runners or gritted their teeth to make it through the year. I've not heard many good words said about the school, although it really is a pot luck affair depending on branch (friends in one area found it bearable, another area seemed like a living hell). All branches seemed to work the teachers for every last Won.

However, places can change over time and not every branch of a franchise is the same. The advice of the above poster seems wise: contact the teachers working there.

[cfedora]

I am deffinitely going to talk to the other teachers after hearing this info. I am surprised I haven't heard more bad things while researching the company. You are right that it may depend on the branch itself, so this one might be ok. I have been using the recruiting company Longbridge Pacific, and they put me in contact with this school. Do you guys know anything about Longbridge Pacific? The guy I talked to, Fed, was very friendly and helpful, and he is Canadian. Who ever thought with this many jobs available in Korea, that it would be this hard to find one.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Be really careful about the Saturday stuff. 3 hours might mean 5 lessons spread out over 6 hours, or you may have to show up at 1pm when you're first lesson isn't until 3:30 (like I did).

Jisan is also, I believe, one of DDDs first franchises, perhaps its flagship franchise. This could mean they're more professional or it could mean they're more experienced at screwing people over.

[Metsuke]

I'm in Jisan but at a different hagwon... and I know a few people from Ding Ding Dang losely... see them around the neighborhood, sometimes hang out at the bars.

At the Jisan branch things seemed to be ok... but I do recall one girl who just did a runner a while back... but she was only in town for like one month. I think it had less to do with the school, and more to do with the fact that she was home sick.

PM if you want more info... I'll see if I can get any more info for you.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Can you really look a future employer in the eye and say with a straight face, "I worked at Ding, Ding, Dang in Daegu"?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[cfedora]

I was laughing about that when the recruiter told me the name of the school. I can't wait to tell my friends where I work, if I take the job that is. I might just call it Tripple D. So there's someone on this thing that has some knowledge of contracts? I'll start my sweet talking ASAP.

[nader2007]

I am talking to a school in Ding Ding Dang, ie, told my recruiter that I'd like to move foward wtih the hiring process, and this thread has me a little worried.

A general question about recruiters is, will they continue to recruit for a school that has been blacklisted or doesn't live up to their contract?