Korean Job Discussion Forums

[marisaw]

I was wondering if anyone has heard of Heritage Institute of Language Arts in Seoul? I recently got a job offer and I am considering taking it but I have not heard anything good or bad about this school. I searched Dave's and the web in general and I cannot find any information. I would really appreciate any comments about the school.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Be sure to ask for contact numbers/addresses for current employees at the school. They are the best people to ask.

[ajstew]

Ah... Heritage.... my first job in Korea. I began working there when it first opened, and taught the very first day. It's in Gayang-dong near the E-Mart. I couldn't have asked for a better place to begin teaching. And I helped a friend get a job there this past September, and she has stayed the whole time with no problems. It's not a chain... and I think the boss looks after his teachers pretty well. If you want to know more, feel free to pm me.

[marisaw]

Thank you both for your help. I got the email addresses of some people from the school and they all really enjoyed the school so it looks like I'll be working there. Thank you again.

[chinook]

Any one have anything else to say about Heritage School?

And I was wondering about the location. Kangseo-ku, Seoul, which is near Mokdong apparently. Is it near a subway?

Thanks!

[ilovebdt]

[DallasTexas]

If Mr. Ju is recruiting for a public school, as he often does......

Do not take the job. I repeat DO NOT take the job.

Mr. Ju, undoubtedly, explained that he would need access to your private bank account, that he would need your login and password. With this information he will withdraw your total paycheck from the school, then he would "pay" you about a week later.

This is a kickback scam, and if it is done from YOURbank account, who exactly do you think will be responsible for the kickbacks? It would be you. Do you think you can explain to the authorities that someone else was using your personal account?

This is a great coverup for the crooks, they are using westerns' bank accounts to engage in illegal activity.

When the story hits the press, do you want to be left holding the bag?

[ajstew]

"If Mr. Ju is recruiting for a public school, as he often does......
Do not take the job. I repeat DO NOT take the job.
Mr. Ju, undoubtedly, explained that he would need access to your private bank account, that he would need your login and password. With this information he will withdraw your total paycheck from the school, then he would "pay" you about a week later. This is a kickback scam, and if it is done from YOURbank account, who exactly do you think will be responsible for the kickbacks? It would be you. Do you think you can explain to the authorities that someone else was using your personal account? This is a great coverup for the crooks, they are using westerns' bank accounts to engage in illegal activity. When the story hits the press, do you want to be left holding the bag?"

Let me clarify something a bit here. Mr. Joo does not recruit for public schools... he recruits for a 'private' elementary school, where you would not get hired unless you went through him since he has had a relationship with the school for a number of years. Having said that, you are right, that he does get a kickback, which I imagine he feels he deserves since you wouldn't have the job without him. All I can say is that you will get paid between 30-35,000 for a 50 minute class. Would you get paid more if you got the job without his help? Sure, you would get quite a bit more, but it's a moot point, since you can't work there without going through him. You also are not bound there throughout the day as you would be if you were working in an EPIK type program. You finish and you go. Those are a few things you should keep in mind.

[DallasTexas]

It is true that the best jobs are those that include allowing a recruiter to have access to your private bank account. Obviously, there is a reason for that: they have to sweeten the pie to talk people into the situation.

I think that if you allow someone/anyone to use your name and account for any activities, you are asking for trouble.
How will you prove it wasn't you paying the kickbacks?
After all it was your account?

[jinju]

[Beej]

[Beej]

Actually the school in question doesnt really need Mr Joo. They can just hire the teacher and save the school a lot of money in the process.
But if they did that the principal couldnt steal money from the school by using the accounts of its teachers.
Really shameful behavior from a school that touts itself as the best elementary school in korea.

[marisaw]

I believe chinook was asking only about Heritage school which is completely different from what you are all talking about. I currently work at Heritage and we have a teacher leaving soon so there is an available position. Heritage is not really in the Mokdong area it's near it but not quite. The apartment where you would live is a 15 minute bus ride from the nearest subway station. The location is not great - there's really nothing to do in Deungcheon-dong but it could be worse. Heritage is a reputable school. I'm not sure how Mr. Joo runs his other schools but there is nothing to worry about at Heritage.

[ajstew]

"Are you an apologist for this guy?"

An apologist... no. I worked for him and worked at an elementary school such as the one being discussed and I know the inner workings of what goes on in the situation. It might have been better to ask "Do you know the guy?" Or, "Are you knowledgable about what is being discussed?" Since when has stating the facts about a person or school meant that one is an apologist. I just prefer he not be slandered by untrue statements such as the one that he recruits for public elementary schools which I do not, to the best of my knowledge, believe he does. Private yes... public no.

[chinook]

marisaw - so, you like the school?

I can't get a handle on where the school might be. How far away from the Carrefour in Mokdong are you?