Korean Job Discussion Forums

nejnna · Joined: 26 May 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Hi all,

I know this has been discussed before (notably here: http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=39825&highlight=ecc+pukdaegu) and within that thread another one was referenced. That link doesn't lead anywhere but I sure would appreciate the info that was probably contained there.

I've been in contact with a Fred from Longbridge Pacific and I read on here that dealing with him is a terrible idea. I've also been in contact with Jin at the ECC Pukdaegu and I haven't seen anything particularly reassuring about her, either.

I've searched and searched on these forums, other forums, as well as Korean blacklists to try and find a consensus answer about ECC Pukdaegu and have come no closer to making a decision about whether or not to accept a position. Is there anyone out there who could further explain why working with Fred and Jin in particular is a bad idea? Has anyone worked at the ECC Pukdaegu school? Has anyone ever had a positive experience teaching in South Korea? Quite obviously, I'm new at this whole thing and I'll be placing a lot of trust in these people in Daegu. I just want to make sure that I do all of my homework before I start making plans to move around the world.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

I've had a very positive experience over the past ten months teaching in Korea - by finding a job on my own through a school district.

What are they offering you? What evidence do you have that they're any different from so many of the other ECC horrors one reads about here and elsewhere?

nejnna · Joined: 26 May 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

They're offering the usual--airfare over and back, they'll take care of the visa, furnished apartment within walking distance of the school, and around 2 m won/month. (I haven't recieved a contract yet so that figure might change a bit.)

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

I've dealt with Fred before twice. Once when my old school was looking for a teacher and he was a recruiter I was working with. And once again when I was looking for a school in Seoul. He helped me out, but I did most of the work each time because I knew what I wanted and he just helped put me in contact. I have heard that he was a bit of a jerk to one teacher he placed when she had a medical emergency and had to leave, but not sure of all the details.

The thing you have to remember with any recruiter is that once you get placed, their work is done. You are a commission to them, and that's about all. Use them to get the names of schools, then negotiate directly with the school.

Good luck in your search.

KPRROK

nejnna · Joined: 26 May 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

I agree with Tom, find out if they will let you talk to the teacher via phone or email. If it is by phone, make sure it's at a time when the teacher is alone (not being coached or watched by his/her boss). If the school says no, then decline the offer.

Right now there are plenty of jobs out there. If your not in a particular rush, take your time and decide. Don't hesitate to ask someone on here, that's what were here for.