Korean Job Discussion Forums

[poet13]

Does anybody else out there think that this sudden spate of CDI and Golden Bough posts is not coicindental?
I'm starting to think that there is some organization behind it all.
Someone mentioned the word cult referring to CDI. Weird, as that word popped into my head as I was reading about them.
I think I'll be staying away from there no matter how much money they offer.

[stevenisi]

Conspiracy???? We're through the looking glass people !

[flotsam]

[Kenny Kimchee]

That guy is pulling the good cop/bad cop routine.

Golden Bough: bad
CDI: good
ergo, CDI is the way forward

[poet13]

True the good cop/bad cop. I was commenting more on more than one poster plugging CDI, and a thread from december being bumped...

[Poemer]

I've been looking for information concerning Golden Bough. Apparently they are currently operating under a different name (unsure what it is) and will officially become Golden Bough when they move into a new building. Any current or former employees want to share information about this place?

[jacl]

Golden Blow
Seady Eye

[gochubandit]

[big_blue_21]

sorry about the multiple posts . . . I just want to reply to everyone's questions . . . Maybe it'd be better for people to write me individually so that don't get people mad with multple posts . . . I think it's fine that people don't like CDI at all, hated it myself at first, but when I see people saying really biases stuff or blantly incorrect things, I'm going to post on that thread, and of course, if someone asks a specific question I have to replied to that too . . . Anyways, I myself was making 4 million a month . . . 35,000*27 a week - 3.5 percent (I think) taxes . . . no health given, so no health taken out; also, no pension given, so same thing there . . . also, no housing, which of course, miffs a lot of people. Pick your poison. Personally, I liked be able to secure my own gig wherever in Seoul I wanted to live (and preferably not too close to the school!) . . .

Hoyah is also a great school. Again, I didn't work for any other schools but CDI or Golden Bough, but I sure would have appreciated people have letting me know about them . . . The first time I came to Korea I had to choose between CDI and Golden Bough (formerly Sejong when I worked there), but there were so many bad posts about CDI and there were no posts at all about Golden Bough, so I chose Golden Bough . . .

SO . . . if you're in a position to choose between CDI and GOLDEN BOUGH, my experience says CDI is better and that they pay about as good as it gets in Korea (with the exception of Daewon and a few other day schools) . . . So if you are in the position I was in, choose CDI. If you're choosing between CDI and other schools, yeah, I can't really help you except to say I was happy there and I knew people who loved it there and people who did not . . .

[spinario]

[big_blue_21]

I've never gouged my eyes out, so I'm not in a position to say . . .

My derri�re gets sore enough just from running, though . . .

[calbruin]

My experience training with CDI has been positive so far and yes, the 3.5-4.4 million KRW salaries are available, but mostly for those who have a MA degree and/or extensive teaching experience. However, my understanding is that the experience is unique for each individual, because I do know of people who aren't as satisfied as I am with their location / salary. I will speak about my experiences, which I cannot guarantee for everyone who trains / works at CDI. People's experiences will definitely depend on what programs you will be teaching, who your trainers are, and whether you are placed in a branch or a campus (franchise).

I agree with most posters that it is not the place for everyone. They are being sincere when they tell you off the bat that they are open 363 days of the years, with the exception of Chuseok and Sulnahl holidays. I've heard some negative things about their training week, but with the exception of the opening talk of the company's philosophies and goals, which did sound a bit cultish at times, I found their training methods to be rooted in learning theory and psychological research that I am very familiar with as a former doctoral student of clinical psychology. This is more than you can say for most hagwons that will throw you in a classroom and expect you to do your thing. Yes, they expect you to follow a curriculum, but my trainers have encouraged creativity and originality in teaching, provided that you get the components of the class done on schedule.

Anyhow, I suppose this may irritate some more experienced teachers who are expecting to be able to have complete freedom to develop and present their own curriculum, but I will reiterate it once again: CDI is not for everyone. For people who are highly motivated/interested in teaching and have very little or no teaching experience, they provide a very solid training.

My experience with the training staff has been wonderful so far and they are incredibly friendly and helpful, which has been contrary to the bureaucratic machine that I've been told to expect. The person responsible for informing us of our test results (trainees must pass a series of written / performance tests) pulled a friendly joke on me where he gave me a convincing sigh before telling me I had passed. I'm going out for lunch/dinner with HR staff members, who have been really helpful and friendly since they began recruiting me several weeks ago.

Do I believe that people on eslcafe have had really negative experiences with CDI? Absolutely. As I said in the beginning, I've seen with my own eyes people who weren't happy with their contracts. Do I believe that CDI is a evil and horrible institution that will guarantee your time teaching in Korea to be hell? Absolutely not. I think some people will have a miserable time at CDI and others will have a wonderful time. It'll really depend on your expectations of teaching in Korea and just as important, the location/personnel of your CDI branch/franchise.