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Korean Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
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The Floating World
Joined: 01 Oct 2011 Location: Here
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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Working hours per week
M-F: 9:40am ~ 7:00pm |
Who in their right mind would want to do this for less than 3mil a month? |
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ThingsComeAround

Joined: 07 Nov 2008
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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| sanityorlove wrote: |
Just got off the phone with SLP Haeundae Busan and am so sad to find this thread, lol. It all seemed so wonderful! I thought it was nearly impossible for me to find a job in Busan at this point. I could definitely tell there was a lack of focus during my interview, however. My interviewer had to have me hold at one point so she could speak to students passing by and I could hear children playing in the background the entire time.
I was surprised to learn that she had been there 3 years though. Can anyone give me any specific experience with this school in this location? I know this whole thread is basically about how I should avoid it like the plague, but I would be really interested in some specific accounts of WHY it actually was less than wonderful. I would love to know, for example, what was so disorganized about the school from day to day? My interviewer said that foreign teachers DO NOT have to deal with parents, that there are counselors that act as go-betweens. I mean, I obviously take what she is telling me with a grain of salt, but I guess I was just hoping for some more detailed information on the downsides to this school. Thank you! |
OK- I'll bite.
You ask what is so disorganized? When you are given students of varying levels, some smart as whips, and an equal number retarded (literally), you might think someone should organize children in the proper class.
If kids are fighting, or if they disrespect you (curse at you, spit on you, etc) you may want to deal with the parents yourself or have some support from your manager (which you wont)
If you are told 5 minutes before a (speech/spelling/debate) contest that you have to help a particular student learn EVERYTHING, you may think there are downsides to your current employment situation.
And (the best one... drum roll please)
If you are paid late for the fourth month in a row, the manager threatens to fire you because your class isn't "fun enough" then the next week they tell you there are "too many games" and some students are quitting you could look back to this thread and think to yourself "Maybe those internet guys were right"
But if you are still curious, just sign up and join the school! I could be wrong  |
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The Floating World
Joined: 01 Oct 2011 Location: Here
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Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 3:28 am Post subject: |
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To bed fair, I worked the 9.30am - 5.30pm kindy / ele shift at an SLP in Seoul that had 9 foriegn teachers and to be frank it was run superbly, well organised and paid on time every time. Everyone there was very happy.
It was my first job in Korea and my 1st ever teaching job. I screwed it up. Looking back I wish I had have been better suited or had some training first as I lost them some good students and I realise now they were a rare find - a fair employer that treated their employees very well.
Kind of their fault I guess for hiring someone who didn't know how to teach though imo.
Anyway, some SLP hakwans are decent, just like some gnb and jungchal hakwans are decent too. The KEY is to get the opinons of current foriegn emloyees (teachers, NOT supervisors / head teachers) and make sure their are no blacklists for them. |
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sanityorlove
Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Location: Massachusetts, USA
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Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 7:13 am Post subject: |
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| ThingsComeAround wrote: |
| sanityorlove wrote: |
Just got off the phone with SLP Haeundae Busan and am so sad to find this thread, lol. It all seemed so wonderful! I thought it was nearly impossible for me to find a job in Busan at this point. I could definitely tell there was a lack of focus during my interview, however. My interviewer had to have me hold at one point so she could speak to students passing by and I could hear children playing in the background the entire time.
I was surprised to learn that she had been there 3 years though. Can anyone give me any specific experience with this school in this location? I know this whole thread is basically about how I should avoid it like the plague, but I would be really interested in some specific accounts of WHY it actually was less than wonderful. I would love to know, for example, what was so disorganized about the school from day to day? My interviewer said that foreign teachers DO NOT have to deal with parents, that there are counselors that act as go-betweens. I mean, I obviously take what she is telling me with a grain of salt, but I guess I was just hoping for some more detailed information on the downsides to this school. Thank you! |
OK- I'll bite.
You ask what is so disorganized? When you are given students of varying levels, some smart as whips, and an equal number retarded (literally), you might think someone should organize children in the proper class.
If kids are fighting, or if they disrespect you (curse at you, spit on you, etc) you may want to deal with the parents yourself or have some support from your manager (which you wont)
If you are told 5 minutes before a (speech/spelling/debate) contest that you have to help a particular student learn EVERYTHING, you may think there are downsides to your current employment situation.
And (the best one... drum roll please)
If you are paid late for the fourth month in a row, the manager threatens to fire you because your class isn't "fun enough" then the next week they tell you there are "too many games" and some students are quitting you could look back to this thread and think to yourself "Maybe those internet guys were right"
But if you are still curious, just sign up and join the school! I could be wrong  |
I guess I didn't make it clear enough that I do not plan on actually taking the position. Thanks for your input, but no need to be sarcastic/slightly hostile. |
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PaperTiger

Joined: 31 May 2005 Location: Ulaanbataar
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:13 am Post subject: |
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| The Floating World wrote: |
To bed fair, I worked the 9.30am - 5.30pm kindy / ele shift at an SLP in Seoul that had 9 foriegn teachers and to be frank it was run superbly, well organised and paid on time every time. Everyone there was very happy.
It was my first job in Korea and my 1st ever teaching job. I screwed it up. Looking back I wish I had have been better suited or had some training first as I lost them some good students and I realise now they were a rare find - a fair employer that treated their employees very well.
Kind of their fault I guess for hiring someone who didn't know how to teach though imo.
Anyway, some SLP hakwans are decent, just like some gnb and jungchal hakwans are decent too. The KEY is to get the opinons of current foriegn emloyees (teachers, NOT supervisors / head teachers) and make sure their are no blacklists for them. |
Current employees of evil employers are not going to tell you anything for two reasons:
1) the employer has something over them already, like holding their documents (I think you know who I mean), paying late (same company), or having complete psychopaths as managers/supervisors (you guessed it)...odds are, the person you've talked to has been "groomed" (probably more like "threatened") prior to their conversation with you.
2) They're either a company shill who will sell out a fellow foreigner for an aluminum 10-won coin OR they're an idiot apologist who can't pull their head out of their anus long enough see how bad things really are.
Good employers generally don't care who you talk to...unless they've got a bad egg. [/i] |
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Maddie321
Joined: 27 Oct 2011
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Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 7:29 am Post subject: Buk Gu Branch |
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Hello! I am planning to move out to Korea for the first time at the end of the month. I have been offered a contract by SLP's Buk Gu branch and I was wondering if anyone had any feed back about this?
Thanks  |
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carnivalbeauty
Joined: 20 Nov 2011
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Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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| ThingsComeAround wrote: |
| sanityorlove wrote: |
Just got off the phone with SLP Haeundae Busan and am so sad to find this thread, lol. It all seemed so wonderful! I thought it was nearly impossible for me to find a job in Busan at this point. I could definitely tell there was a lack of focus during my interview, however. My interviewer had to have me hold at one point so she could speak to students passing by and I could hear children playing in the background the entire time.
I was surprised to learn that she had been there 3 years though. Can anyone give me any specific experience with this school in this location? I know this whole thread is basically about how I should avoid it like the plague, but I would be really interested in some specific accounts of WHY it actually was less than wonderful. I would love to know, for example, what was so disorganized about the school from day to day? My interviewer said that foreign teachers DO NOT have to deal with parents, that there are counselors that act as go-betweens. I mean, I obviously take what she is telling me with a grain of salt, but I guess I was just hoping for some more detailed information on the downsides to this school. Thank you! |
OK- I'll bite.
You ask what is so disorganized? When you are given students of varying levels, some smart as whips, and an equal number retarded (literally), you might think someone should organize children in the proper class.
If kids are fighting, or if they disrespect you (curse at you, spit on you, etc) you may want to deal with the parents yourself or have some support from your manager (which you wont)
If you are told 5 minutes before a (speech/spelling/debate) contest that you have to help a particular student learn EVERYTHING, you may think there are downsides to your current employment situation.
And (the best one... drum roll please)
If you are paid late for the fourth month in a row, the manager threatens to fire you because your class isn't "fun enough" then the next week they tell you there are "too many games" and some students are quitting you could look back to this thread and think to yourself "Maybe those internet guys were right"
But if you are still curious, just sign up and join the school! I could be wrong  |
I disagree, - I actually thought this post was helpful and VERY funny. Not hostile at all! I suspect the poster is American, but this is a very British style of humour/writing style....I actually chuckled aloud. There's hope for the yanks yet #great post |
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[email protected]
Joined: 15 Feb 2011
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:04 pm Post subject: Don't listen to this rubbish! |
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For those of you who are considering working there...I worked there an so did several of my friends. the school is solid and we all had an awesome time living and working in Busan. Working at this school gave us this great opportunity.
You're a bunch of complainers and thumb suckers... unbelievable.
Nothing is perfect.. a job is a job, and the private school industry can sometimes be disorganised at any school, in any country.
the contract is fine.. and why are you comparing it to public school?
public school has it's downsides too.. huge classes, one foreign teacher per school, can't choose location... pay your airfare upfront etc...
Settlement allowance? who do you think you are? Royalty? yuck
That is public school anyway.
Never judge a school by the chain... all schools are independently-run. all chains are similar as they compete for the same market.
I can't believe all you haters are ruining it for others with your close-minded ignorance.. ugh if people just believed these forums, everyone would just stay home.. what a waste.
you suck
bah.. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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Apologists and Koreans speaking up in defence of the Slave Labor Program? Do it if you want. But, all foriegners have to understand traditional Korean ajossi behaviour and know how to fight back and stick up for yourself and not take that sh!t. Mostly phycological mind games. Now, many older Korean men nowadays are not like this, but some still have that crazy emotional "North Korean" saber rattling mentality. Anyhow, you can read the overwhelming number of reviews about SLP, Wonderland, and others. An unknown hakwon will be a risk too, so who knows. I've never worked for these, but have heard enought things consistently over the years about these two chains. CDI and Poly is usually a mixed view from folks.
Don't jump at the first job offer you get. Have some patience. Also, this isn't 2010 anymore. Economy still stinks, but better than it was. Not pre recession Korea but seems to be some better offer on Dave's nowadays. Some salaries in the 2.0 to 2.3 range. Others in the 2.3 to 2.5 or 6 range. Noticed that the other day. SO, there may hope for this place over the next two to three years. I want to hope, though I still fight skepticism. |
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runclimb360
Joined: 21 Jan 2013
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Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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| The Floating World wrote: |
| Quote: |
Working hours per week
M-F: 9:40am ~ 7:00pm |
Who in their right mind would want to do this for less than 3mil a month? |
Too much work. In addition, you can't always be sure that these will be the hours. Hours can change and then there's not much you can do. You can find a better situation. Make sure the pension and national health care are included in the contract. |
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