Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jamez]

I'm not sure if there's been anything in this forum about this school; i searched and found nothing.

I know they are based out of Vancouver, and have several locations in Korea. Has anyone worked for them or know anything about them?
It's not just an ESL position, more of teaching kindergarten children English and other subjects (i believe).

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

[garykasparov]

Ask these questions to foreign teachers, not the employer, at the school. If possible speak to two or three current foreign teachers and one former employee.

Job Duties

-What do you do that isn't written in your contract?

Working Hours

-What are the working hours?
-How many classes do you teach per day, week, and how long are they?
-How many hours of preparation do you work before and between classes?
-How many students do you teach per class?
-How many students attend the school?
-When do you take your break and how long is it?

Wages

-When is payday and are you paid on time?
-When are you eligible to earn overtime pay?
-Does your employer provide you with a "pay receipt" that clearly defines taxes, monthly salary and all deductions?
-Are you paid in cash or does your employer deposit your wages into your bank account?

Housing

-Was your apartment clean and everything in working order when you moved in?
-Were you provided with all the furnishings stated in the contract when you moved into your apartment?
-Does your employer respect your privacy?
-Are the bills in your employer's name or yours?

Paid Annual Leave

-When and how do you take your paid vacation?
-Does your employer count non-working days as paid vacation days?

National Holidays

-Do you work on Korean National Holidays?
-Are Korean National Holidays paid or unpaid?

Paid Sick Leave

-Have you ever asked for a day of paid sick leave?
-(If yes) How did your employer react?
-(If yes to 1st question) Did you have to work work another day to make up for the time you didn't work due to illness?

Airfare

-(If your contract states your employer will pay for the ticket) Did your employer deduct the cost of the airline ticket from your monthly salary?

-Does your employer provide all teachers their plane tickets at the end of their contracts?

Health Insurance

-Has your employer provided you with a medical insurance card?
-Does your employer respect your medical privacy?

National Health Insurance Corporation
( http://www.nhic.or.kr/english/about/sub03/sub0302/eng_about_major_02.html )

Korean National Pension Plan

-Does your employer pay into the Korean National Pension Plan?

National Pension Service
( http://www.nps.or.kr/ )

Income Taxes

-Does your employer deduct the correct amount for income taxes from your monthly salary?

( http://www.nta.go.kr/eng/default.html )

Severance Pay

-Does your employer pay employees their severance pay at the end of their contracts?

Employees/Financial

-What are the English speaking abilities of Korean Teachers and director like?
-Is there a high turnover rate amongst the Korean and foreign teachers?
-Is the director abusive towards the students or staff?
-Is the school in financial trouble?
-Has the employer ever fired an employee for the sole purpose of not providing severance pay, wages or an airplane ticket home?

Location

-Is there a bank, train station, subway station and bus terminal near the school?


Ministry of Labor

( http://www.molab.go.kr/ )

Ministry of Justice

( http://www.moj.go.kr/HP/MOJ03/index.do )

Korean Immigration Service

( http://www.immigration.go.kr/indeximmeng.html )

Ministry of Eduction

( http://www.moe.go.kr/ )