Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ortiz1029]

Anyone work at an English Channel clinic? I'd love to hear about your experience with them.
Thank you

[garykasparov]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=1372379&highlight=#1372379

1 ) 10 days of unpaid vacation leave
2 ) 03 day training period is unpaid
3 ) English Channel deducts slightly below 5% for income tax
4 ) 2,000,000 base salary {crappy base salary}
5 ) Paid 15,000 for substituting outside eight ( 8 ) hour days (Therein lies a violation of labor law.)
6 ) The language trainer must apply for vacations 45 days in advance. {This is a little steep}
7 ) Lab coats
8 ) There is a ceiling of 700.000 won on this reimbursement. {They're not GEPIK. This is cheap!}

[regicide]

[ashishkebob]

1. Great Students who are enthusiastic to speak clearly.
2. Good hours with 6 months of split (you can go to the gym or work on your hobby in the day) and six months of block, where you can be lazy and sleep too much again.
3. Lab Coats, although different, provide a fun and humorous way to enjoy your job. Your attitude counts a lot at EC. If you always complain, then you will hate the job. But if you learn to love your job, despite its unique dress code, then you will be happier.
4. The money is good, after working a few saturdays, or doing overtime. You can save a good amount, depending on your habits. People complain about the hours they work, but there is also a lot of free time, because of absences or whatever.
5. Free Television and internet to enjoy on your free time.
6. Comfortable Couches and Beds to recline on when not teaching.
7. Good coworkers, where half are Korean, and you can practice your Korean language.
8. The apartment is paid for.
9. Cell phone is provided
10. Free Coffee/green tea and Free Cold Water
11. Air-Conditioned offices with comfortable leather seats
12. Your own free locker to place your belongings
13. Nice Staff, who you can get along with, as long you treat them with respect and have open communication.
14. On time pay.


15. Unpaid vacations are the only downpoint, but, that means more money for you in the bank. You can vacation to your hearts content after your fat severance and pension after one year. Time goes fast.

I think English Channel is a great place to work at with good people and good friends made along the way. I've had many good experiences that outweigh the bad. All jobs have its ups and downs, but overall, your job is what you make of it. So be positive, smile a lot, and do your best, because in the end, your students speaking english clearly is your best reward and joy.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Ok,5 times saying the same thing is overkill.

You're rather opaque.

[birdflower]

Different posters, from different time periods, have all said that English Channel is a bad place to work.

1) http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=57787&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=english+channel+learn&start=15
2) http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=74883&highlight=
3) http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=74299&highlight=
4) http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=76761&highlight=
5) http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=77018&highlight=

English Channel's policy of not paying their teachers their last pay check on their last day of work but after they have left the country is a big red flag. As for the idea of staying in Korea to wait for your last pay check, you can not do that as they force their teachers to leave their apartment once they are done working. Where's my f---- hard earned money?!!

[cj1976]

[semphoon]

[squinchboy]

I think it's quite clear that ashishkebob is a manager at English channel who is just protecting the reputation of English Channel by posting overly positive reviews of the place. Nice try. [/quote]

[GongGongChil]

Depends on wether it is one of the franchise schools or not. I worked four years in Korea and the worst job I have ever had was at English channel, it sucked. The manager was the absolute pits and the money was low. However to be fair , that was just my particular branch and from what i hear others had good things to say about their branches. Avoid Coex like the plague.

Good

Co teachers and most students were keen to learn and excellent to work with.

You get to talk to some very intellegent people, students are by in large very succesful.

They pay on time.



Bad

Boring lessons, that you are not supposed to change.

Low money. You just get paid more, at other places such as Wall st , or Pagoda which are way better to work at. You get treated a lot better also.

Even if we had an abscense we wernt aloud to leave the building. (our branch only, i think). Cant go out get a coffee or anything.

Working an eight hour shift they would quite often schedule eitght hours of classes. If everyone showed up you simply wouldnt get a break, yes it happens. Yes , its illegal. (Possibly only my branch, im not sure)

The CEO is possibly one of the most arrogant people i have met.

ashishkebob is a manager at English Channel, however it is simply part of his job to surf the boards and post good things about EC. I have nothing against him personally and found him to be ok. However, dont be fooled by what he is saying.

I have since left Korea and do miss it sometimes, however i will never again work for a company like EC.

[prairieboy]

I work in management at EC, that's no secret. I train every new LT for each and every branch. In the past I would often come on here and try to give balance to the negative comments but have not done so in a very long time (why bother, I've got better things to do).

At any rate, I can tell you, Ashishkebob is not in EC management. He completed a year contract as an LT, took a 6-month vacation and did some travelling. He decided to come back and work for us again.

He's just an LT that apparently really likes his job...and the free water...and the free locker I guess??

As for the COEX branch, that used to be a franchise but has now been bought by the head office.

[GongGongChil]

The franchise has been bought out , i understand.

I just checked and the same manager is still there. If anybody is seriously considering working for English Channel , Coex , I am quite happy to anwser any questions by private message.

[GongGongChil]

She also runs Euljiro and City Hall now? Oh well at least that divides the pain by three.