Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Shauneyz]

I was reading through my E-Mails, and skimmed across one that I received from one of the teachers currently teaching at the hagwon that I think I'll be working with. I came across this line:

"XXXX is as good as it gets for teaching in Daegu. They've invested a lot of resources to help develop lesson plans, excellent apartments, support team (if you get sick, need a dentist etc), and most importantly, Mrs. Kim (the owner) is an ethical business owner."

I recall hearing a lot of bad things about a Mr Kim -- is Mrs. Kim also red-flagged?

Probably a better question though: Out of the 6 E-Mails for current teachers that I've been given, I've been in contact with 3. They all say some ups and downs of teaching and being in Korea as expected, but they all make it pretty obvious about promoting the hagwon like a commercial. It's probably nothing to be concerned about, as I've heard nothing but good things about the school...and despite sounding like a billboard for the school, one of the current teachers has a pretty detailed facebook with tons of pictures, so it seems legit.

I don't know...my bullshit meter hasn't gone off yet, though it pings every now and then. What do you think? Unnecessary paranoia?

[Shauneyz]

...it isn't a big deal that I posted that quote, is it?

[ttompatz]

50 million people in Korea and between the surnames Kim and Lee you have a total of about 20 million people.

Finding a Kim in Korea is about the same as looking up Smith in the telephone white pages.

[R-Seoul]

[poet13]

17% of Korean surnames are Kim. And yes, he's an unethical *beep*.

[Shauneyz]

[cheeseface]

The Kim's are a well know dangerous hogwon owning family, be careful!!

[crescent]

[Shauneyz]

hahaha alright alright alright...I get the hint.

That's why I asked the second question -- to divert attention away from the stupidity of the first: Do all E-Mails from current foreign teachers always sound like Pepsi commercials? i.e. "you'll love it here at [school x]." "[school x] has a vast library of resources for developing lesson plans, etc." I could go on...but I guess the problem isn't in what they're saying, but that they always repeat the school name, instead of diverging to another pronoun to ward off redundancy.

[R-Seoul]

As a general rule, never trust a Korean called Kim�������..or Lee.

Also; avoid Park where possible.

[rumdiary]

Ask to be put in contact with a former teacher. Some hogwan owners warn current teachers not to say anything negative about the school.

[d-rail]

i found the best thing to do when considering a school is getting the phone number of a foreign teacher at the school and then finding out what time is a good time to call. speaking to someone over the phone will often clear up many concerns. just make sure the school director doesnt hand the phone to the foreign teacher and stands there listening to the conversation. i have heard of that happening too. get a cell number and call.

[endo]

[Kiarell]

watch out for the Kims. I hear this guy's son is the terrible manager of a backwards wasteland in some part of Korea. I think it's called the DPRK.....so yeah, avoid all Kims.

[Shauneyz]