Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tvc15]

Forget about hagwons, public schools, and universities...Teaching at an agency is the real deal.

I know of four agencies in Seoul. They are listed below. I'd be curious to know of others. I hope other posters will add what they know.

Through an agency, you can get jobs at companies and government offices. I've taught at Samsung, LG, a ministry, the National Assembly, Seoul City Hall, and a government training institute, making about W60,000/hour. There is nothing special about these classes; it doesn't take a genius to teach them. However, you do have to be the type of teacher who makes his own lessons, has access to a computer and copier, knows the kinds of mistakes that Koreans make and why they make them, and has some presence and authority in the classroom.

The four that I know of are as follows:

1. SLI. At Sinsa station. This agency sponsors my E-2 visa. They have gotten a lot of jobs for me. However, they are disorganized, and my pay is often wrong, In typical Korean fashion, they will tell you how great you are -- up until the time that you actually need them to do something important.

2. Panarama. At Sinsa station. Run by a woman named Catherine. I believe this is just a small agency. They do not sponsor E-2 visas. I've never worked through them, but have met Catherine and talked to her on the phone. Her English is good and she seems nice.

3. You & I. Recently moved to Kangnam, I believe. Run by a woman named Caron and a guy named KJ. Caron is a looker. She split from Panarama and went off on her own, thus causing some bad blood. She speaks only simple English. KJ is an ajeossi who thinks that his English is pretty good. They do not sponsor E-2 visas.

4. Carrot English. I have a Korean friend who works there who speaks highly of the place. However, they don't sponsor E-2 visas and hire only those with F-2 (married to a Korean) visas.

My purpose in writing this post is twofold: 1) To develop a list of agencies to be used for reference, and 2) to find another agency to sponsor my visa, since I've had it with SLI ever since a big pay/tax error (I won't even call it a "dispute" since I was clearly in the right and they were shady) which is still being worked out.

Please add what you know.

[Netz]

The "real deal"?

More like the "^#%$ deal".

You should know, if you don't already, that those agencies up until a few weeks ago have illegally placed teachers for over 10 years, and SLI is one of the worst.

They also keep well over half the pay, for doing next to nothing (except finding the job, which does not imo entitle them to keep half the money for as long as YOU keep the client happy lol).

I'd like to find a list of "real" agencies, that charge a "finder's fee", and then bugger off. Having a scummy agent keep 50%+ of the money YOU are working for is far is from ideal, in fact, I'd do everything I could to eliminate them from the loop as quickly as possible, and anyone on F visa should definitely consider this option. You don't need them to be hired.

It's time Korean companies started biting the bullet, and hiring F's directly, instead of greasing the palms of worthless recruiting agencies that give them a kickback for ripping off stupid foreigners.

Just my two cents.

[tvc15]

Netz,

Thanks for your contribution.

I'll buy you a beer and tell you some SLI stories sometime.

You seem knowledgable about the agency situation. Care to add some constructive advice for a teacher (me) looking for a new agency to sponsor his visa? It would be appreciated.