Korean Job Discussion Forums

[finsoup]

Hey everyone....I've heard some not soo good stuff about Kids Club and Kids Colleges in general, but I'm wondering if anyone can shed some light on the Balsan, Kangseo branches of either of these two schools. Thanks!

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Here are some posts about the Kids college hagwons

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=115351
[email protected]
Posted By: carrawa
Date: Saturday, 30 March 2002, at 7:31 a.m.

Kids college's professional e-mail address.

I "hear" Bundang lost two faithful teachers in the last fortnight?????. Now it's totalling 3 in the last 4 weeks!

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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=106173
Re: "Kid's College"?
Posted By: Kid's College survivor
Date: Sunday, 10 February 2002, at 7:20 p.m.

In Response To: "KId's College"? (Melanie)

Hi - I worked for the Kid's College in Yunhui and left after 5 months. It was a nightmare. Kim, the director, paid me \122,000 (which is about $90) for 76 hours of work and he wouldn't give me back my deposit. There are a lot of lies associated with all of the Kid's College's. The home office wasn't helpful to me at all in getting back pay. In the contract it says that you can give them 45 days notice and they will give you a release letter but Kim made it a nightmare. There have been 9 teachers that left this particular school in one year ( that's how long it's been open). The hours suck and they work you to death. We ended up having to work 3 Saturdays in December. They also charge a monthly maintenence fee on the apartment of \100,000. This is just a brief decription. It's bad news no matter where the Kid's College is and you can do much better. Don't get suckered!!!

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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=106241
Re: "KId's College"?
Posted By: XXX
Date: Monday, 11 February 2002, at 3:42 a.m.

In Response To: "KId's College"? (Melanie)

I worked for the one in Kimpo. It was a snake pit. Look elsewhere. As for the other branches, well, I have heard both good and bad. Make sure that you get references from PAST teachers. And make sure that you speak to them in PERSON as some of our Korean brothers like to listen in to make sure that you are being given a rosey picture. Good Luck.

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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=106299
Kid's College. bad in 97 and still bad today!!!!!!
Posted By: Cant' Believe it!!!!!!
Date: Monday, 11 February 2002, at 12:42 p.m.

I was one of the first teachers hired in March 1997 for the Songpa-gu branch. It was f####ed up and ripped you off then and it sounds like nothing has changed!

To begin with, there were 6 of us, we were working illegally--but they told us not to worry about it, they had friends in immigration. After 2-3 weeks, we were pulled down to immigration and given the 3rd degree, we WERE WORKING ILLEGALLY, and nearly deported. We sat for 3 weeks or so and weren't paid (it was our fault, of course!). We finally did start back in April and it was a joke from the start. We were lied to, paid in full only one month--May. The rest of the time, we were only getting paid 1/2 pay. They were having major money problems and naturally, we were expendable--but the Korean teachers had it worse.

It was incredible! We couldn't ever talk to the owner, he had a Korean woman who ran interferance for him. We called her the "Dragon Lady."

Among other fiascos, was a roof that leaked like a sieve when it rained. It was literally like not having a roof. Classes changed at random, we had no teaching materials, etc.. And all the time, we were getting lied to about our pay. To make a long story short, I saw the writing on the wall, and escaped to Taiwan in August of 1997. This was right before the collapse of the won. In all, I lost between 1-2 million won but was glad to escape from these idiots! It sounds like nothing has changed, Kid's College is nothing but baby sitting for rich kids and the teachers get screwed any and every chance that Kid's College can do it!

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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=106416
Re: "KId's College"?
Posted By: Joe Btfsplk
Date: Tuesday, 12 February 2002, at 4:49 a.m.

In Response To: "KId's College"? (Melanie)

Total waste of time. Racist bosses, tiny, dirty accomodations shared with four teachers. Open sewers in the bathrooms. Dirty schools, directors that beat the kids with baseball bats. Illegal deductions. You are at fault for things that happen when the kids are being supervised by the Korean staff/informers. Don't do it, Mel. Don't believe others that tell you it's ok. It will ruin your life.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=113381
Re: KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN!! KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN!!
Posted By: Tinkerbell
Date: Friday, 22 March 2002, at 9:40 p.m.

In Response To: KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN!! KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN!! (Ex-Slave of Mr P)

I say it again - run, run, run! Don't put yourself through the Kid's College nightmare. Long hours, greedy boss, no help from anyone, and if you try to leave they will make sure you pay! Stay Away from any Kids College!!!

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=114097
Re: KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN!! KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN!!
Posted By: Joe Btfsplk
Date: Monday, 25 March 2002, at 10:53 a.m.

In Response To: Re: KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN!! KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN!! (Kiss It (__X__))

You know what? To heck with it. I'm gonna add to this one. I hate Kid's College. I worked for one in Seoul, sorry, can't say which one, and they almost killed me. I was humiliated, lied to, accused of participating in beatings and molestations of children, watched the director beat the kids with a baseball bat, slept in a room that was 7 feet by seven feet for many months, had my room decorations torn down by the Koreans, was hounded to work when sick, was threatened by my roommate, was told I was fat, stupid, a bad teacher, was made ill by the constant flood of unwashed children pouring through their bathrooms without towels or soap or hot water, was ignored, sneered at, was punched, kicked, and screamed at by the kids, was threatened with illegal deductions, was ripped off for three million won, was told to leave the country, had my friends sold out and deported by gangs of stooges working for the school, was accused of hating children, was called crazy and unstable, was generally treated like a piece of diseased beef.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=114698
Re: KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN!! KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN!!
Posted By: Mr Okey Doke [email protected]
Date: Wednesday, 27 March 2002, at 6:04 p.m.

In Response To: Re: KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN!! KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN!! (Tinkerbell)

Well, I think they're full of crap....how can they call themselves the "leaders of early education in Korea"? They only want green teachers; nobody whose lived long in Korea would work for them...and they treat you like crap!

I too, had to live in a 7 by 7 foot box, with mould everywhere...once I was woken up by grasshoppers crawling on my face!!

Their management style is based on greed, lies, hypocrisy...and that's trying to put a NICE slant on it!!

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=115528
Re: [email protected]
Posted By: EEEEEEEPPPPPPP
Date: Sunday, 31 March 2002, at 2:20 a.m.

In Response To: [email protected] (carrawa)

Kangseo-gu Kid's College lost 14 teachers in the last four months of last year. No joke. I knew all of them.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=115888
They want 'em GREEN!
Posted By: crazyteacherman
Date: Monday, 1 April 2002, at 5:41 p.m.

In Response To: Re: [email protected] (EEEEEEEPPPPPPP)

People only work at Kid's College because they're GREEN and they took the first contract a recruiter dangled under their nose...people EVENTUALLY wise up...you can't stay green for a whole year, at least not easily.

Did I mention I worked at KID'S COLLEGE IL-SAN and it was like HELL, only hotter in summer?! And they'd wait until after lunch to switch on the air-con to save money...

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=116102
Re: They want 'em GREEN!
Posted By: EEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPP
Date: Tuesday, 2 April 2002, at 9:41 a.m.

In Response To: They want 'em GREEN! (crazyteacherman)

Sounds very familiar, Ilsan-man. What a terrible place. I still know the people from my old Kid's College, but I hate them all now. The place is making them into bitter losers and they resent my better hours, apartment and treatment. Too bad, so sad.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=119026
Re: Any info on Kids College--watch out
Posted By: timeless
Date: Monday, 15 April 2002, at 3:30 p.m.

In Response To: Any info on Kids College (allyson)

please check the contract, some are really bad. I have never heard a good thing about them but I have heard alot of bad things. Please look at the contract and decide if you want to have young children screaming at you all day for small money.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=119111
Re: Any info on Kids College
Posted By: Tinkerbell
Date: Monday, 15 April 2002, at 8:49 p.m.

In Response To: Any info on Kids College (allyson)

Kid's College. There is a very good reason they need teachers. Many, many many teachers get out leaving skid marks. They treat teachers like dogs, long hours, crappy bosses, no support, they don't honor contracts and if you do leave giving notice (in accordance to the contract - 45 days) they will burn you out of just about all your money. I left the one in Yunhui and was paid $90 for a month and a half worth of work. This included overtime. You can do much better at another school. Stay away unless you want to be one of the many "Kid's College Survivors". Good Luck!!

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=119232
Re: Any info on Kids College
Posted By: XXX
Date: Tuesday, 16 April 2002, at 4:53 a.m.

In Response To: Any info on Kids College (allyson)

I did a year at a Kid's College. They wanted me to try to teach 4 year olds for 5 straight hours a day. They also demanded that I use a "theme book" consisting of pirated materials that most of which were totally above any thing a Kinder class could handle. Also I was asked to teach more that 50 lessons a week. When I refused to teach more than that I was told that I had a bad attitude. Out of 12 teachers who were there during that year I was the only one to make the full year. Granted some of them were out and out looneys, but most tried to do a good job but were burnt out form the hours and the weekly meetings we were required to attend. Look else where.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=119477
Re: Any info on Kids College
Posted By: Joe Btfsplk
Date: Wednesday, 17 April 2002, at 3:46 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Any info on Kids College (Tinkerbell)

My ex worked at Yunhui KC and was given no furniture for her apartment, was treated like garbage and left after teaching classes of thirty kids for four months for no extra money because she was covering for all the other teachers that just up and left when it got too bad. Her friend was denied two months pay when the director found out he was gay. 4 million won!

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=123552
Re: Y. H. Kids College
Posted By: Exbenedictine
Date: Friday, 10 May 2002, at 6:08 a.m.

In Response To: Y. H. Kids College (Just Wondering...)

If you're talking about YUNHEE Kids College, as I think you must be, yes. I worked there for three months last year. It was a dreadful experience, and I strongly advise you NOT to sign a contract with them.

To substantiate my complaint: Teachers were under constant pressure to work unpaid hours. (I arrived in Seoul on a Friday, and the principal wanted me to work both Saturday and Sunday, even though classes didn't begin until Monday. This went on and on . . . ) Classes were almost CONSTANTLY monitored, often sneakily (with the principal, or one of his stooges, hiding round the corner just outside your door). Worst of all, he twice threatened NOT TO PAY ME IN FULL at the end of the month--even though I'd done nothing to deserve this. He threatened at least one other teacher in this way as well. Then, when I asked for a release letter, all hell broke loose. He threatened to fire me and then turn me over to Immigration, implying that he had the power to get me stuck in jail for daring to attempt escape from his miniature Third Reich.

In fairness, I've got to add that there were two or maybe even three teachers who seemed more or less happy at this school. Essentially, they were "principal's pets," willing to do all the extra work unpaid and uncomplaining, willing to put up with the constant spying on their classrooms, etc. Maybe it's a question of personality. Some people seem to like being slaves. I don't.

There are several Kids College branches, and I have heard some good things about at least one of them (Yangjae, I think). I've also worked (at another hogwon) with a fellow who had worked at yet another KC branch--I've forgotten which one--where his experience mirrored mine. We both felt as though we'd escaped from Third World dictatorships.

Trust me, there are better jobs out there. Don't risk it with Kids College.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=123567
Re: Y. H. Kids College
Posted By: Romuald
Date: Friday, 10 May 2002, at 8:15 a.m.

In Response To: Y. H. Kids College (Just Wondering...)

As a former Kids College teacher, I strongly advise you NOT to sign a contract with them. The one where I worked was a nightmare on wheels. You'll be worked like a slave, and they may not pay you. This is a school which started out strong at its original venue (Yangjae) but then franchised and went to hell in a handbasket. Stay away!

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=123714
Re: Seocho-Gu and Kids College
Posted By: linda [email protected]
Date: Saturday, 11 May 2002, at 12:49 p.m.

In Response To: Seocho-Gu and Kids College (canadian)

WATCH OUT FOR KID'S COLLEGE.

YOU WILL BE TREATED LIKE SH*T AND YOU WILL HAVE TO WORK 20 TO 30 HOURS PER MONTH EXTRA DOING PAPERWORK. YOU WILL NOT BE PAID FOR THOSE EXTRA HOURS.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=123679
Re: Y. H. Kids College
Posted By: Tinkerbell
Date: Saturday, 11 May 2002, at 4:15 a.m.

I worked at the one in Yunhui for 4 months last year and it was a nightmare. The director is Mr. Kim and he is the greediest xxxxxxx I have ever met. The head teacher is Jan Totty and he has no backbone, a "pet" to Kim. Kiss it has some old post on Kid's College. They make everything sound great and Kim will give you the "you're my family" speech. It's all lies. They work you to death and you will work some Saturdays and some weekends though they say you won't. Look elsewhere and you'll be much happier. Don't put yourself through the KC nightmare.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=125057
Re: has anyone heard of Gang Seo Kid's College?
Posted By: Tinkerbell
Date: Sunday, 19 May 2002, at 12:15 a.m.

In Response To: has anyone heard of Gang Seo Kid's College? (Jennifer Johnson)

Hi - I don't know of that particular Kid's College but I worked for the one in Yunhui and it was a nightmare. They work you to death, the hours suck, and there is no support. I don't know what they are offering you but you can probably do better. We have a "Kid's College Survivors" group going here and I haven't heard anything good about KC no matter what the area is. You might want to look elsewhere.

Good Luck!

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=128524
Re: Any good words about Kids College?
Posted By: Joe Btfsplk
Date: Friday, 7 June 2002, at 7:28 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Any good words about Kids College? (Thing is...)

Ok, that is all true. However, I KNOW that you can do better than Kid's College. A lot, lot better. While I was working there, I just kinda accepted it as a fact of life, but the majority of teachers there hated it and told me so. Once I went elsewhere, got the same money for far fewer hours, got a social life back because I wasn't locked in a hagwon for nine hours a day, and got a waaaaaaaay better apartment, I was a lot, lot happier. You can be too. It's partly a vendetta, but it's partly the truth. You be the judge.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=128508
Re: Any good words about Kids College?
Posted By: Tinkerbell
Date: Friday, 7 June 2002, at 3:56 a.m.

In Response To: Any good words about Kids College? (Laura Gray)

Not really. I was at the one in Yunhui and it was a nightmare. 9 teachers left in the first year of its opening. No support, long hours, and they work you like a dog. They say no saturdays but we ended up working some saturdays. If you find you're unhappy and want to quit, they burn you out of a lot of money and then they said "sue me". You can do much better. Find another school that has less hours and fewer politics.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=128702
Re: Any good words about Kids College?
Posted By: Suzy Q
Date: Saturday, 8 June 2002, at 4:05 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Any good words about Kids College? (Tinkerbell)

I saw those teachers on the street at Yonhee dong in tears after they were fired. Can you spell dictators?

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=132780
Re: Kids College, Ilsan
Posted By: Marlene
Date: Monday, 1 July 2002, at 7:28 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Kids College, Ilsan (traceyman)

I have some friends who used to work in Kids College in Ilsan. 1 lasted through the contract and hated it there. One was fired when the boss discovered she wanted to quit and was looking for another job. Two quit early and got other jobs. None of these people liked it there. The boss is terrible! I wouldn't recommend going there. Ilsan itself is a nice place to work and live, just don't go to Kids College!

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=133711
Re: USA hogwon Buchon AVOID!! Kids College AVOID!!
Posted By: na2
Date: Friday, 5 July 2002, at 7:30 p.m.

In Response To: Re: USA hogwon Buchon AVOID!! (NA)

I agree with NA. Definately avoid any Kid's College in Korea, especially Yangjae. I've heard the same information as NA> the school is under new (incompetent) management, the head teacher is inexperienced and has no idea how to do her job>there has been thefts of money from the mangement and teachers, this situation is being grossly mishandled> the teachers are being insulted by the way the mangement and the head teacher are acting. AVOID THIS SCHOOL AT ALL COSTS!!!

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=133916
Can a Foreigner Press Charges Against a Foreigner?
Posted By: Angry KIDS COLLEGE Teacher
Date: Sunday, 7 July 2002, at 1:17 a.m.

Is it possible for a foreigner to exact legal justice against another foreigner in Korea?

Here's the situation:
At my hagwon, there have been 5 incidents of theft during the past 3 months. For the first 4 crimes, there was no culprit; although we had suspicions against one of the teachers, there was no hard evidence.

The first 4 incidents of theft were committed against TEACHERS (4 different teachers had money stolen from them). One girl lost her entire month's salary; the others each lost between W200,000 to W250,000. The first girl lost her salary on payday at our school a couple months ago, but the other 3 teachers had ,money stolen from their bedrooms! (All the teachers live in the same apartment building, since the housing is provided by the hagwon.)

However, Friday June 28th was our Pay day. This was when the fifth, and final, crime of theft was committed by the same teacher who we had suspected. This time, however, she stole someone's entire month salary while it was still sitting in the office of our Principal. (It had not yet been paid to that particular teacher.) So, in effect, she stole money directly from the hagwon. The pay envelope included those W100,000 which are traceable; the bank traced it to the thief by Tuesday.

Our hagwon confronted her, and she admitted to that one incident of theft that occurred on Friday June 28th. However, she denied the other incidents. OUR HAGWON BELIEVED HER DENIAL. Therefore, our hagwon has been RUDE and UNSUPPORTIVE against the four teachers who lost money during the past 3 months. They've also been rude against the other teachers who are trying to demand some sort of justice.

We want to take matters into our own hands. What can we do? The thief is leaving Korea this coming Friday. In the meantime, she is continuing to teach at our hagwon! She is not facing any consequences for her actions, not even for the ADMITTED THEFT that occurred last Friday!

By the way, avoid Kids College in Yangjae.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=134045
Re: USA hogwon Buchon AVOID!! Kids College AVOID!!
Posted By: tinkerbell
Date: Sunday, 7 July 2002, at 7:20 p.m.

In Response To: Re: USA hogwon Buchon AVOID!! Kids College AVOID!! (na2)

Avoid ALL Kid's College's, not just the one in Yangjae. I have not heard anything good about any Kid's College's and I worked for the one in Yunhui - total nightmare.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=134451
AVOID ALL KID'S COLLEGE'S-PERIOD!
Posted By: Burned
Date: Tuesday, 9 July 2002, at 11:21 a.m.

In Response To: Re: USA hogwon Buchon AVOID!! Kids College AVOID!! (tinkerbell)

I have never read anything good about Kid's College! I worked at the one in Songpa and it was hell. I escaped with them owing me more than 1 million won, but only wanted out!!

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=134768
Re: AVOID ALL KID'S COLLEGE'S-PERIOD! Bundang too!
Posted By: El Kabong [email protected]
Date: Wednesday, 10 July 2002, at 5:19 p.m.

In Response To: AVOID ALL KID'S COLLEGE'S-PERIOD! (Burned)

Heard from a friend who works there that the teacher turn over will be around 10 for a 6 month period, with 4 of those being midnite runners, 3 people asking for releases (2 of whom were fired for doing so) and 3 people not renewing their contracts. My mate said that the management is atrocious and treat the staff like *beep*...

Sure doesn't sound like a place I'd like to work at.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=135862
Re: Kid's College
Posted By: XXX
Date: Monday, 15 July 2002, at 3:15 p.m.

n Response To: Kid's College (dellison15)

If it's the one in Kimpo, I would advise against signing a contract.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=136277
Re: Kid's College
Posted By: Tobacco Fiend
Date: Wednesday, 17 July 2002, at 11:04 a.m.

In Response To: Kid's College (dellison15)

Dear Curious about Kids College,

For the love of God, do NOT go to work for Kids College--any of them!

The worst job of my ENTIRE life was my KC job. An ABSOLUTE nightmare from day one to Liberation Day.

The BEST job of my entire life is the one I have now, working at one of those all-too-rare hogwans which treats its employees decently.

The difference between heaven and hell is that simple, and that stark. DO NOT GO TO WORK FOR KIDS COLLEGE. Not unless you want to be cheated, lied to, treated so badly you'll beg God to know what you did to deserve such a fate. Trust me, you'll flee the place and spend the rest of your life hating Korea. I only got out by going over my boss's head and pleading with the Yangjae management for a release letter. It was touch and go all the way. DON'T let this happen to you, PLEASE. Whoever you may be, you deserve better.

Tobacco Fiend

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=132710132714
Should I join in the Kid's College bashing...?
Posted By: Koreaisgreat
Date: Thursday, 18 July 2002, at 7:31 a.m.

Avoid...avoid....avoid!! I'm not sure if all the branches are as bad as the one I had experience with but...Be prepared for infantile behavior from (supposedly) mature adults....ludicrous hours and crappy supplies. We were always PAID, as it were, but so many of my friends with 'cake' jobs were pulling in more money.....and no guilt trips and talks saying how crappy you are..

Avoid KC *beep*; there's much better

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=132710133192
Kids College/CCS/Kids School
Posted By: disappointed
Date: Saturday, 20 July 2002, at 8:44 p.m.

A word to the wise, for those of you looking to teach English in Korea but also wanting time to explore do not work for Kids College or its sister schools Cherry Creek and Kids School. Although I'm sure that the attitude and planning skils of the directors may vary there are some fundamental flaws with this school's philosophy which lead me to consider working for them a waste of time.

First is their lack of curriculum. This chain spouts off a good theory about being alternative and wanting to use the whole language approach, however what this basically translates to is a crappy "theme" book which is a mishmash of pages photocopied from other reputable ESL textbooks (can you say copyright infringement) with no table of contents and basically no regard for the level of students that these schools teach.

Now, if you're a creative person who wants to have absolute control of your lesson plan or conversely someone who doesn't really care about actually teaching the English language to these kids this probably won't discourage you. However, be prepared to work for a school which gives you absolutely no training on how to use the theme book and no prep time in which to figure your lesson plans.

I strongly advise against working for any of these three chains until they get some organizational skills. They have great theories, just haven't learned how to put them into practice, especially when it comes to having a support system for their teachers.

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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710133381
Re: Kids College/CCS/Kids School
Posted By: Tinkerbell
Date: Sunday, 21 July 2002, at 9:03 p.m.

In Response To: Kids College/CCS/Kids School (disappointed)

Good point but there's a hell of a lot more wrong with Kid's College than just a crappy curriculum. Didn't you notice when you were there that, as far as management is concerned, your status is a sub-human and not a teacher?

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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710133439
Re: Kids College/CCS/Kids School
Posted By: disappointed 2
Date: Monday, 22 July 2002, at 5:14 a.m.

In Response To: Kids College/CCS/Kids School (disappointed)

I would have to agree with everything said. I love Korea and I love the kids but the school sucks, the curriculum sucks the director sucks...and the air conditioners suck! Each school may differ from the other, but why even take the chance. There are so many better opportunities out there, look around and do not settle for Kids College/CCS/Kids School.

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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710133520
Re: Kids College/CCS/Kids School
Posted By: disappointed
Date: Monday, 22 July 2002, at 3:32 p.m.

In Response To: Re: Kids College/CCS/Kids School (disappointed 2)

Indeed, subhuman is definitely an appropriate word. In fact I would go as far as saying that they treat us like English speaking robots.

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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710134170
Re: Kid's College
Posted By: Ya live ya learn...
Date: Thursday, 25 July 2002, at 8:35 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Kid's College (Tobacco Fiend)

Yangjae, eh? I had a teaching "experience" there: BAD experience.

I feel sorry for any new KC recruits who don't know about Dave's ESL board! They're going in blind!

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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710141640
Re: Kid's College Ilsan Language Institute
Posted By: Tinkerbell
Date: Sunday, 8 September 2002, at 10:55 p.m.

In Response To: Kid's College Ilsan Language Institute (Geoff Conwill)

If you're not looking for nightmarish conditions, stay away from all Kid's Colleges. I worked for the one in Yunhui and a nightmare it was. They lie, work you to death, give no support, and cheat you out of money. You can find much better.

!!!!!!!!!!!AVOID!!!!!!!!!! KIDS COLLEGE SONGPA!

Posted By: jimwe
Date: Tuesday, 8 October 2002, at 10:42 a.m.

In Response To: "http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?noframes;read=132710145424" (NewtoKorea)

I was one of the first teachers there in 1997, it was horrible then and is still horrible!! Do a google "blacklist south korea kid's college." No-one that has ever worked there to my knowledge, has ever liked it! Believe me, you can do far better. Kid's College (and Cherry Creek, owned by the same bunch) and Wonderland are the worst places to work in Korea!! Save yourself LOTS of trouble and look elsewhere!

Here are some previous posts about Cherry Creek, which is associated with Kids College:

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=124506
CHERRY CREEK SUCKS
Posted By: Seoul Surviour
Date: Thursday, 16 May 2002, at 1:30 a.m.

I just want to warn all the prospective teachers that are looking forward to a good experience in Korea to be vary wary of where they are going.I thought I had the best place, good money and contract but the boss is a crazy man and honestly does not care to do anything but make trouble for you. Don't be fooled is all I can say...I am not saying all boss's are like Cherry Creeks in Ilsan but I tell ya one thing...You will have the worst time at this place...And regret the day you signed on...The whole school is a washboard of cheap ways to cheat the parents, the government and more importantly-the kids!!!

Beware!!!

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=124895
Re: Info about Omega Consulting/Cherry Creek School
Posted By: I Was There
Date: Friday, 17 May 2002, at 11:36 p.m.

In Response To: Info about Omega Consulting/Cherry Creek School (Bwmcmanus)

I went to Cherry Creek in Suwon and was offered a job there. I did not accept, for a few reasons:

1. The accommodation they offered was terrible, a dank, dark, smelly little studio with no light.

2. I just got a feeling the school was in trouble. It has been open for nearly a year but only had a 100 students.

3. The owner could not speak any English. The Supervisor seemed nice enough but I always feel a little leery if you can't speak directly with the owner. And they just seemed nervous.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=129751
Re: Anyone know anything about Cherry Creek School
Posted By: Ben [email protected]
Date: Thursday, 13 June 2002, at 6:15 p.m.

In Response To: Anyone know anything about Cherry Creek School? (Jilm)

They are a chain under the name Kids College. I interviewed with them last year. They tried the "bait and switch tactic." Not organized very well, definetly not professional. Lot's of classes and long hours. Each school is different however, but the same problems exists.

Remember, no one forces you to come to korea and sign a contract. If you sign a bulls*@t contract, you can't blame anyone. Get the best deal you can. No split shifts, teach only 5/6 50 minute classes a day! Don't agree to teach 120 and more hours a month! NEVER! ONLY 5/6 50 minutes classes a day. Pay? 2.0 and up. Single housing and NEVER work at a school if the owner does not speak English! Medical. Severance. Create your own contract and as long as you both agree, no problem!

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=129814
Re: Anyone know anything about Cherry Creek School
Posted By: seek
Date: Thursday, 13 June 2002, at 9:28 p.m.

In Response To: Anyone know anything about Cherry Creek School? (Jilm)

I have only heard horror stories about them. Either a lot of unhappy people just happened to have signed up with them or ......

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=130558
Cherry Creek - don't work there!
Posted By: Julie [email protected]
Date: Tuesday, 18 June 2002, at 1:52 a.m.

I can't speak regarding all Cherry Creek schools, but I can speak from my experience at the Kwanak location and from stories told to me by teachers at another (will release upon request) location.

The hagwan owners don't care about education. When a kid walks in, all they see are \.

Even if you have no teaching experience, you know more about education than the hagwan owners. They say, "Cherry Creek have many years in education business!" Correction. They have many years experience in making money. There is a difference and they do not see it.

The hagwan owners do not back you up and criticize anything you do that they don't understand.

They say they want your input and creativity, but after you spend fruitless hours defending your ideas, you realize what they really want is improvement... but without any change.

They expect you to honor the contract, but they don't hold themselves to the same standard. They broke our contracts the first day by not providing any training whatsoever. Our 'training' came 5 months after we'd been here and then it was merely 1/2 day spent observing classes taught by teachers at another school who had as much or less experience as we did. Later, when I turned in my resignation, they said they would not give me a letter of release unless I gave them 60 days notice - as the contract requires. It's like playing a game with people who cheat.

They will understand you when it's convenient for them, but will claim they don't understand (or that you misunderstood them) when they need an excuse for changing their minds or going back on their word.

If you only want to make money, are ok with using poor-quality teaching materials, have no opinions, believe everything you're told, and don't mind kissing butt, you're just who they're looking for. A "yes-man/woman" will be quite comfortable here. So will the person who can tell people what they want to hear while believing and doing something else.

Also, if you are a new teacher with no experience, ask how many teachers are at the location for which you are bound. I only had 6 mos. experience as a sub in the US and was counting on the promised training and help from other teachers to prepare me. Instead, not only was there no training, but there was only one other teacher here who had never even subbed. Thankfully, information found on the Net and in ESL bookstores made up for it until they could introduce their 'program' - if you want to call it that - a few months later and require me to stop using the materials and ideas I'd found (and bought) and switch to theirs exclusively. It was like being told I had to stop serving balanced meals to my kids and serve only McDonalds. You can live on it and it tastes ok, but who would gladly serve their kids ONLY McDonalds?

Anyway, the moral of the story is, inexperienced teachers should not go to new schools. Scratch that. No one should go to a new school. New schools are usually run by management with little or no experience working with westerners. I won't even go into that discussion (unless you ask) except to say that there is a significant difference. It's a tense enough situation without having to jump through cultural hoops as well.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=131146
Re: Cherry Creek School in Ilsan
Posted By: Been there
Date: Thursday, 20 June 2002, at 8:11 p.m.

In Response To: ### Are THESE BLACKLISTED ? ### (sendanonymous)

Cherry Creek School in Ilsan is a joke. Please do not fall for the lies they will tell you. They will promise everything and even are willing to put it in the contract, but that does not mean that they will abide by it. The directors most famous excuse is... " I didn't read your contract correctly, therefore, I don't have to abide by it."

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=132710133192
Kids College/CCS/Kids School
Posted By: disappointed
Date: Saturday, 20 July 2002, at 8:44 p.m.

A word to the wise, for those of you looking to teach English in Korea but also wanting time to explore do not work for Kids College or its sister schools Cherry Creek and Kids School. Although I'm sure that the attitude and planning skils of the directors may vary there are some fundamental flaws with this school's philosophy which lead me to consider working for them a waste of time.

First is their lack of curriculum. This chain spouts off a good theory about being alternative and wanting to use the whole language approach, however what this basically translates to is a crappy "theme" book which is a mishmash of pages photocopied from other reputable ESL textbooks (can you say copyright infringement) with no table of contents and basically no regard for the level of students that these schools teach.

Now, if you're a creative person who wants to have absolute control of your lesson plan or conversely someone who doesn't really care about actually teaching the English language to these kids this probably won't discourage you. However, be prepared to work for a school which gives you absolutely no training on how to use the theme book and no prep time in which to figure your lesson plans.

I strongly advise against working for any of these three chains until they get some organizational skills. They have great theories, just haven't learned how to put them into practice, especially when it comes to having a support system for their teachers.

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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710138721
WARNING TO ALL TEACHERS
Posted By: mr Y
Date: Thursday, 15 August 2002, at 7:21 p.m.

ok guys, here's the update, kids club fun languages, CCC and Cherry Creek are all under the same recruiter, WHICH MEANS THEY HAVE THE SAME HEAD OFFICE. They are getting a bad reputation here, and I want it too snowball until they are bankrupt. the situations are the same at all these schools, stay away from these schools.

I just felt it was necessary to inform you about some of the goings on at these hogwons:
- altering of contracts;
- late payment, not always in full
- extra prep like for teaching parents day (whatever this is)
- no payment of enforced over-time and sleepovers;
- half pay for "training" period (no training takes place - training period determined by them);
- seizing of plane tickets and sometimes passports;
- blackmailing teachers so you cant get release letters if you want to leave.
- firing without due cause simply because they don't like you and failing to pay for work or return ticket home (this did not happen to me, but several other employees);
- enforced accommodation bond and security deposit taken from salary without informing you of this (not in contract);
- house repairs taken from salary without permission.
- firing of employees just before their contract is completed so as to avoid paying the bonus and giving airfare

In addition there are the usual things such as no teaching program at all, no resources, continual lying (to you and parents), the management and the recruiter (david) constant classroom observation, and taking gifts given by parents (in particular at Christmas and Chusok). They also frequently enter your accomodation without telling you. These places are bad news, i'm serious people stay away from these schools, if you ignore these warnings, you will regret it and wished you listened to me, take it from someone who has experience here, please please stay away from these schools, I am officially blacklists these awful people. We all know how fast bad news travels, warn your friends, American, canadian, british, Ausi, new zealand, wherever you are from, DONT WORK AT THESE SCHOOLS...

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Kids College Kang Seo Gu

Posted By: super ally
Date: Friday, 18 October 2002, at 10:56 a.m.

In Response To: "http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?noframes;read=132710142841" (Kiss It (__X__))

Just a little note about this hellish institute I endured for a year.
It is run my a woman with as much concern and time for her staff or children as Hitler did for minorities or dissenting views. All the following are based on what happenned in my time there. They all affected someone there.
You can not guarantee an observation on the 30 day notice period. That in fact is whatever the wonderful Ms. Lee decides on a particular day.
You will never receive anything but criticism and abuse, unless you dye your hair a truly shocking blond, wear far too much make-up and spread innumerable STD's through the military bases. Otherwise you just have to wait until a few weeks before the end of your contract and some forced goodness may flow. It will however require a huge reduction of any self-respect.
Aspects of your wages will continually be disputed. It will become a monthly question which part of your hard earned money Ms. Lee will attempt to cut.


Your workload will be added to all the time. Your pay packet will not be.
The Korean staff, particularly now the incredibly duplicitous Jae Park have moved on to other pastures, are pleasant enough. They are not to blame for the fact that their only option is to quit, which many do, or blind subservience.
The much vaunted curriculum is an absolute joke, so much so that even its architect is forced to change it constantly. It is essentially a matter of sharing books of an inappropriate level aimed at children living in an English speaking country.

This is a terrible institution. It has no redeamable features except for the couple of staff who are truly talented and caring, and inexplicably remain. I could continue this at far greater length, but hopefully this mere snippet of what you might expect will be sufficient to at least offer would-be teachers here a warning.


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Re: ************KIDS SCHOOL SEOUL************

Posted By: Donkey
Date: Tuesday, 17 September 2002, at 2:25 a.m.

In Response To: "http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?noframes;read=132710142710" (L)

I am hoping that someone will post all the past posts about these schools. Kids School is under the same umbrella as Kids College and Cherry Creek. They change names often. I was hired to work at a Cherry Creek, that was Kids School 3 months before and is now a Kids College. Either way, stay away. There are much better opportunities than working at this franchise. The hours suck (there for 9 paid for 6) teaching materials are horrible, I have been paid late, new contract presented to me after I arrived. The list goes on and on. You are better off looking somewhere else. And I sure hope your recruiter is not Ryan, if it is, get a new one.
Good luck.
Donkey

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Re: ************KIDS SCHOOL SEOUL************

Posted By: Trouble-Maker
Date: Tuesday, 17 September 2002, at 3:44 a.m.

In Response To: "http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?noframes;read=132710142710" (L)

Avoid Kid's School, Sisa, ECC, Wonderland and Pagoda chains. Some of the schools are ok, but if you search the archives you will find many horror stories. The above mentioned have been repremended recently by the fair trade of Korea for violating several business/marketing rules.


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Re: Kids College Kang Seo Gu

Posted By: Tyler Durden <"mailto:[email protected]?subject=Re: Kids College Kang Seo Gu">
Date: Thursday, 24 October 2002, at 7:45 a.m.

I worked for Mrs. Lee as well. And the experience was horrific. The school was a TOTAL joke. The unorganized manner of Mrs. Lee and her incompetent staff makes one wonder how this culture has survived for so many years. With the departure of the 'brilliant' Ms. Jae Park, one would think that the institution would gain some sort of credibility, however this is not the case. The institution is like a mythological monster, cut off one head and another grows back,with even more ignorance and arrogance than the last.
Unless you literally kiss Mrs. Lee's and her staffs ass, you will go nowhere within this institution!!! If you have nopersonalopinion and do not like to reveal your true thoughts and feelings on teaching material, teaching methods, and if you have NO talent whatsoever, then this is the job for you!!
It is utterly amazing that the most talented and caring teachers receive NO recognition whatsoever,(youknow the ones who worked the hardest yet NEVER received the 'teacher of the month award' but the ones with the biggest chest who lick the brown eye of the Korean staff go very far and get whatever they want, whenever they want!!!!
Furthermore, the school(I use that term loosely), does not honor its contracts. They will break you contract as quick as they will kill and eat a dog and think nothing of it, leaving youhanging out in the cold, half-way across the world. It is more similar to a slave trade. If they dont like you they will try and 'sell' you to someone else!! Unless you are or aspire to be a *beep* in every sense of the word, STAY AWAY FROM THIS concentration camp!!

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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?p=11844#11844

The Donkey

Joined: 21 Jan 2003

Posts: 84

Location: Somewhere drinking, smoking and using foul language

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2003 4:01 am Post subject:


Stay as far away from Kids College, Kids School and Cherry Creek as possible. They are all the same franchise BTW. I signed a contract to teach at a Cherry Creek in Suwon, then I got over here and they took me to Seoul and I started working at a Kids School. Two months later they changed again to a Kids College. Hours sucked 9:30-6:30 MWF and 9:30-2:30 T and Th. Supplies were non existant, late pay horrible accomidations. It was a tiresome day as well. You have a pre-school class from 9:30 to 2:30 every day, which I loved, but it wore me out. You can do much better, just take your time and look around.

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http://www.englishspectrum.com/form2.php3?table=news_blackbook

No.231 's Reply :

Re: Education de America

Name: EnglishInPeach

Date: 2003-11-19 16:15:09 View: 2



I used EDA as my recruiter and I was pleased where I was placed which was also

Kid's College in a suburb of Seoul. I trusted my recruiter and she didn't let me down,

but I was fired from KC two months later and my recruiter from EDA wouldn't help

me find a new placement. Fortunately it's not all bad because someone else from

EDA contacted me to try to help. I've since moved on to a different recruiter.



As far as Kid's College goes, it just depends on which location you're placed at. I'm

not familiar with yours, but I think there's an equal ammount of BS that goes on at all

of them.

[2CuteNCanadian]

Can't say I've EVER heard anything good about the chain....There's always a chance that the branch itself might be decent...but be careful...