Korean Job Discussion Forums

[NStarun]

While I trust my recruiter (they got a friend of mine a good job in Seoul) I'd like to hear an independent opinion about this possible first time teaching offer.

The school is called SLP Academy in Seongbuk-gu Seoul ... several hagwons with SLP in the name are on this thrown-together blacklist website I found while searching for a school review.

http://www.geocities.com/hagwonblacklist/list.html

Is this just a corrupt family of Hagwons? none of the listed SLP locations are in Seongbuk ...

I was supposed to have an interview with a school rep tonight, but my recruiter called a few hours early and it sounded like she was telling me that they were running ahead of schedule when my phone dropped the call # came up "unknown" so all I could do was shoot an email.

here is the info that was forwarded to me about the school, any opinion is welcome ... if this is accurate then I'm excited to start but I really don't want to get burned!

Name: SLP Academy
Location: Seoul, Sungbuk-gu
Airfare: Yes
Accommodation: Single
Distance from School: 15 minutes
Age Group: Kindergarten / Elementary
Class Size: 10 students
Class Length: 40 minutes
Working Days: M - F
Schedule of Hours: 10:00-18:30
Base hrs/week/month: 120 hrs / month
Salary: 2.1 million
Overtime Rate: 18,000 won / month
Severance Pay: One Month
Vacation Days: 10 days
Sick Leave: 3 days
Health Insurance: 50%
Number of Korean Teachers: 8
Number of Foreign Teachers: 9
Misc.: Feb 10

thanks!

[anynag]

Request the cell phone numbers or email addresses for at least two current teachers and at least one email address of a former teacher. Contact them outside of work hours with your questions about the work and living conditions associated with this particular branch. If the recruiter or hagwon owner refuses to provide that info (a huge red flag), then you know to keep looking for other options.

Something to be aware of with the position you posted and other jobs like it is the number of classes you will actually be teaching. One of my first lessons in Korean hagwon hell was having to prep almost 200 lessons a month on a set-up similar to the one mentioned here (i.e., 40-minute classes but one teaching hour being calculated at 60 minutes); at the end of each week, my director had us submit a hard copy of all our daily / weekly lesson plans for each class.

And, never blindly trust a recruiter, as they work for the schools that pay their commission, not you. Just because your friend got a decent deal, doesn't mean that you will too.

[waynehead]

SLPs have one of the worst reputations among chain hagwons in Korea. Perhaps only Wonderland is worse. You should keep looking and pass on this job.

[sketcha]

do ask for contact information from that school - get some info from a few of the teachers there - and hopefully they'll be honest in their assessment of the school

know what you're getting yourself into

kindergarten and elementary, sounds pretty tough - especially if they expect you to do some formal teaching

[NStarun]

Ok I will definitely be asking for those email contacts tonight, too bad about SLP having a bad rap, the offer is right on point with what I'm looking for.

Maybe my friend in Seoul can pull an Ari Gold and find me a decent starter job ... I've applied through EPIK but have no intention of living in a small town, Seoul is the goal!

thanks for your replies