| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
hoopslam
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
|
 Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject: CDI alternatives? |
 |
|
Hey guys, I got an official teaching contract from CDI about a week ago to leave in November for Seoul. When I initially applied there, I was a bit reluctant because of all the bad stuff I've read about them in this forum(particularly about how only the fresh teachers go there because they don't know any better about the many better places to teach). However, the higher pay in comparison to the other job postings at the time (June) compelled me to just give it a shot and see if I'd get in.
What I really wanted to do was EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE back then but they weren't open for apps at the time. Now they are and I'm already talking to recruiters about placement into one of these programs. However, even if I get in (which is no guarantee in this economy), I'd have to wait until February to start work. Would it be foolish for me to pass up a sure thing in CDI to wait for a potential job with EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE?
The reason I want the public route over CDI is because I get the sense that the public school route offers more time off to travel and offers better benefits like housing, severance, and pension coverage. I'm an F4 visa holder and I've vaguely heard that this doesn't even matter for me. Does it? My CDI recruiter has told me nothing regarding my F4 status except that it'll help me get placed faster. I know benefits aren't everything and since I"m relatively healthy, I figure I can go 1 year without any if need be as long as the pay compensates for it.
Anyways, aside from the public school route, it seems that since the beginning of October, a lot of new job postings are appearing for hagwons too. Back when I applied to CDI in June, I applied there because it was one of the only options I could find online. Now there seems to be a lot more. Any suggestions over CDI? I'm kinda looking for that middle ground between CDI's high pay and the public schools flexible travel time and benefits. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
youtuber
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ah another CDI gyopo recruit...
Have you noticed the unusually high number of gyopos that work for CDI? Have you wondered why that is? Most schools shun gyopos but CDI seems to have a fairly high proportion. Why?
Are they paying for your apartment? Do you get health insurance, and pension? No, if you are on the higher paying hourly program. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hoopslam
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| youtuber wrote: |
Ah another CDI gyopo recruit...
Have you noticed the unusually high number of gyopos that work for CDI? Have you wondered why that is? Most schools shun gyopos but CDI seems to have a fairly high proportion. Why?
Are they paying for your apartment? Do you get health insurance, and pension? No, if you are on the higher paying hourly program. |
Yeah well, that is something I've read a lot about and also part of the reason why I have some concerns regarding this place. Obviously, I don't know the answer to these questions so that's why I'm asking...
Also, I didn't want to double post so I'll stick this question in here as well...What are some of the more easily recognized adult English hagwons? Although I love kids, I personally find it much less stressful teaching adults. If I had a choice, I'd take teaching adults over children just because it fits my personality and teaching style better. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
youtuber
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Well I think that one reason they hire so many gyopos is because they can stay with family in Korea if need be. They don't need an apt so no need to provide one.
But no health insurance or pension? Everyone needs that.
CDI is slimy. Don't get stuck with them. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DomesticPelican
Joined: 25 Sep 2009
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've been offered a job by CDI in Busan.
I have heard so many mixed reviews on them, it's mind-boggling haha. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hoopslam
Joined: 19 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| DomesticPelican wrote: |
I've been offered a job by CDI in Busan.
I have heard so many mixed reviews on them, it's mind-boggling haha. |
Yeah, tell me about it...I'm seriously starting to really stress about this job offer and whether or not I should take it.
youtuber, that could very well be one of their reasons for hiring gyopos perhaps but I've heard other accounts of them hiring gyopos (especially in the Seoul area) simply because they need them to act kind of as a middle man between non Korean Teachers and the Korean branch managers. I've heard that this is both a blessing and major pain in the ass at the same time. If this truly is the case, and I hope someone can validate this or not...
Irregardless, my main concern isn't CDI's hiring policies, it's finding a suitable replacement position for the CDI offer I have gotten. Any suggestions over CDI? Location doesn't matter for me, I'm open to working in the city (especially Daejeon) but wouldn't mind a peaceful lifestyle in the Shee-Gohl. As long as pay's enough to sustain my modest lifestyle and provide a bit of a savings, I'm good in that department. I'm really not that hard to please, it's just that CDI's already betrayed my trust a little by telling me I'd leave in August and canceling two weeks prior (though I understand that wasn't completely their fault). Now I read all these negatives about them...and if there's one thing I value and absolutely demand, it's honesty and trust from my employer...something CDI has yet to instill in me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jon_blaze
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yo..I'm an f4 visa holder working for CDI myself. It is really dependent on the location that you're aiming for to know what its really about. Since CDI is so franchise based it's difficult to really know what's going on since they are all individual cases. But from my experience though here's what you need to know:
First, most public schools/학원 don't really offer housing to F4 visa holders anymore. So if you were hoping for that, you can still get it under CDI if you take the salary contract.
Second, read the FINE PRINT on that contract. CDI likes to put a lot of bullshit in their contracts that screws you very badly. So make sure you know what you are about to sign and adjust accordingly in what best fits you.
Third, if you're a conversational/fluent Korean-speaking F4 visa holder...yeah life will suck for you since they'll use you as the middle man between any disputes between the management and a non-korean speaking teacher (Has happened to me many times even though the staff speaks English very well).
So, overall, don't dive right in...and some of the rumours are true, they do love getting first-timers (that's how they landed me) and I'm sad to say that a lot of CDI employees or former learn to hate Korea because of that what the company does. Also, don't trust your CDI recruiter 100%, they're there to sell the hype and more than likely after your first 3 months the recruiter will have quit CDI (I've gone through who knows how many of them). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
linky123
Joined: 12 Feb 2009
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I don't think I could leave CDI even if I wanted to. I've worked 48 hours per week (including saturdays) plus around 10 hours of prep time totaling close to 60 hours during the summer intensive. I've made over 6 mil in the month of August. I don't think I can get by earning 2.5mil per month anymore. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
highdials5
Joined: 13 Oct 2008
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
| hoopslam wrote: |
| DomesticPelican wrote: |
I've been offered a job by CDI in Busan.
I have heard so many mixed reviews on them, it's mind-boggling haha. |
Yeah, tell me about it...I'm seriously starting to really stress about this job offer and whether or not I should take it.
youtuber, that could very well be one of their reasons for hiring gyopos perhaps but I've heard other accounts of them hiring gyopos (especially in the Seoul area) simply because they need them to act kind of as a middle man between non Korean Teachers and the Korean branch managers. I've heard that this is both a blessing and major pain in the ass at the same time. If this truly is the case, and I hope someone can validate this or not...
Irregardless, my main concern isn't CDI's hiring policies, it's finding a suitable replacement position for the CDI offer I have gotten. Any suggestions over CDI? Location doesn't matter for me, I'm open to working in the city (especially Daejeon) but wouldn't mind a peaceful lifestyle in the Shee-Gohl. As long as pay's enough to sustain my modest lifestyle and provide a bit of a savings, I'm good in that department. I'm really not that hard to please, it's just that CDI's already betrayed my trust a little by telling me I'd leave in August and canceling two weeks prior (though I understand that wasn't completely their fault). Now I read all these negatives about them...and if there's one thing I value and absolutely demand, it's honesty and trust from my employer...something CDI has yet to instill in me. |
I doubt you'll ever get this in a hagwon. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
youtuber
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| linky123 wrote: |
| I don't think I could leave CDI even if I wanted to. I've worked 48 hours per week (including saturdays) plus around 10 hours of prep time totaling close to 60 hours during the summer intensive. I've made over 6 mil in the month of August. I don't think I can get by earning 2.5mil per month anymore. |
Do you get housing included? Pension? Health insurance? Probably not.
You cannot get rich in Korea teaching English, so find a job that you will actually enjoy.
CDI is slimy. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
luffy
Joined: 28 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
youtuber,
Just curious, have you ever worked for CDI before or done the training? Let me know, thanks! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
linky123
Joined: 12 Feb 2009
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
| youtuber wrote: |
| linky123 wrote: |
| I don't think I could leave CDI even if I wanted to. I've worked 48 hours per week (including saturdays) plus around 10 hours of prep time totaling close to 60 hours during the summer intensive. I've made over 6 mil in the month of August. I don't think I can get by earning 2.5mil per month anymore. |
Do you get housing included? Pension? Health insurance? Probably not.
You cannot get rich in Korea teaching English, so find a job that you will actually enjoy.
CDI is slimy. |
It is true. Some CDI branches do not offer to pay your health insurance, housing or national pension when you take their hourly contract. However, the rate of pay you will receive will compensate for the insurance and the pension. I do pay for my own housing. In fact, I decided to get a larger 2 bed room place on my own. CDI did offer to lend me the deposit money but I declined because within 4 months, I was able to pay my own deposit money. The NHI and National pension depends on the rate of your income. As a result, I do pay hefty sum of insurance and pension but I still make 3 mil after all bills, rent, insurance and pension. Besides, the pension is considered a savings account which you will get back when you decides to leave the country. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jon_blaze
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
| You are able to actually go to the pension office to change the hourly amount that you make in accordance with them if you wish to pay a lower rate. Also Health/Pension are required by Korean law that everybody has to have it, so if you're hourly you have to pay out of your pocket for all CDI schools. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
linky123
Joined: 12 Feb 2009
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 4:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
| jon_blaze wrote: |
| You are able to actually go to the pension office to change the hourly amount that you make in accordance with them if you wish to pay a lower rate. Also Health/Pension are required by Korean law that everybody has to have it, so if you're hourly you have to pay out of your pocket for all CDI schools. |
I've also heard if you have F-2 or F-4 visa, you can enroll in a private insurance company. Because your NHI fee is based on the income, for those who make a lot of money, instead of paying close to 200,000 won per month on the NHI, they went with a private insurance company. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
