Korean Job Discussion Forums

happy · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

Is there anyone out there who has had RECENT experience with a Wonderland school? Would like to get the skinny. Thanx in advance.

peppermint · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:39 pm Post subject:

They've got a bad rep overall, but I know people working at the one in Cheong ju who are pretty happy.

animalbirdfish · Joined: 04 Feb 2004

As the previous poster said, Wonderland isn't highly regarded. Of course there are exceptions, but why gamble? Although it's never a sure thing, I think you'd do better to keep looking and not risk it (that is, if you are in fact considering a job with them, which you didn't specify) . Do some good research and it'll pay off. Good luck.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Make sure to ask if you have to do phone teaching!

Some Wonderlands to that after-hours.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

My friend quoted you have to be living in a wonderland to want to work at wonderland. Very Happy

ratslash · Joined: 08 May 2003

yes. there was a post recently about a wonderland school screwing someone and there have been many others.

coolsage · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:00 pm Post subject:

This questions come up frequently. Because Wonderland is a franchise, the experience depends wholly on the local director. My experience is not recent, in fact it's been five years since I worked at one, but the place where I did my time (Ansan), was good to me. I believe that the director then (a Mr Cho) is still there. The best assurance that something is going right is a low turnover of staff. I know one guy who has been there for six years. It's a crapshoot. If you like teaching kids, you could do worse.

riverboy · Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: Incheon

Take it from someone who worked there and spoke with others who worked at various Wonderlands. Stay the hell away. Unless you know someone who worked at a particular Wonderland, You will work longer than most hagwons, your contract will probabally include Volunteer work which means you are forced to work at thier discretion when ever they want.
The other problem is that they are more concerned with image than cirriculum and the cirriculum is constantly changing which leaves most teachers highly frustrated. This is at least three schools in particular and I have heard crap about most others. Check out Prisoner of wonderland web site and some blacklist sites, then ask to get in touch with former teachers, if they are reluctant to give you eamails, there is a reason.
Good luck

Lost Seoul · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

For info on the Wonderland hagwons go to:

http://www.hagwonreport.com/page6.html

You may also find the following address useful as well:

http://www.geocities.com/prisonerofwonderland/

dominic · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Location: Seoul

that post might have been me. my friend got fired from one in pusan

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

I can't believe with the emormous amount of information about that chain on the web, anyone would bother to even consider working there.

Of course, I learned the hard way. I had a nightmare at one of the franchises.

Draven · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

Having an experience right now. See this thread. http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=16581. Be wary of what you're getting into.

coolsage · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2004 10:20 am Post subject:

Clearly there are way too many 'hogwan hell' stories. (And I've paid some dues along that road as well.) The solution for anyone who chooses to stay in this land for more than one year, is to obtain a Master's degree. Many more options open up: universities, colleges, corporate work. Better money, better hours, and with luck, a more professional relationship with the employer. Cheers.

Lost Seoul · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

discostar23 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Location: getting the hell out of dodge

i am working at a wonderland school right now. It is in Chumdan Kwangju city. My Director is a women but she is nothing like this debbie character.
Her name is Janis. The school opened on the day that me and my partner arrived in Korea. It is three floors one of which is a playground. We didn't know what to expect being our first time and hearing so many bad things about wonderland.
So we have been working here for the last three months and Janis has been nothing but nice to us. We don't get paid for field trips and activity days are hell but she tries and compensates with large bags of kimchi (two of which I threw out last night boy what a stink).
We have a spacious three bedroom apartment with a bathtub and a huge tv.
I mean not all wonderlands are bad. We have had two korean teachers quit but the director has been nothing but nice to us and they were not good teachers anyway.

The moral of the story is we need a roommate and fast... and I am worried we are going to get a shitty roommate
anyone need a job right away?