Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sierra7200]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone out there has worked at Yongworld English Education Center (California State University Korea Center in Yeong-wol). Apparently, this is a center where public school teachers from Seoul go to improve their English and teaching methods. I was wondering if anyone could offer any insight on this, or on Yeong-wol. Someone posted basically the same inquiry in Sept. but didn't get any responses. I figured I'd try again.

Thanks

[stevelad_83]

There is another thread regarding this topic. Pm me for more details.

[lowpo]

[siberus09]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=165895

[Haze Daze]

The Yeongwol I know is in Gangwon-do close to the border with Chungbuk-do.

If this is the place then it is very picturesque, but I think you could potentially be the only foreinger there as it pretty much is the middle of nowhere.

[stevelad_83]

There are currently around 20 foreign teachers living in Youngwol; it is a very quiet town.

[Sierra7200]

Thanks for the responses.

I found this link as well about this school

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/06/117_47573.html


Lowpo - yes, that is the school - if you have some info about it I'd appreciate reading your insights.

Stevelad, thanks for you responses. Unfortunately I don't have enough posts to PM yet.

[Sierra7200]

Still no info on this school?

I was interviewed my a man representing the school, and the interview was pretty strange. The man commented about the fact that I had gone to school in the California State University system, and taught in California's public schools. He described that the job involved training teachers from Seoul. I asked if he knew that I didn't have a masters degree, and he was aware of that.

The strange part about the interview was that I was asked nothing at all about teaching or educational leadership or professional development - not a single question. The only questions that he asked were to verify that I had been educated and had experience in California.

Moreover, I began to explain what I had learned as an ESL teacher in Cali., and how I might be an asset in the professional development of Korean teachers, and he interrupted me after less than three sentences. My impression was that this guy was not a professional educator. The only thing he said that had anything to do with education was "you've been teaching in California for three years; you must have ideas."

The recruiter I was using (not the interviewer) called me back immediately after this interview and asked me if I was ready to take the job. I said I needed time to think about it, and two days later I e-mailed her these questions:

* How many foreign and Korean teachers/staff are there?
* Is there an orientation period? If so, how long is this period?
* How long has this school been operating?
* Are there any online sources of information about the school?
* How close is the school to the nearest town and conveniences?
* Can you get me in touch with a current or former NET who has worked here, to discuss the job?
* What type of housing is offered?
* Can you explain the student makeup in greater detail, or review this with me? Would I be instructing elementary teachers, university students studying education, or both?

I never got answers to these questions, and I never heard again from the man who "interviewed" me. He basically seemed ready to immediately offer me the job (the recruiter offered me the job), but I was taken back by the complete lack of meaningful questions asked of me, and this was probably apparent over the phone. I don't know if he was spooked by my list of questions about the place, but I was pretty spooked.

Maybe a team of foreign instructors could be assembled at Yeongwol to facilitate meaningful professional development to Korean teachers, but it would be in spite of, rather than because of whoever is administrating this place, if my experience over the phone is any indication of how things work here. I would be very wary of this place.

On a final note, I emailed one of the head professors at CSU San Bernadino (the school with which I was told this place is affiliated), and she did not know about this school at Yeongwol. She e-mailed me the statement below, which tells me that the CSU system has nothing to do with how this place operates. I'm also not sure that this has anything to do with the 5-month training program mentioned.

"It sounds like the program that we have with the Seoul Metropolitain Office of Education. These teachers from Seoul spend 5 months in a training program and then come here to CSUSB for one month; however, we are not involved in the 5 month training program that occurs before they come to CSUSB."

Anyhow, I think more info and insight would be useful to others considering this school, if anyone feels like sharing.

[lowpo]

[Sierra7200]

Thanks for the info, Lowpo. For the time being, I wouldn't need to get in contact with a current NET at this school, because for now I am looking elsewhere for work, but I appreciate the help.

[Sierra7200]

By the way, CSU at San Bernadino got back with me again and verified that this program is a part of the five month training for teachers - the last month of which is spent at CSUSB, although I am not sure if all students who go to Yeongwol end up in San Bernadino.