Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wonkavite62]

I am from the U.K. I would like to teach abroad again, so I put posted my resume. I got a reply from a hagwon in Pohang, which offered one or two nice things, I thought. But I had asked if I could consult with other foreign teachers at their school to see if the school was okay. The reply: Yes of course! Oh, now wait a minute, I don't think I know you. I don't think I can do this. Can you tell me about your personality, and your best lesson plan?
I was tempted to comply. But my own question hadn't been answered. I had also asked about teaching materials and photocopiers. Again a brick wall.But I know how helpful materials and photocopiers are. Part of me regrets that I let the school go, but I couldn't work in a vacuum. What do you folks think?

[pangaea]

You should always ask to speak to other teachers. Of course, before going to the trouble of giving you that information, your potential employer would want to know if you are a candidate they would want to hire. I usually wait to find out if the interview went well and I get an email response to politely ask for contact emails for present or former teachers. I don't know why your interviewer would backtrack on giving you email addresses or why he/she wouldn't answer a question about copiers or materials. Maybe it was your timing? I don't know. Sorry that one didn't work out but there are plenty of jobs out there if you put in the time to look.

[Smee]

You of course should ask to speak to other teachers at the school, and if the school or recruiter doesn't comply, drop them.

They also of course should find out of you're a good candidate. No sense giving out email addresses and having teachers spend their time answering questions for a person they won't even think about hiring.

[Murakano]

yes you were right to speak to other teachers. And Pohang? there are much better places to work but I guess you're not fussy judging by that

[wonkavite62]

In reply to your comments, yes, there are better places than Pohang an d I am not desperate. . In the school's little blurb, they had pointed out that they were a solid school with their own solid curriculum. I asked if they had a photocopier and teaching materials. No they just needed my creative mind. I started to frown. How could I work in a bare box? The fact that they asked me for lesson plans was not such a big deal. No problem. I've GOT experience. But they were turning all the onus onto me, and that was suspicious. I'm being asked to consider working half way round the world, so I need some sort of reassurance from them.

[elizabethbennet]

If the school was called "YMA" you definitely did the right thing. My husband and I worked there and we were treated very poorly and now they're having a hell of a time getting teachers because everyone they try to hire is a friend of a friend and they're warned away.

The minute you said Pohang I wondered, so if that's where you were applying, you absolutely did the right thing. I wish I had been more careful before accepting that job.

Also - I turned down 4 jobs here before I got the excellent job I have now. And even the teacher they didn't rehire had nice things to say about the place!

[elizabethbennet]

I also agree about there being better places than Pohang. If you like a smaller town, Gyeong-Ju is really peaceful and since it's a tourist town people are more used to foreigners there.

If you want a bigger city, I'd go for Busan. Plus the beaches here are not polluted like in Pohang!