Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DM24]

Hi everyone. I recently got an offer from Kid's College in Yunhee, Seoul (near Shinchon/Hongdae). I've done some research on Kid's Colleges and realize it's a franchise type school, so each location is going to be slightly different depending on the owner. I've read a few reviews about the Yunhee location but the date is around 2007.

There are several posts warning against teaching at Kid's Colleges that date back to 2002. Most of them seem like nightmares. I was wondering if anything has changed in 8 years.

Does anyone have any more-recent information about this particular branch of Kid's College (or any branch)? Any help would be appreciated.

[amoonbot]

I actually live in Yeonhui-dong near this school. I can't really give any insight about the school but the location is pretty awesome. You are a 15-20 minute walk to either Sinchon or Hongdae and there are several local gyms in Yeonhui-dong. I'm currently at a public high school in Sinchon and I'm loving it. Not sure how helpful this response is, but location-wise, I'd say you're in a prime place.

[DM24]

Yeah, the location of the school is really what seems most attractive at this point. It's a great area to work around, I remember visiting Hongdae when I traveled to Seoul and it was awesome. The one drawback of course is the reputation of a lot of these franchise hogwons.

Are there any other smaller private schools around this area that you've seen? Maybe I could just apply to them instead.

[Janny]

I worked at Kids College Yunhee-dong in 2004-5. It was NOT good. Mr. Kim does not communicate properly (unrealistic expectations galore) and teachers are worked to the bone doing major prep that is not compensated. That is, we taught Kindy from 9 - 2, had one hour break, then older students from 3 - 6. Then you had all this paperwork to do, and if done to specs it took like an hour a day. So you do end up working longer than 40 hrs per week. But he'll tell you that "40 hrs" refers to "teaching hours" and the prep is your own responsibility "just like any real teacher".

True...but this prep was pointless! Make a copy of every worksheet you will use for 8 different subjects every day? Detailed lesson plans to be submitted weekly? And that was just Kindergarten. There were lessons for elementary students that included covering TWO pages out of a Let's Go book. A 40 minute class that covers two pages...that means more prep obviously for that too.

"Real teachers" are treated with respect. None of that here. Most teachers at the time I worked there either left their contract early or just BARELY made it to the 12th month. Everyone was pissed off and exhausted every day of the week.

If it's still Mr. Kim and his wife at this operation, I'd advise against this job. Maybe there's new management by now...? At any rate, the BEST option is to TALK DIRECTLY to one of the teachers working there now or having just left. This is imperative. If the school won't give you their numbers, then they're hiding something. Talk to one person who worked there before and at least two people who work there now. The "Education Department" person is a foreigner too, but may be inclined to lie because they want to keep their job and not piss off the almighty Mr. Kim. So talk to just a regular teacher.

Ask directly: "How long is the workday?" and "How much prep do you have to do?" If the answers match anything I've said....WALK AWAY! ...there are other schools in Sinchon / Hongdae. (Yes, the location rocked but it was NOT worth the pain of your workweek)

[bocceman]

i'm curious, but what were the specifics on the compensation/hours?