Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dgreene33]

Hi, first time poster here. I followed an ad on Craigslist last Friday(http://chambana.craigslist.org/edu/1833927184.html), sent my cover letter and resume Friday morning, and got a call that afternoon from a secretary at Harvest English Institute. Saturday the secretary's boss called me to confirm my interest, and to confirm my availability to teach in Korea starting in late August. The secretary called me again this morning to set up an interview with the school in Korea this Wednesday at 7:00 AM Central Time, and e-mailed me a list of required documents, as well as a contract to be signed. I would be teaching in the city of Ulsan.

The documents they are requesting all seem reasonable (Original diploma, transcript, criminal history, health statement). They have not asked for any money. It does bother me how quickly they want the contract and documents, stated in the e-mail "preferably by express mail to the below address. The process should be done as soon as possible to have your visa issued quickly enough." Also, in the Craigslist ad, as well as in the first e-mail the secretary sent me, flight fare to-and-from Korea was advertised to be paid for. In the contract, however, it says (bolded by me) "Employer agrees to provide Employee a round ticket to Korea if Employee is not staying in Korea. If Employee is staying in Korea, Employer will sponsor the Employee to get a E2-visa, and give one-way ticket to Employee's homeland at the end of this contract." That just seems a little strange to me -- I would be teaching in Korea, of course I would be staying there. From the wording of the contract it sounds as though I would have to pay for my airfare to Korea.

I sent the secretary an e-mail asking for contact information on the school I would be assigned to, contact information for teachers currently at the school, and also to clear up the airfare confusion. Per the contract, the job includes ~$2000-$2500 USD/month, housing, medical insurance, and at least the return flight airfare, which all seems a little too good to be true. Then again, I have no idea what to expect since this is my first foray into teaching ESL. I've spent the better part of the last several days Googling Harvest English Institute in an attempt to dig up any ESL-abroad testimonies, but haven't came up with anything, good or bad (their website is www.harvestpp.com)

I would very much appreciate any input. I can copy and paste the contract or any of my e-mail correspondence if that would help. I am very interested in teaching ESL abroad, but I want to make sure I'm not getting the wool pulled over my eyes.

[dgreene33]

also, I tried using the search function looking for "Harvest English Institute" but all I got was a white blank web page (I tried searching with Firefox, Chrome and IE).

[Skippy]

eslcafe search function is not very good!

one hint to searching eslcafe is to try search thus using google

site:forums.eslcafe.com/korea "Harvest English Institute"

I already did it an NOTHING except your post!

searched naver.com

Nothing much except some info about places the same name in America maybe a branch! But likely not

searched daum.net also nothing much except saids links to some schools in the US

Searching google with just "Harvest English Institute" Ulsan
brought up nothing substantial except to some resumes of two people but both Harvest schools where the ones in the US again.

Now all the above means very little. Many hagwons have very little presence on the Internet. My advice is ask for some emails of past and present teachers and email them. Phone numbers are also good.

Good Post above. Continue to try do more research!

Good Luck