Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gambo tong]

I'm considering taking a job at Poly School near Seoul. Does anyone have the scoop on this school? Thanks!

[Lost Seoul]

Here are some posts about the POLY hagwons:

Not sure if the branch your going to is mentioned but even if it isn't it may give you some idea of how the franchise is run in general. Ask for the EMail addresses of the other foreign teachers at the institute and ask them what its like. Ask many questions, seek many opinions, then, finally, trust your own instincts.

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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=130071
Certified teachers?
Posted By: hahaha
Date: Saturday, 15 June 2002, at 8:46 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Poly? (Cracker)

The head office couldn't care less when they opened last December for the first time. They just wanted bodies like everybody else. Didn't matter where they came from, what their credentials were or even whether they were legal or not. I know, I was their first hire.


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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=131352
Re: Poly?
Posted By: Ilsan Teacher
Date: Saturday, 22 June 2002, at 9:38 a.m.

In Response To: Re: Poly? (Cracker)

I was at a bar frequented by Waygooks in Ilsan area, and talked to some of the Poly teachers working here.

It seems like its a big mess over there. Evidently they got a guy there with a teaching degree and teaching experience who doesn't know what a preposition or a verb is.

As scary as it is, they are looking to hire anyone who allegedly has a teaching degree, sight unseen. They have three schools in Ilsan area alone and are as disorganized as anything, with the higher ups trying to keep everything as a secret away from the teachers.

On a positive note, I hear that the money is pretty good.


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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=131409
Re: Certified teachers?
Posted By: Alibaba and the Forty
Date: Saturday, 22 June 2002, at 9:15 p.m.

In Response To: Re: Certified teachers? (would never guess)

Poly definitely is one of the best schools to work for in Korea - if you enjoy teaching up to 12 classes a day.
One would need more energy than an electronics store salesperson to work there.


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http://209.204.62.79/korea/index.cgi?read=122897
Re: poly returnee contract
Posted By: the real deal
Date: Monday, 6 May 2002, at 7:43 p.m.

In Response To: Re: poly returnee (Crackers)

This is the contract that they sent me its a little confusing and I wasn't too impressed with the hours.
However they did offer 2.7 mil won

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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=136
princess
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 3
Location: USA
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2003 5:19 pm Post subject: STAY AWAY FROM POLY GANGNAM
Hello everyone!!! Stay away from this school if you like bugs in your apartment and the managemnet is always in your face about things from day one. They tell you your apartment is nice,new and clean,when in fact it is bug infested and actually quite old and ugly. There are no furnishings whatsover. They lie to get you over here. There was no hot water for two weeks in some teachers places. Management just laughed and told people to take cold showers. Nothing in your aprtment EVER gets fixed when you tell them something needs to be repaired. They just make all kiinds of promises they cannot and will not keep. You are expected to prepare for classes an extra 10-15 hours aweek. They say this is paid time in the office but it is not. Beware of this place!!!

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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=136
polyschooljoann

Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 1

Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 6:34 am Post subject: Don't believe the fantasy created by princess.

princess,

Who are you and why have you attacked our school? I know you are not speaking from personal experience because POLY Kangnam is a new branch school - we have been here for less than a year. Furthermore, every teacher who has ever worked here, with one exception who is a personal friend of mine, is still here. I wonder from where you are getting your accusations and why are you bothering?

For anyone who cares, the truth of the matter is this:
1. appartments - Every teacher at this school is the first person to ever have lived in their appartments. There are 10 of us here, 9 with POLY supplied appartments and they are all brand new. We were furnished with western-style beds, TVs, VCRs, wardrobes, and kitchen supplies. As for broken things, none of us have had anything break, so we didn't need anything fixed.
2. work - Yes, we work hard and have 10 hours each week of prep time. The prep time is in our contracts and we are PAID for it. Management is involved in our work, of course, just as in any business. And since we are a new school, they care about how things are done so they can keep their business going. Is this not fairly normal?

I think I have covered most of the inaccuracies of the princess post. If there are any other questions about POLY, feel free to contact me directly.

Now before I get slagged off for creating my own fantasy, don't get me wrong. I am not under any delusions that I work in Heaven, Valhalla, Nirvana, or the like. We have issues and concerns, just like you would in any job, anywhere in the world. My problem is that princess obviously has no idea what issues we do have here and for some reason is just making up something to make POLY look bad. I wonder why.

Care to come clean, princess?


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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=136
Greg

Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 1

Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 9:11 am Post subject: from a POLY Kangnam teacher


I am also disappointed by the post made by princess. I have been working at POLY Kangnam for almost a year now and have worked at another POLY for two. The conditions described by princess are completely inaccurate. It�s interesting that all of the problems mentioned focus around common complaints frequently mentioned on this board or discussed among teachers out and about. However, nothing was mentioned about the important issues like curriculum, students, facilities, and work environment. Coincidence? Or is this another post from a person trying to prevent POLY from being successful?

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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=136
tomthecat


Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 1

Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2003 12:06 pm Post subject: Don't believe Ms. Princess!


What you may have read about Gangnam Poly was completely fabricated by someone who is obviously not a teacher there or has ever been one.
We just opened last year, and have had the same staff since the beginning. We were all offered brand new apartments -- probably much nicer than most other schools offer, furnished with everything needed. And sure, we may work longer hours, but we are paid accordingly and are fed lunch and dinner every day (our ajuma is a great chef!). The staff is great, the school is great, and most importantly, the kids are great. In the future, don't believe everything you read!

[knelly]

Here we go again with the Poly School thing...short answer...I've been here six months..they treat me well, pay me well, speak English fluently, provide all the needed support, and will not fade away over night. I told myself I'd never work for an institute, but I'm glad that I made an exception. Feel free to contact me for specifics...no I'm not trying to recruit...I just want to support the company that has supported me.

[Bound in Bundang]

Knelly said it pretty well. No, it's not perfect - in fact, it can be pretty crazy, just like anywhere else - but in general, it beats the hell out of a lot of other places out there. Yes, it's a tough work load and they expect you to deliver. What else can one say without being blasted as a corporate shill?

Each campus will have its own advantages and disadvantages, its own unique problems and solutions. Ask to contact the teachers at whichever campus you're considering. Get email addresses, phone numbers, or even stop in to visit and chat in person if it's feasible.

Good luck.

[CanKorea]

I'm also at a POLY school and so far have had no major problems. They treat me well, helped me with my f-4 visa, and lived up to their end of the contract.

If you'd like to pm me for more details please go ahead!

[casinoman]

Sorry to be so stupid...I just checked some of your other posts and found out which hagwon you work for and where you are located...duh!!

[BTM]

They sure as heck advertise all the time on Dave's. The sheer frequency of ads put me off - I assumed they couldn't keep teachers.

[FierceInvalid]

I don't work there but have a bunch of friends who do, and they've almost all resigned there for another year. Nuff said, if you ask me.

[matthews_world]

[Chillin' Villain]

I'm working there too (second year), and it's pretty much like everyone says: work load's a bit high, but the general quality of the students/program and the pretty decent pay make it quite a bit better than any other hakwon I've scoped out.

I notice that they advertise a lot, too, but I don't think it's because of many contract bailouts (I'm familiar with a few of the branches, and don't know of many except for a couple emergencies)... I know they just opened up two new branches recently, and that there were eight others before... ALSO, they use Dave's because they don't need to resort to recruiters.

Anyways, this isn't an an ad by any stretch... I like it there, and I know it's good to others too, but there's a lot of work to go along with it.

[JackSarang]

I've met several teachers who work at the Bundang Poly at Sunae Station. They all seemed very happy with their positions.

[steelhead]

well if you are looking for a secure job that pays by far the best in South Korea for a Hagwan then its POLY. They do expect alot, but we have by far the best students. Many of my students admit they speak better english than Korean. We do work long hours, but there is no threat of ever shutting down or gettin screwed.

Schools are usually pretty big, with lots of foreign staff. And Ive found that they try to accomodate most teachers. Of course there are a few korean idiosyncrasies thrown in there... but hey...its Korea.

If I was going to sign on with a Hagwan again, it would be Poly. Unless you are looking for the no prep, show up like a slob, and doing sign language and teaching kids to say "nice to meet you" as they pass you in the street. if thats the case Poly isnt for you.

my 2 bits

[own_king]

Now I can only speak from my experience and I do not really mean this to be a negative post although after re-reading I can see that is sounds like that, but here it goes anyway. I worked for Mokdong Poly for one year and found it overall a good experience as the kids were nice and generally well-behaved and also very strong in their English ability, even in the ESL program. For me, the children are the most important aspect of any teaching position, so I put up with a lot of crap, that I normally would not have.

If you have a B.Ed you will be paid 2.4 million for the aftenoon shift or 2.8 for the Kindy/Elementary shift. For this shift, you will work your ass off - no doubt. Most teachers can not handle this workload. The 1-9 shift is a little more easy to handle, but the workload is still heavy. The directors do not want you marking homework in class except during exam periods whic occur every month, rather "our homeowrk" should be done during your prep, even if the kids are using those books the same day. The directors feel that the teachers should always have more homework than the kids. With regards to pay, Poly does always pay on time. Only once did our pay come a day late, but that was due to some mix-up at the bank. They will, however, try to work the numbers at the end to make your last pay (and severence) as little as possible. Also Poly expects the teachers to be standing all day long. We had our director threaten to take all of the teachers chairs out of the rooms if we did not. He said that he has done it before. As a teacher at Poly, you can expect the directors and administration to always be in your face about something petty, so expect a lot of hassles. I have seen female teachers at Poly reduced to tears over something that seemed very trivial. I have seen other teachers threatened with their job if they did not get all the homework marked correctly on a more consistent basis. Also in your apartment, you can forget about getting hot water in the winter. It will be lukewarm at best and since the bathroom is not heated you are going to have some pretty cold mornings. The school did make some efforts to get the landlord to do something about it, but still the problem persisted all winter for most of the teachers, because in the end, nothing could be done. It had something to do with the pipes and it would be too costly to fix so you have to "just endure".

I have friends who still work at Poly in Kangnam who tell me that the situation is much worse now. They are constantly expected to do extra chores re curriculum development and other more menial tasks that eat up their entire preps, so they have to come in even earlier than before. Also they have installed cameras in the classrooms and teachers' room, but I heard the school later removed the one from the teachers' room over some legal issue.

After learning all of this and after considering my own experiences, I decided that maybe Poly is not for me anymore. If you just want a normal teaching job for 6 hours a day, without all the pressure and petty griping then maybe Poly is not for you either, but if you can handle the crap for a little better pay and a lot better kids, then give it a try. For me, it is really a toss up.

[nateyb]

[endo]

Would you mind clarifying you statement?

I'm actually seriously considering applying for that particular school and I could use as much assistance a possible.

Thanks