Korean Job Discussion Forums

[djinn]

So my hubby and I have been tentatively offered positions at the POLY school in Bundang. They should be sending us contracts to review and sign (if we're happy with the offer) on Monday morning.

I'm wondering if any of you have first hand experience with this school that you can share with us? I've heard it can be a little more work than other schools and more planning time is required but they also pay significantly more than most hagwons. The school is for returnees so the students will have a slightly higher level of language proficiency than other students might.

Hubby and I are both halfway through a 2 year B.Ed after degree program so we feel (somewhat) prepared for the extra work in planning and teaching. Also we would like positions that actually challenge us and can help improve our teaching practice.

Also, there is a little weirdness in terms of the timing... they have one position opening in early-June but another one won't open until July or August. They have agreed to fly us both over at the same time and one of us will just hang out in Korea until the job starts. Does this sound at all sketchy to you? How do you figure the visa business will work with this arrangement?

Thanks in advance for your feedback,
Djinn

[Derrek]

I can send you a picture of the place. It's right close to here.

[eamo]

[djinn]

The schedule for actual teaching time would be:

MWF 9:50 to 1:30 / 3:00 - 7:30 and
T& TH 9:50 to 1:30 / 3:00 - 6:40
apparently this is including lunch... do you eat with the kids usually?
from 1:30-3:00 is paid planning time

I recognize that this may be more teaching time than some other positions but they do pay more and you have paid planning time... something which I gather is rare in hagwons.

Children must be tested before they can enter the school and most of them have studied overseas... from what I've heard POLY actually does offer higher level and more challenging curriculum for more accomplished students.

Any more input?

PS Derreck I PMed you!

[JackSarang]

I've met several of the teachers who work there, or did, haven't seen them in months.

But anyhow, they seemed fairly content. No problems with pay, housing, management etc.

The only thing they did say is that you're expected to do A LOT of extra work.

Also that thing about a majority of "overseas students" and "tests" is complete BS. I have several students who go to my hogwon MWF and go to Poly on TT. They've never lived overseas and their english is abyssmal.

[Eunoia]

[kylehawkins2000]

I would suggest working out how much money you'll make there relative to the amount of work you'll be doing. I was offered a job there last year but once I worked out the 'real' hourly rate the money didn't seem that impressive. You can make up to 2.8 or a bit more but you really put in alot of hours.

On the other hand I get the impression that they run a tighter ship than most places, are more organize, and there aren't many complaints about the managment floating around....

[Gideon]

My brother and his girfriend just started working for Poly 2 months ago. They do work a lot of hours. And are expected to work 9 - 7:30pm. Within that time i think there is about 3 hours of prep. In the morning they teach kinder and in the afternoon its middle school. They do enjoy it, but they really don't have much of a social life during the week. Pay is 2.82 i beleive, which is great if you want to commit 50 + hours at an institution. During lunch, they can go home if they wish but during their 3 hour prep time they are not permitted to leave. One major comment regarding their job was that the school expects a lot from the them and the children do have a much higher level of english fluency than most other hagwons. All in all, poly does have a good reputation. My brother and his gal are content, but i wouldn't say overly happy about working there.