Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SoccerFan81]

A Canadian friend of mine is considering applying to teach at a hagwon that will have had almost 100% turnover of foreign teachers within a 4-5 month period (information via an ex-employee whom I work with now). The job description for the job is appealing, however I have found very little information about the school to help him.
I just began a new position at a Uni nearby (same town) and one of my contemporaries worked at this particular hagwon a few years ago. I have asked for his opinion on the reasoning behind the exodus. He had little idea, only to point out that one of the longer-term foreign employees (I'm guessing administrative staff) frequently rubs the employees the wrong way. His actual terminology included a certain type of......."bag".
A very well-paying job in a decent town loses almost every foreign teacher in a short time. My question is: Is is worth a shot to have him apply? I can't seem to find anyone on-staff to help, and I am unsure if their biased opinion would be helpful nonetheless. Can it really be that much of a risk? Thoughts?

[CarolinaTHeels]

umm without getting recommendations from teaching being replaced and current staff HELL NO!

[lifeinkorea]

This sounds a lot like one of those high paying jobs, but they work you to the bone.

What they do is start you out light. You work 75% of what you signed for. Then, into the second month, you see your hours increase. You say nothing because it is still less than what you contracted for. Eventually, by the 4th or 5th month you are pulling in 150% the hours, along with a second teacher, and saving the school from hiring a third teacher. Teamwork, that's the spirit they say!!

Another thing they like to do is promise you overtime one week. Then, after a few weeks of light scheduling they total things up and say you didn't work overtime.

With smaller schools, I haven't experienced this. However, with a school that has a "team" of English teachers, the owner is always going make them compete until they bail.

[thegadfly]

Are these teachers leaving after only working for 4-5 months, or are they all completing their contracts at the same time? If all of the teachers stayed their time, but have decided to move on at the end of the contract, then that doesn't necessarily send up red flags (though I would still want to know why). Folks ditching their contracts early? Yeah, sign of a problem....

[SoccerFan81]

Not sure about the contract situation, but the fact that either they are all leaving after 4-5 months OR none of them are resigning for another year raises a flag. The pay is too good for there not to be something to consider.

gadfly- read your message. I'm not comfortable disseminating that information. I hope you're not the "bag"! If you are....apologies.

[myenglishisno]

Is it an adult hagwon?

I recently worked at an adult hagwon that was very appealing on the surface but a nightmare in terms of the actual work. We were all working from 7am to 10pm at night with hour long breaks scattered throughout the day. The money was good but not nearly enough to warrant that kind of schedule and I don't know anyone who finished their year there.

Sounds like the same kind of gig. They probably take the turnover rate into account in the design of the system.

[SoccerFan81]

It is not an adult hagwon. All level from the information he received. My buddy got some pretty good info on why NOT to go to this place, and it is an administrative problem. Three people that he corresponded with disclosed literally the exact same problems. Fortunately, it was neither a financial (salary/on-time payment) nor an instability problem, but rather the treatment of teachers by other teachers. I'm guessing it must either be a problem with Korean teachers or a lead spot problem. Either way, I hope the best for the takers and better for my buddy (looking good for another spot near Heungae). Cheers!