Korean Job Discussion Forums

[amac123]

How many questions are appropriate for asking a foreign teacher about a school that you have been offered a position for? Can I ask all of them? Which is probably at least 10, maybe 15 or so. Is it ok to just list them by number, or should you be more conversational about it? I'm a newbie. Thanks guys!

[andrewchon]

Usually zero. Schools usually don't let incoming contact the outgoing.

If you do get the chance to dish the dirt, knock yourself out, you're paying the phone bill.

[Squire]

Is this via email? I wouldn't mind answering fifteen questions in a numbered list if I were sent them by a potential successor. If your predecessor has any sense they'll understand and try to be honest with their answers

[amac123]

It's via email. From what I have researched, if they don't let you talk to the teachers at the school then there's something rotten in Denmark. I've just read about numerous questions you can ask them. Just wondering if I should ask them all? Like working conditions, getting paid on time, etc. Also is it ok to ask for other contacts at the school, as well?

[Squire]

[Charlie Bourque]

Actually, if they aren't willing to let you speak to the former teachers directly via telephone, then there's something wrong.

You don't know who's at the other end of an email, but being able to video chat someone via Skype is undeniable evidence that you've got the right person.

[some waygug-in]

Questions to ask:

Are you under duress in any way shape or form?

Are you being told that giving anything less than a glowing recommendation

will result in a loss of final paycheck?


Would you sell your gramma in order to get outta there?

The last question is optional of course.

[Mr Lee's Monkey]

It's not in your best interest, despite anything you think or are told, to blindly trust the foreign teachers and what they tell you about their experiences at any given hagwon. Many people on this board insist that talking to the current and former teachers is useful. It's as if they assume that a foreigner will be upstanding and honest. Foreigners in Korea - because they are human beings - have the same capacity for lies and truth as anyone. I have certainly been hosed by foreigners many times here, and know others who have been also. There's simply no reason to imagine that a foreigner will be more forthcoming or trustworthy than a recruiter or hagwon owner because they look or smell more like you, or originate from a western country. You might get lucky and get good responses from a good person, but you might not. Don't be shocked when/if you don't. Think about motivation, intent, and frame of reference.... since when are there national standards for these?

[lemak]

I'd usually ask between 50 and 100. Not in one go, usually spread over a few emails. Make sure you reassure them that you won't blab anything negative they have to say about the school, and don't be a boob and let it drop that "John said you....blah blah" when you arrive.

As others mentioned part of the due diligence involves determining whether you can trust the foreigner you're in contact with. Plenty of scumbags from our home countries with vested interests in avoiding the truth. Schools will often put you in contact with the brown noser, gyopo manager with perfect English, tell teachers leaving contracts early they can't leave until a replacement arrives, or threaten them with losing bonuses "Oh new teacher will be very expensive if we use a recruiter. We must send you your severance pay after they arrive" kind of crap. Not legal, but enough to make outgoing teacher think twice about being 100% honest.

Check for grammar probs in the email replies indicating you might not actually be conversing with a foreign teacher. I've had this before. "I am the foreign teacher at Avalon branch. The school is very good and honest. Please come quickly!"

Likewise if it sounds too good to be true you're probably having the proverbial smoke blown up your ass. Every school has its negatives. If *everything* is receiving positive answers the job would have filled itself and they'd have no need to be in contact with you.

Good luck!

[drcrazy]

Five. ALWAYS five. No more no less. Five.

[goreality]

I once got an email with about 80 or so questions from a potential hire. I just replied that I would answer 10 questions and they should be related specifically to the job. It was a great place to work, but I'm not going to answer questions about cellphone plans or what kind of deodorant can be found in the country.

[drcrazy]

[lemak]

[PatrickGHBusan]