Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ndibrita]

Hi everyone, I have a job offer from the Canada Internationl School in Incheon. Has anyone heard of the school and can give me information? Thanks

[beckysue6662006]

Hi,

I also have a job offer there and I have been doing some digging of myself and I noticed that there seem to be a lot of issues with these schools. I have seen only one positive-ish comment which named the president-enforcer of the school as a "crazy person."

The positive feedback is that is wasn't a too bad place to work.

But other feedback included--if the person called-in sick, a Korean apartment worker/school worker would show up and open the door/take the person to the hospital themselves. A bit invasive.

Also, please please check the curriculum--some comments read that it is nothing but a "glorified hawkwon" with no connection to the Canadian standards what-so-ever.

So, before you sign the contract:

1. Look at the curriculum--look at the book, look at the kind of lessons they want from you. Know what is expected from you completely.
2. Ask to see a sample class in action from a current teacher.
3. Make sure you won't be split-shifted.
4. Check your contract detail-by-detail. Make sure you get every penny you deserve--teachers have written that there were substantial "taxes" deducted from their pay but in reality, the school was taking the money. So they might say they will pay you 2.5, but you will get a check for 2.0 or less, and they will come up with excuses of why you aren't being paid.
5. Make sure you get your severance and pension included in writing in your contract.
6. Make sure the dates are correct--if the contract is short by a few weeks, they legally don't need to give you your severance (or pension---I forgot which one it is).
7. Be aware that there is a Korean Labor-board--you have rights and there are lawyers who can help you if you have evidence. Make sure you get copies of your pay-stubs.

Unfortunately, these kind of problems are prevalent, but sorry to say, i have heard more bad news than good about CIS.

I will just stay at my current job, DGEV, where these things don't happen.

[ttompatz]

It is not Canadian (except in name).
It does not follow any provincial curriculum.
It is not authorized nor accredited by any Canadian authority.
It is not international.
It is not a school.

It is a hagwon (foreign language institute) that runs kindy classes in the morning (10am-1pm) and ESL classes to elementary aged students after school (3-7pm).

Standard contract applies (30 contact hours per week, 10 days vacation taken at the hagwon's convenience, no medical or pension and overtaxed).

.

[ndibrita]

Thanks for the responses! I was going to sign the contract tomorrow but now I am not sure. I found a few websites with reviews from teachers who have taught at those schools and there hasn't been 1 positive response. I am sure there are others who have had a great experience. I would hope that all Canada International schools aren't like this. The school that interviewed me based in Incheon is supposedly a new school opening up. I'm not sure if that can be a good thing or a bad thing for my experience.

ttompatz-My contract said I'd be enrolled in medical and pension and showed the costs. Is it possible that the contract may not be 100% true?

Thanks

[ttompatz]

[ndibrita]

Thanks ttompatz that is a very good idea! I asked my recruiter for a teacher's email so I hope I get a legit one. I hope I don't get someone posing as a teacher.

[valkerie]

Google the teacher's name when you get it. You can find all kinds of stuff out about them that way - especially if they blog/are on LinkedIN/use Facebook. At least you may be able to tell if they are a real teacher or not.

[jonpurdy]

Are you referring to Canadian Maple International School in Incheon? (http://www.cmis.kr). This is a legitimate Canadian curriculum (Manitoba) international school.

There ARE schools in China and Thailand and other countries that are named Canadian International School that use curriculum from one of Canada's provinces. They are legitimate international schools.

Are you a certified teacher? You mention that you used a recruiter; typically, international schools don't use ESL recruiters. They use TES, Apply to Education, and Search Associates.

[ttompatz]

Canada International School (CIS) a hagwon chain...

[ndibrita]

Thanks Valkerie for the tip. Jonpurdy I am talking about Canada International School http://cischool.com/. I have a bachelors in education and I'm TEFL certified. The recruiter that I am using right now is ASKNOW. They have been very helpful and I had a friend go through them with no problems.

[Canadian Club]

If you have a BEd, you DO NOT NEED A RECRUITER.

Look on the school websites from the schools you WANT to teach at- see if their teaching philosophy (Christian, IB, whatever) is similar to yours. Check that they are properly accredited (CIC or WASC or something similar). Apply.

Plan B: Go to www.tieonline.com

Plan C: Use SEARCH Associates.

You're very late to be looking for a September job.

[[email protected]]

I have friends that work at a CIS school. They are happy and love it. The school is fair, pays well and all is in order. Their friends have worked there too. I would try to work there if I had an Edu degree. Sure nothing is perfect, but what is?

I guess checking an individual branch is important (they each have their own directors). But working with a good recruiter and connecting with a teacher there are key to the process.

About the forums: People that don't have a good time in Korea vent on the net. You never know who is talking and what the other side of the story may be. Happy teachers are busy living life to go tell everyone that they had a good time... rubbish

Picky foreign teachers won't be happy anywhere... they should just stay home. Otherwise, open your mind and take on the challenge!

[seansmith]

I've been in the international school game for 5 years now, and I would urge you to adopt ttompatz's more speculative, research oriented view on things. Jumping into a bad international school gig can screw you up worse than a bad hogwan gig. If you haven't done your homework and the job is awful, you have two choices: 1) endure the entire school year or 2) resign, in which case you're highly unlikely to get another international school position as all the jobs are taken for the year. And if you resign other schools in the future will question why you didn't finish your contract.

My co-worker (and friend) left our school for another that turned out to be an international school in name only. The conditions were terrible with heavy contact hours, few resources, and mostly ESL students that were in an IB English medium program. The teachers were expected to turn water into wine. In 6 months 7 teachers resigned. (It's rare that more than one than 1 or 2 teachers resign part way through the school year in a well run school). Finally the Head of Science resigned (my friend's department) resulting in more chaos as my friend and other teachers had to teach the Head's classes. Many teachers were stressed out and depressed.

Just make sure you're not signing a contract with this type of school. Take the time to talk to some teachers there and ensure you know what you're getting into.

[joelove]

[ndibrita]

Hi again! Thanks for all the responses. There are more negatives than positives when researching the internet. It is always hard to make a decision based on people's experiences. I decided that I would give this school a try. Maybe my experience will be better. This is a new school as well so it could be a good thing, but it also could turn out bad. Thanks again everyone.