Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mourninglory]

Hello, I was curious if anybody has recently worked for or currently works for this company. I've read a lot of reviews online (seems like a mixed bag), but all that I've been able to find seems to be at least a few years old. I'd like to speak with somebody who has worked there within the last year. I realize that housing is not provided, and I am aware of the split shifts. I, however, would like to know more about the actual work environment, the students, the materials, and the teaching requirements. Also, please specify which branch you work/worked at. Thanks.

[ampersandman]

Sorry, it was a few years ago that I worked there but the split shifts and the students are two things that I can assume haven't changed at all.

The materials and teaching requirements aren't that important, they may have changed since I was there but it's all provided for you. There's really no prep work involved.

However, if you've never worked a split shift, don't assume that you'll be able to endure it. Especially not if you're someone who needs more than five hours of sleep.

The students are, overall, the perk of the job. You meet a wide cross-section of Korean society that most people toiling away in hagwons and public schools don't even imagine exist. There really are some oddballs, some brilliant people and other interesting unclassifiables among the vast mass of Korean look-alikes.

It was a great decision to work there but overall, I wouldn't work there again. The split shift is too brutal and I got tired of the superficiality, the corporate environment, the suits, the plastic surgery everywhere, and taking care of people's egos.

[Sireno]

I don't want to be so cynical about this, however I pretty much am. I worked there for a total of about a week not so long ago. As everyone else said and I had also read before trying it out was that the split shift hours are the hardest thing about the job. There were many red flags for me once I started work. The teachers didn't seem happy. Several were in the process of quitting when I started. Others wished to get out but the contract is somewhat punitive and makes it hard to get out without losing money on your end.

I had an office the size of a large closet with no windows. Just a computer and desk for two. No white board, no standing/walking around. My eyes could only focus on something close up >_< The pay is dismal at 2.0 (they give incentives for teaching but you don't even want to think of teaching that many hours), and with no housing. You must work 2 saturdays a month as well. I thought I would be okay living in Itaewon and commuting to Jongno, boy was I wrong. A 45 minute commute each way x 4 each day = 3 hours total commute. Wake up at 5:30,5:45. Get to work by 6:45. Teach from 7-11am, break time when I wasn't awake enough to do anything but get on home and try to nap some. Then go back to work and teach from 5:30-9:30pm. Get home maybe around 10, 10:15pm. Get to sleep Maybe by 11 or 11:30pm and do it all again. I felt like I was at work all the time and the work as well is difficult since Direct English is just 1 to 1 tutoring. It's really hard to be focused and keep a convo going for 50/55 minutes when you're tired and disinterested. The paper work and what not was a drag as well. Oh, as a guy business attire with tie is required as well.

They have training for the teachers but it was pretty worthless I thought. You get thrown in the deep end without much guidance or direction. The teaching materials you are supposed to use are super lame and tough to deal with.

All in all I would never do it again as you may imagine. There was nothing good about it for me. Some people may be able to thrive with little sleep, but I am not one of them. There are some pros of working there but the cons totally outweigh them in my opinion. With all that said you have been fair warned.

[ampersandman]