Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pdog]

Hello,

I am considering taking a position with YES Youngdo English School. It is supposedly not a franchise but is a privately owned school (husband and wife I've been told) that has become 7 or 8. Before I sign and send my documents off I was wondering if anyone has some information about the school that might help sway my decision. I hear that they have video cameras in the classrooom. This sounds a little 1984 to me! I've worked in Korea before but never with cameras and don't like the idea of being watched unknown. If video cameras are allowed I'm also wondering what other ways they go about supervising and making sure your doing the job. If there are any of you that have worked for the school, or have heard stories from people that have, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Cheers!!!

[nateyb]

I work there at one of the Youngdo Schools in Bundang and I really enjoy it. The contract is very good, the management is not bad and the levels of the kids are really good.

About the cameras, I know that at my school they don't even look at the cameras. There is not a real 1984 vibe to it. Most times, when the cameras are on, it is picky parents watching their kids to see if they are behaving.

It is a really good school, especially in Bundang.

[Jenrose]

I have a friend who works at Yes YoungDo in Bumgae, and she really enjoys it. She enjoys her classes, and finds it to be a great improvement from the previous place that she worked.

There are cameras in the classrooms where I work as well. You will find that after a very short time, you won't even notice them. It's like they aren't even there.. And for the most part they are there just to keep an eye on the students.

[slap it]

i've been working for yes youngdo for nine months now. i would say it's probably one of the best schools to work for in korea. the kids are great, the contract is great, the management isn't so great, but then again great for korean standards. they even gave us tax returns from last year
i know they have cameras in all their branches. i was nervous and a bit suspicious with the cameras my first month as well, but hasn't bothered me since. i know they use it to keep an eye on a student or when annoying parents want to take a peek. if you're coming here to teach, you shouldn't have a problem with the cams. they have it pretty much everywhere else as well, except they do it to spy on you at places like GnB or LCA Academies.

[pdog]

Thanks Slap It and the other two who have responded so far! It seems that it isn't so bad, and I guess you would get used to it. I remember when I taught at my old school and I had my director come in, it was a little distracting for the kids and I. A camera may not be too bad, and it sounds so far like everyone has had good to say! I look forward to hearing more, but I have to make my decision by tomorrow. THE PRESSURE!!!!

[inthewild]

If anyone has more opinions on YES in general, as well as Daechi and Songpa in particular, it would be much appreciated. I just applied there.

[oldfort]

You do get used to the cameras, and you can use them to your advantage, too. I'd write miscreants' names on the board and tell them that the director would read them and know that they were misbehaving. That usually settled their hash.

[marista99]

I'm considering teaching at the YES Youngtong branch in Suwon. Anyone have experience with that school in particular?

[nateyb]

From what I have heard, most of the YES Schools are pretty good. They have their stuff together.

Well, I am kind of biased. But really, I have not heard any grumbling from the other branches.

[slap it]

the youngtong branch is a fairly big campus. i think 19 or 20 foreign teachers. the head teacher there is a korean guy named sam. he's not completely fluent in english, but he's one of the nicest guys i've met from YES Youngdo.

[shawner88]

Anyone notice all the posters that are giving good recommendations have made very few posts despite being long time members?