Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alljokingaside]

Hey,

Just got an offer from Avalon in Ilsan. Looked online and saw a few....distressing items with regards to this specific branch. Specifically, getting stiffed on monthly pay & severance.

Thing is, the reviews I've seen are 3 years old and the issues stemmed from the boss there at that time.

So, personal experiences? reviews? Also, is the manager/owner referred to in the reviews still the manager/owner of that specific branch?

Also, if for some reason, this school turns out to be all sunshine and peaches, then is training at the Avalon schools very ...peculiar? (ref CDI) I ask because there's a good chance I'll miss most of the training or whatever due to the job I'm currently at (offer - req. leave date < 11 days)

[Hokie21]

I haven't worked at that branch but I did work for a different Avalon in the past. The good thing regarding the major hagwon's like Avalon are that you generally don't have to worry about getting stiffed on pay. I know some people who have worked at various Avalon branches in the past and have never heard of anyone getting stiffed.

With regards to the training as far as I remember we were basically just forced to shadow current teachers in their classes and then learn their computer/record systems as you go along. It wasn't complicated and you were paid 100% of your salary during that time period.

Now that was back in 2011/12 so I don't know if it's changed since. Sorry I can't be anymore specific with regards to the Ilsan branch but it's all I can offer.

Best of luck.

[alljokingaside]

Thanks Hokie, much appreciated.

[teaster]

Join the Ilsanites facebook group.

[alljokingaside]

thanks for the re:. I've requested to join, but it's seeming more likely than not that I wont need it, at least w/r/t this school

It hasn't even been 24 hours since the offer and I'm already getting pressured to sign. uninformed decision much? and with what I'm reading, probably will have to pass

[teaster]

Yeah, I'm most likely going to be in Ilsan and the groups been super helpful about vetting schools.

I just did a quick search of the group and a found a few things out. A few people wrote it's not actually apart of the Avalon franchise, it's just a name similarity.

A couple people wrote about getting ripped off for severance but, they went to the labor board and were awarded it.

A couple comments about how they'll work you like a slave (which is basically like every Hagwon I've read about haha)

[alljokingaside]

Danke, Teaster.

Yeah, I've read like 7 different accounts from 3 different websites about that issue. Seemed to have been due to the manager/owner there, but if the issue still persists, then no thank you. I mean, that'd probably be just the tip of the iceberg. Do appreciate you lookin' out.

And while I don't mind working, all within reason.

[Hokie21]

If you're not sure about them then pass. But the comment about every hagwon working you too hard is false. On average I would teach 13-15 classes a week. So 3-4 hours of teaching a day out of an 8 hour shift. During the immersion period which happens twice a year you may end up working 18-20 classes a week....but if so you rack in an extra 350K won a month overtime for it.


Yes, there are lots of crappy hagwons out there but there are also a lot of good ones.

[Blanca]

I wouldn't worry about them pressuring you - Koreans tend to leave everything to the last minute (including visa applications) so they'll be on a tight timescale. My first school did the same and turned out to be ok.

That said, don't sign anything until you've spoken to a current or (even better) former teacher and seen a few photos of the apartment. I've never heard anything bad about Avalon - they seem to give you a straightforward deal (as most big chains do) but don't take their word for what the school is like.

Edit: just read comments about this not being an actual Avalon and about some teachers getting stiffed on severance. Make sure you speak to as many former and current teachers as you can - let them know from the off that you won't take any shit.

[World Traveler]

Avalons across Korea are unregulated franchises.

Last year, I met a girl who did a runner from the Ilsan Avalon. (I met her as she was doing this. That was the first and last time I talked to her.)

A quick google search shows the Ilsan Avalon (and other Avalons) has been blacklisted many times.

I would stay away.

[DaeguNL]

Expect to lose at least half a dozen saturday's a year due to greeting parents, demo lessons, open classes, meetings entirely in Korean etc.
Decent place to work for a newbie because of the structured curriculum and large number of foreign co-workers, but if you have been here before, give it a pass

[Chaparrastique]

[Hokie21]