Korean Job Discussion Forums

[v42mrmr]

My partner and I have been offered positions at Poly in Ilsan -- they are offering us 2.9 million each as our monthly wage. We are both TESOL certified. I do not have a teaching degree but my partner does. Can anyone provide us some honest information on this specific Poly location? If not, I would appreciate hearing some firsthand accounts from individuals who have experience working for Poly.

I have heard mixed things -- some utterly terrible accounts and other instances where individuals had a truly great experience. You can understand the conflict as it is difficult to make any concrete decisions with fairly even results of both positive and negative reviews.

We did several interviews this week and while most were conducted in roughly 15 minutes (pretty standard) the Poly interview was thorough (over an hour) and we had a great talk with the vice admin.

I have been researching Poly and learned that the work hours are long, but they do not seem to have the kind of reputation carrying legal troubles that one could encounter elsewhere (i.e. late pay/skimming from checks.) Overwhelmingly I have heard that the kids are bright there and overall a pleasure to work for. I am not going in to this expecting easy work, it is a teaching job after all, but I want to ensure it's reasonable.

The pay is attractive as we are entry level and the majority of the job offers we have gotten so far are in the 2.1-2.5 range. We have had an offer from SLP for 2.1 but were weary due to the tales we have heard from personal friends and accounts here (Slave Labour Program), so we feel we should steer clear. The contract also had several red flags that kept us at bay (i.e. half pay for the first two weeks of training.)

We have been job hunting for about a week and the amount of responses we have already gotten are surprising. We do not want to simply jump into a job offer without gathering further information first -- money is one thing, but our quality of life is another. We also received an offer from Reading Town in Geumcheon for 2.1 each -- that seems fairly low, but as I have said, our quality of life is just as important as our paychecks. Money isn't everything. We also did an interview with POSEF (POSTCO Steel company ESL school) in Gwangyang.

My partner and I are not concerned about "club scenes" in the slightest -- we saw some folks bemoan the lack of one in Gwangyang, but that is not what we are coming for. We genuinely want to work and feel fulfilled in our job, do some hiking while we're there, meet people from different walks of life, enjoy the delicious Korean food, and see some of the natural beauty and bright culture that Korea has to offer.

Thanks for your time!

TLDR:

Job offers, seeking information on:

Poly (Ilsan)
Reading Town (Geumcheon)
SLP (Ilsan)
POSEF (Gwangyang)

[Porksta]

Every campus is different, but you will be working 50+ hours a week with pretty much all of that being in class. You don't have to worry about being paid on time, pension, and all of that stuff. You will be working during your year however.

[beentheredonethat777]

[v42mrmr]

Thanks for the responses guys! We are still contemplating Poly. We are first and foremost coming to work; to gain some work experience as teachers. We want to travel a little while we're still young. I don't mind getting out on a weekend to do a little local hiking. Honestly, we come from a very tiny rural area, so moving to Ilsan would be mind blowing in itself if that is the location we choose.

Does anyone have information regarding the POSEF schools (ESl schools for POSCO steel worker children?) We're having a second interview with them. We won't be in Pohang with the steel mill, it's a location in Gwangyang. As I said, we are from a very isolated and rural area, so we don't mind it if we don't end up smack dab in the middle of a bustling city.

[motiontodismiss]

There's a steel mill in Gwangyang as well. Chances are, if you work for POSCO but not in Songdo or Seoul, you're probably working at or near a steel mill.

That said, Gwangyang is a small-midsized city and I hear is a pleasant location.

[v42mrmr]

Hi, thanks for the information. I've been looking further into Gwangyang, it does look like a nice location. I haven't been able to find too much information about the actual teaching positions there; not too much posted about it and anything I have found is rather dated. That said, the info I did find was largely positive -- the only negatives I heard were regarding the fact that it is a quieter place without much of a club scene. That's not something I am interested in while over there, so a quieter city sounds appealing.

[mike in brasil]

Gwangyang is not just quieter, it's dead quiet.

I've visited before cuz I got a buddy who lives there. One visit was enough.

It just may be you'll enjoy that kind of setting, but I find small town Korea to be suffocating. The whole town will know all the details about you, so it might be better to tell people you are married just to make your lives easier. And don't feel like you need to answer all the questions the locals will ask.

If you enjoy that sort of place, then ok. Problems may arise if you don't like it. Depression or other general negative feelings could set in (for one or both of you) and in being in that environment can amplify an already bad trip cuz you can’t escape.

As a small town expect the best and worst from the locals. Expect Podunkville and not much culture (although I could say that for most, if not all, of the country – thanks Japan).

They got mountains though. Busan is not too far and that's my favorite city in the Korea.

[kingplaya4]

Just remember the hagwon doesn't care if you have a nice time in Korea or not, they're open to make money, and they'll take as much of your time as they can. That said, just because they're only paying 2.1, it doesn't mean they won't want just as much of your time as the 2.9 job. It's been my experience that schools that want you to work Saturdays won't lie about it if asked, so don't be afraid to ask. If there are no Saturdays at any of the jobs, I'd take the highest paying. You'll have a bit of a honeymoon period in Korea anyway, so you don't necessarily need to live in some idyllic countryside town.

[v42mrmr]

mike in brasil & kingplaya4, thanks for your responses. You both bring up some valid points to consider. Coming from a small town myself, I absolutely know what you mean when you say the town expects the best and worst from you -- everyone knows everyone, and people are constantly watching what you're doing and gossiping about it. I have been living this lifestyle already, and do not necessarily want to walk right back into it.

kingplaya -- we are only required to work m-f with the job in Poly, though I figure it will be a lot more work (correcting, student evaluations, etc.) I am genuinely going over there to see how I fare as a teacher for the first time, get to know my fellow co-workers, and maybe do some exploring locally on the weekends. I will be spending a lot of time with my kids, they are going to be very young, so I want to make sure I am giving them a positive experience first and foremost. I come from a family of teachers who work here in Canada and who have worked overseas, so I know that no matter where I teach, the job is challenging and tiring, frustrating, but also rewarding in itself. I have seen reviews from other Poly teachers and one thing they continually tote is that the kids are bright, 100% English immersion, it's a good experience for them, and that they are well taken care of despite the long work hours. I will strongly consider your words over the course of the next few days. We have asked to be put in contact with other teachers at their school before signing anything.

I think it is going to be such a hugely new experience for us as small-town folk that the city itself will have its own wealth of fascinations for us. It is Ilsan, I have heard good things about the city in regards to amenities and scenery. (Plus being close to a COSTCO would be a great thing for the two of us if we get homesick for a few items from back home, though I am a big fan of Korean food!)

[Chaparrastique]

[v42mrmr]

Hi Chaparrastique, I had to double-check with our recruiter regarding the monthly salary as I too felt that it had to be a mistake. I saw it on our contract and went: it has to be a typo. We had him contact the vice-director that we had spoken to (we spoke at length with him for over an hour during our interview) to ensure that it was indeed 2.9, as our housing is going to be included (it will be a couple apartment, not two separate housing units.) They are paying our monthly rent, we have to handle the heat/light bills.

He got back to me to confirm that yes, it is 2.9 each. My partner has a teaching degree and we both have 100 hour TESL certifications through Oxford. They did make us send multiple photos before the interview. I don't think I look like Pam Anderson by a long shot, but my sister is a professional photographer, so perhaps I have her to thank for the high quality flattering photos: http://i.imgur.com/rgFrA1o.jpg http://i.imgur.com/JWldV4Y.jpg
(Both of us): http://i.imgur.com/EzkCdWu.jpg The SO doesn't wear his beard anymore, though.

[Jack_Sarang]

Hi,

Couple things about working for Poly. I live in Ilsan and know about that specific school.

First, you are aware that the working hours are 9am - 7:30pm? While the 2.9 figure is legitimate Poly WILL make you work for it. For first time teachers you might not understand how grueling 9-730 every day is going to be. That is about 10-12 different classes a day. Do you think you can prep adequately for that many classes?

You both may be young and energetic but 12 classes a day plus all the extra stuff Poly requires will cause you to burn out real quick. Poly has a reputation for paying on time and being on the up and up. The Poly in Ilsan caters to middle to upper-middle class families. The mothers of these children demand the world from the hogwon and thus the hogwon demands it from you.

Aside from teaching your classes you will be required to write lengthy progress reports of all your students (100+) weekly/monthly. You will be required to edit/correct essays of upper level students. Prepare/correct tests etc. This is a substantial amount of work. That 9-730 is just teaching with maybe an hour for lunch and maybe 20 minutes break between the kindergarten and elementary afternoon switch. Depending on the school many Polys require you to feed and watch the Kindergarteners during lunch-time so you don't even have that time to yourself. Poly often sets their own schedules and has teachers working on "red days" (national holidays) and sometimes on Saturdays. Because this is considered "extra service" to their customers.

If you guys have massive debts that you need to pay off then that 2.9/month will go a long way to doing it but it will be at the cost of your mental well being.

[v42mrmr]

We have an interview with a school in Ulsan run by a British gentleman. It is just listed as "Union English School" and we cannot find any information regarding it. Has anyone heard anything about it?

Also we were sent a contract by SLP in Pohang but are trying to steer clear from SLP.

[tophatcat]

I wouldn't work for POLY or SLP unless it was the only way I could avoid Debtors Prison, or they paid me 5 million won per month.

[v42mrmr]

Is Poly truly as bad as SLP?
I was speaking with a friend who has been over in Korea for 3 years now and she told me to avoid any positions offered by SLP and Reading Town at all costs.