Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rachelanneo]

Hello all!
Does anyone have experience with Digital Chosun, a branch of the Canadian Cultural Language Institute in Seoul? Or maybe heard anything about it? Thanks in advance!

[WishfulDreamer]

I am also looking for info on DC CLI or Digital Chosun Canadian Language Institute. If anyone has heard anything about this school I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!

[rachelanneo]

hey dreamer,
I just finished up a contract at CLI...not bad. I would recommend it on some levels, on other levels...not so much. Do you have any particular concerns?

You'll never have to worry about being paid, although compared to some jobs the pay is low. The apartments are AMAZING. The location is good if you like being central, just a 5 minute walk to work in the mornings. Big staff, lots of Canadian teachers. I had a great time. Down sides: you'll teach little kids, medium kids, bigger kids and adults. So...it's a little daunting if you have no experience. But the books are all there, there are good resources; depending on how good a teacher you want to be you can get as creative as you want in your classes or just use whats already there. The hours are manageable, and you will have to level test students which is a pain, but only once a month, and part of the 40 hour work week. The really shitty part about this school is that you have to write report cards for each students every 2 months...this was hell. But bearable. If you have experience as a teacher, I think you can do better, but it was a great starting point for me, I learned a lot about the business, and the Korean staff were supportive when I arrived, helped me set up internet, phone, all that. Let me know if you have any more questions, and I could pass along your email addy to some people who still work there if you want.

[rachelanneo]

whoops!
forgot to read over my post for spelling mistakes...really, I was good English teacher, I swear!

[DCJames]

[WishfulDreamer]

Thanks Rachelanneo,

That helps. Did you get a settlement allowance?
Did they supervise the classrooms through CCTV or anything like that?
Is there a Korean co-teacher in the classroom?
Did they ask/require overtime very often or at all?
Is there much dictation over how lessons must be conducted?

I"m glad to hear that there is flexibility in lesson planning, but also good resources available. And that the apartment is good is also encouraging.

Were there anythings you wish you could have changed in your contract? *grin* other than testing and report cards.

How downtown was it? Was it crazy crowded or very high smog levels or very noisy?

In terms of packing, were there any lesson/cultural materials you wish you had brought? I know there are some other threads discussing this, but I was curious from your perspective and based on what is available at the school.

Thank you for all your information and help. I would appreciate if you could pass my email info on. I believe it's listed in my profile, otherwise pm me and if i'm allowed I'll send it to you (i'm new, and haven't posted enough to initiate private messages yet).

[rachelanneo]

Hey,
I'll pm you for your email, it's not on your profile.

settlement allowance? like if you want to find your own apartment? I just used the apartment they gave me, which was awesome. I think one of the new teachers now is having a hard time getting theirs because they are part of a couple who are sharing...I don't really know the details. If you mean severance bonus at the end of the contract, then yup, I got that no problem. I am still waiting for the $300 refund from my last pay which they keep to cover bills that arrive after you leave, but I am in contact with the school, and I have no worries that I'll get it. All the other teachers I know got it eventually.

CCTV, no, definitely not. There will be observations at first, but in person, and I found them to be very helpful to develop my teaching ability.
Overtime was requested, but only in extreme cases like illness, or if someone had to go home for an emergency. And they paid me overtime when they technically didn't have to (in long term situations).
The classes are pretty much up to you. You do have to follow a schedule, but how you cover the material is really your choice. As long as it's covered.
Co-teacher, no.
Contract changes...no, not really.
Downtown...gotta take the good with the bad. Subway and buses are fantastic, you can get anywhere very quickly. Gwangwhamun is very business-y, but also has a couple of palaces and museums and stuff. Also some quieter neighbourhoods, Samcheong dong is very cool. I didn't really notice the smog, but it's definitely there. A lot of teachers had some kind of runy nose/respitory thing while there. Noisy, yes. Demonstrating is a national pastime, and a lot of it happens on the street the school is on. You can youtube some videos of the mad cow protest from '08, as well as president Noh's funeral from May '09.
Packing. Ummm...no, resources were all fine. You can get anything on the internet. And there is a budget for resources, if you make a good case the school might buy it. Also, if you are a reader, don't pack English books, there are good used bookstores and English bookstore.
Hope that helps!

[rachelanneo]

ok, I haven't posted enough to pm you...can I post my email address here or will that get me kicked off Dave's ESL cafe?

[WishfulDreamer]

Well, I'll take the risk. You can reach me at imladris53 where the mail is hot. Your information has been really encouraging and reassuring about this situation. I just need to take a look at the contract, but I am very favourably considering this position.

Thanks!

[rachelanneo]

Good stuff, I'll email a couple of friends!

[A_Lenehan]

I had an amazing experience at this hagwon. Its location is perfect... central Seoul. The President lives just down the street! Small class sizes, many fun and supportive teachers, a mix of student ages so it doesn't get boring. John the Vice Principal is amazing. Seoul is a city with lots to do- mountains/hiking, temples, shopping, nightlife, you name it. Trips to other cities are fun, too. Overall I loved my experience at this school and in Seoul city. The pay is legit, never anything sketchy about this school. Accommodation is fantastic. They really hook up their teachers! Only downside is that Saturday is their busiest day and it is grueling. But from what I hear, most hagwons are like that every day. Don't hesitate. You're lucky if you get a job at this school, especially if you are someone who does not have your B.Ed.

[A_Lenehan]

For some reason it appears that my post was from 2012. It was actually from 2015.

[denverdeath]