Korean Job Discussion Forums

[emmuh]

I might have an interview with this school...I used the search function and a hit came up from 2003 saying it was a slave labour program, any SLP program is. What do people think?
It says 16 foreign teachers already teach there which is a fair effort... right?

[Capo]

I would hate to work with that many FTs

[emmuh]

oh yeah? why is that?
i've never taught before so... explain?

[Adobe]

They work you to the bone. SLP=Slave labour programme....get paid the same as SLP by doing half the work at a public school.

Adobe

[Ukon]

[emmuh]

[roadballmint]

I work for Dongdaemun SLP, and I haven't had any major problems so far. I've been here for 4 months, and overall our director and supervisors are good to us (we have 9 foreign teachers). Having said that, every SLP branch pretty much runs their own show. So if Mokdong has a particularly inept director, you might find yourself in a bad situation. I don't know anything about other SLP branches, but I've never heard anyone say that SLP stands for slave labor program. I certainly don't feel that way.

If you get an offer, ask for the email addresses of some of the current foreign teachers. They should provide you with at least one. If they don't or seem heistant to do so, that should be a red flag. Dongdaemun SLP (via my recruiter) gave me a current FT's email address when they made me an offer.

If you're still considering SLP, I'd be happy to answer any more questions you have. But remember- each branch is independently run by a different director and I can't promise that Mokdong isn't a total basket case

[TusiaYYZ]

emmuh:

Did you take the position? I'm interviewing with them and was wondering if you ended up there or not~~

[kanyeee]

I just left this SLP, and I don't recommend it. Most of the foreign employees are pretty unhappy. We work long hours and don't have any say over our schedules, and there is a lot of drama among the foreign staff, because there are 17 foreign teachers. It's better than a lot of Hagwons in that we get paid regularly and it's a highly managed company, so there's rarely any confusion about expectations.

[emmuh]

[quote="TusiaYYZ"]emmuh:

Did you take the position? I'm interviewing with them and was wondering if you ended up there or not~~[/quote]
Hey, I did take the position and I am enjoying my time there. It's long hours but... shit happens.

And for the comment below, I don't think you worked at SLP Mokdong, there are not 17 foreign teachers and we all get along quite well. We have no other choice, we live and work together.

[emmuh]

[quote="wesharris"]You live together? Dorm style housing then?
That'd suck.
Honestly though, more than 10 teachers in a place WILL result in cliquification, it's a natural by product of western peoples interacting.
_+_+
Wes[/quote]
No, not dorm style. Just in the same apartment building...all single apartments unless you're in a couple.

[cbank30]

[ttompatz]

[balzor]

[bbud656]

"Bottom line: You will work 1800 contact minutes per week for the same money as the next hakwon monkey working 1500 contact minutes; 6 HOURS more time per week standing in front of your class for the same money."

I assume contact minutes means teaching minutes? 1500 minutes is 25 teaching hours a week. That is 5 hours less than 90% of jobs offered these days. 1800 is 30 hours a week. That is pretty standard.

I say if the school checks out with the teachers and they are big enough to pay on time, the school is better than most situations you could find yourself in as a 1st timer with no teaching experience.