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ABCDAVE
Joined: 14 Jan 2006
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 Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 8:30 am Post subject: Big Schools vs. Small Schools? |
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I was wondering if any of you have had experience with some of the larger English franchises such as YBM, BCM, Poly (though smaller than the other two), etc. If so, how do they compare to teaching at smaller hagwans? I hear/read so many negative things about different hagwan experiences; it makes me think that there might be some sort of refuge to be sought after with the more well known "corporate" places. But perhaps this is just my inexperienced and naive take on the issue.
Any and all thoughts would be much appreciated.
Best,
Dave |
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Lizara
Joined: 14 Apr 2004
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:00 am Post subject: |
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well... I taught at a pretty big ECC for my first year. It was nice to have lots of other foreigners around to hang out with. The school was very consistent with pay and curriculum and everything else that was mandated by the head office.
Having said that, I'm having a much better time at my second, smaller school. They're more flexible about changing things when I ask (but also more flexible about changing things at the last minute...) and we have a bit more input into what we do in our classes, although since we got an academic director things seem to be getting a bit more organized and I'm not exactly all in favour of that.
I guess it depends on what you're looking for in a school. For me, the right small school would be preferable to one of the bigger franchises. |
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Summer Wine
Joined: 20 Mar 2005
Location: Next to a River
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| Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:30 am Post subject: |
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| Always go to a school where there are more than 5 employees, and atleast 1 other foriegner to share your pain with. |
Half of that statement could be correct depending on the circumstances.
I have worked for 5 hagwons and had anything from the number of 0 -1 other teachers to 8+ other teachers. My experience is that Koreans have certain ways of doing things that come across as the norm, these don't normally change.
Then there are the specific and unusual ones that do have an impact on your school and your life. Coming in from outside a school, it is beneficial to have happy current teachers tell you how things are. That is not a guarantee as the Boss may decide he/she likes a younger face, more open personality, entertainer, etc.
Though, it doesn't prevent you from having a good 1-10 yrs or more of teaching at the same school. So take a card, any card and stick it back in the pack. Ok, was it this one? No, well! Lets try again. Was it this one? |
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bellum99
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: don't need to know
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| Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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Also, sometimes you really hate the other Western teacher. I have worked at a few schools where I really didn't like the Western teachers.
1: A couple were boss suck-ups who only talk to you so they can run to the boss and tell him.
2: Another was a western head teacher...yikes. People think that Korean head teachers suck...try having a moron western head teacher.
3: Another teacher had a weird eating habit. When you were eating with him he would be unable to swallow, so he often ended up coughing his food back into his hand and eating it again. Yes, I know it s medical problem..but again and again and again watching this was terrible. He was also a closet homosexual and would always be sitting too close and putting his hands on my shoulders. I am married.
These experiences have lead me to believe in having friends you don't work with. Co-workers can just become bad. So, I like smaller schools more. |
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