Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Girlie]

Ok...I am looking into teaching ESL in Korea beginning Aug '06. I have done ALOT of research...which some people say is a big mistake and others say you have to do it to ensure a quality workplace.
Anyway, I've checked out ESL Job Placement In Korea, Canadian Connection, Footprints Recruiting Inc, People Recruit In South Korea, South Korean School Board, YBM Si-Sa ECC Education, GEOS Language Corporation, POLY Returnee Institute, and English Programs In Korea (EPIK). I need help!!!
The ones that really interest me are POLY and EPIK. Anyone know anything about these companies or are working for them right now?? I have a friend who has worked for POLY and she liked it, but EPIK claims to pay more......
Any advice out there???
Thanks!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

EPIK is the largest government placement organisation. They'd likely place you randomly in a big middle school with large class sizes. Some people like this kind of job and others don't - so be careful that you know what you're getting.

What you need to decide before you choose a recruiter is what kind of job you want. What ages do you want to work with? What hours? Do you want large classes or small ones? Once you've decided this it will be easier for others to direct you to a helpful agency.

[fsm88]

EPIK is a total joke. incredibly disorganized and unprofessional. i got stuck out in jeju island which is fine but the people who are in charge of the program over here are completely incompetent lunatics. when i moved out here the only apartment they had set up for me was so old it must have been built before the korean war. anyway, i spent a week there only to realize that my new roomates were the extended family of rats living in space above the ceiling and the super extended family of roaches occupying the kitchen and bedroom.....needless to say the place was a filthy biohazard and well i didn't get much sleep either paranoid i might wake up to a snuggly brown rodent nesting at my feet. when i complained about the substandard/3rd world living conditions they did nothing.

as for the teaching--its actually good. i go to a middle school and have 3-4 classes a day and total control over what i teach ...wickedly easy compared to hogwon life.

as for vacation--sucks big time. no time off either because they make teachers teach extra classes or simply cause the jeju director is nutcase dickwad who doesn't want his teachers going home and enjoying their lives.

if you go for EPIK avoid jeju at all costs.....perhaps the program is more professionally run on the mainland.

[xtchr]

Be aware that with Epik, especially in rural areas, you may not be placed in just the one school, but several. It seems to be an attempt to spread the whitey as thinly as possible so that each school in the county gets a share. I go to 38 different schools - 24 elementary and 14 middle schools, and as such it can't really be described as effective teaching. Co-teaching does not happen at all, I am always on my own in the classroom, except for when a Kteacher pops up at the back with a camera.
And I've met another on Epik who goes to 60 schools. Nothing like a bit of variety I suppose.
Supervisors are generally known to stick to the contract, i.e I get only 7 days vacation, despite the fact that, for me, teaching finished before Christmas, and won't start again until March. So I have to go to the Office of Education from 9am-6pm everyday, for no good reason, other than that's what it says in the contract.

[Kenny Kimchee]

[deessell]

I know that Incheon MOE is looking for many teachers (1 position will be mine). I would give them a go. I have been very lucky. I have great colleagues, Vice Principal and Principal speak very good english and they are very flexible

I haven't heard any bad reports from any other local teachers. The only problem is living in Incheon......well at least there aren't too many savings distractions.


I would say though, that with no teaching experience it would be a harder road. Level 3 is paid too low. However, at least the teaching hours will be low. Only 16 for me.

[deessell]

double post.......

[Homer]

EPIK is a toss up.

It depends where you are placed (1st year only) initially. If you sign on for a second year, you gain control of where you are placed and with a bit a research you can definitively pick off the cherry assignments. I know of one such place in Busan that offers amazing conditions...because I worked there for 2 years!

However, as was pointed out, you might end up being placed in a rural area where you have to cover more than one school. Class sizes tend to be larger than hakwons and you might have to co-teach (i.e. Korean teacher in the class with you). You also have to teach Korean teachers (i.e. organize workshops).

However, the pay is generally on time and the contract is honoured. They provide orientation and the possibility of advancement (through levels of pay).

As for using a recruiter, thats also a toss up. You need to find out if the recruiter is a good one (there are but a few out there) and you need to know exactly what job you are looking for before you contact the recruiters.

[jinju]

EPIK seems to be hit and miss. One thing is for sure, the pay is a joke.

[Homer]

[deessell]

OMG....

I actually agree with Homer for once. Easy money IMO.

Level 1 is with a CELTA/TEFL or Masters and 2 years teaching.

[Demophobe]

[jinju]

[jinju]

[Demophobe]