Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cdntik]

Any info would be greatly appreciated as I'm considering a position in Ansan (I would be living in Gojan -spelling?). I found a little bit of info on a previous post but I was wondering how big of a foreigner community is there (since I will be the only foreign teacher at this school)? Hiking? Biking?

Also, I'm looking for recent info on ESS Language institute in Busan. They charge 150,000 for a shared apartment -what do you think? Thanks in advance.

[Lost Seoul]

Here are some previous posts about the ESS hagwons:
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710143896
Re: ESS is hell
Posted By: Pusan Boy - [email protected]
Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002, at 7:10 a.m.
In Response To: any comments on Pagoda, ESS? (Anna)
In the last year ESS has lost 2 head foreign teachers and of the 15 native speakers who have signed on since 2000, just 1 remained for a second year!. ESS had tried to shaft some teachers out of their severance pay, there have also been a couple of midnight runs by disgruntled teachers. The reason is the president (Ted), has the job by inheritency and is clueless about managing a business.
These days he is even in a worse mood because another hagwon has opened across the street from them and their student rates have dropped pretty sharply. Take my advice and stay away from ESS.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710143980
ESS Must Be Blacklisted!
Posted By: X-ESS - [email protected]
Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002, at 8:00 p.m.
In Response To: Re: any comments on Pagoda, ESS? (Kiss It (__X__))
I'm also a former ESS teacher who found Ted a disaster as a manager. I know the midnight runs and illegal hold on teachers severance pays to be fact.....Someone should put some time into including ESS on all the Korea blacklists.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/korea/index.cgi?read=132710144219
Re: ESS Must Be Blacklisted!
Posted By: some guy
Date: Friday, 27 September 2002, at 5:09 a.m.
In Response To: ESS Must Be Blacklisted! (X-ESS)
Wow! All these earth shattering comments about ESS. I thought I was the only one unhappy with my treatment there. I did get my severance and stuff, at least I think I did (since they conveniently stopped giving pay slips for the last 3 months of my contract) So I don't really know how bad I was shafted. I did get a lump sum check at the end, but not as big as I thought it should be. I know I had to work a lot of extra "overtime" because the coordinator "suddenly" decided to stay in Miami. What were the managers thinking, sending him there anyway? I don't think I was paid for the extra hours, but I have no way of checking. ESS was a great place to work when I started, but after about 4 months and a new coordinator things got progressively worse. Lack of communication and miscommunication became the norm. Still, I think ESS is probably head and shoulders above a lot of hagwans. I wish ESS well, and hold no grudges. I just hope Ted learns how to treat people better or pretty soon nobody will work there.
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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=1388
The Den

Joined: 26 Jan 2003
Posts: 16

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2003 3:17 pm
Post subject:

Hey I worked for ESS in 97 and 98. I had worked at two other bum contracts before my stint there. ESS was the only contract I finished. I was treated well. Good housing with an ocean view. The rent thing is a way for them to get around some kind of tax scheme. So yes it is a bit of a disadvantage. However I felt the advantages far outweighed the disadvantages. Some of those were:

-Paid on time.
-Not bothered by the administration.
-Western program coordinator. (Mine was great)
-Split shifts but great students who really put in an effort to learn.
-a decent commute
-No worries about airfare, severance, etc.
-We got a week off at Christmas. I don't know if they still give it.

Your working situation could largely depend on the other foreigners you are working with/sharing living space with. The last three months they put this total pr**k in my apartment with me. There was not a lot I could do. I just finished up and left. Anyway I am planning another trip to Korea in the summer time and I am definitly going to stop in at ESS or apply there.

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http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=1388
some waygug-in

Joined: 26 Jan 2003
Posts: 35

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2003 3:07 pm
Post subject:

I notice you only posted the negative comments about ESS, hmm, why would that be I wonder? ESS has it's problems but it's
WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY above most hagwans. It's a decent place to work.
Don't let the scare mongers fool you.
Good Luck

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[Cdntik]

Thanks Lost Seoul for info on ESS -now anyone living in Ansan who could give me some info about what it's like living there?