Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

I definitely think I got more than I bargained for signing on with a start-up branch of YES. Good Lord... 12 hours... on your feet... what the funk?

As far as the much vaunted curriculuum... well when you teach 12 hours, sleep 8, you have to squeeze in some time to sh*t, shower and shave... the preparation time for your lessons is about nil.

Also being a start up branch, it is the worst example of the blind leading the blind. I have to teach three different levels of students and they all have slightly different procedures that not one of the staff can give me a direct answer on.

The manager told me that a handout/outline I was given is a suggestion on how things should go and that she is the final authority on what to do or not do. I guess that is a little comforting... a little.

I seriously do not want to go back on Monday.

Does teaching in Korea have to be such a pain in the *ss? I went from a job where they left me on split-shift for eight months and then tried a power game with me to renew my contract. Then I went to a public school where my coteacher was an arrogant, self-absorbed tool. Now I am in corporate hagwon nightmareland where nothing makes sense but it must be done and... I am not allowed to sit down.

ha.

Plus I have gotten a new cold every weekend since I have been there. One the first week of training. Now another the first week of classes.

woe is me.

I think I would leave very very soon if I hadn't paid my own key money on my apartment. How hard is it to get that money back? Is there a serious deduction?

wow.

I need to throw a self-pity party now.

[Gamecock]

As an ex-Youngdo employee, I agree, intensives suck! However, from what I understand you've been in Korea awhile. You're not a newbie. What did you expect going back to hogwanland? I don't want to defend Youngdo, because it's not a great place to work, but Youngdo is very upfront about the workload during the vacation period. It's even in their online advertisements. So I'm not sure how sympathetic to be. You're going to make well over 3 million this month. If you tough it out, your regular workload will seem like a breeze next month. When I was there I sat down with my students for the last class. The boss didn't like it. I explained that standing on my feet for 9 hours (not 12, c'mon, why are you exaggerating?) was unreasonable. They aren't going to fire you if you sit down. If they do, you're free.

[chaz47]

[Gamecock]

Good luck to ya, whatever you do. I feel your pain.

[reactionary]

yep, youngdo intensives are ridiculous...20,000 won an hour forced overtime? three three hour classes? it's ridiculous when you consider another hagwon (which will remain nameless because i see so many repetitive posts about them here) has 30,000 won for its BASIC hourly rate.

however, i noticed expectations were lower than during the regular term. the staff might complain, but they are human too, they know teaching 9 hour days is hard. use your 12-2 lunch break and print up worksheets and other activities that can reduce some of your time on your feet and being a teacher-performer.

i also noticed intensives, for some reason, was easier than the tuesday/thursday three hour classes that you have during the regular schedule....but the MWF 2 hour classes were cake.

my first month at youngdo was also during intensives - but it was also my first month as a teacher. if i did it, you can. youngdo's a reliable company. they give you a lot of crap, try to screw your vacation and gety ou to work the occasional saturday, but they always pay and often( not always) the counselors are on your side.

[freethought]

the kids don't want to be there anymore than you do. What you need to do is find a way to make intensives less intense.

I'd invest in a knock off version of Jenga (6000won @ emart), also get them to play 'pictionary' or similar style games.