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4/10/2021 Korean Green List

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Should you like to contribute to the Green


List, please head to here. You must provide
a valid e-mail address for submission.

Should anyone have questions on this


document, or just want some friendly
advice on working Korea, please read over
the FAQ which has much valuable
information.

This document is for informational purposes


only, and there is absolutely no claim to its
accuracy, rather it is only the opinion of
those individuals who have shared their
stories. In other words, everything in this
document is complete fiction, except for
that which is not.

Jon (disclaimer)

No animals have been used in the testing of these


webpages. Any adverse effects of this website are
restricted to humans.

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Subject: Milestone Institute (MI)

Sat, Mar 27 at 8:07 PM

I would like to leave a review of my current school as there is


a blacklist post which is not a fair representation of the
company at all.

Firstly, the academy has handled the COVID situation


admirably. Management took a number of decisions that
prioritized the students and staff ahead of financial gain.
Having seen other teachers go unpaid or lose their jobs
during this time, it was comforting to receive assurances
about our jobs and income. The company is very professional;
teachers don’t need to worry about any of the typical hagwon
horror stories.

In terms of the working environment, my campus (Mokdong)


has a great atmosphere. Teachers are respected and trusted
by management. Hard work doesn’t go unappreciated, and
teachers are rewarded for their contributions. The working
hours are very good and include administration hours for
prep, reports, etc. Wednesday is a short working day which is
a great way to break up the week.

The students here are great too. Their level of English is high,
and they are motivated to learn. Teachers don’t need to

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waste time and energy with behavioral issues. Classes are


kept to a maximum of 6 students.

Personally, I have already re-signed for a second year here


and see no reason to leave even after I finish my second
contract. Subject: English Speaking Language Institute in
Ilsan

Sat, Mar 27 at 12:35 AM

I'd like to green list English Speaking Language Institute in


Ilsan. I've worked here for a year and a half and I've been
very pleased with this hagwon. The school is small and
privately run. All of my co-workers are super friendly and we
generally have good communication. There is a maximum
class size of 6 students which intimidated me at first (I was
previously accustomed to teaching classes of 20-30
students), but I have come to really enjoy the smaller class
size. Things are well organized, the housing is decent, I'm
always paid on time, and I have never been asked to work
over time. The work expected of the teachers really is quite
reasonable. Overall it's a great location and I highly
recommend it. Subject: Wonju Sahmyook Elementary School

Thu, Mar 11 at 10:30 PM

Wonju Sahmyook Elementary School

Good day, I would like to add Wonju Sahmyook Elementary


school to the green list.

Located in Gangwondo, Wonju Sahmyook Elementary school


is one of the top private elementary schools in Gangwondo.
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The school has ten foreign English teachers who each have
their own classroom. The English teachers are allowed to be
as creative as they want when teaching their classes
however, they must follow the curriculum. The working hours
are from 8:30 AM to 5:00PM (Monday - Thursday) and 8:30
AM to 3:00 PM on Friday. The English teachers teach 24, 40
minutes, classes per week and the teachers are always paid
on time. The school's vacation time is 2 weeks off in the
summer and 1 month off in winter.

As for the students, their English language skills are above


average compared to other elementary school students in
Gangwondo. In addition, the English teachers work together
with the current coordinators to help improve the English
department and the English curriculum.

Although the school is a great place to work, there are some


cons to be noted. The apartments that the school provides
are typical studio size apartments. Some apartments do come
fully furnished (depending on if a previous teacher lived
there) and some don't. However, once a teacher's contract
has been renewed, they have the option to negotiate with the
school to change their apartment to a one-bedroom or a two-
bedroom. Another noticeable con is there can be some form
of miscommunication or a lack of communication between
the Korean staff/ teachers and the English department. There
were times where a class was canceled, but in actuality, the
class was never canceled. In addition, the English
department does get unbearably cold in the wintertime, but
as an individual who has worked at multiple schools in South
Korea, I guess this is the norm.
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Furthermore, Wonju Shamyook Elementary school is a great


place to work at and in all honesty, this school is not for
everyone. Depending on your mindset and your knowledge of
South Korea's work culture, can determine whether or not
you are going to enjoy working at this school.

Subject: Wonju Sahmyook Elementary

Wed, Mar 10, 2021 at 2:14 PM

Despite what some discruntal former employees have stated,


Wonju Sahmyook Elementary school is a good school to work
at. Yes there have been problems in the past, but the new
administration has improved the quality of the English
department and the working conditions for its foreign staff.
The information these fo provided by the former employees
are inaccurate case in point, the school never forced the
English teachers to work on particular weekend. The English
teachers decided on their own free will to use their free time
to come in to work. The school noticed how hard the English
teachers were working and provided them with free lunches
and a 100,000 won gift certificate for their hard work. In
addition, the individuals who were so wrongly fired were not
terminated because the questioned the school's
administrators. These individuals were fired because of the
use of vulgar language towards the English coordinator and
for their lack luster work performance. Everyone's experience
at the school is different, so please take everything with a

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grain of salt.

Subject: Gangnam SLP

Tue, Feb 16, 2021 at 12:41 PM

I would Like to add Gangnam SLP to the green list for several
reasons.

The work is difficult, but if you are organized there is plenty


of time to get your work done. Management is very conscious
of teachers need for prep time to prevent staying late.
Teachers rarely stay late.

The school pays on time, and adheres to the contract. Since


COVID-19, the school has also stepped up in taking care of
the teachers in quarantine by providing groceries, and
essentials for the 2 weeks.

The school is diverse and inclusive, with a supportive


management and staff. Since management has changed, the
school has become a relaxed and good place to work for,
which is hard to find in a hagwon.

I have worked for the school for 4 years and I can say the
direction the school has taken is very positive.

Subject: Milestone Institute in Daechi

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Fri, Dec 11, 2020 at 6:21 PM

Hi! I remember when I was first looking for a contract, I


wondered how academies were like in Korea. So, I decided to
leave a review for the academy I was able to land a job at
which was Milestone Institute in Daechi. I had a great time at
this academy. All the fellow teachers were polite and the
upper management was very kind. They would help us file
our tax returns and if we had any problems with our room
and board, they would fix the problems or lead us in the right
direction. When I was there, Kevin and Allen were the main
upper management and they treated all the teachers with
respect. They never spoke out of line and were friendly. The
owner would come in to check up every once in a while, and
chat with the teachers as well. He made sure we were
treated well and he made sure we were enjoying our time in
Korea. They also threw parties on holidays and took care of
all the teachers’ birthdays!

As for the workload, it was exactly as stated in the contract.


We would get a short day on Wednesday and we had a
syllabus which told us exactly what we needed to teach. All
the workbooks were easy to follow as well. Since the
students were all very fluent in english, they were very easy
to teach as well! It seemed more like a daycare than
teaching. I would recommend this academy to any teacher. It
can be challenging because it is in Daechi which is one of the
busiest spots for academies, but I think it was worth it
working there. If I could go back I definitely would! Subject:
Han's Language School in Gwangju, South Korea

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Mon, Oct 19 at 7:54 PM

Hi Jon! I wanted to write you to recommend my former


employer, Han's Language School in Gwangju, South Korea.

I've been working for this grammar hagwon since June 2017
and it's been great. The previous couples have also stayed for
multiple years as well. My fiance and I have never had to
worry about getting paid on time or anything financial while
working for the Hans. Sean, my manager, has been a great
resource and extremely helpful since we landed 3 years ago.
The hours are great too. Maximum of 6 hours a day and
there's never any overtime. I'd recommend anyone looking to
stay in Korea for a few years to get a job with the Hans.

Subject: Yes English Academy

Thu, Oct 1 at 6:39 AM

Wonderful school. The owner of the school is the head


teacher, and she is big on trusting the teachers to know what
they should teach and how to teach it. She wants the
teachers to feel free to do what they think is best for the kids
(within reason). There's structure, but not too much. For
example, the students have books, but they're go-at-your-
own-pace, and you can teach the material HOWEVER you
want. I even used the book as a springboard to also teach
them phrases that are related to the book material but aren't
in the book (like if the book mentions the word pain, I maybe
would teach them the phrase, "I'm in pain!" in addition to the
book material, even though it's not in the book). To thrive at
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this school, you must be self-motivated enough to come up


with ways to teach and not be struggling because you’ve
never had to teach alone or teach without structure before.

There were 10 minutes between classes in which I corrected


papers sometimes, but I had zero prep-work. Seriously, none
except when we had a Halloween party and I had to think of
a fun activity to do with the kids. Did I mention that the last
15 minutes of class is always game time? My boss said to me,
“Kids don't think games are studying, but they really are,”
and told me that the kids should have fun in my class as a
kind a break from their other classes (but still learn, of
course). She's seriously the best. Sometimes she would
surprise teachers by buying us food and having all teachers
come down during break time to eat together and chat. My
boss went out of her way to make sure I was happy. If I were
to move back to Korea, I would definitely work there again.

Subject: Chungdahm Ulsan Branch

Mon, Sep 28 at 6:24 PM

I want to post this message on behalf of the Chungdahm


Ulsan Branch. There is a black list post that is now outdated
and I hope that this helps to clarify some of the issues that
were mentioned in that post.

First, the management of this branch has changed and a lot


of the borderline illegal things mentioned in the previous post
do not happen here. I think no workplace is without issue
and particularly for those who have complained about
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Chungdahm in the past, little can be said to defend the


straight politics and bureaucracy that can sometimes prevent
foreigners from being happy within the company.

That being said, this is one of the best locations I have


worked at, because the staff have been very kind and
forgiving of a lot of the issues that I have had. This Branch
Manager in particular has helped me to resolve issues with
my taxes (problems caused by a previous branch).

The staff here try their best to be friendly and respectful and
I really feel like our work and work ethic speak for
themselves. Like any other place, we are still sensitive to
parental demands/complaints, so the only thing that still
needs some improvement is their response to parental
complaints. However, overall, I feel that this branch is no
longer the hell hole previously described and is on steady
incline and is improving.

Subject: IYA SKOLA WIRYE

Mon, Aug 31 at 10:54 PM

I'm presently employed at IYA SKOLA WIRYE Seoul

I would like to share my experience working in this amazing


hagwon. I am honoured to be working for this academy.

Lately, I have been extremely impressed with IYA SKOLA so I


thought I would share my experience on the Green List. I am
presently employed at the IYA SKOLA WIRYE, and I have no
intention of leaving any time soon. The following are a few
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reasons why I think IYA SKOLA is entitled to to be on this


list.

Our bosses do a pretty good job of keeping everyone happy.


They are always kind and willing to help not only at work but
with anything personal.

They truly care about the teachers and want you to be


comfortable. Often they will go out of their way to make the
situation better.

We are always, 100% of the time, paid on time. Occasionally


early depending on the holidays. The pay is highly
competitive.

Vacation is always given and planned out well in advance.

Housing: The apartment is located 5mins away from the


school walking distance to and back.

I am blessed to be apart of this family.

Our team are friendly and down to earth.

The Head manager who is an absolute blessing to this school.


She goes above and beyond everything to make this school
perfect. I can't imagine a better working environment.

The curriculum is easy to learn. All new teachers get very


useful manuals on everything they need to know. Like most
Hagwons, there is a lot of little things to do, but the staff is
constantly more than willing to help remind you. There is
little to no extra work that requires teachers to stay late. It is
very easy to plan for this school. The students are amazing,
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It is very easy to work with the class and the students are
very well-behaved. I love all of my students and I am so
happy to be teaching them.

I would like to recommend IYA SKOLA WIRYE to any teacher


looking to work in an established and professional
environment.

Subject: IN2 English Suji

Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 12:57 AM

This place isn’t perfect but it’s pretty chill. Unlike other
hagwons I’ve worked at, this place is positive, laid back, and
the environment is nice enough that the kids care about
learning.

The drawbacks:

-long days

-you have to pay extra rent out of your paycheck

-some things are out of pocket for the employee

The benefits

-small classes

-shorter classes

-Laid back atmosphere/work culture

-classes are fun and engaging for the kindergarten students


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-employees are not expected to work outside of working


hours

-elementary classes are effective

-decent housing

It’s a decent place and a good starter school for someone


new to Korea or needing a chill vibe.

Subject: Jeongbal Poly Returnee Institute (Ilsan)

Mon, Aug 17 at 11:05 PM

This school had a great support system. My coworkers and


managers all actively participated to finish their tasks well,
give feedback, and just help out anyone who needed it. They
were understanding of personal situations and genuinely
cared about your outside life. Some of my coworkers were
my best friends and we did everything together.

That being said, this school also expects someone with a


great work ethic and serious teachers who also know how to
incorporate fun into their lesson plans. If you can be
professional and have a good work ethic, this place will really
teach you how to manage a real job, while helping you learn
to do your job effectively. The kids are so smart and loving,
and you get a lot of job satisfaction.

Subject: DUX Academy's administration

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Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 12:57 AM

DUX Academy's administration has been supportive and


friendly the whole time I've worked there. My boss always
wants to make sure I have everything I need, and I've never
felt intimidated or manipulated in our communication. I
appreciated all the staff's efforts to make me feel welcome
when I first arrived, and I'm looking forward to continuing
my time there.

I also have a lot of fun with DUX's literature curriculum


because I get to teach Korean kids to think about books in a
more creative, conversational way, rather than in a more
traditional, test-based way. Usually, the only outside work is
essay grading, which is the main means by which we track
students' improvement, so I enjoy reading their writing and
helping them improve it. I think teaching at a "Reading Club,"
as DUX calls itself, provides a more unique teaching
opportunity than a traditional ESL gig would.

If you've got a can-do attitude, genuinely like talking about


books and children's lit, and don't mind the at-home work
that most teachers must do?regardless of the school or even
country?then you'd probably be happy at DUX.

Subject: E Bo Young Talking Club - Bongdam, Hwaseong

Wed, Apr 29 at 11:31 PM

The people here are great. They covered medical testing, a


number of meals, often provided snacks, and generally kept

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up with my well-being (in a non-invasive way). When I


needed a doctor, they escorted me. My apartment was
adequate.

They showed there true colors when I had to leave early on


my contract. Many hagwons will try to pull legal junk on you,
but these guys supported me.

Of course, they have some of the standard negatives of


working at a hagwon: very little training and many classes.
But that is what you will get at a hagwon. There will be a
learning curve.

Biggest advice is to just show them respect and you will have
it returned.

Bongdam is about an hour from Seoul by bus, which means


only a handful of people there will speak English. Be prepared
to go 30 minutes into Dongtan or Suwon if you need to hear
proper English. Decent place to live besides that though, and
it is right between many things.

Subject: FastONE (Seoul Branches)

Tue, Apr 28 at 11:54 AM

I worked at FastONE for over a year. I found it to be a good


place to work, particularly for F visa holders who were
looking for a block set of paid hours. Considering that you
could get 3 or 4 classes in a row, the hourly wage was
decent, and it's nice to have students come to you instead of
jumping from place to place. Students were great,
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management was friendly, the office itself was new and


modern, and payment was always on-time.

Subject: Fast Campus in Gangnam.

Fri, Apr 24 at 5:01 PM

I would like to give a short review of my time working for


Fast Campus in Gangnam.

I worked there for 6 months in 2018. I really enjoyed


teaching adults 1-1 and the facilities were excellent. There
were a lot of supplementary materials which I had access to
and could use to prepare my classes.

I worked the 7-11am day shift.

Fast Campus and the management also helped me with my


visa situation and were very accommodating. I found the
senior instructors to be particularly helpful if and when I ever
had a problem.

My salary was always paid on time and was exactly what I


expected and was offered in the contract.

Subject: Fast One (Gangnam branch)

Tue, Apr 21 at 3:43 PM

I saw my ex-employer had a couple of black list postings so


wanted to share my experience.

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Unlike the other postings, I enjoyed a good time at Fast One


(I was in the Gangnam branch but had friends in other
branches who had a similar experience). I'm on a F visa like
most of the teachers and get paid per class (basically like a
freelancer). Of course, the wage is lower than privates but
it's a lot more convenient. I was getting paid 25,000 per class
(started on 23,000). I started teaching 12 hours a week but
ended up teaching over 30. Classes are consistent (could do
5-6 in a row easily enough), prep is easy and I got paid for
cancellations.

Very good communication from my Senior Teacher. Would


recommend for F visa teachers who want some extra hours,
works well going from after-school to here in the evenings.

Subject: Dux Academy (Seocho branch)

Fri, Apr 17 at 1:43 PM

I'd like to offer a review of Dux Academy (Seocho branch)


after 3+ years of working there.

Compared to other academies in the area, I've found Dux's


working hours to be very generous. The highlight of the job
for me is that we are not required to show up to work outside
of teaching hours. The exception is for infrequent interviews
with new students. After working jobs with desk warming
requirements, this has been very refreshing. Usually I am
actually *at* the academy for < 6 hours daily.

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I've found the Korean staff to be accommodating, and I've


never felt jerked around or screwed out of small details on
my contract or anything like that. They especially stuck their
necks out for us foreign teachers during the recent
coronavirus pandemic. We are always paid on time, or even
early. The overtime pay is generous, too.

I think Dux is a good place for independent teachers who


understand the context of the academy. It is in a wealthy
neighborhood and definitely caters to parents who are
looking for a place with "accelerated learning" (i.e. lots of
homework). If you are willing to follow the academy's
occasionally wacky curriculum and classroom management
rules, this will be an easy gig for you.

I can't speak for other branches, but Seocho Dux gets a


thumbs up from me. I will miss it there!

Subject: Seocho branch of Dux

Mon, Apr 13 at 11:05 AM

Lately I have been particularly impressed with my academy,


so I thought I would share my experience on the Green List. I
am currently employed at the Seocho branch of Dux, and I
have no intention of leaving any time soon. The following are
a few reasons why I think Dux deserves to be on the list.

1. The schedule: The hours at this academy are shorter than


other academies, currently 3pm-9pm. This means you are not
expected to sit at your desk and do nothing during prep time

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before you teach. I usually go into work about 30 or 40


minutes before my first class to prep. But the days I do not
have much to prepare, I can show up 15 minutes before my
first class. Even with the prep time included, you spend less
time at work.

2. Curriculum: Personally, I like to have the ability to teach at


my own pace and not be micro managed in the classroom. At
Dux, the desk staff provides the novels and reading/writing
books for each class and gives a deadline. The rest is
completely up to the teacher. You can teach the materials
however you like. There have been a few times that I have
thought the books are too difficult for a class, and the desk
staff has always taken my opinions into consideration.

3. Treatment: I fully believe that Dux respects me and does


its best to support me. The main reason I am writing this
post is because of what has happened as a result of the
corona virus shut down. The academy had to close its doors
for a month and a half due to the virus. During that time, the
headquarters assigned a staff member to act as a support
hotline for the foreign teachers. Without discriminating, they
were willing to assist teachers even in the case of infection.
My branch manager told me that she knows most foreign
teachers do not have a safety net in Korea, so she wanted to
assist us any way she could. They didn ft apply our vacation
days to the shutdown or dock pay, which many other
academies did.

In addition to the situation above, I know that Dux trusts me


as a teacher. First off, there are no CCTVs in the classroom.

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When there is a situation where a student complains, the


desk staff comes to me first to hear what I have to say about
it. They never point fingers or blame you before they hear
what happens directly from you. And up until this point, I
have always had them take my side and support my response
to the situation.

4. Vacation: The contract includes 10 days of vacation in


addition to national holidays. These vacation days are often
taken during two of the four exam weeks at the academy.
However, they are readily willing to allow time to be taken
off outside of that if you find a substitute to cover classes. It
is nice to be able to have vacations, but also know that you
won ft need to miss an important event back home if you
need extra time off.

So to sum it up, I would recommend Dux any day to a teacher


who is looking to actually make a difference in the classroom
with a supportive team behind them. I hope that this post
will help you if you are looking to come to Dux.

Subject: DUX Academy's administration

Mon, Apr 13 at 1:52 AM

DUX Academy's administration has been supportive and


friendly the whole time I've worked there. My xxxxxx always
wants to make sure I have everything I need, and I've never
felt intimidated or manipulated in our communication. I
appreciated all the staff's efforts to make me feel welcome

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when I first arrived, and I'm looking forward to continuing


my time there.

I also have a lot of fun with DUX's literature curriculum


because I get to teach Korean kids to think about books in a
more creative, conversational way, rather than in a more
traditional, test-based way. Usually, the only outside work is
essay grading, which is the main means by which we track
students' improvement, so I enjoy reading their writing and
helping them improve it. I think teaching at a "Reading Club,"
as DUX calls itself, provides a more unique teaching
opportunity than a traditional ESL gig would.

If you've got a can-do attitude, genuinely like talking about


books and children's lit, and don't mind the at-home work
that most teachers must do?regardless of the school or even
country?then you'd probably be happy at DUX. I think people
who complain must be expecting either a) to do whatever
they want at work without standards, or b) a some study-
abroad romp without any real responsibility.

Happy to say good things about DUX Academy.

Subject: Carrot Global

Sun, Feb 16 at 6:29 PM

Carrot has many job offerings from business to public


schools. I was teaching in 2 community centers in Goyang.

They have a good reputation

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The pay was quite good and I had tons of freedom (there's no
direct manager), but as a beginner I would recommend to
have a direct manager (so you can improve your teaching).
It's no turn-off however.

They always paid on time and if the date changes, they let
you know in advance (this happened only once).

I know Goyang city changes the hiring company (not carrot)


every (two) year(s), so it might be another agency next year.

During network meetings and training sessions I met many


skilled teachers/instructors. A great source of learning
opportunities.

Subject: Suwon Global Village

Jan 10, 2020 at 9:24 AM

I'd like to add Suwon Global Village to the Green List. I’ve
been work with SWGV almost a year. I enjoy Suwon Global
Village. I will break down this with two ways. (Work
environment, Fairness) Work environment

1. SWGV try to make teachers happy and try to help not only
work but with anything personal.

Fair policy for teachers

1. There are bus duty and lunch duty that teachers have to
do. For the bus duty, teachers have to come earlier than 9,
but same time teachers can go home early. This applies to

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lunch duty as well. Sometimes teachers have only 30min


lunch break, but teachers can go home 30min early. I enjoy
going home early sometimes. If there are bus duty and lunch
duty same time, I can go home maximum 50 minutes early.

2. There are Saturday events such as Children’s day event or


Christmas event. Teachers can choose money or vacation. If
teachers choose vacation, they can select the dates anytime.

3. Teachers have a good relationship each other and there


are events that they can participate such as potluck party or
roller skating.

4. Teachers can go hospital anytime if they need to and team


manager try to take teachers place to place.

Subject: English Joy in Yeongwol South Korea

Nov 14, 2019 at 8:59 PM

I have a really great hagwon I want to add to your list is


English Joy in Yeongwol South Korea. They started as a study
room and only recently transitioned to a full hagwon status
here. The director and his wife run it. They teach classes
alongside myself. They really care about their students. They
are Christian and are trying to build a place in a small town to
offer English to students who wouldn't normally have an
opportunity. The director used to be a translator in the USA
so his English is better than mine at times. The students at
the school by high school are all the top students. They have
a very good speaking level as well, whereas you see many

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other schools focusing only on reading, listening, and


grammar, this school focuses on improving speaking as well.
Their only downside is the paperwork. because they are
focused on improving and growing I write student reports as
well as weekly reports. They always pay on time, the housing
is within walking distance, the workload isn't too heavy but it
will fill your hours. The town is beautiful! This is definitely a
place that a country person can enjoy though. there is no
nightlife, so you can see all the stars at night. It has a
historical site so there are festivals every month!

Subject: Union English Academy in Buk-gu Ulsan

Nov 13, 2019 at 11:14 PM

Mine and my partners experience at Union English Academy


in Buk-gu Ulsan in South Korea was fantastic. We can
recommend the principle and owner, Joanne enough. She's
helped us with everything no matter how minute the problem
may be. Above all else she treated us as friends and gave us
a time we won't forget. The work environment was friendly
and the students were awesome! 5/5 for Union English

Subject: Wizville Language Institute

Nov 14, 2019 at 5:29 PM

I recently had a discussion with colleagues about how many


people post positive or negative feedback about their
experiences in schools in Korea, so I thought I'd have a look
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for my current school, Wizville Language Institute, and to my


surprise I found something very recent. As there's only been
one Korean to quit, and one foreigner to be fired this year
(contrary to the review) it's obvious who this person is. To
clear up their review, which reads like a Trump tweet, there
is extensive training and facetime with management when
you begin. The management even took time out of their own
weekends to train this individual because they arrived one
day before the start of term after quitting on their last
hagwon. The school does plenty to inform teachers and has
libraries of materials for teachers to use for their circle times.
14 years of previous work is available to be copied or
adapted. The teachers are spoken to in a very respectful
manner, outside of class time, and asked to explain their
situation before any judgement as to avoid confusion.
Teachers are guaranteed at least an hour of break per day,
but usually receive more, with preparation periods spread out
throughout the week. The individual in question failed to
follow the simplest of protocol or meet the most basic of
expectations for a teacher. They found themselves in
disciplinary situations after repeated pleas to correct their
behavior and attitude. Don't be so eager to follow the bitter
ramblings of someone trying to get some sort of revenge
because they were, very politely, allowed to leave the school
to find a job they're better suited for.

For a more balanced review of the school. It has several


career teachers who've been at the school for several years.
These teachers have helped to develop curriculum and
systems to make the work of the teacher lighter and easier.
There are several people in management roles, both Korean
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and foreign who are always available to offer assistance and


guidance. The school has an excellent reputation in the local
neighborhood and despite standing out on its own, competes
with the larger franchises. People who actually enjoy
teaching and want to be teachers tend to really value their
time at this school and take great reward from their
experiences. Hopefully this could be you.

Subject: Fortian Academy in Hwajeong, Goyang

Nov 5, 2019 at 9:30 PM

I want to write about Fortian Academy in Hwajeong, Goyang.


This is an academy that I taught at in 2018 and loved every
moment there. It was part of a chain but now is an
independently run academy with a very tight-knit group of
teachers, as well as an excellent, caring environment for new
teachers. You do not need to be a gifted, talented, or a genius
teacher to work here, although it would not hurt if you are
these things. You just need to have the willingness to learn
and try your best as there is a group support system there
that will help you and mold you into an excellent teacher. The
owner, Xxxxxx, is very kind and hard working. She is not
perfect, but she gives it her all and her best effort. As long as
you are there for work everyday and you do your best, she
will be supportive and encouraging. Honestly, if you aren't
trying and you show up late or not even show up to work at
times, then the boss has every right to be strict and honestly
upset with you.

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The most important reason why I'm writing this and why I
would like a great teacher to go there whenever they're
hiring, is because of Xxxxxxx, that is currently there. She is
the best! She is so encouraging and so supportive! I really
learned a lot about what being a great educator is. She is
always encouraging and always encourages you to utilize
your strengths and not to worry about your weaknesses. As
she puts it, "Every teacher has their own strengths!" She also
taught me a lot about how children learn and also even about
teaching philosophy and curriculum. If you would like to
spend a year learning about what it takes to be a better
prepared and engaging teacher, I would recommend working
there even just a year so that you can soak in information
from Xxxxxx!

Subject: Sangin Chungdahm CDI

Nov 4, 2019 at 5:51 PM

Hello, I know there have been postings on the blacklist


talking badly about the Sangin Chungdahm CDI branch but
after working here for a full year I 100% disagree with the
blacklist postings and want to share my experience.

Many things have changed for the better. There is new


management that completely takes care of the staff (Korean
and foreign). Our payments are always delivered on time
with no strange deductions and we receive small bonuses on
the main Korean holidays. Everything is fair and even for
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overtime hours they pay very well and do not try to sneak
around to pay you less.

We have never had to work outside of our normal hours (2-


10pm) and especially never on a weekend. They give you
your complete paid holiday that complies with the standard
labor laws for foreigners in Korea. If you decide not to use
them, they pay you for them just before your contract ends.

When your contract is coming to an end, they are willing to


pay you your last paycheck and severance before you even
teach your last day at the academy. This is great for when
you need to transfer your money to your home country to
make sure the transition goes well.

The one thing that is still somewhat true is there is not much
of a dinner break that allows you to leave the classroom to
eat. However, the rules are very relaxed and teachers are
more than welcome to snack and eat their food when they
need it. I have never had any issue with being told I can't
and neither have my co-teachers. The management
understands we need food too.

The students that attend this branch are the most amazing
students you will ever have. So well behaved and respectful.
I have gotten very attached to my students and it is killing
me at the thought of returning to my home country to be with
my family.

Overall this branch is amazing and the teachers are truly here
for the students. The management is fantastic and you will
always be well taken care of. I know this was not true in

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previous years but it is 100% the truth now and I loved


working at the Sangin CDI branch.

Subject: Twinkle, in Daechi

Oct 6 at 10:19 PM

I'd like to add Twinkle to the list! It's really something


special and I can't speak positively enough about it.

Firstly, the xxxxx are absolutely incredible guys. They're


down to earth and approachable, and actually listen to what
we have to say. They may not always agree but they consider
the teacher's opinions. They are really respectful and not
dictatorial or micro-managers.

Secondly, the curriculum is outstanding. We get to teach fun


stuff like creativity and outside the box thinking and aren't
just robo-hagwon-page pushers. An example is a weekly
homework where kids have to answer questions like "Why
are diamonds expensive but glass is not?", "Why do girls
have long hair but boys have short hair", or "How do you
know you're not just a brain in a jar?"

I really could go on and on about how much I love Twinkle.


It's the best job I've ever had period, here (currently my 5th
academy) or back home. Literally all of the regular problems
people have with hagwons aren't even a blip on the radar.

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Subject: Beyond English- Hanam-si Central Campus

May 27, 2019 at 2:53 PM

Beyond English- Hanam-si Central Campus

I worked part time for the school and at their new location as
an NET, since it was part time most of my job was teaching
phonics, reading, and helping with reviews and idioms. I’d
also help out with tutoring and during school events like their
English festival.

Honestly, every part about it was a joy. The director Jxxxxx is


extremely genuine and understanding, and all my coteachers
were very supportive during my onboarding and throughout
my time teaching there, particularly when it came to
classroom discipline while I was fresh. The curriculum is
pretty thorough and I felt like we weren’t just trying to sell
parents on new textbooks or pushing kids through levels if
they weren’t ready. There is also a lot of wiggle room for
different teaching styles so I was able to plan some very fun
review and cultural lessons. Despite being part time I did
receive holiday pay for days the school was closed and bonus
pay for the weekend events. Bus duty is mandatory but all
the kids are very well behaved and curious, so it’s a nice time
to get to know them all individually. The director deals with
all the parents, so aside from the occasional conversation
while the children are being dropped off/picked up or parents
waiting for childrens Eprivate level tests, there isn’t a ton of
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interaction. It is a small school so staff events are usually


small office parties for holidays or events, but it’s a close knit
enough staff that they’re still fun. I was extremely sad to
have to leave them and I wish everyone there the best

Subject: KNK International Homeschool

May 27 at 2:53 PM

Hi Jon,

I’d like to add KNK International Homeschool to the Green


List. I’m currently in the middle of my third contract with this
school, and I have had a very positive experience here. As far
as an academy in Korea is concerned, the benefits and
atmosphere here are incomparable. Here are few of the
things that have kept me so satisfied throughout the last 3
years.

1. Compensation: KNK’s monthly salary is much higher than


the norm for Korean academies, and they are extremely
punctual with payments. In addition, the school offers
quarterly bonuses, and that acts as a very positive incentive.
Finding a more unproblematic or generous payment situation
at an academy is nearly impossible.

2. Vacation: In addition to red days, we receive 20 days paid


vacation. The academy takes a break for 2 weeks in July and
again for 2 weeks in December. This is unheard of at English
academies in Korea, and a very positive aspect of this job.
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3. Housing: KNK provides local housing within easy walking


distance, and the housing is quite nice. I have other English
teacher friends from other academies who are constantly
amazed at the spaciousness of our housing. There has also
never been any issues with rent payment, and the
maintenance engineers are readily available to solve
problems quickly and efficiently.

4. Classroom autonomy: Unlike with most Korean academies,


teachers are truly allowed to educate at this institute. We
aren’t just marking pages in workbooks for completion, and
the class size has a maximum of 8 students, so we are really
able to make sure each student understands the language
well.

Overall, KNK is a great place to work. I could continue talking


about the benefits of this school, the caring nature of the
manager, and the generally positive atmosphere between the
staff, but these four points listed above stand out as
highlights. I have recommended this school time and time
again, and I will continue to do so.

Subject: Avalon English Gwangju Maegok Campus

Apr 3 at 9:46 PM

Hello, I would like to submit my school, Avalon English


Gwangju Maegok Campus to the Green list. I have worked
here for two years and I have had a great experience. I felt

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compelled to make this post because there are many Avalon


English schools on the black list. My school has done nothing
but great things for me during my time in Korea. It saddens
me to leave but I have to go home for family reasons. My
boss is a wonderful lady who is always willing to help and
lend a hand. The school always has the teacher's best
interest in mind and they really look after us. There are three
foreign teachers at my school and we are all happy to be
here. The teaching hours are reasonable; we teach about 25
hours a week. We leave earlier two days a week. The school
makes sure you are fully prepared to teach, so it's a great
place for first time teachers. We always get paid on time.
Preparation is minimal because we follow a set curriculum.
The Korean teachers are supportive and always willing to
help when needed. There is a great expat community in the
area and getting to Seoul is not too much of a hassle. Overall,
I would recommend this job to anyone looking for a hagwon
position. Subject: Banana Kids School, Uijeongbu

Apr 2 at 11:26 AM

I worked at banana kids for one year and resigned to work


another along with another teacher. I teach kinder and
elementary. I continue to enjoy my employment at BNK for
these reasons:

DISCLAIMER: I am aware of and have read the blacklist


posting for BNK and decided to take the job anyway and I'm
glad I did!

1. Pay.

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They pay on time, every month and give you a detailed


receipt for everything deducted. I never worry about money
or being paid. This is a school that's been around and had a
reputation of being the best English school around.

2. Living situation

My apartment was ready for me when I arrived. The


apartment I was given was clean, safe, and had a great
landlord who made me food on holidays. It was a 10 minute
walk to school. When other teachers moved out of their
apartments, they were given extra time to pack up and were
treated fairly with cleaning fees/returned deposits.

3. Workload.

I have over 10 years experience teaching in American


elementary schools and, for me, this job was a piece of cake!
Lesson plans are made for me and are given out a month in
advance. There is minimal prep: worksheets for science and
social studies and spelling words and sporadic unit tests. All
teachers get 5 prep periods a week so there is no work to
bring home. Occasionally, when we do work late (decorating
for Halloween) the boss will buy us dinner - something I've
never experienced in America-and really appreciate!

4. Staff (work environment)

In any job -the people you work with make all the difference.
The Korean staff are super friendly and helpful! They make
coming to work stress free!

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Overall, I love working at Banana Kids. But, like the


webmaster says- different people have different experiences.

Subject: Wall Street English, Gangnam branch

Mar 20, 2019 at 2:14 AM

I want to submit a positive review for Wall Street English.


Wall Street isn't a typical hagwon. It's mostly for adults and
is a worldwide franchise, so it's internationally run, not
domestically run. There are several branches throughout
Korea, I am at the Gangnam branch and did some training at
the Jongro branch. The curriculum is very organized and the
lesson plans are already written out. If you like planning your
own classes this might not be the best fit for you, but for me
it was exactly what I needed. You do have a bit of wiggle
room based on the needs of your students, just as long as
you hit all the objectives. There are part time and full time
positions available and the pay is much higher than typical
hagwons. Even if you get a part time position, they regularly
announce corporate English outsourcing opportunities in the
area for some extra cash.

All the usual benefits are the same with the exception of
housing. The school will provide you with a hotel while you
look for housing, they will pay your deposit at a maximum of
10 million won, they provide a furnishing bonus of 500,000
won, and they can help you with your search and settling the
contract, but you are responsible for paying rent and utilities.
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They provide thorough training unlike most hagwons.


Training usually lasts for about two weeks and you can
observe as many classes as you want until you feel
comfortable to start teaching on your own. The managers and
employees are very nice. Sick days are no problem. You can
request vacations as long as you don't abuse the privilege
and you don't take vacations at the same time as other
teachers.

Subject: Best Kids English School (Jeongja)

Jan 22, 2019 at 10:38 PM

Hi- I'd like to add Best Kids English School (Jeongja) to the
Green List.

I've been with Best Kids over 2 years. I'll break this down in
3-ish ways (Work Environment/Location/Housing, Classroom
Setting, Personal Experience).

Work Environment/Location/Housing-

Our bosses do a pretty good job of keeping everyone happy.


They are always accommodating and willing to help not only
at work but with anything personal.

They truly care about the teachers and want you be


comfortable. Often times they will go out of their way to
make the situation better.

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We are always, 100% of the time, paid on time. Sometimes


early depending on the holidays. The pay is highly
competitive.

Vacation is always given and planned out well in advance.

BONUS-There's always snacks available, monthly dinners and


several work retreats throughout the year. We flew to Jeju
when I first arrived which was great.

The school is right by Jeongja Station and the apartments are


also right by the station (only 2 minutes to the station). The
studio apartment is nice and clean. It's a good size for 1
person. Jeongja is 15min by subway to Gangnam.

Classroom Setting-

The classes start in the morning with kindergarten kids and


then changes to elementary kids for the last half of the work
day. The hours are aren't long and we always end on time
with no over time worked, ever. There's a long break each
day in the middle which you can use for whatever (grading,
relaxing, etc.). I use half of mine for grading then the other
half for whatever.

The class setting is fast paced but very manageable as they


have a pre-made curriculum. There's no need for planning,
only minor things like printing out vocab tests. Once you
learn and master their structure, you're good to go.

The kids are pretty smart for their age and you are expected
to push them to become better. This is not a sit back, relax
and collect a paycheck kind of gig. You'll need to put in effort
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when teaching. Which if you're here to teach English, then


there shouldn't be any problem with that. With that in mind,
kindergarten is face paced and elementary is more relaxed.

The bosses are super helpful and will do whatever is needed


to help you learn the structured layout. They always do their
best to make sure you understand.

Personal Experience-

Since my stay I've had several unexpected emergencies in


which if I didn't have the help of my boss I would have been
Totally screwed. He has always put in the extra help.

It is a great environment and it's nice to have someone


looking out for you if you ever need help with anything. And I
really mean anything. I had to fly home for a one day trip and
they completely understood and helped me sort everything
out.

So in conclusion, if I had to do it again, I would completely


resign with Best Kids.

Subject: S.O.T. in Seocho

Nov 6, 2018 at 10:13 AM

I would like to share my experience at S.O.T. in Seocho with


potential future teachers. I've been a teacher here for more
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than 3 years and I've had a great experience so far. The


school system itself is pretty well organized including the
curriculum and time schedule, so it’s easy for me to work. If I
have any issues, I've felt comfortable speaking with my
supervisor and they've always been open to listening to me.
The Korean staff is friendly and willing to help, and the
supervisors are supportive. So I've enjoyed working here,
and still do, even though teaching and taking care of
children, especially kindy, can get a little overwhelming at
times.

I've always been paid on time, and I've made good


friendships with other teachers here. Out of 16 teachers,
about 11 are staying for the next school year.

I hope this posting will help you with your teaching


experience in Korea!

Subject: Guri-si Wizisland Gyeonggi-do

Nov 12, 2018 at 11:31 PM

I have worked for this school for a year and it has been a
great experience for my first time teaching. You are trained
and the curriculum is provided and very straight forward. The
principal/owner of the school puts a lot of pride into her
work so she appreciates and rewards hard work. I am always
paid on time and receive many breaks throughout the week.
The school is a beautiful kindergarten located on private land
with its own building and little farm. I love going outside and
playing with the children. The downside is you have to work
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5 Saturdays of the year, but they are either family


day/themed events or training. I don't mind going to them as
they are usually very fun and no work is involved. Couldn’t
recommend this school enough for your first time in Korea!
Its only 20mins from Gangnam super close to Seoul.

Subject: Ewha Language School, Mansudong, Incheon

Aug 24 at 12:16 PM

Hi, I'd like to write a review of Ewha Language School in


Mansu6dong, Namdonggu, Incheon. I've worked there for 2
years and it was a fantastic experience. Ewha directors are
the most caring, supportive employers I have ever worked
for. They are approachable and very understanding. The
directors will try their best to meet your needs. They were so
accommodating especially when I arrived. They tried to make
me feel at home as best they could.

The hours are fine and the classes are very easy. The
students at the school are very friendly and willing to
participate. Elementary classes are usually based on speaking
textbooks and middle school classes are more focused on
listening and speaking classes.

I was always paid on time and there was never a problem


with payment. The hagwon provide all the benefits,
insurance, pension, severance etc. The housing is also nice,
it's very close to the hagwon. It is very homely and a good
layout.

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The location seems difficult to access, however the bus


system is very good. 1301 is around the corner which takes
you to Seoul via Bucheon and Hongdae. There are also local
buses that go to Guwoldong, a good place for restaurants.

This hagwon is excellent and the best hagwon for beginner


teachers. I wish them all the best in the future.

Subject: YMB ECC+, Seongdonggu

Aug 20 at 11:53 AM

Excellent school, restored my faith in the Hagwon experience.

This is a positive review that I'd like to dedicate to YMB


ECC+, Seongdonggu. After a terrible experience at my first
school I was apprehensive to the experiences of hagwon life,
however this school completely changed the way I felt about
that. There's a positive work environment and a good work
ethic found within all the teachers. Everyone understands
what their job entails and nobody is expected to do anything
more than what they signed up for. The staff are friendly,
interactive and they help you in which ever way they can. The
school lunches are handmade everyday and quite superb.
There are enough breaks during your classes that you don't
feel over worked. You have enough time to prepare for all of
your classes, go out on errands and sit around and lounge a
bit if you choose to do so. A special shoutout to the manager
of this branch for keeping the atmosphere light and for doing
so much to keep her teachers happy. By far this is one of the
best Hagwons that I've come across. So thankful to them for
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making my last year in Korea such a pleasant breeze. If by


any chance you secured yourself a position in this school,
congratulations!

Subject: Worwick Franklin Institute in Ok-dong, Ulsan

Aug 11 at 12:31 AM

I would like to add Worwick Franklin Institute in Ok-dong,


Ulsan to the Green List.

This is a kindergarten/elementary (G1-G2) academy.


Morning/early afternoon hours are with a homeroom
kindergarten class, and late afternoon hours are elementary.
The hours are long and densely packed with teaching, but the
director is always completely clear about all expectations
regarding workload and working hours. Korean culture is
such that there will always be surprises, last minute changes
to the schedule and such, but I never felt like these changes
were ridiculous or even remotely difficult to accommodate.

The curriculum is completely planned and prepared in


advance by the director and requires very little preparation
time. Only occasional preparation of worksheets/tests is
necessary. For elementary classes, there are often homework
and book reports to mark, but the teachers share this work
evenly.

The pay is competitive and always transferred exactly on


time (I never once received a late payment, nor has any

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other teacher). The benefits are standard but the school


always matches 50/50 on everything (insurance, pension).

The director is always 100% clear with holidays and vacation


periods, long in advance, so you always have time to plan
your vacations.

The director and all Korean teachers at the school are


incredibly advanced in English, basically fluent. In my 2.5
years at the school, I might have experienced one or two
instances of a miscommunication due to language
differences, but I never felt like I had to simplify my
language for any of them. They all understand "Western"
culture and the way foreign teachers like to operate, and
always help the foreign teachers feel like they're at home.

Simply put, I always felt lucky to have been able to teach at


this academy, especially after hearing how bad some people
have it with hagwons. The director is understanding, the
coworkers are great, and the students are a pure delight. If
you like kids and teaching, you must absolutely consider
Worwick in Ok-dong.

Subject: Kaylee English Academy - Cheonan, South Korea

Jun 7, 2018 at 1:02 AM

Hi Jon,

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I wanted to let people know about a really good experience I


had with Kaylee English. I saw another post on the blacklist
but I thought that it was extremely unfair given what
actually happened. I know who the poster is, and the teacher
was extremely disgruntled because he got in trouble for
eating cup ramen in the class right before class started,
constantly chatting on his smartphone during class,
continually carried a bad expression on his face, constantly
hitting on the female staff/teachers, and a great portion of
his students dropped out but in the end he tried to blame
everything on the director. I think it was extremely
disrespectful to the school and to the students that I was
embarrassed when the other students brought it up. One of
the teachers he mentioned tried to do extra work in secret
for which they got in trouble for.

The director is very kind and caring. She bought me a


mattress when I first came and she also bought all the
bedding as a welcome gift to Korea. She also bought me
lunch or dinner when I didn't have enough money when I
first came to the school. I had no problems with any holiday
payments. Last Chuseok was very long maybe Wed-Friday,
and the Monday prior was not an official Holiday (and the
parents had paid for that day). Instead we had a party and
had Tuesday-Friday off, but that teacher tried to insist that
Monday was a holiday to have an entire week off. We were
paid for all holidays and had all red days off with no problem.

We also had all of our pension and health insurance


submitted from the beginning, and everything was done
according to law. Mine came a little later, but it's nice to
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know that everything was done on her part even though the
local government was slow on their part. I heard the
argument the poster is talking about and it was them
showing that the health insurance and pension was
submitted but came in late. Actually, I heard that the director
was paying the entire pension out of her pocket instead of
deducting it from the teacher salary because the documents
finished late. It is strange that the teacher mentions this
because we ended up with more salary than if she had
deducted the health insurance and pension from the start.
She also paid any back-logged HI/Pension from her own
pocket as well because it finished late.

I think that it's really unfair to cast the director in an unfair


light especially from someone who obviously wasn't fit to be
a teacher. Kaylee English is probably one of the best places
that I have worked at. I think that the examples I gave above
really highlight how the director tries to make the best
working environment for us. Really, there are stories of really
crazy directors and it really makes or breaks your experience
there. I was really fortunate to have such an amazing boss.

To sum up, the students are all great and eager to learn, the
director is extremely caring, and the environment is great. I
think that working there was my best two years in Korea, and
if I ever return to Korea I would definitely go back.

Subject: EiE in Cheongju / Ochang

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April 24, 2018 at 11:36 PM

I'm writing to review my experience at EiE in Cheongju /


Ochang.

About the work itself:

The work is supremely easy and you'll get the hang of it after
the first week, even as a beginner. You'll be teaching kids
between 7 and 15 years old, so it is pretty varied. The work is
varied, and the schedule is reasonable. The workplace is laid
back, everyone is friendly, there's never any dramas or
stress. You don't need to do any lesson planning as they have
their own syllabus, you just teach the book activities in
accordance with the schedule - so it's pretty simple and the
classes are fun. Paperwork is a minimum. It's all pretty
cruisy and enjoyable work, no pressure or stress. As for the
workplace/management:

Xxxxxxx, is an awesome manager. I actually can't speak


highly enough of him. I've worked in close to a dozen
countries at places from fly-by-night training centres to
international schools with crystal pianos in the lobby and
tuition rates higher than the median income of my homeland.
Ray stands out as both the most competent and, personality
wise, nicest boss I've had; it's actually been a privilege to
work under him. He's been really good to me and has
accommodated my family, and he's super easy to work with.
I know he worked in Canada when he was younger, I think
that's reflected in his management style - he's always direct
and open with communication, will collaborate with you for
feedback, is super helpful if you're unsure of something at or
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outside of work (e.g. don't know how to use the computer


system or the fridge in the apartment busted). Everything
has been been above board - as in tax, pension, health
insurance, et cetera. His wife is also works there, and in
general they're a super nice family, which gives the
workplace a good atmosphere.

About the city:

Cheongju has a huge expat scene, and one of the other


teachers can hook you up with the Kakaotalk groups so you
can meet people. There are a variety of historic sites to check
out and there's nightlife to be enjoyed if that's your thing.
Ochang, the neighborhood the school is located in, is small
and quiet. There's shopping nearby and people are friendly.

Overall, my experience at EiE in Cheongju had all the positive


elements a teaching placement needs - excellent
management, simple and reasonable work, and a charming
location. I can recommend it with confidence.

Subject: Kids College on Geoje Island

Jan 5, 2018 at 2:17 PM

Hey there. I'm writing to let everyone know that Kids College
on Geoje Island is a real gem of a school. In the mornings, I
taught kindy, and a few classes in the afternoon for
elementary kids. One of the best things about this school is
that its a very tight knit community. The moms cherish the
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time you give your students, and by the end of the year, my
kinders felt like my own kids. The school is owned by a truly
lovely Korean family, who always work hard to provide a
great experience for the kids, and a great work environment
for the teachers. They sincerely cared that we had a great
year in Korea, and always went out of their way to take care
of us with snacks and kimchi. We were always paid on time,
sometimes even earlier, vacation days were squared away in
advance so we could travel, and there were no issues
whatsoever with healthcare, or pension payments. Our
severance was paid soon after our last day. As for day to day
teaching, we always got breaks and prep time, all teaching
materials were made available to us, and having fun in the
classroom was always encouraged. No constant schedule
changes or kids thrown in at the last minute to make a quick
buck, which is unfortunately how many schools are run these
days. All in all, this was a truly tops school, and I would
highly recommend them.

Subject: GnB Hyeondong Campus, Masan

Dec 15, 2017 at 3:21 PM

Hiya Jon,

I want to add GnB Hyeondong to the green list. I've been


working here for 2 years and would go another year, but
Seoul is calling my name. I started here when the campus
was just opening, so I was a bit apprehensive, but the
director and my subsequent co-workers have been amazing. I

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am the only NET here, but it's not been a problem. Both the
director and my co-workers speak English very well.

I have always been paid on time, never had any problems


with being micro-managed, and there is good communication
with all other staff regarding students or any issues.

Since this was a new campus, there were many times when
schedules were changed or classes were combined last
minute, but that's to be expected at any hagwon, I believe.
The students' levels are also very low for the most part, but
most of the curriculum is level appropriate.

I was never required to work over my contracted hours or


work on any weekends or holidays. Unfortunately, I can't
speak to housing as my wife's school provides our apartment.

Everything else is standard hagwon contract stuff. Pension,


healthcare, severance, etc.

Overall, they have been very accommodating and I have


absolutely 0 complaints. In case the above wasn't forceful
enough praise, suffice it to say that I absolutely loved
working here.

Subject: LittleFox Language Centre in Techno Valley, Daejeon

Dec 5, 2017 at 6:23 PM

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I want to add LittleFox Language Centre in Techno Valley,


Daejeon to the list.

My year at this hagwon is almost done and I am super sad to


be going because this school is great. (I am attending Uni
again in 2018 and that's the only reason I am leaving).

This hagwon has been running for 10years and they have
never terminated a contract before the end date or denied
severance to anyone (I confirmed this). On the books they
look sound and my personal experience here has been really
uplifting; the owner is extremely nice and accommodating.

1. I shipped a box ahead of time before I left my home


country and he picked it up for me and paid the shipping tax.

2. A pipe in my building burst at 3 in the morning and flooded


my apartment. My employer came in the middle of the night
to help me clean and turn the water off.

3. I used all of my sick days as vacation to visit my family and


the boss still gave me 4 extra days off over Christmas
without a hassle.

I know that a lot of the time a hagwon would help you or say
something is okay and then treat you very differently
afterward (I know passive aggressiveness is a huge problem
at many workplaces in SoKo). This was never the case at
LittleFox. They helped me a lot and I was never treated any
differently.

My paycheck was never late and I got a pay slip every month.
The owner is transparent and honest about all school work
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and any matter relating to my contract. Overall, the school is


managed in a very honest and professional manner and I was
never uncertain about anything and was accommodated in
everything.

I really want to share my positive experience at LittleFox. I


heard so many horror stories about hagwons before I came
to SoKo, but with this school I really hit the jackpot!

Disclaimer: LittleFox is a franchise. This review is specifically


for the branch in Techno Valley/ Gwanpyeongdong.

Subject: RedWagon English Academy, Jeongja

Oct 31, 2017 at 12:13 PM

I have only been working here at Redwagon for a couple of


months and I can honestly say that it is one of the best
academy that I have came across. Management is actually
organized, the teachers, parents and students are amazing.
Work hours are 9-6:15 but we are scheduled for less than
28hrs per week.

Pros Native teachers only teach phonics and reading, all the
materials needed for classes are provided for you.
Management is really understanding and try to make sure
that their students, parents and teachers are good. The have
planned and scheduled birthday parties and field trip each
month and everything always go smoothly. In comparison
with the other schools that I have worked for they always
have things under control.

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Con On Tues and Thurs I finish at 2:30pm however we are


sometimes not allowed to go home until 6pm. And there
would be a new student registered for your class and they
wont let you know until your class is about to start.

But overall, it is a great school to work far.

Subject: Best Kids English School, in Jeongja-dong, Bundang-


gu

Sept 18, 2017 at 4:46 PM

Hi, Jon,

I'd like to add Best Kids English School, in Jeongja-dong,


Bundang-gu, to the Green List. We often hear such horror
stories from Hagwons, that I think all the good ones need to
be duly recognised. TLDR; if you can work within the typical
expectations of most Korean hagwons (strict teaching styles,
long work hours, etc.) then Best Kids is AWESOME. If you
can't, then it'll be tough to get used to the teacher
expectations.

When I accepted a job for Best Kids, I couldn't find any


information on the school, so I figured "no news is good
news." In truth, that's what it was. I don't work there
anymore, but I left the school on good terms and still keep in
friendly touch with the management. I wanted to give
something back by writing this review. Let's get things

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straight, they're not perfect. So, in order to give a proper


review, I'll talk about the good and the bad.

The good:

They pay you on time, the pay is good, no over-time, the kids
are good, you don't deal with parents directly, management
is friendly and (generally)caring. They know that living
abroad can be difficult and the language barrier can be tough
to overcome, so we often receive help with things like online
purchases, making reservations via the phone, etc. I think
that this is what sets Best Kids apart. The management really
does care about their teachers. Every month they host a
company dinner with the intent of trying new Korean food
and every year they host one or two weekend "corporate
retreats" (read: free trips with lots of food and drinking) to
pensions in the country side, Sokcho, and/or Jeju Island.
That's just one (A VERY BIG ONE, to be honest) example of
how the administration tries to ensure the teachers also
enjoy themselves in spite of the potential stresses of the job!

The bad:

Long work hours (typically 8:30 - 6ish pm), outside of school


work (checking homework and monthly tests, student evals),
strict teaching curriculum (you MUST teach the way the
school trains you and there's little room for change), odd
intercultural issues every so often (for example, comments
that can seem inappropriate for the workplace by Western
standards). This is not atypical of Hagwons, but it's certainly
worthwhile to note that it's not for everyone. In my time
there, it has happened that some of the teachers were not
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able to adapt to this and struggled because of it. Even so, any
decisions made by the administration were not made
suddenly, but instead the teachers in question were
approached, coached, worked-with in advance of any drastic
measures.

Subject: Illinois English Academy in Gapyeong

Aug 20, 2017 at 11:59 AM

I'm writing to Green List a great hagwon in Gapyeong. IEA is


a growing hagwon in Gyeonggi-do, very near the picturesque
Nami Island. It's settled on a small street close to a few
restaurants, cafes, and convenient stores. It's only a short
ride from Gapyeong station where you can take a 55-minute
ride ITX to Seoul or catch the metro.

The hagwon itself is two floors and I work on the first. There
are small offices on both floors for the teachers to use as well
as coffee, tea, and sometimes snacks from parents or other
teachers.

I've worked at this hagwon for two years. When I first


started I was so nervous because there was absolutely NO
information on this hagwon. That's why I'm green-listing it
now. It's a wonderful place to work, great and supportive co-
workers, payments are on-time, and I only work the hours in
my contract; I've never had to work a Saturday.

The owner is great. He is very understanding of situations


that arise and doesn't micromanage. The head Korean

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teacher is so wonderful. She does a lot of work around the


hagwon and it shows. She's dedicated and passionate about
the students and is always supportive of the teachers.

Honestly this job has been a dream for two years. I'd
probably stay for a third year but I have family to take care
of stateside. I'm going to miss the mountains and the river
picnics. If you ever get a chance to work in this small town at
IEA, TAKE IT. You won't regret it.

Subject: ANES Arts and English School based in Balsan

Jun 21,2017 at 2:56 AM

I'd love to green list ANES Arts and English School based in
Balsan as a great school highly recommended for first timers
(as I was when I first got there).

The boss does not speak English but is wonderful and fair.
She tried hard to improve all foreign teachers housing
moving our house mid contract for no reason other then we
had kinda dated places initially. You are always paid on time.
You have the freedom to teach as you wish but also advice
when you need it. It's a Hagwon so it's not easy but if ever
there was a team to help you, here they are. Thanks ANES!

Subject: EiE Cheomdan 2nd campus,Gwangu

Jun 21,2017 at 7:49 PM

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It seems this franchise doesn't have the greatest reputation


so I want to add in my two cents. In a few months, I will be
finishing my second year at this school. It's a small-ish
school, and I am the only native English speaker, but the
work environment and students are great. Everyone speaks
great English and the boss speaks decent English. The boss is
very kind, she listens to my problems and she even let me go
home for 2 weeks for Christmas. I am not expected to make
phone calls to parents as I know other foreign teachers
sometimes have to. I don't have any major problems with
students, the students are happy because the teachers are
happy. The boss has a 'If I keep my teachers happy the
students will be happy" policy'. The school has it's own
curriculum but I have the chance to be creative and teach my
own way and pace.You will be expected to work hard, but the
hours are short, about 7-7.5 hour work day. I absolutely love
this school and matured as a person and teacher.

Subject: Reading Park Academy and Artisan English Academy


in Jeonju

Jun 11,2017 at 10:13 PM

I am green-listing Reading Park Academy and Artisan English


Academy in Jeonju. These are actually side-by-side co-
academies run by the same director. This is my first
experience working in Korea, and I totally lucked out. The
work is light, the director is really awesome, pay is always
on-time, and everything is run by the book.

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The director goes out of his way to ensure you have


everything you could possibly need, and is really treating his
ESL teachers to dinner every week, and the occasional
weekend trip to Seoul. The academies are fairly small, with
only two English teachers and one co-teacher. I've gotten to
know many of the parents here, who tend to be very
supportive of the ESL teachers.

I would recommend this place in a heartbeat :)

Subject: Kids College, Gwangjin gu, Seoul

Jun 3,2017 at 5:59 PM

I would like to share my very positive experience of working


for 5 years at this school. Prior to starting at Kids College, I
had taught for 1 year at a very new and tiny hagwon (without
really learning anything about teaching). After 5 very
enjoyable years at Kids College, I really feel I've learned so
much about being a teacher.

The large number of foreign English teachers (usually


between 10~14) is a big plus for me. Teachers get a lot of
support from both the foreign teachers (including a head
foreign teacher) and the Korean staff. The foreign teachers
work closely with the Korean staff, and we have a lot of input
when planning events (nice to feel useful ;) ).

The director of the school has more than 10 years of


experience in this location alone, and the school now has a
strong reputation in the local area. Teachers are always paid

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on time without fail and the Korean staff are always quick to
help with any personal issues (house, visa, medical, etc.).

As far as the workload goes, we keep busy but this suits me


personally (after my pretty boring first year in Korea). I've
learned a lot about time management and organization. We
teach the material using premade syllabuses, so we don't
need to worry about planning at all :). Each classroom has a
projector!

I have consistently had great sets of kids each year, and they
have really helped me to enjoy the teaching experience. The
location is great. We are very close to Gangbyeon Bus
Terminal/subway, and 5 minutes walk from the Han River.

I would really like to recommend Kids College Walkerhill to


any teacher looking to work in an established and
professional environment.

Subject: Magic Edu., located in Suwon

March 27, 2017 at 1:43 PM

I would like to add Magic Edu., located in Suwon, to the


Green List.

I worked for Magic Edu. for two years. I had an absolutely


marvelous time working there. The school is owned by a
married couple. Neither of them could be any nicer, more
relaxed, or more helpful. Xxxx is fluent in English, making it
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very easy to understand what is expected of you, as well as


what is going on with the school. I was always paid on time,
and in full. The classes were set up nicely and not too big.
Xxxx took all the pressure off of me and simply allowed me to
teach. She left me to teach in my style and at my own pace.
She was incredibly flexible when it came to everything. She
was also very generous. She constantly took the teachers out
for dinner and provided take-out lunches for the entire staff
whenever we had meetings before school started. Xxxxx was
a really great person to work for as well. xx was pretty much
the only other foreign teacher there and made my life so
easy. He has been teaching in South Korea for quite some
time, has far more experience than I did or do, and never
hesitated to share his years classroom materials with me. He
constantly gave me great ideas on lesson plans and activities,
and helped make teaching a breeze. The entire motto of Xxxx
and Xxxx is to have some fun while working, teach the
students English in a easygoing way, and then have fun after
work. I had the opportunity to hang out with them both
before and after work sometimes, and really enjoyed doing
so. I have never wanted to hang out with my boss before, be
it in the USA or South Korea, but I genuinely liked hanging
out with the both of them. They are just super easy to get
along with and very kind. Lastly, I want to say that they
provided me with a great apartment, about a nice 10 minute
walk from the school. The location could not have been more
perfect, as it was close to everything anyone would need. The
apartment was in a brand new building and was more than
enough for myself. I really enjoyed my time working at Magic
Edu. I cannot recommend working for them enough. Just an

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awesome school and ownership.

Subject: YBM ECC, Daechi

March 2, 2017 at 11:34 PM

Hey everyone,

I generally don’t take the time to write good comments, but I


figured it would be best to make a mention of it.

I would like to add YBM ECC Daechi on the Green list. I’ve
been with them for the past year and it was a great year. Not
just for me, but for everyone as well. The management has
been understanding and kind towards the foreign teachers.
The Korean teachers get along very well with the foreign
teachers. Every two months, the staff goes out for a work
dinner and they find time to socialize outside of work. The
schedules, lesson plans, and books are quite easy to follow.
The environment is overall friendly. The work hours are 9-7
MWF and 9-5 T/TH. You are never asked to stay later, except
for a meeting once a month. If you are hired by this hagwon,
take the opportunity with a positive mind and ease.

The only downside of this place is the low salary they offer
for the teachers (both Korean and foreign teachers).
However, if money isn't an issue, then I think you'll enjoy
this job more than others.

Thank you.

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Subject: LOTIS in Jamsil, Seoul.

Jan 13, 2017 at 7:25 PM

Hello, internets. I'd like to share my two years of experience


at LOTIS in Jamsil, Seoul.

Day-to-day, you're left alone to do your job. At the beginning


of the year you're given long-term goals, and with a few
check-ins and pacing meetings, it's up to you how to
complete them. I've been able to use my teaching style to
help my students learn on their own. That freedom makes all
the difference; it makes me feel like more than someone who
teaches for a living. It makes me feel like a teacher.

Nothing about teaching kindergarten is easy. However


working at LOTIS I know that if I feel overwhelmed or
particularly worried about something, whether the issue is
with the curriculum, a student, or a coworker, then I can talk
to the head teacher (who's legitimately bilingual) and she'll
be able to help.

The management of the school is experienced, honest, and


respectable. We are paid on time and in full. The school has
improved a lot since opening, especially with communication
and organization. This has come from experience, exposure,
and the addition of administrative staff. The owner is also
receptive to constructive criticism and suggestions. He wants
his teachers to feel supported and happy.

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I've had many kinds of jobs in the past 20 years, and it's not
an exaggeration to say that this is the best job I've ever had.

Good luck!

Subject: KJC-21 in Guseo, Busan.

Jan 11, 2017 at 3:00 PM

I had a pretty good experience at the KJC-21 in Guseo,


Busan. You should expect to work hard, but the hours are not
grueling. You will always have a couple of breaks through the
day. The owner is a fair and honest guy, which is a rarity
anywhere these days. I had to leave early because of a
medical issue and he even gave me partial severance and
paid my flight home. The kids are amazing, and I miss them!
Overall pretty good place to work!

Subject: Anderson Academy, Namak, Mokpo

Dec 14 at 11:32 AM

I worked at this school for a year and it was the BEST JOB I
have ever had. I had just come from a terrible school where I
was mistreated and lied to, and even though my former
director did his level best to spread rumors about me and
insure I couldn't get hired again, this school gave me a
chance. I was treated extremely well here. The Korean
teachers speak English very proficiently and are super
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friendly. They celebrate birthdays together, have pizza and


chicken day for the students when they do well on the test.
The positivity of the staff infects the whole place and the kids
here are SO HAPPY! These kids were the sweetest kids I have
ever met and they love the teachers and the school. I never
had a major discipline problem and the students are even
enthusiastic about learning English. The foreign teachers are
mostly ladies with families that have lived in Korea for a
while and everyone is incredibly helpful.

Xxxxxx also has an open door policy so anytime you feel you
have a problem with a student or need help with anything it
will get resolved immediately. I never had to ask twice about
anything. In the year I was there we never had anyone quit
or get fired or even get in trouble. The other teachers are
respectful of boundaries and never interfere with lessons. I
honestly feel like I could have gone to these people with a
major life problem and they would have helped me out as
best they could.

Put it this way: when I showed up, I wasn't sure I even


wanted to teach any more. When I left, I knew I wanted to
teach for the rest of my life.

Subject: SLP in Hwamyeong (Bukgu Busan)

Date: Nov 4 2016 at 11:43 PM

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I'm so fortunate to have ended up at SLP in Hwamyeong


(Bukgu Busan) SLP. Such a positive environment and very
welcoming to foreigners. The supervisor, Xxxxxx is a
wonderful being! Relaxed environment, small classes -
overall a really great experience!

Subject: Kids Club in Sangnam-dong, Changwon

Date: Oct 6 2016, 11:26 PM

I worked for Kids Club in Sangnam-dong, Changwon and wow


what an amazing experience it was. I was there for two years
and don't have a bad experience to speak of.

Sure there were the regular things like sometimes being


notified late of activities and art projects but the English staff
were treated amazingly well. Unreasonable parent
complaints never came back on us, expectations for
textbooks were always communicated clearly and we were
paid on time with everything handled legally and
professionally.

The school suffered a couple of hardships during my years


there. English staff taking advantage of the relaxed kindness
of our supervisors. The English teachers had to help pick up
the slack when these teachers abandoned us however the
school paid us overtime and even bought us breakfast and
lunch to make up for it. My coworker ended up with a severe
back issue which needed immediate medical attention in the
USA and the school took care of her without penalty or ill

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feelings. They helped her rush around to get her pension and
everything else before her emergency flight home.

Truly Kids Club in Changwon (not the one in Masan) is a gem


of a Hagwon that values a relaxed atmosphere for the kids
and treats its staff amazingly well. Even those who are
ungrateful and rude were given respect (sometimes more
than I think they deserved).

Subject: Jeongbal POLY campus in Ilsan

Date: September 10, 2016

I'd like to tell you about the Jeongbal POLY campus in Ilsan,
Korea.

I left the most miserable teaching position I have ever had. I


was completely put out, stressed, anxious, and ready to go
back home. My recruiter found me a new job and I could feel
myself having flashbacks of the horrible conditions of my
prior job.

I was SO wrong. I got to the school and immediately noticed


how organized everything was. The principal was very
friendly and talkative. The Korean staff spoke well enough
English to help me out. The English staff were all happy and
fun to be around.

More and more I grow to love this job and I'm so happy I
stayed in Korea to get it.
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The school is neat and organized. Everything has a place and


there are rules and regulations for the whole school.
Everyone is on a team together and we share classes with
each other. The system of this school is easy to learn and
puts everyone on the same page.

The staff is open and friendly. Often everyone will go out for
dinner or we will have small celebrations for certain holidays
together. In particular there is a new head English Teacher
who is an absolute godsend to this school. He goes above and
beyond everything to make this school perfect. All the staff
relies on each other and we can all consider each other
friends. I can't imagine a better working environment.
Everyone has their own books and their own desk and
computer.

The curriculum is easy to learn. All new teachers get very


helpful manuals on everything they need to know. Like most
Hagwons, there is a lot of little things to do, but the staff is
always more than willing to help remind you. There is little to
no extra work that requires teachers to stay late. It is very
easy to plan ahead for this school.

The students are all very good with English. It is very easy to
work with the class and the students are very well-behaved.
I love all of my students and I am so happy to be teaching
them.

In conclusion, don't be worried about the POLY logo. Some


POLY schools have a bad reputation, but this one is amazing.
If you're worried, try contacting the staff that used to work
there to tell you about it.
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Subject: DYB Choisun Language Institute, Seoul

Date: August 9, 2016

Hey Jon!

I'd like to post a positive review about my current employer,


DYB Choisun Language Institute. I'm about to finish my first
year contract and thought I'd put the word out about this
hagwon chain. There are some negative reviews floating
around about this chain and honestly I almost turned down
the offer because I was convinced that this place was a scam.
While no hagwon is perfect, DYB is honestly everything that I
dreamed of when I decided I wanted to teach English in
Seoul. DYB is incredibly reliable and I always know who to go
to when I have an issue. Management is honest and keep
their word - housing is top quality, pay is always on time, and
my supervisor has even stuck to smaller verbal promises not
in my contract. Teachers have almost total freedom in the
classroom as long as our lessons are interesting and get the
kids using English. I feel well trained and like I have a clear
idea of what my roles are at my job. There are some
negatives, such as late work hours, working on minor Korean
holidays (we get the major ones off and random additional
days), and the CEO is a bit arrogant, but nothing that has
ever made me come close to regret signing. The work can be
hard, but at the end of the day I leave work feeling like I
accomplished something and I almost always leave work

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with a smile. DYB rarely hires teachers without a few years


ESL experience and many teachers have secondary education
in TESOL or 10+ years experience. If you were offered the
job, especially as a newer teacher. TAKE IT. You'll have a
hard time finding a job with such short hours, reliable
management, and good pay/housing

Subject: Poly Returnee Education, Dongdaemun campus

Date: February 4, 2016

I'd like to add Poly Returnee Education, Dongdaemun


campus.

First off, it's long hours, and like any JOB, there are some
harder days than others.

I worked at this located for almost 3 years, and the


management always been straight forward with me. I've
always gotten paid on time, and I've always felt like they'd
had my back when it came to protecting their teachers.

It's not perfect, and you will find yourself scrambling to finish
grading writing tests from time to time. It does take a little
bit of time to learn to juggle everything without taking stuff
home (something the director does not recommend you do).

Do your job and it's a good experience.

Pros: Good pay, no creating lessons, generally a positive


working environment.

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Cons: Long hours, it's a real JOB, can't speak for the
experiences of different locations.

Subject: ILS (International Language School) Juk Jeon

Date: Jan 13, 2016

Hi there! I thought I would write something positive and


wonderful about my school, as I have had a great time so far!

I really enjoy working at this school. The staff, korean and


foreign, are all amazing people, very supportive and like a
family. Everyone is treated with the same amount of respect
and you will make many new friends. Our management will
always be there when you need them and they offer great
support to the staff. Our kids are amazing and they are the
highlight of my day!I have been very happy here and would
recommend our school to any future applicants! This is a
wonderful school to work for!

Subject: Dongdaemun SLP in Seoul

Date: Jan 11, 2016

I would like to post a comment about my time working at


Dongdaemun SLP in Seoul. I have really enjoyed my
experience working here. All my coworkers, both Korean and
Western, have all been great to work with, and there has
always been a positive attitude among us all. I have found
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the management here to be very helpful, and if ever I have


been in need of any help, they have always been very
supportive at all times. I can say to future applicants, with
confidence, that this hagwon is a good hagwon to work for.

Subject: UACE, Yongin-si, Suji-gu

Date: Jan 09, 2016

Hey Jon,

I was randomly looking online about schools in my area and


found my old school on your site. Since my experience has
been positive, I figured I would add my story to the Green
List. I had worked at UACE hag-won for a few years. Overall
they have been great to me. The hours are long but
rewarding. We had a set curriculum so preparing for class
was a breeze. After a certain point, we no longer needed to
create lesson plans, which increased our prep time. Often, if
a class was canceled, the school would give you the option to
go home early (instead of sitting and being bored for 40
minutes). I NEVER had an issue of pay. It was always
accurate and on time. Once I was trained properly, my
supervisors didn't micro-manage me.

Almost all business policies practiced by UACE are pretty


common for most private academies. As such, I never really
had issues. Our apartments were on the small side but mine
was exactly what I needed, clean and furnished. They are all
within walking distance to the school and easily located near

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bus and subway lines. I think it only took 45 minutes to get


into Seoul by bus.

I understand that no business is perfect and there will always


be minor issues between staff and management. Overall,
UACE is fine school. You are treated as well as you treat
others.Teachers with communication problems, improper
teaching styles, or simple insubordination have always been
dealt with properly. A lot of westerners have trouble
adjusting to Korean culture and I believe that's how most
issues arise. I enjoyed teaching at UACE and would go back
again.

Subject: Anam Giant English Center, Seoul Anam Elementary


School

Date: Jan 5, 2016

English Friends, Madeul (Nowon)

Hi, the afterschool program is really great. The electronics


are a bit old but functional and there's also a projector in
each classroom. No CCTV (pet peeve). Students are very
smart and respectful. Also the lady (Eunice) who is the
manager was very helpful and after talking with other
teachers they enjoyed working there and money hasn't been
an issue. Theres usually a break period or so for prep!
Strongly recommend!

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