You may have read about some of our teaching experiences in the past, but recently we’ve been silent about it. The reason for this was that we had to leave the school about a month and a half ago and have been battling with them ever since to receive payment. Simply put, this has been the most negative employment experience I have ever had anywhere in the world.
After almost two months of long days, a terrible commute, and a constantly changing schedule we called it quits. In our time brief time there we became the second most veteran teachers, and saw 9 others quit with some staying in the school for less than 24 hours.
All of this is a side note to the simple fact that I have still not been paid for an entire month of work. We owe the school nothing as they never compensated us for travel, provided us our visas, or even returned our diplomas. However, due to our old manager’s anger they have decided I don’t deserve to be paid. This is plain and simple theft.
Instead of payment I have received a constant barrage of insulting and threatening text messages from the old manager. Never have I been in a employment situation where there was such a blatant and total lack of respect.
I hope that if you are considering a job there you do so carefully, and knowing the attitudes and practices of the school. We heard so many stories, and experienced so many things I wish I had known before we accepted the job I wanted to give others a warning before making the same mistake that we did.
Teaching in Korea can be an amazing experience, but the right school can make all the difference in the world. Do your research and avoid places like, or you’re end up paying for it.
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Hi, I’ve been following your blog and videos via Google Reader. I’m a grad student and have been living in Korea for a while now. I was born here and this is my second home and I love this place but I have to say that your experience is not unheard of and that I have even cautioned my own friends against coming to Korea to teach English. This saddens me, but this whole system just sucks. Some places can be quite enjoyable but for the most part, I just say avoid that whole route altogether. If anyone is really interested in teaching English, I encourage them to apply to a competitive hagwon or through the Fulbright ETA program. Because really…it’s not worth it. (Trust me. I speak Korean and they still tried to rip me off. It’s not education — it’s an industry. Even Korean teachers in English academies without “native English speaking teachers” don’t get their paycheck on time.)
I have to agree with your comments. It really is an industry and not eduction. The money seems to add an element to ESl in Korea and elsewhere that turns it into a system you have to be really careful around. We’ve heard of some really positive experiences teaching, unfortunately we didn’t get that.
Hey,
I used to work at that school! I actually helped open it. They met me on the corner in Sadong to pay me my first paycheck, 2.2 million won in 10 dollar notes. Fortunately, I did receive all my payments, but it took some serious THREATENING. Such as throwing all the computers off the balcony if they don’t pay! Haha. They barely paid for any of my EXTRA classes that they set me up with, basically, once again, I had to threaten them I would leave. I have a million stories about that place!!!!
I’m sorry about your experience. I recently ran into the same problem with my school. Avoid this place:
School name: Advanced Junior English Institute (AJ English Institute)
Director: Alvin
Owner: Brianna
Location: Bundang, South Korea
Is the Advanced Junior English Institute right for you? Do you enjoy working hard for absolutely NO money? Do you mind switching apartments at least twice during your 12 month contract? Do you have anything against your employer spying on you or having full access to your apartment and private things? If any of these questions are making you seriously wonder about the legitimacy of the AJ English Institute, then run like HELL.
In order to save the reader some time, I’ll list some of the problems I encountered while working at the Advanced Junior English Institute.
- The director and owner promised to send me to Japan for my visa and never did. They had me working illegally and then never paid me.
- They scheduled one of the 5 day vacations over a big holiday, which meant that we wouldn’t have been working anyway.
- The owner never signed the contract after my arrival. They made sure to point out the fact that they never signed it when I told them they weren’t honoring our contract.
- I was fired after they told me that a few parents didn’t like me. Their insatiable hunger for money prevents them from honoring contracts and taking care of their teachers. They made it VERY clear how important making money is.
- I was told that I needed to pay them 1.4 million won for the recruiter’s fee. After speaking to my recruiter, I discovered that the school never paid the recruiter’s fee in the first place.
- I was also told that I owed them 1 million won for my plane ticket to South Korea, even though I was fired for no legitimate reason. I also never received any warnings (formal or informal).
What happened to me has happened before at the Advanced Junior English Institute. Teaching in South Korea can be a great experience. Please hold out for ANY other job.