Anybody know anything about YBM Education? - ESL Teaching

RWMJSD · Thu 22-Jun-06, 06:42 PM

Hi, I've been doing a bit of research on teaching in south korea and haven't come across anything besides YBM Education--> http://www.ybmecc.co.kr/index.asp

Has anybody worked for or know of people who have worked for them?
I basically want to know whether or not they're reliable.

and does anybody know of other hakwons (english tutoring institutes) I could look into?

thanx. ^^

thaidudu · Thu 22-Jun-06, 07:16 PM

Wow! Just took a look at their website, and it seems like quite a big and professional setup. Love the idea of the teacher's banquet. They even show their teacher contract online for all to see. That's a step in the right direction!

As I see it, there are no suprises with them. Also makes me feel nice that they have been around a long time.

Established in 1961 and has over 2500 full-time employees.

I would have no quarms about them at all. I suppose you would really need to know about the individual school where you will teach. YBM has quite a number of schools scattered throughout Korea. So, definitely ask to speak to some teachers who are presently working at the school where you will be posted to.

Also, don't forget, with a company so big, you will be bound to hear bad news. Just think though, for every 1 piece of bad news, there is probably 60 pieces of good news. That's just the way things are.

gfell · Fri 23-Jun-06, 11:33 AM

Keep in mind the following regarding Hakwons in South Korea:

Avoid teaching for brand new schools as they are usually disorganised.
Try to get a feel for the type of instructors already at the hakwon. If the hakwon is full of inexperienced teachers, then it wont do much for your career aspects and development.
Find out the teacher turnover. How long have the current teachers been there? A school with high teacher turnover should be avoided, even if they are offering high than average salaries.

RWMJSD · Fri 23-Jun-06, 03:39 PM

thanx for the response and tips. ^^
I'm just wondering though...would asking to speak to their current teachers, work? I mean, how I do know it's not bogus?

anywayz, I found another hakwon, called YES YoungDo--> http://www.yesenglish.com/english/jobs/jobs01.asp

it looks pretty good too, if anybody else is interested. ^^

kkbaby · Fri 23-Jun-06, 04:39 PM

Well, I suppose you could pick it up in their accent if you speak with them over the phone. If they sound Korean (easy to know), then you know it could be bogus.

Plus, I don't think English teachers would agree to such a thing of playing along with dirty tactics for their schools. Ask the teacher's name and see if they are still there when you get to the school.

I think there's such a small possibility of speaking with bogus teachers, that you really don't need to worry about it.

kmossman · Sun 09-Jul-06, 10:15 PM

I hear mixed reviews.
Some say its ok.
Some say it sucks.
One man's meat.....................

Keep in mind these are often NOT monoliths, but often franchises, so a lot depends on the franchise holder.

I rejected one schools offer, and had the franchiser phone and apologize at length - I had written a long letter explaining I turned down the offer.

Still best to carefully check the school out, regardless of the size.

And talk to teacherS
"................... I don't think English teachers would agree to such a thing of playing along with dirty tactics for their schools.............."
Perhaps, but some teachers think misery loves company, and may not give a complete picture. Happened to me - guy gave a rosy picture, and he himself did a midnight run 2 months later!

Kleer · Fri 29-Feb-08, 10:24 AM

Hi people,

To the first poster- did you end up going to Korea and if so with which company?

I'm currently looking at working in Korea and have come across YBM and looked at their website which is pretty good. Busan looks interesting to me and so I was wondering about any more stories about YBM and possibly Busan in particular (it is company-owned)?

Thu 22-Jun-06, 06:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
RWMJSD ESL Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Nationality: australian Location: Posts: 3	Anybody know anything about YBM Education? Hi, I've been doing a bit of research on teaching in south korea and haven't come across anything besides YBM Education--> http://www.ybmecc.co.kr/index.asp Has anybody worked for or know of people who have worked for them? I basically want to know whether or not they're reliable. and does anybody know of other hakwons (english tutoring institutes) I could look into? thanx. ^^

Thu 22-Jun-06, 07:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
thaidudu Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Nationality: American Occupation: Teacher Location: Posts: 7	YBM Education Wow! Just took a look at their website, and it seems like quite a big and professional setup. Love the idea of the teacher's banquet. They even show their teacher contract online for all to see. That's a step in the right direction! As I see it, there are no suprises with them. Also makes me feel nice that they have been around a long time. Established in 1961 and has over 2500 full-time employees. I would have no quarms about them at all. I suppose you would really need to know about the individual school where you will teach. YBM has quite a number of schools scattered throughout Korea. So, definitely ask to speak to some teachers who are presently working at the school where you will be posted to. Also, don't forget, with a company so big, you will be bound to hear bad news. Just think though, for every 1 piece of bad news, there is probably 60 pieces of good news. That's just the way things are.

Fri 23-Jun-06, 11:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
gfell Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Nationality: Australian Occupation: Educator Location: Posts: 656	When choosing a Hakwon to teach in. Keep in mind the following regarding Hakwons in South Korea: Avoid teaching for brand new schools as they are usually disorganised. Try to get a feel for the type of instructors already at the hakwon. If the hakwon is full of inexperienced teachers, then it wont do much for your career aspects and development. Find out the teacher turnover. How long have the current teachers been there? A school with high teacher turnover should be avoided, even if they are offering high than average salaries. __________________ English Teacher and Student Site Teach English and Study Abroad! Teaching Community at Teacher Forums ESL Teacher and Student Directory!

Fri 23-Jun-06, 04:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
kkbaby ESL Rookie Join Date: Feb 2006 Nationality: American Occupation: English Teacher Location: Posts: 18	Speaking to bogus teachers Well, I suppose you could pick it up in their accent if you speak with them over the phone. If they sound Korean (easy to know), then you know it could be bogus. Plus, I don't think English teachers would agree to such a thing of playing along with dirty tactics for their schools. Ask the teacher's name and see if they are still there when you get to the school. I think there's such a small possibility of speaking with bogus teachers, that you really don't need to worry about it.

Sun 09-Jul-06, 10:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
kmossman ESL Rookie Join Date: Jul 2006 Nationality: Canadian Occupation: teaching! Location: Posts: 17	ybm/yes I hear mixed reviews. Some say its ok. Some say it sucks. One man's meat..................... Keep in mind these are often NOT monoliths, but often franchises, so a lot depends on the franchise holder. I rejected one schools offer, and had the franchiser phone and apologize at length - I had written a long letter explaining I turned down the offer. Still best to carefully check the school out, regardless of the size. And talk to teacherS "................... I don't think English teachers would agree to such a thing of playing along with dirty tactics for their schools.............." Perhaps, but some teachers think misery loves company, and may not give a complete picture. Happened to me - guy gave a rosy picture, and he himself did a midnight run 2 months later!

Fri 23-Jun-06, 03:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
RWMJSD ESL Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Nationality: australian Location: Posts: 3	thanx for the response and tips. ^^ I'm just wondering though...would asking to speak to their current teachers, work? I mean, how I do know it's not bogus? anywayz, I found another hakwon, called YES YoungDo--> http://www.yesenglish.com/english/jobs/jobs01.asp it looks pretty good too, if anybody else is interested. ^^

Fri 29-Feb-08, 10:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
Kleer ESL Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Occupation: hospitality Location: Posts: 1	Re: Anybody know anything about YBM Education? Hi people, To the first poster- did you end up going to Korea and if so with which company? I'm currently looking at working in Korea and have come across YBM and looked at their website which is pretty good. Busan looks interesting to me and so I was wondering about any more stories about YBM and possibly Busan in particular (it is company-owned)?

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