Advertising for Teachers

What happens when you go to Google and do a search using the words "teaching in Korea" or go to a great blog called "The Daily Kimchi" http://thedailykimchi.blogspot.com? There will be a link for Yes Youngdo. And as it has been for years at Dave's Esl Cafe at the Korea Job Board www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea there's the post for Yes Youngdo which is put up to recruit teachers. Lately when I'm online I see their ad all over. I can do a search for anything related to Korea and find the link the their site.

When I was working for Yes Youngdo at one weekly meeting the manager let us know that he'd gotten 50 or 100 resumes in the last 1-2 days from prospective teachers. I think this was a scare tactic, don't think he wanted to scare teachers out of their wits, but I think he wanted to put a little fear and respect into them.

With advertising like this, and considering the number of teachers in Korea, as well as guessing how many there may be who want to come, Yes Youngdo is receiving at least 1,000 resumes per week, every week of the year. At least. That's my estimate. Their advertisement and their website make them look great. Who wouldn't apply? And it's funny to think that teacher's take special care looking for a job in Korea and are more likely to choose a school with a great site, many pictures of teachers who look happy, and language such as "reputable" or "established" or "since 1987."

I've looked at their advertisements. At one point they were saying in their ad that they never paid a teacher late or had a teacher do a midnight run. Consider this:

• They may or may not be telling the truth.
• They have enough money so can avoid paying a teacher late.
• Maybe no teacher pulled a midnight run, but how many didn't finish their contracts?

It would make sense if hagwons such as Yes Youngdo would add a bit of info to their ad or site:

• Percentage of teachers who complete their contracts.
• Percentage who would give their experience a high rating.
• Percentage who would sign a contract for a second year.
• Percentage who would allow their best friend, sister or mother to accept a one-year contract.

Another thing I also read in their job advertisements was that any teacher thinking to work there could call or email any of the teachers to ask questions. Anyone with a little experience could guess that they will take care which phone numbers or email addresses to give out! They obviously don't want a prospective teacher to talk to someone who's unhappy, feeling cheated or not a good teacher by their standards.