JLS (Dongtan 1)

I'd like to submit my former academy, JLS Dongtan, to the Greenlist, located in Dongtan 1, which is the central-west part of town. It is legitimately one of the best academies I've ever worked at and besides one coworker there, I have almost nothing but positives to say about it.

First of all, the work schedule is sweet. The working hours are from 1:30pm to about 9pm, but the teaching hours are usually only about 4 hours, given the schedule, which changes every semester. No more than 5 hours a day; sometimes as little as 2 a day. Absolutely no "take-home work" either.

Secondly, the teaching is pretty simple. There's books to use, but mainly, the goal is to get the kids engaged in English and enthusiastic about speaking English. So it's less about "teaching" and more about engaging with the students so that they're having fun with English. As the native teacher, I rarely had to give out tests; the Korean teachers do the tests. My job was to get the kids speaking English and making sure they're enjoying their time there, and I had fun doing this.

Thirdly, the manager is very chill, laid back, and friendly. He is flexible and willing to work with you. He's a Korean who has lived in America and has taught for over ten years. Most of the other teachers are easy-going and laid-back, too.

Fourth, the students are wonderful and most are very friendly and relaxed. I'd say 95-98% of the students are easy to get along with. (Even if the Dongtan parents are a completely different story.)

Fifth, the living accommodations I had were great (east of Yeoul Park) and I was able to choose this place myself after the first place I was in when arriving had issues. It's a ten minute bike ride and about a 30 minute walk from the academy (about 1.5 miles away, which is shorter than it sounds.) I had a bike, so I rode to the academy everyday, myself.

I'm leaving this great academy for four reasons. One, I'm not "fun enough" for the students. While I am easy-going and like to joke around, they really want someone super-energetic and extroverted. Like a dancing, singing entertainer and party performer. Some of the other teachers go all out with the entertainment and showmanship. I'm very introverted and off-hours, pretty quiet. I was hired by them knowing this, but it's what they now most prefer. So I understand why I have to leave.

Secondly, I don't get along with one of the coworkers, the new HT. Me and him have had many disagreements, and [redacted] He's the one and only person I dislike there.

Third, due to budget cuts, they had to let go me and others as well, and reduce the academy space by half, turning half our old space into a math academy. This is the main reason I, and others, are being laid off. There won't be a teacher replacing me for at least another six months.

[redacted]

So yes, besides one coworker here, I have nothing but good things to say about JLS Dongtan. Although they prefer a more energetic, lively, bubbly, loud, super-extroverted teacher, I still had a great time here and will be leaving with positive things to say about them. If they hire a new teacher and you get the chance to work at JLS Dongtan in Dongtan-1, I highly recommend it. (Not so much the one in Dongtan-4; the international JLS is terrible.)

Thank you.