Coram Deo Academy (Misa, Hanam)

I d like to recommend Coram Deo for the green list based on my positive experiences there. I worked at the academy for a year and would have stayed longer if life hadn t pulled me in a different direction. Here s a breakdown of the pros and cons:

Pros:

-The academy has a genuine passion for educating students, with a vision and track record to back it up.

-My housing was only a 3-minute walk from the academy.

-The students were kind and respectful, thanks to the culture fostered throughout the program (e.g., Rule 1: Honor each other. Be kind, always!).

-I taught a variety of lessons, mainly using American curriculum books: Language Arts, Book Club, and Oracy (a conversation/speech class).

-There s a strong focus on the process of language learning, with no rote memorization or translation involved (except for middle school Naeshin, which isn t taught by native English teachers).

-Management listens to issues and works toward solutions that benefit everyone.

-Coram Deo values the teacher s side when handling complaints or student issues; they don t cater to parents demands.

-Little to no micromanagement if you know what you re doing.

Cons:

-Flexibility is needed as the curriculum can change (though this can also be a plus if more time is needed for mastery).

-While technically in Seoul, the location is about an hour away from popular areas like Itaewon.

-The gender ratio was an issue for me I was one of the few males, which made me feel a bit isolated socially. This may have changed since then.

Final Thoughts: Coram Deo isn t without its flaws, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. It's a great place for passionate teachers looking to start or grow their careers. Management is thoughtful and dedicated, and the students are among the most polite I've encountered in my five years teaching English in Korea.

Note: "Coram Deo" means "With God" in Latin, but don't worry if you're not religious there's zero pressure to conform. The most you'll encounter are prayers during company meals or meetings/gatherings, which I personally found heartwarming as a non-Christian.