JM English (Songpa)

I want to share my experience at JM English in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

I worked at JM for 2 and a half years and I absolutely loved my time there! The school isn't too big so I really got to know my students and all of my co-workers well.

First off, the interview. The head teacher conducted my interview and I was able to learn about the teaching style at JM. She was very honest and upfront about what was expected of each of the native teachers and how the Korean co-teachers would be assisting both in and out of class. The native teachers don't deal with the parents at all but my co-teachers always let me know anything about the kids that would be helpful in learning how to teach them.

I taught students from 5 years old (Korean age, so basically preschool) to 4th grade, some of them being the lowest levels and some being the highest. The different levels sometimes learn different subjects but I was always given the textbooks weeks ahead of time so that I could review them and ask any questions I had.

Every month I was given a monthly plan for each class I taught that outlined what books, what units and what topics would be covered that month. From that, it was really easy to make my lesson plans for each week and share them with my co-teacher. There was a lot of freedom to decide exactly how I wanted teach some topics to make it better fit my class. I never really had to stay late or work overtime because it was super easy to write all of my lesson plans and prep my materials for class, even the high level ones.

In addition to the monthly plans, JM has monthly workshops for the teachers so everyone can get an overview of the lesson plans, share ideas and ask questions all together. I was never stressed about not knowing what would happen in class.

My co-teachers were all really helpful if I wasn't sure how to plan something or introduce a new lesson. They communicated with me really well and would always tell me if any of the parents had concerns about their child so we could address it together. Every single person I worked with was respectful and understanding.

Moving across the world can be really difficult for some people but my co-workers were the best. The native teachers all get their own apartments but live in the same building, so I was able to grow close to each of them. I made several life-long friendships with them.

As for JM's leadership, the xxxxx is from the US so she understands exactly what the native teachers need to succeed at work. She was also super easy to go to if I had any issues or if I was confused about anything.

I worked at JM during COVID and the school's owner was very proactive in making sure all of the teachers were able to get their vaccines, that we all understood what was happening around the city, and that everyone was safe while at work.

I never had any problems with my monthly salary being late or any of my monthly bills for my apartment being incorrect. Before I left Korea, my boss sat down with me and explained exactly how much I was receiving in severance so there wasn't any confusion. Everything was processed quickly and painlessly.

As long as you understand your job and you are willing to complete your tasks, work is easy and fun.

JM really was an amazing school for me. I loved my time there and I was so sad to leave when I decided to move back to the US. If I went back to Korea again, I would definitely look for an opening there!

Hello, I would like to add JM Hagwon in Songpa-gu (close to Seokchon Gobon station to the green list).

I have worked at JM for many years and have found it to grow in all the areas it has needed to grow.

The foreign teachers are supported by the head teachers in both the Korean and Native forms.

The xxxxxx while xx may seem cold, will do anything for her teachers. I have experienced this first hand, when I became very ill and she took care of making sure I was getting the care I needed.

The working conditions are very normal for the area of Seoul the average teaching hours are 26-30 (30 being rare but it is stipulated in the contract and I have had times where I taught that much). There is more than enough prep time to get everything done, if the time is used wisely.

Pay is good and ALWAYS on time to the point, there was an accountant error and owner paid everyone out of her own account the same day.

Benefits: They offer a lot of benefits to stay with the company including extra vacation days after being with the company, paid sick days (that are paid out if not used), and work with you to get what levels and classes you want.

Curriculm: It is already made and has been tested over at least the past ten years that I know of, they are always enhancing the curriculum but they have staff the handle making it.

Housing: They offer housing allowance or a next officetel in the area of the school which was built within the past five years and is within walking distance of the school. In that area, many schools do not offer housing that close.

Overall: JM is a great place to work and honestly learn how to be a teacher. Many teachers come to JM as their first job and go to other schools without any problems adjusting because the school teaches you how to teach.