Avalon English – Pyeongtaek (Elementary/Middle/IVY Campus): Hapjeong-dong, Gyeonggi-do

Good things about PT Avalon:

1) Pay is average, usually on time.
2) Close to Seoul.

Bad things about PT Avalon:

1) Unpaid overtime. Unlawful termination if unpaid overtime is refused.
2) Unlawful withholding of deposits.
3) Korean teachers beat the students.
4) Material (books, etc) very bad.
5) No training provided regarding teaching style or methods of discipline.
6) Teaching philosophy runs directly counter to “good teaching” practises learned in TESL courses.
7) Baseless criticism from head teacher on ongoing basis.
Current staff (as of 2011-2012) not friendly.

I just think it should be noted that person who reviewed this school previous to myself was fired for being grossly incompetent and not willing to improve his teaching ability nor was he receptive to the constructive criticism he received whilst he was employed there.

I taught there for nearly two years. He was fired after his first semester. I am no longer employed there and have nothing to gain from this review other than to offer my views, and experience.

I NEVER once saw / heard of anyone hitting a student while I worked at this Avalon. That accusation is beyond absurd. This statement has no bearing on reality and can be viewed only as the bitter, pathetic attempt at “retaliation”. Shame on you.

The teaching material was actually REALLY good. This was his first and only hogwan, with tail twixt legs he ran back home. I’ve taught at a school that had very poor material, he has no idea what he’s talking about. The elementary books were colorful, engaging, and offered plenty of opportunity to “spice” up the lessons. Ex. Drawing / Acting / Discussion / ETC. The middle school books were a mixed bag. Though, the higher the level of English – the better they got.

There was nothing “unlawful” about his termination. Students were quitting because he was a bad teacher. The school wanted him to stay an hour after classes were over to “train” him into being a better teacher. This was a last ditch effort before firing him. He thought this was “overtime” and should be paid for it. When he raised a sink they let him go.

I have no idea what the laws are regarding with-holding his deposit on his apt. I do know that I finished 1.9 years there and that took over 6 months for me to receive my deposit back. At the time of this review it has been just over 3 months for him.

The school staff was unfriendly to him. As you would have been too. A direct result of his inability to teach, manage a classroom, or instill any kind of confidence in the students was over 50 students leaving the school. His personality was grating, he spoke too loud, and was quite immature.

In my experience the teachers at Avalon were incredibly nice, and friendly. There were some exceptions but they quit and were replaced with wonderful people.

The students were some of the kindest, smartest kids you could ever hope to work for.

The management, while not always perfect could be negotiated with in civil even friendly manner…outside of the work environment they continue to be wonderful people with whom I am still in contact today.

The owner/director…….the less said about her the better.

All in all I do not for one minute regret working for Avalon. Yes, it is not perfect, far from it. But, I haven’t met anyone who thought their school was.