CDI is considered most well known and reputable Hagwon for elementary and middle school students in Korea. However, during their recruiting process, there is one-week unpaid training you have to go through and that is what I want to inform some of you who are about to go through that training session.

At the end of their one week unpaid training, about 90% of the trainess pass the training and earn actual employment at CDI locations. This might be the reason that you hear few complaints about this process being unfair and biased. However, during this training process, it is evident that some of their trainees were already picked to fail the course unless they have stellar performance on their mock teaching session.

They also do not explain how they grade the trainees. There was no mention or clear criteria that you would be graded on. Also, you will see some ‘favored’ treatment to some of their trainees as they get closed door meetings with the trainers whereas you are ‘least favored’ or ‘abandoned’ trainee, you would not be given such closed door meeting session where they will help you what you need to improve on and how you can pass and etc.

Although they claim they do not discrimate against your color, race, age and etc., it was pretty obvious if you did not have the appearance or what they are looking for, you would not pass no matter how you try. Some of the trainees who passed all of the written tests, who did fairly well on their mock teaching still ended up failing the training and the trainers never had sufficient explanation on why they failed.

If you don’t want to be victimized and waste your whole week feeling nervous and sleep deprived, I suggest you not to even look at CDI as your option. On the flip side, if you feel confident that you are CDI material, go ahead and go through one week of unpaid training and take your chance.

As for my personal suggestion, go with the company where they offer actual employment after the interview and mock teaching on the same day, I wouldn’t go through one week of unpaid training without the promise of employment and not knowing you would be at least treated fairly.

Good luck!

Pros include: competitive pay, airfare covered there if on hourly pay, you select your own vacation dates (in advance), an opportunity to teach “intensives”, which means more experience and money, most teaching materials easily prepped, excellent guidelines of expectations, supportive staff, brilliant students, wonderful location, arrive only 30 minutes before class starts, etc.

The cons include: during “middle school testing”, you may work as few as 12 hours per week for up to four weeks EACH 3 month TERM (that means significantly less money), no furnished apartment, no severance pay, bonuses, or pension, monthly required meetings (unpaid), the contract essentially allows CDI to fire any employee for any reason, etc.

The actual school in Pyeongchon (Anyang) was excellent. I would certainly return. However, I advise you to be careful with recruiters, for mine frequently told me half-truths. Overall, if you enjoy working a decent amount (only 2 holidays off and 7 consecutive vacation days), enjoy a more competitive salary and enjoy teaching, CDI Pyeongchon is wonderful; however, if you are looking for an easier time with more days off, I suggest researching other academies and comparison shop. Thank you.

My biggest problem when working at CDI was the soulless, rigid corporate structure that did its best to control the instructors in every way possible, with fear tactics being par for the course. From the moment you begin training (5 days of unpaid hell), you are made to fear the idea of not passing the training course, which would result in your deportation of Korea. Depending on the mood of the higher ups, threats of probation / termination can be tossed around for simple infractions such as sitting down too much or leaving the room to use the restroom during class time.

That said, CDI beats out most other hagwans in terms of pay and reliability; you always get paid on time, in full. The contract is very clear and specific as to what is expected out of you, and the company stays true to its word for the most part. Read carefully before you sign up, because almost every thing is explained up front, from the shitty vacation policy (7 days unpaid per YEAR), to the lack of health care. Expect to make pretty good money, but don’t expect it to be a walk in the park.