Chungdahm Learning (CDI) April – Cheongdam: Samseong-dong, Seoul

I came across a job for SK Telecom with CDI. Never worked with CDI before (but like SK T students), but heard many negative reviews elsewhere, I decided to investigate on my own. I knew full well that the only reason they got the contract was because they have a school in Vancouver to house the SK employees (for 3 weeks after 4 week Icheon program). Of course, this means that it is a pilot program for them with all the inherent joys.

Regardless, I went through the process for the position, and was offered the job. It was a complete scam. CDI plays ridiculous games delaying contract signing, requesting unpaid 6-8 hour training sessions, changing schedules and agreements (8-10 HOURS OF TEACHING A DAY WITH SAME STUDENTS AND WEEKEND WORK), and demanding outrageous lessons to be taught (they even wanted me to share a room WITH A STUDENT). The night before going to Icheon to start work, they demanded a demo lesson (which was supposed to be conducted in the interview). The Korean American manager (Micheal Kim) provided probably the worst curriculum I have ever witnessed in my 14 years of teaching, and told me to demo the material without my supplemental material. He was so rude, condescending, arrogrant, and belittling that I literally walked out of the demo. Keep in mind, we were actually leaving to Icheon to teach the next morning! Contracts had been sent by email (after many requests by me for numerous revis! ions) and “stamped”, but was not to be signed until my “demo” before we left.