There are two branches in Daejeon run by the same management (Dunsan-dong and Noeun-dong). Both of these schools have TOXIC work environments and were utterly miserable to work at. The problems here are mainly due to the management. DO NOT be fooled by the fact that they have western managers. This school used to be good and treat people well so they may have some previous teachers from years back vouch for them. However, since the business has declined dramatically, things have drastically changed. They’re very condescending, patronizing, extremely out of touch, and treat teachers like they’re ungrateful people who “don’t want to work”. I’ve had coworkers belittled and yelled at by the faculty manager, there were several claims of misogyny, and they hold grudges over every little mistake made. You’ll be micromanaged into oblivion by the western management. I’ve taught in other schools in Korea and never have I been so miserable at an academy. The management preys on the newer teachers as well by slandering other schools and scaring them into thinking other schools are worse. Ironically, the head manager has never worked for another school in his career and has no idea what he’s talking about. Having worked across several schools in Korea in various cities, I assure you, CDI / Chungdahm Daejeon is the worst I’ve worked at. They made me absolutely hate being a teacher.

This leads into my next point. The standards at the school have gotten so low that there’s zero accountability and students are very poorly managed. You’ll be disrespected left and right by students while faculty and management get upset with you for even trying to instill any discipline or not allowing students to disrespect you. You’re a glorified babysitter here. Parents control everything that happens here and students are far below the levels of the material you’re required to teach. Your input is irrelevant and they never take your advice or input seriously.

The school’s curriculum relies on good technology that is broken and outdated, making class impossible to teach and prepare effectively. As they use tablets and smartboards, you need reliable wi-fi, styluses, etc. to work. However, you might have to teach a class designed for a smartboard without a smartboard. Computers are extremely old and slow, wifi shuts off often, and the schools are doing so poorly they have no money to fix or replace things. Students never have tablets charged nor chargers, they don’t have styluses they need, and the school won’t do anything about it. The classrooms are filthy as well and I got respiratory infections twice over my year here.

As the management micromanages you watching your CCTV footage looking for any little mistake, you’re held to a high standard without the necessary tools or students that can do the material. You’re set up to fail. The management also tells people (myself included) that they want their best teachers working as much as possible. As such, there’s zero incentive to work hard. Being a good employee just means you’re more under the microscope and working extra classes for free. They also have summer and winter classes that are utterly miserable to teach. Kids are all over the map and not matched for the level, you’ll teach all day long, and never make a penny extra due to their extortion-like overtime scheme. One teacher had a herniated disk injury during their summer classes and they never gave him a break and insisted he teach regardless. It doesn’t matter how sick or injured you are, they expect you teaching at 100% and never to complain.

The management likes to claim that the school is good because they pay on time (that’s not a benefit, but the bare minimum of a job), but this isn’t even true at times. If there’s a holiday, you’re paid AFTER the holiday if payday lands on it. On one major holiday (Chuseok), it was a week long and teachers only got half of their salary on time. The rest was paid a week later. Completely absurd. They also just don’t follow the contract like they claim they’re so good about. The contract says to be there 20 minutes before class but they got upset when people weren’t coming in an hour before so they changed it. They’ll make you teach classes for things you were never trained in nor reflected in the contract, and they also have a manipulative flight policy they send people after they arrive saying you only get the AVERAGE cost of a flight (not the 1 million that your contract reflects).

I could go on and on about why no one should ever accept a contract with these schools but this is already very long. Just heed my advice and don’t get s*c*ered in. The management is very nice to potential teachers or those they’re trying to re-sign, but once you’re locked in or tell them you’re leaving, they’ll treat you poorly.







There are two locations: one near City Hall in Dunsan-dong. The other is in Noeun-dong.

Former teacher

Chungdahm has also been sued repeatedly for violating contract and labor law. 
Heck, I'm willing to bet, by the way that the previous review was written here, that it's basically  a CD Sockpuppet all of it's own.

I have work for Chungdahm April for over two years, and am into my third contract. I have stayed with Chungdahm for so long, because simply put; they are a good company to work for. 

If you heard that you aren't offered housing, pension, and health insurance these are true depending on your contract type. Chungdahm does offer key money for those in hourly contracts. Also health insurance is available for all. If you need assistance in setting this up simply speak with a representative at your school. Hourly contracts typically pay more than other salary contracts offered by other schools. This helps offset the cost for housing, and insurance needs. Hourly is nice, because you get paid for what you work. For those in salary contracts you have more options with regards to your benefits. Review your contract terms carefully, and if you have any questions or concerns regarding these things within or not within your contract you can specifically discuss those things with a Chungdahm recruiter before accepting a position. Of course, with any other teaching position there is the required grading and report card comments to be done as well. 

Coming from teaching in the states where I spent countless hours and my own money buying and preparing for lessons, Chungdahm has given me and will give all teachers the luxury of not having to plan and implement your own lessons. All materials are provided for you, as well as state of the art technology. Spending less time planning and coming up with your own resources enables you to focus on your delivery. This is the fun part, you have no stress over prepping your lesson materials; you can put your energy into making the lessons engaging and motivating for students. 

There is a one week unpaid training course prior to teaching,  your contract is not guaranteed until you successfully pass training. This gives the company the ability to fully prepare you for being an effective Chungdahm teacher. It also allows the company to hire qualified instructors. Although the week is unpaid, it is well worth the extra work to be able to know what your expectations are as an instructor for the company, and be able to walk in on your first day confident and fully prepared. This training period lasts five days. You are at the company training center for only three hours a day, and have the ability to watch resource videos throughout the week at your convenience. The trainers at the center are very encouraging and helpful in anyway that they can be or you need them to be. 

Chungdahm also offers continuous training opportunities throughout your time of employment. These training opportunities allow you to become more familiar, and confident with program updates. You also have the opportunity to be professionally certified in different programs. 

Chungdahm also gives you opportunities to grow within the company as well, if you may become interested in other departments. This is a great way to get more experience and to strength your resume for the future. 

All in all, Chungdahm is a great company to work for and I have been lucky enough to call them my employer for over two years. I have never had any bad experiences. I have always gotten paid on time, have seen my wage increase, and have been provided with opportunities that have made me grow as a person and as a professional. I would highly recommend working for this company for anyone who may be interested. 

The Korea Times article from 2011 worth a look, I have heard they still do not pay and not a good school to work for. 

Chungdam, Native English teachers in dispute