Korean Job Discussion Forums

katsu · Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Location: here and there

hiya all,

i'm looking into coming to Korea, and just have some general questions regarding teaching.

how many of you prefer working in public schools, and how many of you like teaching in private schools?

what are the pros and cons of both (aside from 30+ students in public schools vs. 10 or less in private, morning hours vs evening shifts, longer holidays vs 10 days or so...). What are some of the other things that you have noticed that made you wish you were teaching in the other system?

thanks Laughing

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

katsu · Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Location: here and there

guilty as charged!? no, I don't think so...hmm...

well obviously I did not read through all the posts...but i did go through many of them, including some of the sticky's and FAQ's. And as I mentioned, I did find bits and pieces here and there, but I haven't really found exactly what I was looking for, and hence my questions. Most of the answers I've been finding regarding both type of schools seen quite negative.

What I was hoping to get at here was some short 2 line answers, ie. "i worked at both, but i would recommend _______", or "i work at a public school and I love it, and wouldn't trade my job to work in a hagwon", etc.,

I was aiming to get some statistical analysis, in term of yes's and no's for both of these institutions...(which of course would be very much appreciated)

Smile

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Good luck with your statistical gathering...

butlerian · Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: Korea

luvnpeas · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:03 pm Post subject:

gsxr750r · Joined: 29 Jan 2007

Private elementary, middle, and high schools differ greatly, depending on the princpal. A Korean friend told me that in a private school situation, the principal is king. That couldn't be more accurate.

If you have a sucky principal, the school sucks to work for.

Most private schools are very conservative, and run by stodgy old farts who run it like the army. This may or may not be how the treat you. In my experience, the Korean teachers are certainly treated this way.

There is nepotism in the private school sector. Blatant nepotism. At my former high school, the founder and his wife were chairman and principal, and their children took over as chairman, principal, and vice-principal. Family was also involved in the business office. President Noh has been fighting to change this, but I don't know if it's taken effect yet.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

First, hagwons are NOT private schools. Private schools are similar to a public school, but the principals and teachers are appointed/hired by the school's board. Where in public schools it's all done by the education office. Teachers in private school are hired on contract. While Korean teachers in public schools are hired permanently (if they are certified/passed the teachers test). You will have some uncertified teachers that are hired on contract in the public schools.

As a foreigner, you probably won't notice the politics that are involved in private middle and high schools. The atmosphere in the teacher's office of private schools is usually more lively than in public schools. In public schools, many teachers are rotated in and out to other schools. So, your English co-teacher you have one semester may be replaced the next semester.

Bramble · Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Location: National treasures need homes

I think the OP was referring to hagwons when he or she asked about "private schools." That's how a lot of the ads on the job boards refer to them. (Of course I realize the ads are misleading.)

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

I'd say it largely depends on how long you want to stay in Korea. If you want to stay here for over a year, I'd suggest trying to get a six-month hagwon (private academy) gig. Then you can try to stay if it's a decent hagwon or move on to a public school after you've learned the ropes and are better prepared for large class sizes.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Yu Bum Suk, I don't doubt it, I'm just curious how they did it. I suppose getting a boss to agree to it then just leaving the country after 6 months is one way.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

gsxr750r · Joined: 29 Jan 2007

I had a 6-month visa once, but it was because immigration decided to "punish" me for being busted at the previous school. They were so proud that they wouldn't offer me a 1 year visa. The little twirp, who had soju-red eyes and face, even folded his arms and shouted, "you teach illegally -- six month visa!" Little did they know, it was the best thing that could have happened to me.

Every cloud has a silver lining. I was pissed at the time, but that 6 month contract meant that I landed right in the midst of my high school gig for my next contract. Immigration's "punishment" turned out to be a huge favor.

Suckers.