Korean Job Discussion Forums

boatofcar · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Location: Sheffield, UK

I'm currently a teacher in the US with four years experience. I'd like a hagwon job in Seoul starting in August with a salary of at least 2.3 a month. Do you think that's unreasonable given my qualifications?

KWellsDear · Joined: 26 Feb 2007

I would try for more, given your teaching experience. I taught in the U.S. for one year before I came to Korea and got 2.4 + housing allowance.

boatofcar · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Location: Sheffield, UK

Did you teach in Seoul? I was under the (perhaps false) impression that you'd have to go to Incheon or further out to make that kind of dough.

KWellsDear · Joined: 26 Feb 2007

Yes, it was just south of Seoul in Bundang. I liked living there and it's not that far of subway ride. The bus to Seoul only took thirty minutes or so.

Atavistic · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 4:17 pm Post subject:

I went to hogwons after teaching for three years in the States.

Never ever ever again.

I would really suggest you go for a uni or public school position, where people will actually appreciate your qualifications rather than resenting them.

420bro · Joined: 15 Dec 2006

I would view the hagwon as a last resort. Go for a uni job or a public school first. You can make 2.3 in the latter of these two. If nothing works out for you then go for a hagwon (after doing some research on the school of course). I cant think of any reason to make a hagwon your first choice.

boatofcar · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Location: Sheffield, UK

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

If you really want Hagwon hours, you could try Polyschool's evening program (2-9 I think). But they really expect you to work hard. I have known serious teachers that like these schools and there was another teacher from there that posted recently that she likes her job.

Be very very careful with hagwons. I do know 3 or 4 people that have sweet hagwon gigs and like them, but they are the lucky minority and most of them got the jobs in-country and heard about them from friends.

Atavistic · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: dont sell yourself short

KWellsDear · Joined: 26 Feb 2007

I agree with you on the hours but I would advise you to come to Korea and check out your prospective place of employment before you sign a contract. You should talk to the the foreign teachers as well and see if they are happy. Hagwans can be a great place to teach but the majority of them are real crap. The only way to know for sure it to check it out for yourself. Many places it just boils down to how much you are willing to put up with and if you stand up for yourself. Personally, I don't like mine but my husband couldn't be happier with his.