Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Boreal]

While I'm sure that teaching in Korea is the next step in my career, I'd appreciate a bit of advice on particular choices.

I'm going over a number of jobs, and I believe public school would work best for me. However, I know there's ups and downs to both public and hagwon.

I'm not particularly fond of mornings. I know quite well that I'd likely prefer hagwon schedules, although public school isn't unreasonable. 8 am is a bit harsh compared to 9 am, but it's not too bad of a sacrifice...

I'd rather a friend buy me a Big Mac than promise me a steak dinner. Which is to say, I would prefer a modest contract that will be fulfilled, no skirting immigration laws, and payment on time. I gather that more than a few hagwons are bad about that, but I'd be open to any school that isn't actually trying to screw me over.

I want to work, and I want to learn something from this work. I'm not afraid of working hard, but I don't want that to mean giving up all my Saturdays. Is this something I can protect with good contract negotiation, or am I just relying on blind luck? Also, which choice really offers better learning experience as a teacher?

Finally, I dislike smoking very much. I know Korea is far more smoker friendly than the US, something I'll just have to deal with, but do I have to worry about smoke in the workplace? I have a suspicion that teacher's lounges are as smoky as bars...

So, I know it's really a matter of being on my toes and watching out for where I am and what contract I sign. I know there's give and take involved, but I know I need to shoot for as much I want, and accept what I can get. Am I right to consider public school jobs only, or am I passing up on a few good hagwon opportunities?

[Jizzo T. Clown]

What kind of experience have you got? A lot depends on that.

It's likely going to be pretty hard to secure a "good" hogwan job from overseas (well, it'd take a bigger leap of faith than I was willing to make). If you have classroom management skills and some experience teaching (not to mention if you are in your late 20s or older), then public school would be better. Morning hours be damned--you'll adjust.

Working 3-11 means you'll stay out all night and sleep until noon every day, which is a good recipe for depression after a few months.

[xCustomx]

When I worked at a hagwon I would stay up until 2, 3 or 4am and wake up around 10 or 11, sit around in my officetel for a couple of hours and then head off to work. Getting up at 6:30 is hard, but I'm used to it now and on the weekends I 'sleep in' until 8 or 8:30. I've become more productive, have more time in the evenings to meet friends, study korean, exercise, etc. There are downsides to a public school however, and I would recommend reading crazylemongirl's post comparing hagwons and public schools

[Gamecock]

Smoking is common here...but I've not experienced it at schools. At all the hogwans and the public schools I've worked at the smokers went outside or on the roof to puff. I've never seen a smoke-filled teacher's lounge...but then I know of only 1 older teacher at either of my public schools who smokes at all. I don't think you'll have to worry about this in the workplace. Everywhere else in public...yes.