Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pkang0202]

I got a friend who is fluent in English and Korean. The problem is she majored in Acting/Theater in University and is having a hard time finding a job. I figure should would be perfect as an English teacher at a hagwon. Being a Korean, how does she go about getting the job?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

By getting hired. She may not be legal, but if no one but the director knows she doesn't have a degree in English it doesn't matter. She may even be able to get a legal job teaching 'English drama' even if most of what she teaches isn't really drama. Her biggest problem may be that the owners think they can pay her less if her degree isn't in English.

I've known of several Koreans who've taught English to my middle schoolers at hagwons in my town who didn't finish their degrees. I don't know how big a secret it's supposed to be, but I did find out through other friends I have who work at hagwons in my town that they got paid less because of it (even though the parents still got charged the standard rate). One of them, who's still teaching without a degree, makes 1.5 / month for full-time (very full-time) work, despite having several years' teaching experience and having a reputation for being a very good teacher - by Korean standards, whatever that's worth.

[Gamecock]

Yeah, not having an English degree is no biggie in the hogwan world if her spoken English is pretty good. Most of the Korean hogwan teachers I worked with had random degrees, as well as a bunch of illegal university students. She just needs to start applying. Note, however, that Korean hogwan teachers generally make little money, work harder than, and are abused far more than their native-speaking coworkers.

[Thiuda]

My wife has worked as an institute teacher for several years. When looking for a position she calls on the various institutes around Wonju and asks if they need a teacher. She's usually able to secure a job pretty quickly, and is paid between 1.7 and 2 million a month. She has a degree in Chinese lit.

If your friend is very fluent you might suggest to her that she start a private study room in her apt. A close friend of my wife makes about 3 million a month teaching four hours a day.

Best of luck.

[MarionG]

With one notable exception, the 8 Korean English teachers I've taught with at hogwon (pretty high turnover, wouldn't you say? I've only been here 9 months) spoke no English...some had degrees, some didn't, and I have no idea if the degreed ones had their degree in English.

[PGF]

[lucas_p]

I knew a young Korean woman who didn't even attend university that was working at a hogwan....

Seems like one should just keep on trying to hit the different places.

[pkang0202]

I guess the best way would be to cold call a bunch of Hagwons. If anyone knows of any openings in their school in Seoul, please send me a PM.

I really want to help my friend out. She's depressed because its so hard to find a job.

[some waygug-in]

Why a hagwan? She would be far better off to set up her own study room and or ....wink wink, nudge nudge.... teach privates.

Hagwans pay their Korean staff so poorly, I wonder why anyone works for them.

[jangsalgida]

By waiting and watching your(she/her) Government Discriminate against regular white Folks(E-2 visa rules).

[JLE]

[pkang0202]