Korean Job Discussion Forums

[peachlily]

Hi all,

Could someone please tell me what are the pros and cons of working at a public school or going thru something that leads there like EPIK, GEPIK, ETIS/SMOE, etc.

pros and cons of hagwans?

if there is already a post on this i'm really sorry, I tried to type in "public" and "hagwan" on the search for this site, and it didn't work.

I'm kinda miffed that only 1 recruiter got back to me so far. I really do NOT want to be screwed once i land in Korea.
Maybe it's cuz I'm Korean-American? The thing is. I've never even been to Korea (I hate when people hear that i want to teach in korea, and i get, "oh, you're going back to the motherland?" hell, i haven't even beeeen.)
Anyway, I'm still waiting for a good job to pop out at me while I continue digging around on the internet.

[xCustomx]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=20655

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=5641

[peachlily]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Great info and questions to ask.


but somehow it makes me even more concerned.

[Otherside]

Try this link too for a more recent discussion on the issue (alot of the stuff in the FAQ is valid, but also some of it is upwards of 4 years old.)
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=119120&highlight=

[DongtanTony]

Peachlily,

You sound very familiar

I said you could use me as a resource anytime...and that I'd also pass on your info to a local friend of mine...the actual recruiter...shes' also Korean/American!!

But...here's my take on the public vs. hagwon debate.

Class size--hagwons you'll have class sizes of approximately 10 students on average...give or take. Public schools typically range in the 20 to 45 area.

Ability levels--hagwons, in general, try to group similar ability levels. Public school classes will have all abilities, all ranges, in one class.

The good ones are great, the bad ones are nightmares--This applies to both hagwons and public schools.

Working hours---are you a morning person, or more of a night person? Public schools will often mimic the working hours of a typical 9-5 job back home. Elementary hagwons without kindergarten programs are typically early afternoon to late evening hours...sometimes creeping into the night.

Payment--public schools win out for the timeliness and accuracy of payments. You'll always be paid on time....some of the nightmarish hagwons...who knows what will happen. The public schools will make proper deductions...the nightmarish hagwons...who knows what will happen. Again, the good ones are great, the bad ones are nightmares.

Co-teachers or co-workers--I personally like hagwon structure in this respect. I don't want a co-teacher...or multiple co-teachers...not carrying their own weight. Plus, when I did work in a public school, albeit briefly...I found myself re-teaching, not reviewing, more than I preferred. Give me my classes...let me run wild.

Then again...these are only my opinions



But....if you'd still like me to forward your materials...I'll gladly put you in the hands of someone I trust...that's hard to come by here. You have my email...let me know!!!

Good Luck!!

[peachlily]

AAAhhhh I'm still under the 25 post min before I can PM you!
who are you!!!?? Tell me, Tell me, T-t-t-t-tttelll me. * compliments of Wonder
girls more hints!!

Yea after hearing about GEPIK, and then flipping to Article 17, and seeing the pay 300,000 won each month for 3months. I say Heeeelll no.

who are yoU?

[DongtanTony]

I thought you might be someone that I replied to saying that I didn't have any vacancies at the moment.

New York location, Korean/American woman...I just assumed you were a Ms. Lee that I emailed just yesterday??!! Are you SUNYA and Chubb Institute??

If not...I'm sorry for my assumption.

I'll PM you with my email anyhow...if you'd like some additional help, I can direct you to a Korean/American recruiter friend of mine.

[Ukon]