Korean Job Discussion Forums

[danseonsaeng]

Are conditions generally better at public schools or hagwons?

[danseonsaeng]

This may be the first or fortieth time a poll of this nature has been brought to the table. Makes no difference. I didn't use the search function and neither did you, so let's just get on with it.

GO.

[Biblethumper]

The search function never yields any results when I try to use it.

[Otherside]

Having worked in both, I vote public school.

Personally, I feel only people who have done both can vote on which is better.

[yingwenlaoshi]

Done both. Hagwons are better if you find the right one.

[VanIslander]

[Big Mac]

I've also done both. I agree that hogwans can be better if you do your research and choose the right one. I know, however, that there are hogwans out there that make public schools look like a dream.

Public schools have curricula that the kids learn very little from, large classes with lots of unmotivated students, bureaucracy that will at times make you mad, co-teachers that can be difficult to deal with, people around you with a lack of knowledge about how to teach English well and no other foreign teachers around to talk to. In my case you often have to fight to get paid on time or to get your overtime pay. You may have handlers who are incompetent, lack common sense and professionalism. You also have to do a lot of seat warming at times. You can't communicate with most of your co-workers or with the administration or the principal, which can be very frustrating. Because the staff at your school will likely lack any prior experience with foreigners, cultural misunderstandings will be in your face a lot more than they would at a hogwan.

Oh, and don't think you're necessarily going to get all the generous holidays that some people talk about. All they have to give you is 14 days. They'll get you working winter and summer camps during all the vacations (in my case for no extra pay) if they can.

I, however get paid more now than I did in a hogwan (because of the generous rural allowance in my area) and I have lots of opportunies to make extra money with after school classes. I have a better apartment. I also don't work as hard or have as many expectations from parents and business owners who want to make money off me. So it's not all bad.

A lot of the people on this board who say that public schools are so much better have never worked at a good hogwan or have never worked at a hogwan at all.

I definitely would NOT recommend a public school for a newbie because of the isolation and lack of training. Learn the ropes first in a hogwan and you'll be a much better public school teacher in the future, since no one at a public school has a clue how to teach English and won't be able to help you much.

[tophatcat]

I've worked at PS and Hogwons. Hoggies are better.

[danseonsaeng]

Guys,

The question reads, "Are conditions GENERALLY better at public schools or hagwons?" A couple folks have started their posts with the disclaimer, 'If you find a good hagwon...' Truth be told, there aren't a lot of good hagwons out there (hence the disclaimer).

Try to keep that in mind when voting and responding to this post.

[VanIslander]

[danseonsaeng]

[danseonsaeng]

[VanIslander]

[danseonsaeng]

[danseonsaeng]