Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pullmydaisy]

I'm planning on coming back to Korea for a second year. I don't want to work at a hagwon again. I'm looking into a private elementary school, but I'm wondering if it would mirror a hagwon in terms of spoiled, poorly behaved children, uptight parents, zero consideration toward foreign teacher input and a mess of an administration. I know each case is different, but does anyone have any insight to share on what their experiences have been at a private elementary school and can make any comparisons, if able?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Everyone I know who's worked at one says it's the best possible place to work if you like teaching little kids.

[stuck]

I work for a private elementary school and it is a great place to teach. Always paid on time (and paid well), the kids are well behaved and happy. Little interaction with parents and best of all, long vacations and random days off each month.

[Draz]

[kimuchiii]

How does one go about finding a private elem. job? I don't think I have seen any listed here so far just public schools...

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[ihaveseoul2]

Most private elementary schools are affiliated with universities...

I miss my private elementary school job.. had to pass it up because I was only looking for a 6 month contract and they refused to give me less than a year.

12 weeks of scheduled holidays (turned out to be more like 16 with all the field-trips, exams, special days) that were all paid. The wage was more than I was making at the hagwon before AND after....

There are no rules with the private elementary schools but the fact that they have money (tuition is HIGH because the reputations are high) usually you get some nice perks. I had no co-teacher... my own classroom... and was able to do essentially whatever I felt was necessary to help my kids.

Just gotta deal with spoiled little rich-kids.. and that was the biggest downside.

[moosehead]

it all depends on who's in charge of the E program - I've worked at 2 - overall the students are better behaved, vaca is good, but sometimes when things are going smoothly someone will find a need to jump in there and screw it up - for why, who knows, TIK -

but yes, I think overall in K they probably are the best of the lot in choices of where to teach

as to finding one, they usually advertise on their own.

you might try googling around for private elementary, english, seoul (or whatever city)

[Ruraljuror]

I can confirm that private elementary schools are awesome. I don't want to publicly list all of the reasons why they rule, as I quite like that they are kind of a secret that not too many people know about. Suffice it to say I prefer my job to 99% of university jobs.

As for getting hired, you need to know the right people/right recruiters. One thing I will say, is that you need to have pretty substantial qualifications. At the first private elementary I interviewed at, everyone was a certified teacher with 5 years ESL experience, and many had Masters degrees as well. Needlessly to say, I did not get that job.

I've since landed at another one, and I can state without a doubt it's the best job I've ever had. So good luck.