Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Changed]

I've been working with a (very nice & prompt) recruiter trying to find a public school position in Korea. She said she was lining up an interview with EPIK, but just contacted me to let me know that they only want people w/ documents ready for Gangwon or Gyeongbuk.

But, following that, she says, " I am sure we can find you a great private school position in no time."

Was I wrong in thinking that private school positions are better than EPIK (or public schools)? She makes it sound like getting a private school position will be a walk in the park...

[lifeinkorea]

Well, it means the private schools are more willing to take risks. The public schools do things by the book, which is why they want all the documents upfront.

You are better off getting the documents requested in either situation. Both types of schools come with pros and cons. You have to judge them based on the school, not what kind of school it is.

[bobbybigfoot]

I used to think public gigs were WAY better than private gigs but after reading post after post railing against deadbeat principals, ineffective and hostile co-teachers, forced desk warming, I've rethought my position.

I think public school gigs USED TO BE better but in the past few years hagwons have improved, whereas PS gigs have worsened.

Private gigs pay more, and if you get a decent one, you can work less (total hours AND teaching hours). Vacation time will be less.

The problem with PS gigs is that it's a crapshoot. 95% of the time, you don't know where you are getting placed. You won't know the rules your principal will be enforcing til after you are settled. And it seems to me that more and more principals are following the rules, and the rules, IMO, make the job far less appealing.

(there are threads about principals forcing teachers to take vacation time to do once a month daytime banking; threads about sitting at your desk doing nothing all day long, even when the kids aren't in session; threads about co-teachers throwing NETS under the bus to make themselves look better in the eyes of their superiors; threads about co-teachers who don't assist, sabotage classes, make ridiculous demands; threads about being forced to wear slippers; threads about the nightmares of lesson planning...)

Granted, there are a ton of threads about private jobs too. The bottom line is this: consider all options.