Korean Job Discussion Forums

[qwerty123]

I'm interested in possible teaching in Korea and did apply to the SMOE program and am about half way through process. As I've continued to do more research on my own, I'm wondering if a hagwan might be better?

I'm open to teaching high school level students in the public school but wonder if there are a lot of discipline problems compared with a hagwan in which people are paying to be there and might therefore be more motivated? Ideally I like the idea of teaching adults but have heard that the downside to hagwans is finding one that's reputable.

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated!

[yingwenlaoshi]

Both suck.

[cruisemonkey]

[T-J]

[ducati]

[Totti]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

This thread has come up a number of times. Basically some teachers are better suited to one and some to the other. However, your chances of being screwed over at a hagwon are much higher. On the other hand, your chances of not fitting in at a PS where you're the only teacher are higher, especially if you're new to Korea.

[Straphanger]

Before all the high-handed PS teachers get on here, read the rest of the posts about all the PS teachers getting quarantines, screwed out of vacation, not getting paid, various and sundry. It's a mixed bag. Vet your own job.

[cruisemonkey]

[D.D.]

I thought I would never say this but a good hogwan might trump a public school. New contracts are limiting vacation in public schools, plus a million other things recently written on here about public schools show why they are not so great. Depends on many factors and each place is different.

[Ruraljuror]

[bundangbabo]

I'm now looking at a decent hagwon around Seoul - a good PS is golden but there are plenty of bad public schools where you can be posted and I don't fancy starring in my own 'lost in translation' drama for a second year in a row.

Enforced deskwarming, childish behaviour from the teaching staff who made it plain you were not welcome and all kinds of other crapulence that I have no desire of repeating. A decent sized hagwon with a few native speakers would be ideal.

[qwerty123]

Thanks all for the replies. Sounds like a bit of a crap shoot. I'm just waiting now to hear if I'm accepted though I'm also starting to look into hagwans.

The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards wanting to just teach adults. I figure less discipline if I can find a hagwan that specializes in business english?

Anyway, reading through all these posts makes me think that whatever route I take will certainly have its ups and downs (hopefully more ups).

One thing that bothered me about my recruiter when I asked about the co-op situation that people have complained about in another thread is that they told me I had no choice in where I lived and wouldn't even find out what my living arrangements would be until orientation. I was hoping at least to get a description of the place (studio, a/c, etc.).

[DeLaRed]

[quote="Ruraljuror"]

[byrddogs]

This does not reflect everyone's experience, but I will share this:

Old hakwon contract:
Salary: 2.3 million (no chance for overtime) Payment was usually on time, but screwed around with on everything from taxes to pension.
Working hours: MWF 9:30-6:40 (11 classes a day teaching), TTH 9:30-4:40 (8 classes a day teaching). Classes are never cancelled.
Let�s not mention all of the extra-curricular activities that require additional hours at no extra pay (monthly reporting for each student, dramas, art shows, etc�.) There are no free planning periods to lesson plan or do anything else that is required of you.
Vacation: 2 weeks at the school�s discretion (where some of those days must be made up on Saturdays)
Holidays: Your standard red days and nothing additional

New PS contract:
Salary: 2.4 million 1st year, 2.5 2nd year (multiple opportunities to increase this through after school programs or lecturing for the POE). No worries with anything involving pay.
Working hours: M-F 8:20-4:20 (4 classes a day teaching) Many times classes get cancelled equaling less teaching hours.
There are many free periods during the day to do all of your lesson planning and whatever else.
Vacation: 21 working days per the contract with more flexibility as to when it can be taken. The principal also has the ability to give you additional �home-study� days during break periods that allows you to not have to come to school.
Holidays: Your standard red days plus so many other school function days that give you the day off from teaching.

Good luck making your decision!