Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bgleason01]

Hello Everyone,

I am from MN and I am very interested in teaching in Korea, however, there seems like a million choices out there for schools and I was just wondering if anyone could give me a little feedback on great schools/locations and maybe where to try and avoid. Thanks for all your help

[andrewchon]

It's a challenge to answer a question like that when jobs are so hard to find, but let's start with some massive generalizations:

All jobs are lotteries: one can have a good time at a school while another can have hell at same school.

Hagwons are private academies who over work you and under pay you.

Public schools are government schools who makes you entertain children and pay you on time.

Seoul is not the Big Apple many think it is.

Big chain hagwons: each branch is different so just because one has a bad rep doesn't mean another is also bad. (in Korea, system don't matter, people matter)

Rural PS: No friendly natives to welcome you into their tribe. Expect to be lonely.

Universities: Nice if you can get it.

Gangnam: Park Ave/Beverly Hills. massive ego with expectations on teacher to match.

Poly/Voca High school: choose your teacher movie, how about "To Sir with Love"? No "Goodbye Mr Chips" here.

In between hiring season at the moment, so jobs are scarce. Jobs that are available are jobs that were rejected.

So, a question to you: are you looking to teach or get a job in Korea?

[bgleason01]

Thanks for the input! I am looking to teach.

[andrewchon]

Again, massive generalization:
There are two types in Korea;
1. one who is looking for a teaching opportunity because he either can't or don't want to do it in home country
2. one who is looking for life-style opportunity because he doesn't have a life in home country e.g. unemployed and living in mum's basement

If you're in category 1:
if you like seeing results everyday and making smart students smarter, go to a big chain hagwon.
if you're into educational theories and experimenting with teaching methods, go to small hagwon or public school.

If you're in category 2: take any job in Seoul or Busan

[Cohiba]

Remember "Cohiba's Rule" (Now better than ever!):

Think twice before you live outside of Seoul. "In Seoul" and
"outside of Seoul" are like two different countries. Seoul
is an interesting place with variety and venues for most
tastes. Outside of Seoul you will find a homogeneous Korean
culture. I don't mean this in a bad way, but you will never
find things like: French, Greek, Indian or any other ethnic
foods. Markets that sell sherry, pate, pastrami, ricotta cheese.
Specialty shops that sell Cuban cigars, European pies, cold
cuts or rye breads. Just to name a few things. Also clubs such
as photography, drama, public speaking, sailing are 99% in
the capital city. If you want to experiment with a very Korean
culture, which unfortunately means "closed", then choose the
countryside. If you want to make money and have the lifestyle
choices similar to a western country, then there is no other
choice than Seoul.

The FFF RULE: FFF=Fun For Foreigners.

If FFF in Seoul = 100, then FFF decreases at
1/distance. So 2km from Seoul FFF=1/2(100)=50;
10km from Seoul FFF=1/10(100)=10. This rule is
a rule for nightlife, food and foreign products only.
Nature etc. is on a different scale altogether.

This means you will be wasting a lot of time commuting
to Seoul. This is especially a drag if you have been
boozing on a Friday night and there are no buses or
trains.

I, unfortunately, live near Seoul where the FFF factor
is almost in the negative range. I know!

[Cartman]

Broken down by a mathematical formula... lol. I agree though - There is no shortage of anything 'fun' in Seoul... Anything you need... bars, clubs, musical instruments, clothing... tons of selection of everything.....