Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kristymevans]

My husband and I are really interested in going to Korea to teach English. I feel like I've been spending hours and hours researching hagwons and what to ask of your employers, etc, but I still feel as if I don't know what I'm doing. We had plans to travel around Australia for the next year but they've fallen through, so we are actually available to go to Korea anytime. Can someone tell me how long the process usually take once you've found a job that you're interested in to get visas, etc? Is it a good idea to accept a job in the middle of a term, or could this just mean that the working conditions aren't good because other teachers have left? Is it possible to get hired at schools where we can work together?
We've been thinking that we'll both apply for jobs, and just move even if only one of us gets an offer. Once we've arrived and my husband or I goes out to try and find a job, would there be any way to get that airfare reimbursed as well?
I've heard so many great things about living and teaching in Korea, but just like anything, I've also heard a lot of negative. I'm really wary about accepting a job offer from a dishonest hagwon but I have no idea how to tell if I can trust them or not. Are there any good companies that other people use that are always looking for new employees that we could just contact?
Anyway thanks to anyone who can offer an answer to even one of my questions. Hopefully I can get everything sorted out and come teach in Korea soon!

[Kikomom]

First you have to decide if you want to get into the public school system (EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, etc.), or go with a private school--mostly referred to as hagwons. Or split the difference but one of you will be teaching days and the other evenings.

Dave's job boards often have hagwon jobs advertised for couples year round. Check those out. http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/

[andrewchon]

Do either of you have teaching experience?
Do either of you have TESOL certificate?

Couples are doable, but prepare to accept working apart.

Public schools do pay on time. Most hagwons do pay you more or less on time. There is no sure way of knowing in advance which is a good hagwon or bad. (unless they are blackballed by unhappy former employees) You have to take some chances.
Once you have contracts signed, visa process happens quickly enough for you to start on time.
Don't tell the interviewer about the trip that didn't happen. Makes you sound flighty.

[ddeubel]

Here's an interview I did that covers however briefly, many of the questions you raised.

Yes, couples are hired in some cases or if in a school board, they often try to get you working in the same district at least.

Many people complain about the visa system and all the hoops you have to jump through. I've worked in a number of countries and would say that Korea is the easiest by far. Yes, it is a pain but this is a reality working in any foreign country. (and I'm just commenting on the process not the actual conditions of the visa).

The key for me is your expectations. I advise first timers to really have low expectations. Just to get a comfortable / secure job and that's that. It is those other expectations that can ruin an experience and really get people started off on the wrong foot.

Cheers,

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

[kristymevans]

Thank you everyone for your advice! I think because we obviously aren't familiar with the area, we might be best off to have only one of us accept a position and then the other person would just search around once we arrived.
I don't honestly have any expectations of Korea other then to experience a new culture that's vastly different from my own and hopefully be learn some of the language in the process.
I've been looking at the provinces around Seoul to live because I don't think I want to right down in the middle of the busiest areas, but has anyone ever visited Busan? I kind of like the sound of living there and there seems to be a lot of jobs available.

[Zaria32]

The problem with the plan of having one of you look after you've arrived is that your visa interview requires that you be outside of Korea ... there
may be exceptions to this but if there are, I don't know what they are.

It means that you might have to go back to your country of origin to have a visa interview---worst case. Best case would be that you have to go to Japan or somewhere else outside of Korea for getting your visa once you have lined up a job.

And don't even think of working one day until you have your E-2 visa...you may bet pitched out of the country and not allowed back in for some time.

[dalem]

I personally think that having both of you together and working as a team makes you a more valuable commodity. Jobs like hiring stable workers. The fact that you are coming together as a married couple strengthens the fact taht you are here to work, not just to booze it up and do sordid things with the locals. It also makes it less likely that you'll pull a midnight runner, and that you'll have each other to lean on for support.

My boyfriend and I were able to find a hagwon to work at together, and that worked out well for us. After us, my boss seemed to be actively hiring couples, as she did it a number of times after. Hogwans have such a high turnover rate that it is common for there to be two open positions to fill, especially if yuou are trying to start at the beginning of the semester (which won't be till next february).

[kiwiinkorea]

I suggest you apply as a couple too. Have a look around and see if you can find a recruiter who is used to placing couples.

In our town there are four couples - one works at a hagwon (the same one) and the others work for the public schools. They are all in different schools but share an apartment and the schools are all nearby. Maybe they prefer couples because it is a pretty small town with not lots of nightlife. I do know that one of the co-teachers said that they prefer couples as they have to worry less about you being bored outside school.

[Janny]

I also think that alot of schools like to hire couples. The reasons above are true (social), but also because they can save money by putting two of their teachers in one room (apartment). They don't have to pay rent on one room for a full year, assuming it all works out and you both stay on.

Find a school / chain to work for, apply as a couple. Then demand a bigger apartment, since you know they are saving money by hiring a pair. It is REALLY hard to live in a standard officetel (one-room, SMALL) together.

I would recommend POLY or Avalon, or some other chain that's been in operation for a few years and has lots of locations around Seoul / the country. That's really the best indication of "reputation" and will reduce the chances of getting screwed.

Hagwons offer the best money. I've been hearing mostly bad stories about SMOE.

In a hakwon, you don't have to deal with a Korean co-teacher in the classroom with you. You may not realize it now, but this one factor if RIFE with problems on several levels.

Avoid "new" schools or single-location schools.
Avoid split shifts, it will drain your life away.
Avoid any school that won't give you contact information of other teachers which BOTH work there now and in the past.

I work at POLY, it's been good for the most part.
Don't agree to less than 2.2, unless you're seriously unqualified / inexperienced.
Often, saying "no" and asking for more works out in your favor. They will try to lowball you at any opportunity.

If you're bored easily, avoid schools in the boonies. I wouldn't dream of working outside of Seoul. Not that Im a social butterfly or anything, but here in Seoul you can find the things you need to keep you sane during those periods of "get me the F outta here". Those periods will come.

Good luck.

[DAC]

I'm sure you'll have a great time here in Korea, I've been here 9 years and still enjoy it. Yes, there are annoyances, and at times, maddening things, but that happens back home too.

You have a couple of disadvantages when it comes to looking for work/working here:

1) it will be very difficult to know who is honest and who isn't, as you don't know the culture, you don't know what is legal and what's not, and, I assume, can't speak the language. But then, most of us don't

2) If you take a job for one spouse, and then expect to find another job once here, you may need to, as one poster pointed out, have to leave the country to get your visa. I've never had to "interview" for my visa (was on 3 or 4 separate E2 visas over 6 years), but I've had to be in my home country to get it. You may be able to go to Japan to do that, but you should double check with the Korean consulate in your country before you leave.

And now for the advantages!

1) employers will like it, because they get 2 teachers for one apartment, especially because you're married, as you're less likely to break up and cause headaches for the school

2) you've got each other to bounce stuff off of when dealing with craziness in a new culture.

3) and all the rest you know...emotional support, double income, shared bills...

Good luck and have fun.

[cincynate]

Do not come over here unless you both have a job (unless one of you plans not to work). If an employer tells you otherwise, it is highly illeagle to work without an e-2 visa, and you can't get one until you have a contract in hand. Most (aside from the public schools) won't give you a reimbursement unless you are not in the country. So if you come over and one has to find a job, you will have to get airfare to Japan and back to get your visa, and you may have to go back to your home country.
Remember- when you're looking at hagwons, don't let the horror stories scare you. There are some bad ones, but you rarely here people logging on to praise their hagwon. There are thousands of them, and you only hear about the few bad apples. Public schools are ok, but you have a co-teacher, and don't get paid as much, but they always pay on time.
Busan is good... I would definatly try to go for Seoul, but Busan is a big city.
Good luck!

[bcraig]

Do those of you who have had positive teaching experiences at Hagwons have any recommendations for which schools are most reputable? I'm looking for specific franchises and locations, and would be so so so greatly appreciative of any suggestions you can give. Thanks!

[byrddogs]

there are 2 sides to hiring couples. the positive side has been well documented here already. the negative side for schools is that if one or both are unhappy, they lose 2 teachers.