Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mfh]

Wel, I've been reading posts on this board for quite some time and am wondering if it is possible to set one self up with a hogwon that won't cheat you, turn off your hot water and skim pay your pay. I am interested in teaching for 1 to 2 years and am prepared to take the bad with the good and understand I wil be in a totally different culture mind set etc. Basically my motivation is to be able to save money and experience a new culture. Once I land I will have about US 3K in savings and am weighing the differences between Japan and Korea based on my criteria.

[Juggertha]

i would advise you to read some of the FAQs around.

There are good boss's out there.. i've got one.

[buddy bradley]

The better the boss, the worse the students are. There is no win-win situation in this place. It's a never-ending struggle of anguish, turmoil and food poisoning episodes.

[Ella Bella]

I've been lucky and in 4 jobs 3 have been great bosses. It is luck of the draw to some extent. Make sure you talk to other teachers at the school and ask questions they can answer yes and no to because the bosses often listen in. Hope that helps.

[rapier]

I'm a likeable person, and all my bosses have liked me so far- and thus have given me minimal hassles compared to other waeguks.. Of course I've made my stand when necessary, but i know what to make a big fuss about and what not to bother with. You have to know what battles are worth fighting and what are winnable, and how to wage them in a Korean style way.
Yes, a lot of bosses are scum, but similarly you should also be aware of the impression you give out- it can make a huge difference to their treatment of you.

[jaderedux]

My hogwan experience was great and it was a Kid's Herald go figure. Excellent working conditions. Great BOSS!

Jade

[kangnamdragon]

I belive there are many reasonable employers. I personally believe schools which are owned my corporations may provide one because the manager does not have to worry about paying the bills and can concentrate on the teachers and students. Also, the corporation can take an economic hit when times are tough.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

You'll see the worst on here because people really come on Daves and say "Hey I had a great day at work today and my boss didn't rip me off in any way". So don't be thinking it's all like that. Take the bad stories as a warning of what can happen, and take the time to research your job well. Talk to other workers at the school. Yes, there are good jobs out there.

[pet lover]

hohum

[katydid]

I had a pretty good boss in Mokpo and would recommend his hagwan to anyone wanting to work in Jeollanamdo, *but* I think it closed this year. Anyways, my first year was really good, but I have to say I lucked out with my employer as I did no research. (Wet behind the ears, what can I say.)
You can find a good hagwan here. I think the key is to try to avoid the recruiters (hard to do if you're applying from overseas) and use this board as a resource and ask a lot of questions of everyone you can.

[shawner88]

[sadsac]

Except for the last couple of weeks at the hagwon my wife and I spent 3 years at, it was great. New job, really good, great area and time out to relax and enjoy the scenery. Talk to the people who have worked or are working at the institute. Ask as many questions as you want. Use your common sense and understand, " This isn't Kansas anymore, Dorothy."
All the best.

[Tony Danza's Houseguest]

My boss is excellent. She gets materials whenever we need them. She makes sure I'm comfortable. She is also a teacher at the school, and a hardass with the the students, so they behave rather well (except for the thirteen year olds, who are the devil half the time and excellent the other half). When it got cold she bought space heaters for every classroom. When we found that it was too cold in the Korean teacher and my shared office, she said we should come into her office, since she had more heat. She clues me in on everything that's going on. She buys lunch for me every day. She lives two buildings away from me, so if I need anything she'll get it for me. The only problem I have is that my housing is a 40 minute walk from work. If it's cold out, she'll drive me, but I prefer to walk on other days. If I were to ask her, she'd pick me up every day, though.

There are good bosses.

[justagirl]

Our boss is also great. He's the nicest Korean man I've met in over 3 years--and that alone says a lot! He has lived outside of Korea for over 12 years, speaks English fluently and knows how to run a business.

He has a good system running in the school for the children. I think they learn better at this hakwon than at some of the others I've been in/heard about. We have a nice office for the teachers, all the books, tapes, tape players we need, white boards, markers, etc. He supports the teachers, etc. I'm very happy working for him.

There are good bosses out there.

justagirl

[Toby]

i will echo all of the above. My boss is good, the school is good and the hours are good.

Above all, SPEAK TO SOMEONE ALREADY TEACHING AT THE SCHOOL YOU ARE INTERESTED IN. They will tell you what it is all about there.