Korean Job Discussion Forums

grandpa · Joined: 19 Oct 2009

I'm currently at an elementary public school.

I teach two grades. I make two lessons for the entire week. Each lesson is follow the book. I'll add a powerpoint and activity.

After my classes I sit around and wait for 5 PM, then I go home.

The only stress I have are when open classes come up, and that stress is caused by my co-teacher(s) stressing out.

My wife wants to live in Seoul, so I will likely have to go to a hagwon to land a job in Seoul.

Am I in for a world of hurt by going to a hagwon (i.e. loads of classes, paperwork, meetings and stress.)?

zipper · Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2009 7:12 pm Post subject:

Hi grandpa, I worked at a couple of Hagwons, and I found that you don�t need to do much lesson planning. Paper work will depend on the Hagwon you work at. Some required you to fill out communication books, correct homework and submit lesson plans, and others just require you to show up and teach. However, you will probably work more hours in a hagwon. Classes are usually 50 minutes long, and you will most likely teach up to 6 classes a day. But I am sure that there a many exceptions to what I said above, and I am only giving you a general idea. Right now you are teaching four 40 minute classes in the morning and maybe a couple others after lunch during the week; which is a better schedule than what Hagwons offer, but then again it depends on your personal preferences.

I know what you mean about co-teachers stressing out over open classes and class inspections. Laughing

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

I work at an elementary school now and I definitely enjoyed my time at a hogwan more. The kids are smarter, you actually feel like you are teaching them something. It also doesn't feel as lonely because there are usually other foreign teachers to work with. Also, Seoul is a much better place than where I am now in the middle of nowhere in Chungcheongnam-do.

I would say go for it. You will have more paper work though. My last hogwan wanted monthly lesson plans. We also had to write report cards for all the students every three months. At my first hogwan the report cards were every month. They were very detailed reports too.

I didn't have much marking to do at my second hogwan but at my first hogwan I would spend at least one of my weekend days marking book reports and tests.

So it all depends on the hogwan. I'm sure some hogwans have no paperwork at all. But in terms of job satisfaction, hogwans are where it's at.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

I just don't do them. Make them ask for every little thing. I have reports done and typed out, but no one asked for them LOL.

Second time around, they never asked me to do them.

grandpa · Joined: 19 Oct 2009

pjmancktelow · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

i went from hogwan to ps. best choice ive ever made. my hogwan was a good one as far as they go. he honered everything, paid me on time etc. but my major problem was with the fact its a business. if a parent complains it becomes big and most will bow down to them. if not the kids will leave. if its a genuine complaint, far enough. but if its becuase little minsu is a bad student and doesnt do his homework, is late, is rude etc. and you punish him for it. the parents may complain that their little angel is perfect and that the big scary foreigner did something bad to him for no reason at all. they may listen to you. but the parent will generally get their way. otherwise they dont make any money. thats my problem with hogwans anyhow.

also i'd agree about the times, if you come home at 10pm, then how much will you see of your wife?

the money is better. but you have to earn it. for me, i'd never go back. just my opinon of course.

sunnata1 · Joined: 19 Nov 2009

How is the co-worker dynamic different in a hogwan compared to a PS?

For example, my school plays volleyball every week? I'm guessing that doesn't happen in a hogwan.

Also, what about those teacher field trips for bonding. The community food that everyone huddles around, etc.

bbonthec · Joined: 07 Nov 2007

soakitincider · Joined: 19 Oct 2009

Personally visit every hawg and talk to the teachers AWAY from Korean staff. NOT on the phone! Trust me.

Weigookin74 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009

so are there good hogwons in seoul? do you know the names of them? i teach public in the middle of nowhere but wonder if i shouldn't go to one if i can't get into smoe or gepik next year. then again, i hear complaints about the public schools up there. so, not sure.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject:

as a hagwoner since 2002 let me say the only paperwork i have ever been asked to fill out was attendance sheets and even then when i started forgetting to do them i suddenly was no longer required to Laughing

i have been given complete freedom to do whatever i want in the classroom and i have become a better teacher because of it (i have seen such freedom paralyze guys prone to laziness and unwilling to engage in self-directed career development. i went and got a CELTA after my second year here simply as part of my ongoing process of self improvement, reading esl literature, experimenting with new techniques, teaching can be the most rewarding experience - not at all oppressive or limiting - if one takes the freedom of many small mom and pop hagwons and try to make the best of it

i think the big corporate chain hagwons require paperwork and meetings and the like, have no personal experience of such kinds of hagwon