Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CPT]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but it's a hard thing to search for, and I didn't find anything relevant when I tried.

Anyway, I want to know the scoop on private elementary schools. Does anyone have any experience (good or bad) working for one?

What would the difference be between a private elementary school and a public one, as far as teachers are concerned? I understand they have more foreign teachers than a public school, but beyond that, I have no idea.

[littlelisa]

upsides:
- better vacation
- better pay than public schools
- smaller class sizes than public schools (though not as small as hagwons)
- you get to be a homeroom teacher (you teach only one class)
- related to the last reasons, you see a lot of progress in your students
- you get more respect from your students and their parents
- you teach your own class as a teacher (not as a co-teacher or a teaching assistant)

downsides:
- more paperwork (writing report cards & tests, grading tests, etc), parent teacher meetings, etc.
- slightly longer hours than public schools

Totally worth it. I am working at one now and leaving it for another. I think there are about 5 that I know of, all north of the river, and most in the same general area. Some have a better reputation than others, but they'd all beat an average hagwon/public school. The one with the best reputation already finished hiring back in October for their school semester that starts in March. I'm surprised that any of them are still looking to hire someone now. Which school is it?

If you have particular questions, you can PM me.

Edit: thought of another important difference. As a homeroom teacher of an immersion school, you teach other subjects, not just English.

[some waygug-in]

How does one go about finding them? I've never even heard of one before. Private high schools, sure but never elementary schools.

Perhaps I need to give my head a shake.

[littlelisa]

Some advertise on Dave's, I found my current one through a recruiter, but the easiest way is to know someone.