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Starting out in Korea

 
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bdot



Joined: 03 Mar 2010
PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:54 pm    Post subject: Starting out in Korea Reply with quote
Hey all,

Planning on going to Korea (to teach) around Sept... like everyone else thats had to start out, I've got a bunch of questions. So I guess it might be useful if I ask a couple of questions... get the answers... then ask a few more. Any advice would be great.

As a new teacher with the basic qualifications (degree and CELTA)... what pay rate should you expect from a Hogwan? ...2 mil?

Can someone recommend a few recruiting agencies that aren't dodgy?

Thanks guys... more questions later.
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 10:05 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting out in Korea Reply with quote
bdot wrote:
Hey all,

Planning on going to Korea (to teach) around Sept... like everyone else thats had to start out, I've got a bunch of questions. So I guess it might be useful if I ask a couple of questions... get the answers... then ask a few more. Any advice would be great.

As a new teacher with the basic qualifications (degree and CELTA)... what pay rate should you expect from a Hogwan? ...2 mil?

Can someone recommend a few recruiting agencies that aren't dodgy?

Thanks guys... more questions later.


Hate to be rude... hmmm... maybe I don't///

Either way... FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions.

There is a whole forum full of them.
Some are old - but essentially nothing has changed and new posts update old threads.

Perhaps reading those would give you a good idea where to start and let you ask some intelligent questions instead of, "How high is up?"

AFTER you have done that, feel free to ask your questions and get answers that you will understand and will make sense to you.

There are lots of good folks here who can help after that.

.
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eoneinna



Joined: 05 Mar 2010
PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 11:15 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting out in Korea Reply with quote
bdot wrote:
Hey all,

Planning on going to Korea (to teach) around Sept... like everyone else thats had to start out, I've got a bunch of questions. So I guess it might be useful if I ask a couple of questions... get the answers... then ask a few more. Any advice would be great.

As a new teacher with the basic qualifications (degree and CELTA)... what pay rate should you expect from a Hogwan? ...2 mil?

Can someone recommend a few recruiting agencies that aren't dodgy?

Thanks guys... more questions later.





I suggest a public school. I'm always hearing stories about hagwons and how dodgy they are: not paying you on time, unpaid overtime, correcting other teacher's classwork, last minute notices, etc. Sorry, maybe it is just me but I have yet to hear ONE positive story about working at a hagwon.

Also, I've heard that since hogwon owners own the apartments that they give out to their teachers, they can enter at anytime to inspect, whether you are there or not. Salary will depend on what district you work for (usually 2.2 for beginning teacher-GEPIK). I chose GEPIK b/c they don't make you travel to different schools each week to teach.


As for recruiting agencies, I suggest:

Korvia (Ann is very nice)


Smile good luck!
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the ireland



Joined: 11 May 2008
Location: korea
PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 3:55 am    Post subject: Re: Starting out in Korea Reply with quote
eoneinna wrote:

I have yet to hear ONE positive story about working at a hagwon.


Hi, I'm the Ireland. Wink

My school is awesome and I have never had a complaint with them. I first signed a contract with them at the end of 2006.



Also, I've heard that since hogwon owners own the apartments that they give out to their teachers, they can enter at anytime to inspect, whether you are there or not. [/quote]

My apartment door has a keypad that the school don't know the number to. It also has a key that can over-ride it. when My director gave me the keys (3 sets) he had a spare one on his key ring and was taking it off to give to me, I told him to keep it as I might need it should I lose the others but he wouldn't keep it. he desk teacher at my school has a copy now, just in case I lose all the others.



Just do research. Not all hagwons are bad. It's just that people love to complain as it takes more effort to write a nice story than complaining about a crappy place.
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sheba



Joined: 16 May 2005
Location: Here there and everywhere!
PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:26 am    Post subject: Re: Starting out in Korea Reply with quote
eoneinna wrote:
bdot wrote:
Hey all,

Planning on going to Korea (to teach) around Sept... like everyone else thats had to start out, I've got a bunch of questions. So I guess it might be useful if I ask a couple of questions... get the answers... then ask a few more. Any advice would be great.

As a new teacher with the basic qualifications (degree and CELTA)... what pay rate should you expect from a Hogwan? ...2 mil?

Can someone recommend a few recruiting agencies that aren't dodgy?

Thanks guys... more questions later.





I suggest a public school. I'm always hearing stories about hagwons and how dodgy they are: not paying you on time, unpaid overtime, correcting other teacher's classwork, last minute notices, etc. Sorry, maybe it is just me but I have yet to hear ONE positive story about working at a hagwon.

Also, I've heard that since hogwon owners own the apartments that they give out to their teachers, they can enter at anytime to inspect, whether you are there or not. Salary will depend on what district you work for (usually 2.2 for beginning teacher-GEPIK). I chose GEPIK b/c they don't make you travel to different schools each week to teach.


As for recruiting agencies, I suggest:

Korvia (Ann is very nice)


Smile good luck!


I stayed 3 years with my first hagwon. Awesome people, awesome job, awesome apartment, awesome little town. Loved it.

People come here to complain, vent, ask advice for probs and sometimes to annoy other people... not to talk about the good times. Doesnt mean there arent good hagwon jobs out there, you just have to do your research and dont settle for less than what youre looking for.

Ive seen plenty of offers in hagwons for around 2.2
2 mil would be absolute minimum without extra quals, so you could expect a little more with your certificate.

If youre going to go through a recruiter then make sure you join several agencies, not just one. Dont let them pressure you into taking interviews with schools youre not interested in, and certainly dont accept a job youre not sure about. Do lots of research. Decide what kind of job you want (hagwon/PS, age of students, location etc) Flexibility is always good, but there are SO MANY jobs out there that you can afford to be a little picky.

I joined about 10 agencies and there were about 3 or 4 that were really good... I cant remember the neames except one, AppleTree recruiting. they were good.

good Luck!
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red_devil



Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Location: Korea
PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 5:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
PS are more competitive these days (at least in Seoul). I doubt you'll get in one right off the bat with no teaching experience. If you can go for it though. Hagwon's are hit or miss. Most people do a Hagwon for a year for the experience and move to PS after that.
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gregoriomills



Joined: 02 Mar 2009
Location: Busan, Korea
PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 5:53 pm    Post subject: Re: Starting out in Korea Reply with quote
eoneinna wrote:

I have yet to hear ONE positive story about working at a hagwon.


Hello, I'm at a hagwon in Busan, and love it! I worked at a public school last year, and although I actually teach more classes, it's much more low stress and less political. Great decision so far, and I'm almost 6 mths in. You should aim for 2.2m, don't take less unless you have a great feeling about the school,etc.

Also, if you want Busan, PM me and I have a recruiter or 2 for you.
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