Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SunDevil Dre]

Newbie here.

What's difference between private schools and hagwons?

[jvalmer]

A hagwon isn't a school. More like a learning center, or extra-circular center.

As far as a native teacher is concerned, a private school is a public school.

[air76]

I think that in the post you are referring to he is talking about a private school like a Catholic school or something along those lines....where you go INSTEAD of public school....a hagwon you go to after you finish your regular school, and if you're lucky/unlucky enough to have rich parents you'll get to go to 5 or 6 of them (or more!)

[Fishead soup]

Hogwan Pros- Small classes, Streamlined,
- Better facilities
- You are considered the main teacher.

Hogwan Cons- Higher standards easier to get fired mid contract.
- Have to remember lots of names
- Have to think on your feet.

Public school Pros
- Easier to wing it.
- Little chance of getting fired mid contract
- Contract re-newal is easier to obtain.
Public school Cons
- Can really be hell if you have a bad relations with co- workers

[SunDevil Dre]

Thanks for the replies, but now I'm even more confused. "As far as a native teacher is concerned, a private school is a public school."

For example, Avalon, Wonderland, etc.. are hagwons, yes?

Someone please give an example of a well-known "private school."

[pangaea]

[jvalmer]

Let me try to clarify.

Way back when Korea was poor, the government encouraged people to privately set up schools. These are the private schools that we see today. So a private school is just like a public school, but is privately owned. In Korea there is really no elite status to attending a private school. The students they are alloted is set by the education officials, the same as any public school. As far a I know students are placed in elementary, middle and high schools by a lottery. There may be slight difference depending on area but it is mostly random on which school a student goes to. There are a few specialize school, like foreign language high schools that are based on grades. The difference is how it is run behind the scenes, like hiring teachers or promotion of teachers.

A hagwon is an after-school institution, it is optional for people to go to hagwons, so it isn't a school. A hagwon can offer one subject, or several subjects to teach. While a school offers whatever the government mandates they teach.

[SunDevil Dre]

[jvalmer]

[oldtactics]

There aren't any specific ones that you've heard of - they're essentially the same as public schools except Korean teachers can stay indefinitely rather than having to change jobs every 5 years. There are of course other administrative differences, but none that a native teacher would ever deal with. Most of them, at least in Gangwon-do, use the same EPIK contract as public schools.

[SunDevil Dre]

I see. Thanks guys!

[Adam Carolla]

My take on public v. private schools (I've worked for 3 different private schools.)

Private schools generally require a few more classes per week. The standard seems to be from 22-26 classes per week, but I've seen up to 34/week.

Private schools generally require teachers to teach an English camp during summer and winter vacations. These camps are usually 2 weeks long during each vacation, though a few exceptional schools only require 1-week camps.

Even with these camps, most private schools offer 6-8 weeks paid vacation throughout the year, so definitely no deskwarming.

Private schools set their own pay scales, so it's possible to find better deals than at a public school for the same qualifications.

The average level of English ability is higher in private schools than in public schools. Note: I'm not comparing a public school in Gangnam with a private school in the middle of nowhere. I'm strictly saying that, if there is a public school and a private school in the same neighborhood, the private school students likely have a better average English ability.

Public schools teach (gasp) the regulation English book with Zeeto and Min-su and all their pals. (I hear this has been updated.) Regardless, there is a required textbook that I find has a lot to be desired.

Most private schools have their own curriculum which can be either good or bad. In my experience, I prefer private school curricula. I feel less like a tape-recorder and more like a teacher, I haven't ever had to do co-teaching, and I've been given a large amount of input on curriculum development and book choices.

I think it's pretty easy to see which one I prefer, but of course, your mileage may vary.