Korean Job Discussion Forums

ABishop681 · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Location: Yorba Linda, CA

Hey all,

This is my first post. I am currently working for a decent Hagwon (in comparison to some stories I have heard) in Incheon.

Our director came to us today and asked if we had any ideas on possible events the the students would enjoy doing and would also help to recruit more students. I think all ideas are on the table and he wants a brainstorming session. I am new here and don't really have any ideas, but I figured that some of the teachers that have been working in Korea for a while might have some ideas of activities or events that they would like to do or that maybe their school does.

Fun and Hagwon , whodathunkit?

Any input would be great.

bliss · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Location: Gyeonggi

Many people on this board will probably jump down your neck for so obliging to a hagwon boss.

But, I know there are some very good hagwon bosses who can do with support from their teachers, and your boss is probably one of them if you're happy there. I think it's positive that your director is willing to let you in helping student recruitment; remember that this will help your job stability and the hagwon's viability, and your relationship with your director.

My first idea is to stand outside busy places like schools and markets and hand out glossy brochures (and maybe a token gift like a hagwon pen or notebook), and smile and present yourself as a really enthusiastic teacher.

If you feel like you want a part of the pie (and have the confidence to negotiate with your director), perhaps set a target for number of recruited students, and if you reach that target you could get a bonus or something. But I don't think that's important. A good, stable hagwon is like gold and I kind of feel that teachers should sometimes share a kind of responsiblity to keep in viable if it's a good place.

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

Yeah this is a slippery slope you might find yourself on. All of a sudden your great ideas might turn into him thinking you volunteered to go to the park to pass out fliers and freebies every Saturday morning.

You know your boss better than anyone on this board so its a judgment call on you could make. Just watch out for it! Smile

Some ideas:

Set up a Mini English Village at the nearby apartment complexes nearby.

Take the students to the park one day and run a "field day" and pass out fliers to passersby. (doesn't require you to work extra hours, gets you out of the tiny classroom, would be a lot of fun, and puts your school in a high traffic area)

RMNC · Joined: 21 Jul 2010

Let's just get it out of the way:

Recruiting students isn't your job nor your concern, teaching them is.

Not jumping down your throat, it's just the truth. If your boss is a cool guy, then throw out some suggestions. If he's not, just stay in the shadows and keep quiet.

How old are your students? For kids, pay some adjummas to pass out fliers at schools. For adults, advertise meet-ups at coffee shops with more native speakers (like toastmasters). That can be a good way to get people to join a school.

ABishop681 · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Location: Yorba Linda, CA

They are Elementary aged. We also have Middle School, but they are almost a different school. I like the idea of a field day and passing out fliers to passerby's. It's like hey we have real english speakers and are decent to the kids. I don't want to do any extra like work you know. Like passing out fliers on Saturday or anything.

Yeah, I know recruiting students isn't my job, but I figured ideas (hopefully) won't hurt. I will avoid getting sucked in though. It is a slippery slope for sure.

rollo · Joined: 10 May 2006 Location: China

Sounds as if you have a good boss who values your ideas. Passing out fliers near schools a good idea. Sitting up an open house at the school with some refresments and games , is another.

Recruiting students is not your job but No Students , No job!! If this is a mom and pop hagwon sometimes you have to do a bit extra.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

My school had us all go to the park across from school on a Saturday and hand out fans with the school's name on them. I wasn't big on the volunteering aspect, but it seemed to be fairly effective.

southernman · Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Location: On the mainland again

At my old Hagwon we used to go to 3 different Kindergarten graduation days. Yes they do actually graduate from Kindergarten, wear hanboks an all. It's kinda cute, really.

I had to dress up in my suit and I learnt how to make balloon dogs and swords Very Happy

We got about 10 extra students out of it, so financially it would have been worth it.

I got extra money for the extra work though

murmanjake · Joined: 21 Oct 2008

Yeah, if you've got a situation where you know you'll be rewarded for your effort then go for it.

I've got a pretty awesome boss, a co-teacher at a previous hagwon who opened her own school, so I've gone out of my way to help her out. And she's gone out of hers to help me out. Including finding me privates which I teach at the school, so perfectly legal, but refusing to take any of the money, even when I offered her a cut...

I spent an hour and change handing out balloons to kids, and some guy would hand out fliers to the parents while explaining them. It's a good shtick, cause the kids want balloons and what jerk parent is gonna deny them a free one? I'd say glossy brochures and balloons are a good bet.

Your smiling foreign face is great help as well. Interact a little with the kids, say hi, piece of cake.