Korean Job Discussion Forums

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

When you enter the world of Hagwons, you enter Shark infested waters.

My hagwon used to be one of the best but that has slowly eroded over the past two years. They've gone from REALLY GOOD to NOT BAD. And I suspect we are headed for MEDIOCRE in 2011, to NOT GOOD in 2012.

The trend is becoming obvious: More hours, less benefits

Why? Because there's a surplus of applicants and qualifications really aren't that important.

Korean mothers don't seem to care (or do not have the wherewithal to know better) who teaches their children or what is taught to them.

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

TheresaTheresa · Joined: 24 Feb 2010

carleverson · Joined: 04 Dec 2009

TheresaTheresa · Joined: 24 Feb 2010

different · Joined: 22 May 2003

Well, from perusing job sites, I don't see many hagwon jobs with work schedules less than 35-40 hours a week. Right now a lot of people are probably satisfied to work 40 hours a week in Korea for 2.2 because there aren't jobs available back home.

jack_b57 · Joined: 02 Sep 2010

Since there seems to be a lack of quality hagwons (at least according to people's opinions on this board), does anyone think there would be a market in Korea for a high quality hagwon? One that has a reputation for top-notch teaching with top notch instructors?

Or will Korean parents not really know the difference?

hari seldon · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Incheon

When a person says they like their hagwon job, my follow up question is whether the school has enrolled them in the national health and pension plans. Usually the answer is "No".

If a school doesn't value you enough to insure you, then what are you really worth to them? Squat.

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

I don't work at a good hogwon. I work at a great hogown. I would even go as far as to say it is the BEST hogwon in Korea. What makes it so great? My husband and I own it and we strive to be better than any other hogwon out there in regards to education and the instructors we employ. Many posters on this board would tell you to run away because we are A) small, B) not a franchise C) not a public school, and D) you'd be the only foreign teacher employeed (besides myself). The teacher we had last year didn't want to leave us and frankly we wanted to offer her another contract. However, the economy hit us hard as it has everyone and we had to downsize to survive. I realize that some if not many posters on this board have had negative experiences that make them dislike the whole system. I admit I had a bad experience in hogwon as well. However, not every hogwon is bad and there are those, like us, that strive to be a cut above the rest.

jack_b57 · Joined: 02 Sep 2010

This hagwon plug was brought to you by, Burger King.

Vagabundo · Joined: 26 Aug 2010

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

^We are still quite new and haven't fully established our reputation. That does not mean we still strive to be the best at what we do. I take issue with this as well with my husband at times and it has led to an argument or two concerning the fact that not that many people know about us.

As you can imagin the hogwon business is sometimes about robbing Peter to pay Paul. We could get more students if we had a bus. But then we'd have less income for awhile, if not a long while, before if would be profitable etc, etc, etc...

And yes it is hard to live up to our promise. That doesn't mean we compromise in terms of providing what a parent pays for. We cut back on other things. My husband is the secretary, cleaning lady, boss, and teacher. I work 2 jobs and pick up the slack when he needs me. We don't get to take home as much money at the end of the month. You get the point.

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

[quote="jack_b57"]This hagwon plug was brought to you by, Burger King.

[/quote]

We aren't Burger King. We do it our way. If you want it your way then do it your own damn self! Wink

marsavalanche · Joined: 27 Aug 2010 Location: where pretty lies perish

If you're reading this thread, pay attention to what I'm about to say because it's the most important post in this thread:

There are good hagwons out there. Matter of fact, more than you think. I should know, I'm about to finish my contract at one. Paid on time every time, no surprises in the contract, prepaid airfare, pension, health insurance, friendly and professional staff, etc.

The best advice I've ever gotten is: be super picky. Perhaps you won't get a job a few weeks later than you would have liked but it will be worth it in the long run.

One problem is these boards. Me and my friends all agree while these boards are a great source of info they are notoriously negative. I've had this discussion with people all over Seoul. You'd think we were in North Korea sometimes with how people flood this place with their negativity. I remember when I first came to Korea and was shocked I didn't have all of the problems I thought I would have (because I read these boards too much).

There are good hagwons out there, just take your time, weed through the shady contracts, talk to a foreign teacher already there (if they don't let you do that what does that tell you?), etc.

I can honestly say the posts I read here are nothing like most of the people I've met IN person. Over half of the people I've met at hagwons are generally happy with their job, but from these forums you'd think that figure would be something in the 30's. So try not to take these forums TOO seriously, the people here can be so negative. Take your time, you'll get a good job.

Now cue the people coming in with posts like "He probably makes 2.2" or "And I bet he's been here all but 3 months", thus proving my point.

Good luck.