Korean Job Discussion Forums

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

I lived in Korea for five years and returned to America one year ago. Since that time I've been taking chemistry, biology and physics courses. I would like to go to Korea this summer during my vacation period and teach, hopefully chemistry or biology. Is it possible to get a short term position at an SAT hagwon in Gangnam or Apgujeong? How much can you make at these places? If memory serves right, I thought they pay around 4-5 million per month, but they expect you to teach at least 8 hours a day. Any info is appreciated

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

How do you even get these jobs?

fustiancorduroy · Joined: 12 Jan 2007

Yes, you can make that much money teaching SAT. In fact, I know a couple people who make 10 million won each month during the summer. And yes, you can get a job only for the summer. Yes, sometimes you have to work 8 hours a day. But the money is good and students are bright, so I would say it is worth it.

As for hiring, SAT academies often prefer gyopos due to the visa issues and Korean language ability. Being a graduate from a top university is also usually preferred. Also, many places require you to actually take the SAT and get a near-perfect score before they will hire you, so keep that in mind as well. Some of the SAT hagwons will put ads up before the summer. Hoyah will put some ads up, and they are a good place to work for. You might also see ads for Steven Academy, Sehan Academy, Elite Prep Academy and maybe Cube Academy (though Cube focuses more on TOEFL). All of these places pay at least 40,000 an hour of class, if not more.

crossmr · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

4-5 million for 8 hours a day is only 25k/hour or less. That's not all that much for SAT prep. I've heard of private tutors getting over 100k/hour for SAT prep for 1 on 1, and I know a gyopo who was running a slightly less than legitimate place and he was charging 50k/head for group sessions (with like 5-8 kids per session).

SAT prep is worth way more than 25k/hour.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

crossmr · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

Thanks everyone. I know that my former hagwon boss, a gyopo who has an MA from Columbia, charged 75,000 won per hour per person when she did SAT study sessions on the weekend. She had 4 students in the class and it went for three hours.

If I can't teach SAT, then I'd like to teach students who plan to take the AP chemistry or AP biology test.