Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

After School Jobs: How Do They Work?
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Job-related Discussion Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
OMGtrev



Joined: 09 Mar 2010

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:52 am    Post subject: After School Jobs: How Do They Work? Reply with quote

What's the difference between after school jobs and hagwons? I keep seeing ads for them but everything about them besides the names looks very similar, if not identical to a hagwon. Is there a difference, or is it just a different name?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
kingssurfer



Joined: 14 Dec 2009

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 8:12 am    Post subject: After school program vs. hagwon Reply with quote

Quote:
What's the difference between after school jobs and hagwons? I keep seeing ads for them but everything about them besides the names looks very similar, if not identical to a hagwon. Is there a difference, or is it just a different name?


I am currently working for an after school program, and it is one million times better than a hagwon.


Hagwon vs After school

hagwon cons
long hours
excessive scrutiny by your boss or bosses
jealousy among your korean co workers


After school pros
real short hours for the same pay barely seeing your boss
choosing your own curriculum
freedom to teach as you want
work as a team with your K Teacher

Cons
Student number pressure
No plane tix
no pension, but some programs do


In my 3 years in this country I have worked at both hagwons and an after school program. My typical hagwon schedules were 1-9 or 2-10. My after school program hours are 12-5:15, and sometimes 12-4:15, and that's for the same pay I made in hagwons working twice as many hours. I do not get pension or a plane tix, but I still believe it is way better than a hagwon.

An after school program is basically a hagwon inside a public school, which is run by a company that makes contracts with various public schools. Because the program is inside the public school, there is way less overhead. The company doesn�t have to pay for all the expenses that a typical hagwon would. I.E, they don�t have to pay for buses, because the kids walk there.

Some of them were notorious for having foreigners open two bank accounts so they could avoid paying taxes. However, my after school program doesn�t do that, and I haven�t heard of that happening at other after school programs.

In my opinion, it is one the best jobs to have in Korea. I would only leave to get a uni gig, but other than that, I don�t think you can find a better job.

Some after school companies
KASE(mine)
Win Education
HanMi
EduBest

As you can tell, I am pretty happy with my after school program.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Riker



Joined: 28 Dec 2010

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am going to get a contract tomorrow for an after school program in Busan. No airfare indeed. Looks like I will have to sell my car... but the job looks to good to pass up.


If you can get one, all indications look like you should take it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Joe Boxer



Joined: 25 Dec 2007
Location: Bundang, South Korea

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:14 pm    Post subject: Re: After school program vs. hagwon Reply with quote

kingssurfer wrote:
Some of them were notorious for having foreigners open two bank accounts so they could avoid paying taxes.


I'm curious to know if that's still happening.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
dyc



Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Location: Vancouver

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:59 pm    Post subject: Re: After school program vs. hagwon Reply with quote

kingssurfer wrote:
I do not get pension or a plane tix, but I still believe it is way better than a hagwon.


So do they generally prefer applicants who are already in Korea?

If you can pretty much teach what you want, how do you decide what material is best to use? Are after-school programs divided into grade levels or..?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
OMGtrev



Joined: 09 Mar 2010

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 10:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks kingssurfer for that wealth of information! I had no idea they were so different!

Couple of questions: Do they typically provide housing, as usual? And do they operate during the public school break times (summer and winter breaks)?

Also, do you happen to know if your program will be needing anyone this April? Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
bliss



Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Location: Gyeonggi

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I work for an afterschool program and have done so for 2.5 years (at the same school). Life is good. There are a few drawbacks, but I much prefer this kind of job to a typical hagwon.

I've heard that the company that I work for is looking for 2 extra teachers to start around Mid-March, in Suwon or Ansan. PM me with your email address if interested.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
RMNC



Joined: 21 Jul 2010

PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 12:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The same way the magnets work: no one really knows!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
RMNC



Joined: 21 Jul 2010

PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 12:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

And now that I got that off my chest, after school programs rule. Seriously.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
OMGtrev



Joined: 09 Mar 2010

PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 1:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

RMNC wrote:
The same way the magnets work: no one really knows!


God did it.

(magic)

Very Happy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
kingssurfer



Joined: 14 Dec 2009

PostPosted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 6:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Do they typically provide housing, as usual? And do they operate during the public school break times (summer and winter breaks)?

Also, do you happen to know if your program will be needing anyone this April?


I don't know about the others, but mine provides 500,000 for housing. They also let me choose between three apartments.


Quote:
And do they operate during the public school break times (summer and winter breaks)?


Yes, they do, but my overtime schedule is 9-3:15, and, of course, that is one million times better than the 9-7 hagwon ot I have worked. One month of 9-315 in August, one month of 9-3:15 in January,and one week of it during the public schools spring break(February). It's really not bad