Korean Job Discussion Forums

sunshiningschool · Joined: 15 Apr 2011

I've been wanting to teach in Korea for a couple years now and have read a lot about it. For someone who has no experience and wants to be in Seoul like me I figured a hagwon would be the best option - that is if I can find a safe reliable one. I know you are supposed to research the school, talk to their other english teachers, etc. but its articles like this that make me think twice: http://www.lilith-ezine.com/articles/politics/Dont-Teach-in-South-Korea.html

It basically seems like you could do all your homework and still end up at a bad hagwon. (Also can anyone explain the part about how your english contract actually doesn't matter, only the Korean contract that you sign on your arrival??)

Have any of you guys (or do you know others who) worked at hagwons that actually lived up to their contract, 12 months, paid severance and air fare? Any positive hagwon stories out there? haha

(I know about esllist.com, but any good info there it seems like could be outdated pretty quickly with how often management is changed in hagwons - is that an accurate assumption?)

Thanks guys

Zackback · Joined: 05 Nov 2010 Location: Kyungbuk

I work at a hagwan now and for the most part really enjoy it.

imGosu · Joined: 25 Apr 2011

go public?

RMNC · Joined: 21 Jul 2010

You can end up in hagwon hell or a horrible public school even if you do the research. I've read that article before. The truth is it takes balls and is risky to teach. You can make the most of a tough situation or you can mope and gripe about it on Dave's.

I've had good experiences with hagwons, I prefer them to public school, but that's because I'm not a doormat and I don't care about vacation time as much as making money and working minimal hours. You will sniff out the bad hagwons 98% of the time when you do your research and know what the contract should and shouldn't have, but you never know what's going to happen at a public school. For that reason, I consider hagwons 'safer'.

Von Ludwig · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Location: Daegu

Agreeing with RMNC.
Not all, but a vast majority of cases you hear or read about where people get screwed over by sordid types in one way or another are due to the lack of real research that was done by the employee.

And yes it does take some work to secure the right job (as in any field) but it is simply a case of finding out as much as possible about the school, its teachers, the employer, the curriculum, the area, and the housing before you commit. You can demand to see photos, speak to current or past teachers, have all questions answers. Remember, if it feels like they are hiding something from you, then they probably are and it could affect your situation later on. Make sure your contract is solid (you can post it online here to be checked) and that you understand everything about it.

There are tons of jobs out there, do not settle for something that you are not 100% sure about...

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

The hours at my school are long, but they've never been anything but honest when it comes to overtime/severance/airfare etc. I much prefer working at a hagwon to working at public, considering the quality of students at the latter.

RMNC · Joined: 21 Jul 2010

Not to mention you can't choose where you work with a public. I think that might be the worst offense of all, after the gigantic classes.

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

sunshiningschool · Joined: 15 Apr 2011

Thanks this is exactly the kind of stuff I needed to hear.

I never realized you can't choose your location with public, that sounds horrible.

About hours, how many hours a week am I looking at for a noob at a hagwon? 40? Possible to get anything lower?

SeoulNate · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Location: Hyehwa

Yeah, it is possible, many of the after school programs like Topia and Avalon should work 7 hours a day, if you get a contract from either one that is 8 hours it is a franchise and you shouldn't work there. Those jobs are easy to get as a noobie.

I am another person on the Hogwon bandwagon, but I will also be the first person to tell you that 90% of the hogwons out there are terrible. You really have to be picky when you are choosing a school and if you are, you will have a much better time than if you were at a public school.

jfromtheway · Joined: 20 Nov 2010

earthquakez · Joined: 10 Nov 2010

I think the key to coping with all but the truly terrible jobs in Korea is to remember you will only be there for a year at the most if you don't want to stay. I found hagwons preferable to the public schools I worked at.

If anybody thinks that dealing with mixed level classes of 30 to 40 members, most of whom think the foreigner's English class is the time for different things, is easy then I don't know where you were working. I think hagwons with their smaller classes are easier and you can truly make a difference in your students' lives. You don't have much chance in public school classes, especially if you are handling them by yourself or if your Korean co teacher is incompetent or sabotaging.

I've worked for a bad hagwon but even that wasn't so difficult compared to teaching those large classes at public school and dealing with all the politics and agendas of 25 plus Korean teachers. My last hagwon was great because of the boss though the pay wasn't anything special. The position's been filled, sorry. Smile

lorenchristopher · Joined: 25 Dec 2007

OP, of course there are positive stories out there. It's just that the bad ones get a lot of attention.

I've been working at the same hagwon for almost four years now and I like my school a lot. Good stories don't get out as much I guess because people who are content with their hagwons don't feel as compelled to write threads like "Hey everyone, I am happy with my school!!!" Lol.

Anyway, I don't agree with what you said about how even though you do all your homework researching the hagwon, you could still end up at a bad one. Sure, that could be the case sometimes, but I would say if you thoroughly do your homework, chances are that the hagwon you choose to work for will live up to the expectations you've laid out (12 months, paid severance and airfare).

I have friends back in the states that have thought about coming over and I always tell them the following about researching and trying to find a good hagwon:

1) Make a great resume and get a great photo of yourself smiling and looking as attractive, professional, happy, fun and pleasant as possible.

2) Write a really nice cover letter template introducing yourself and why you are passionate about teaching. It's ok to fluff it up a bit and embellish a tad here. Write about how you are interested in Korean culture or food and that you have a passion for teaching children, etc etc.

3) Know what you demand out of a hagwon. Personally I would advise you look for a job with something like this.....minimum 2.1 mil/month starting, no kindergarten, in Seoul, airfare and severance, 10 days vacation plus nat'l holidays, no more than 35 hours/week (office hours and extra responsibilities included!!), no weekends.

4) Go on eslcafe job postings site, craigslist, other esl sites for jobs in Korea (which you can google) and look EVERY DAY for a job that meets your demands. Send them your resume and photo and insert a personalized message in the cover letter template, like something about their specific hagwon or job posting, etc. The key is to do this every day, since their are many new postings and you want to be one of the first applicants. Don't apply if it doesn't meet your requirements though.

5) When you hear back from them obviously be super polite and then look over the contract and try to get some info on the school from site like this or elsewhere. Be careful not to be too demanding or pushy....you have to use your intuition a bit along with researching.

6) BE PATIENT!!! If you have a bad feeling about a school then don't sign with them. If you're searching jobs every day online and sending out your info and applying, then you WILL find something good eventually as there are loads of jobs in Korea. I've had friends that have signed with a hagwon against my advise and they both broke their contract and pulled runners. They signed because they were impatient and got excited about an offer.

Uhhh yeah I guess that's about it. Good luck, and don't be too paranoid or worried. If you follow my advice above I think your chances of landing a job at least at a decent hagwon (if not a great one) are pretty good.

SeoulNate · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Location: Hyehwa

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

I worked at a good Hagwon for 2 years but it is the luck of the draw. I was extremly fussy but still I was lucky

I've worked at 4 PS's now you can choose you area. It all comes down to how quickly you get your paperwork back to EPIK. I went directly through them they gave me regular updates to let me know the applications that had arrived. My documents got back later than I was expecting. So I missed out on my first choice (Jeju) and by then my 2nd and 3rd chioce were full as well.

During my Orientation there were literally tears from some people when they found out they hadn't gotten their prefered location. Apply directly through EPIK and at least you are kept in the loop and they did give me the choice of two other locations.

I transfered last August I am now at a good school but with one really bad Korean co-teacher out of 4, so it could be worse. So going the PS way can also be a crapshoot. ButIi agree with others you have to stand up for yourself, pick your battles and be firm. Some of the crap that some western teachers put up with only makes matters worse for the rest of us.