Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jurassic82]

Like what everyone has said already you guys are applying way too early. Many of the posts thus far have made some good points about jobs in Korea. I have been here since 2006 and have worked at two hagwons and a public school that I have now been at for three years. Both had there good and bad points.

I hated my first hogwan as it was a small school and I worked with one other foriegner that was your run of the mill pessimist that you would often find on this board. Got paid late, small apartment, no health insurance or pension.

My second year I worked for Avalon, which is a big chain of English academies. They were good to work for. Had a good apartment, lots of other foriegn coworkers to hang out with, and got everything that I was obligated to get like my plane ticket, health insurnace, pension and severence. Overall it was a good experience.

The down side was that the teaching got boring and I had little freedom in what I taught and how I taught it. It allowed very little freedom in the way of being creative with the lessons. Also, the vacation time sucked and I got sick of working so late. Usually finished work at 9:40pm.

Started working for SMOE in March 2009 and have been happy ever since. I got lucky though as my coteachers and administration at my school are fantastic and very supportive. Also, there has been many opportunities for me to teach extra classes which gives me overtime pay. I have gotten far more than four weeks vacation and there are always school holidays and other things that come up that give me three or four day weekends to do whatever I want. When it comes to public schools, it really is a crap shoot. It all depends on the school you go to. Most people I know are happy with their public school gig.

What I would suggest as well is the afterschool programs in these public schools. The teachers at my school that do it get a lot of the same vacation time as I do, start at noon and finish at 5, and have to do very little prep. There are many of these jobs out there and it just takes a little bit of research. Anyways, good luck and if you have any questions feel free to send me a pm.