Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Flynne]

I am thinking about teaching in the public schools in S. Korea. Does anyone have any experience of advice to share?

Flynne

[Gorf]

Nope, sorry, I don't think there's any info out there about that.

[Skippy]

[Flynne]

sorry....new to this....still trying to find stuff....

[Weigookin74]

There are pros and cons. In a public school, you're the only foriegner. You may feel more isolated in a more conservative culture. But, if you can click with your fellow teachers and schools it can be alright. Depends on you and also depends on whether you get a good school that makes you feel welcome of not. It's really a roll of the dice. You won't necessarily have things set up for you like in a hogwan. (IE Teach this page from this book.) But, you may have some creative freedom more to teach if that's you're thing and you have some experience.

You'll always get paid on time. The contract must be followed, though you may get individual schools that may think otherwise. You get up early. Great if you're a morning person. Terrible if you're not. If you go to some rural areas, you may get some unofficial extra time off. But not always gauranteed. You may be able to better pick location if you go hogwan. With EPIK, you may end up in the countryside.

A hogwan coteacher may help you with things you need around town. A public school teacher may be too busy or too lazy to help you. So, you're stuck, need things done, you can';t speak the language, and need things done. I've heard the complaint from foriegners when they've moved to other bigger cities. Fortunately, they already knew some of the language and where some things were.

Not saying you shouldn't do it. There are many things I've learned about Korea, practice I've got at teaching, pension plan paid into, and sheltering from the more shady sides of working here (IE Scumbag hogwan owner). But, I'd say I had friends who went the hogwan route and seemed to have more fun as they could stay out late, hang with other co-workers, and hang out with Koreans who had less conservative attitudes.

Salaries are lower in hogwans nowadays. With public school, if you stay in the same province, you can accumulate raise. If you're in a rural province you can get quite high after a few years.

[plchron]

I actually have really nice co teacher at my public school. I would say that the experience you will have regarding the korean employees is usually based on the individual institution.

Hagwons are great because you know exactly where you are working unless you get shafted after you land. I have heard lots of bait an switch stories where hagwon owners immediately farm out there employees to other locations.

Public schools are great because if they screw with you at the individual school than you can complain up the chain of command and still retain employment.