Korean Job Discussion Forums

wannago · Joined: 16 Apr 2004

I'm obviously new to Dave's and I would like some of your input. I have been a teacher in the states for almost 10 years and I'm looking at Korea for a change of pace and to do some traveling, experience another culture, etc. My question is this: should I try the hagwon route or is there something different/better out there that I might quality for with my experience in the classroom? I obviously have a bachelor's but no TESOL or anything like it. What do you think? Please be nice. After all, I'm only a wannabe newbie!

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

If you have the money, come here first. Don't sign anything sight-unseen. If you have a teaching degree, you are gold here. There are definately better things. Too bad you missed the public school hiring time by 2 1/2 months.

Others can tell you when University hiring time is. Although many brag on and on about how great University teaching is -- I'm not interested in living in a little dorm room with no hot water, and having to give grades *laugh*. I'll take my set-up any day of the week (female high school with about 18 teaching hours/week).

Seriously, find an itaewon motel (centrally located area) here at about $25 a night and budget for a 2 week job search. Post your resume before coming, and try to line up some rough interview dates. Learn the subway system and try to interview at one school in the morning, and one in the late afternoon or evening every day. It's good to see several schools, because you can get an idea of what is out there.

If they offer housing be sure to see the apartments, because they often lie about how good they are. Had one school advertise how fabulous and large the 2 BR apartment was. When I got there, it was a roach-infested craphole with rooms not much bigger than bathrooms. Horrible! In my experience, I've found that 9 out of 10 schools have some sort of red flag about them which causes me to go elsewhere. This is why it's so important to come here and see the places for yourself.

Another thing I would recommend is doing homestay (instead of motel). Check out www.komestay.com and try to find a place to stay in middle-seoul. Maybe Dehangno (Daehakro), Hannam-Dong, or South like Kangnam. When I came to Seoul to find a job, I did this, and it was awesome. I was shy to live with strangers, but wow-- it was the best! And I can't place the value of having a local who speaks English to ask questions to about things like the subway, schools, etc.

You are VERY marketable here. Like gold if you have a degree in teaching, and experience. Don't go to a hagwon if you can help it. Try for a company job with someone like LG, Samsung, or an airline.

Some more advice I'd offer is that if you do go with a hagwon, get something with the hours between 9 and 4 or 10 and 4. Don't take one of the evening jobs from 1 to 9 or 3 to 10 or something like that. Those just suck. Did that my first year, and never again! The kids are a pain-in-the-azz because they've already been in school all day, and it i'd rather have a live. Also, being available before 9am and in the evenings after 4pm leaves you open to do "other" teaching gigs -- if you catch my drift. These jobs aren't as easy to find, but if you post your resume all over and specify that you'd like these hours, you will get several calls over a few weeks.

Others can offer more info about what else is out there for people like you.

aussie col · Joined: 31 Jan 2004

About teaching hours. If you get a 9-4 job you'll most likely be teaching kindergarten kids. I had a 3-10 job at a hagwon and loved it. You get used to working these hours and often we would still go out for a drink after work, watch a video ect... You get to sleep in really late and if you need to you have heaps of time during the day to go to the shops, bank, post office ect�� before having to go to work in the afternoon.

Just whatever you do don��t take split shifts. Working 10-12 and then 3-8 would really suck.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Wishmaster · Joined: 06 Feb 2003

I work nights and it is awesome. I absolutely hate mornings and it feels great to get off of work and know that I don't have to go back until the middle of the next day. Real nice.

Corky · Joined: 06 Jan 2004

You could look for foreign schools where the children of foreign nationals go.

jazblanc77 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004

I agree with Corky, that is the best way to go if you have experience teaching EFL and want to transition into a job here. They also have good benefits most of the time and won't be so different from how you have taught in your home school system.

jazblanc77 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004

Check out Busan Foreign School (BFS) as an example of what we are talking about, they have a website, I don't know the address though.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

While it is true that many places will be eager to hire an experienced teacher, don't expect them to pay you any more than they pay others. In almost all cases, you will be paid the same as any fresh-out-of school 22 year old.

Also, do not expect any administrator to ask your opinion about an educational policy. It won't happen.

That being said, Korea is a fun place to live and work.

Working a split shift is exhausting. Beware.

wannago · Joined: 16 Apr 2004

Thanks for all of the input. I'm under no illusion that my pay will be any different in Korea than someone just out of school. I'm aware that is just not the Korean way, especially in this business. I'm just trying to gather as much info. as I can so I can make an informed decision and hopefully a good one. Thanks!