Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shamash]

So I'm having a lot of trouble deciding between the 2. Public being safer, and private having many pros (or cons) depending on the school + situation.

I was hoping to get some feedback from those of you on the forums.

[young_clinton]

Here's your feedback. For your first time teaching in Korea YOU want public. After you've finished your public school position and found and checked out a nice Hagwon no problem.

[JustinC]

I agree with young_clinton but, either way, you still have to put in the effort when you're here.

[tideout]

In general, youngclinton's correct.

The only caveat I'd add to that is that "safe" is relative. There are public school situations that many posters have described as hellish and based on my experience and what I've heard over the last few years, you've got about a 50/50 percent chance of landing in a good situation in a public school. Your chances of being ripped off via a public school through SMOE or EPIK is nearly zero - much better than the hagwon circuit.

I'd add that you really are financially on the hook for at least the first 3-4 months. By this I mean if you land at a very bad situation at a public school you can't just bail before then w/o losing money on your end. It's safer than hogwons but not risk free.

Hope that helps.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I agree. Go public for the first year or two, then network and find something private that is well regarded (previous teachers saying that it's a good job.)

It's what I did, and I'm very happy in my current situation.

[matty022]

I chose private simply because there would be other westerners at the school to help with my initial transition period. I think I'll do PS after private and after I've had a chance to create a social circle.

I don't know if there's a correct answer to the question. You have to decide which pro or con of each choice is most important to you.

[tideout]

[creeper1]

My vote goes to private. Smaller class sizes are easier to control for a newbie just cutting his/her teeth.

You won't know how to teach when you first arrive anyway.

I know posters will point out you have a Korean co-teacher to help you in PS but often times they simply put their head down and sleep at the back of the class or simply don't appear.

[Skippy]

NOW starts the fight of which is better Public or Private. This has been done to death. Sigh...

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2671596
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2586748
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=1918151
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2073812
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2420987

Here are some links to consider. Remember things change. Public schools went from fine to great to good to ok to wtf a bit. (Overall I say).

Still even public comes with it's own problems from location (remember the saying location location location). For a newbie a location in the middle of the countryside running around to 2 or 3 public schools is stressful. The personal politics and public school. Add in more students then hagwons.

Me, I would recommend for a newbie is

1) Private Academy / Hagwon

2) City - small or big either is good. Learn the difference between city and small town. Here in Korea numbers lie. So Seoul Pusan Daejeon Daegu, Gwangju, Incheon. Maybe I would include the bedroom communities/town around Seoul like Suwon. Close to city is NOT a city! Unless you are packing a car, you can find yourself a bit stuck where you are.

3) Afternoon classes which is mostly elementary and middle school children. Avoid Kindy or Adult if you want it easy.

4) Do your research. Read this board. Read and check over the contract. Learn what you will need in your first year. Find and look over those many blogs.

5) Prepare yourself mentally. Can you be away from friends or family. Can you handle being in a country that can be rude or downright strange at times. Your are not in Kansas anymore. Korea can be hostile but it can be a comfortable place.

Some more threads on what a newbie should take
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=2420987
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=195237
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=198393
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=195505
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=195505

[shamash]