Korean Job Discussion Forums

[amac123]

I'm considering taking a hagwon position because my recruiter for public schools seems to be giving me the run-around. I'm not sure he even has a position/interview for me. He keeps telling me he'll have the interview schedule early next week. (He's been telling me that for 2-3 weeks now)

I've turned down 2 hagwon offers just waiting on this interview. Now I have 2 more offers and still haven't heard anything more with the public school offer. One is for Poly Language Institute in ChangWon. The other is for LCI Kids Club in Dobong/Seoul (I know I'm probably going to get a slew of lots of negative feedback about these because almost all hagwon feedback I've read is negative)

Does anyone have any good experiences with Hagwons? Is most of the feedback from young people who have never worked before? Is it people's disillusion that it is going to be like America/Canada? Or is all of this stuff true?

I'm just looking to teach and to have a good working experience. Are hagwons really that bad?

Opinions?

[Ranman]

You can use more than one recruiter, you know. If you're having trouble with the recruiter you have, you may want to check out Alistair at Korean Horizons. He always answered my emails promptly and was a no-BS dude. Even emails me every once-in-a-while to check up on me at my current job, which 99% of recruiters won't do, considering it's not their responsibility.

The thing is with hagwons is that it's like playing Russian Roulette with 5 of the 6 barrels loaded. Yeah, there's the chance of landing one with a good boss, getting paid on time, and great working conditions, but you're more likely to land on one of the other cylinders in the chamber, unless you've landed a job through connections and know what you're getting yourself into. You're safer going through a public school. You only need to read up on some of the hagwon horror stories on this forum on Waygook to want to steer clear of them.

Good luck though.

[Unposter]

There are advantages and disadvantages to hakwons. And, not all hakwons are the same. For example, there are large corporate-run hakwons and mom and pop hakwons. You need to start asking yourself what kind of experience do I want and how long am I in for? Or, you can just jump right in and see what happens.

But, this is what I really want to say: As a long-termer, it is my experience that most long-termers cut their teeth on hakwons - we probably saw it all - but that is what made us good teachers who loved Korea and the job enough to stay.

People go into public schools for a myriad of reasons no doubt, but safety and consistancy are right up there. And, a foolish belief that somehow being in a public school is more professional. And, maybe it is...

But, I believe you just learn more from hakwons - especially if it is an all-ages hakwon - you just get a fuller experience...

including being lied to and cheated. But, you learn so much from it...seriously.

You will be stronger, you will have a less structured, beaucratic Korean experience (except maybe some corporate hakwons).

[Ranman]

[amac123]

Funny enough, the guy with the public school position just got back to me about an interview coming up. And I just got done with both of the other interviews that I think went well. Now I can actually choose between all 3

Changwon Hagwon = highest pay, but sounded like the most work (2.5mil)

Seoul Hagwon = medium pay, but didn't say anything about Saturdays or extra work (I know it doesn't mean there isn't any, though) (2.4mil)

PS in Paju = lowest pay, and haven't had the interview yet (2.0mil)

I'm a hard worker. I get along well with others. I want a great teaching environment. Pay is nice but it's not everything. (although saving some extra $ wouldn't be the worst thing in the world) So...

Hagwon for extra $ or PS position for less? Thoughts?

[nicwr2002]

I would agree, unless you know someone that works at a hakwon and you already know the conditions through that, it really is the luck of the draw otherwise. Just remember this, never work at a hakwon where you are the only foreign teacher and always ask to speak to the foreign teachers that work there and get their email address so you can ask about the real conditions of the school.

[Ranman]

[amac123]

Have you heard anything about Poly Language Institute? That's the one in ChangWon. LCI Kids Club is in Dobong district of Seoul.

[seoulsucker]

I think all teachers should have to do a year at a hagwon, so they'll keep their f'n mouths shut and appreciate how good they have it at public/private/university gigs.

The crap I've heard at a few of the private schools I've worked at from teachers who never went through the trenches is unbelievable.

One gal planned her wedding and 1.5 week honeymoon two weeks after our 6 week summer vacation ended. The administration was gracious enough let her take it.

A month later she threatened to quit (with VERY vocal support from a few other teachers) because the principal wouldn't sign off on a "paid personal day" she wanted to take. Her reason? She had a KTX train ride ALL THE WAY FROM BUSAN TO SEOUL on Sunday afternoon and thought she was too tired to teach on Monday.

[amac123]

[amac123]

Or actually. I'm just assuming here. Maybe they weren't American.

[some waygug-in]

[comm]

[tausha12]

Honestly your best bet at a hagwon is to talk to a current AND former teacher.

Also, look at the hours you're expected to work, will your prep time be included in your 8 hour day? If not, you could be pulling 8-9 hours and then staying late to do lesson plans, progress reports or whatever.

I've worked at two hagwons. One was hell! The other was really nice. It was definitely more work then a public school but I was never bored. Also, I had plenty of time to do my work AT school. That includes weekly lesson plans, monthly progress reports for kindergarten, report cards for elementary every three months and the occasional test for middle school.

Public school is nice because you have a korean co-teacher who helps you with class. But you do have TONS of free time. I don't really like that fact. It is a lot less stressful though.

Good luck!

[happiness]

not all hagwons are the same, not all owners are the same. ive worked for a couple excellent hagwons and the owners were very fair with me, and I worked hard for them. I think ppl who bitch about their hagwons, would bitch about working in schools too.