Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Miss L]

Hi-- Recently I have accepted a job with a Hogwan. This is my first time traveling to Korea to teach. I spoke with several teachers from this school through email and by phone and they apparently are very happy with their current situation. I feel confident that this will be an amazing experience. However, just the other day I was offered another job for a Canadian/Foreign school. I had to turn this offer down primarily because I have signed another contract (in which I am content with) but the recruiter told me that I would not be treated like a real teacher (PS: I'm a certified teacher) in a Hogwan...? Also, stating how much better the other job would be. I am sure that atleast one person has not had a good experience with either type of school, that's just reality.

What's your take on this....is the recruiter speaking some truth? Or is the recruiter trying to get me to sign?

Thanks

Here are some small happy facts about the Hogwan:

The Hogwan pays more...I live with one of my best buds...we are in an area with lots of Foreigners...the school is straight...management is very professional...and the list goes in.

[prosodic]

[The Lemon]

[peppermint]

Hagwons have earned their rep, though there are good ones, (not that this board would reflect that.) They aren't real schools in the academic sense, why would you be treated like a real teacher? They're more like piano lessons or extra curricular activities that supplement the regular school. ( lots of learning does go on, but it's gotta be hidden in a game most of the time)

I can't speak for the Foreign schools, but I'd imagine they're far closer to what you're used to. I've noticed that acredited teachers seem to have a far harder time adjusting to the Korean style of edutainment. Even in the public school where I work things are quite different from home.

The foreign school will be much more prestigious, and it's hard to know what a hagwon will really be like until you get there. If you're teaching at a foreign school, there will be lots of foreigers too- the students parents.
It's comparing apples and oranges really, but good hagwons don't generally require you to share housing.

[Real Reality]

Dismissal at the 11 Month Mark of the Contract
Dismissal at the 5 Month Mark of a Contract
Shared Accommodation With Strangers
Racial Discrimination
Work Illegally or be Dismissed
http://efl-law.com/deceptive_practices.html

Korean school owners have Hagwon Associations across Korea. It is known that at their meetings they receive advice from their legal people on ways to 'bend,' 'manipulate,' and even 'break' some laws that would otherwise give foreigner's protection.
http://efl-law.com/KETA.html

http://www.prisonerofwonderland.com/summary.html

[oneiros]

It really depends on your hogwan. Some of them build their reputation on having high academic standards. Teachers at those hogwans are actually expected to teach rather than play bingo.

Some hogwans would rather have you play bingo than actually try to teach the kids anything.

There's no fool-proof way of figuring which one of these choices a hogwan is, but there are a few indications. Do they have a set curriculum? Do they provide actual teacher training? What kind of resources/library do they have? How do they place students into classes (ie do they test for levels, or do they ask "when can you come"?)

Hope everything works out for you!

[Skarp]

Go with the Canadian Foreign school IMO. Better resources, better hours, better deal all round.

Unless you want out of the 'proper teacher mode' and to be able to teach English in a fun and creative way.

I have heard few complaints about the foreign schools - heaps about the hogwans.

Don't be worried about having signed - it means nothing - what seems to count is the E-2 visa application - has that been started?

Good luck anyway.


Hope it works out.

[Juggertha]

totally depends on the hogwon.

[Flex Bulkchest]

this isn't too insightful as i'm just stating the obvious, but of course you're going to have a slightly different experience in the two jobs, somethings better, somthings worse. but it sounds like you have a great hagwon job lined up, so i wouldn't worry about it, i think you'll probably have a great year.

that being said, they don't respect certified foreign teachers in their school, let alone when you hit the hagwon

[Miss L]

Just to clarify...are you saying regardless of which job it is, the hogwan or the foreign that the respect level will be relatively equal?

Thanks for the reply, and I agree, I do have a good hogwan lined up.

[justagirl]

There is generally less respect for teachers at the hakwon. It is NOT a real school. The purpose of a hakwon is to make money and to please the parents.

Every qualified teacher I have known that has worked in a hakwon has been very displeased by the misleading notion that it was a school. I guess is a school, but only in a vague sense. The children are often in the wrong class, don't listen, or don't do homework that helps them learn. When you suggest that a student be in an appropriate class, the parents insist that they stay 3 levels higher, because the appearance is good. (my child is level X). There is no true way to enforce homework, because you don't give grades.

If you desire to teach and use what you learned getting your degree, go for the real school. (ps, the real school will also count towards teaching experience back home, where as a hakwon won't.)

justagirl

[Jensen]

[dull artist]

Just for a personal experience: I have a great Hagwan, a great director, I like the kids, but Korea, for me, is a nasty place with nothing to do but drink and take crap from people who think I'm here to do their women and make money off their stupid country, which I guess I am, in a way.

[Crois]

They sell smak in Hogwons? Where

[oneiros]