Korean Job Discussion Forums

Eaglescout · Joined: 17 Jun 2003 Location: Canada

Hello

I'm new here to this forum, and I came here because Mr. Sperling told me that this would be an excellent place to come to find more information about teaching english in Korea, something that I am die hard about.

I don't have a degree (I'm working on one now), but I am still interested in teaching in Korea for summer vacations.

A friend that I know in Korea told me about Hakwon. I'm not exactly sure what these are. Could I possibly get some information about this?

What are they like? Do they provide airfare and accomodations in order to bring foreign teachers into the job?

If I could get some information about this, or some advice/opinions on this, I would greatly appreciate it.

Mody Ba · Joined: 22 May 2003

Dave,have you been leading this newbie astray? Smile

Well,first of all,it is English,not "english". Kind of important. On the other hand,"hakwon" is not usually capitalized,unless,of course it begins a sentence such as "Hakwons are private schools which should only be mentioned in the same breath as bubonic plague,SARS,monkey pox,ebola, and other dread afflictions."Or, if it is part of a title, such as The Harvard Hakwon of Good English Teaching. Laughing

Hakwons are generally rip-off operations.Not ALL of them, but most.Some will pay for your airfare,some will not.If you must work at one,obviously go with one which does.Try to get them to pay the airfare up front,although will refuse to do that.
Accommodations?Wellllll.....they usually provide SOME kind of accommodation...ranging from a rat trap apartment shared with other "teachers" Laughing

to some pretty nice apartments sometimes.

Be careful.They LIE.Best thing is not to work for them at all.If you must,do your research VERY carefully before you agree to work at one.

Are you sure this is a legit request and not just some troll fooling around?If it is legit,best of luck.Be careful!!! Smile

Mody Ba · Joined: 22 May 2003

Just a typo.Mody

Eaglescout · Joined: 17 Jun 2003 Location: Canada

Well, I can assure you that this is NOT some troll reply....

I'm about as green as they get when it comes to teaching ESL.

Like I said, I really want to teach english in Korea, and I am working on a BPA degree in Criminal Justice. Right now, I have a 2 year college diploma in Law Enforcement (because I previously aspired for a career as a police officer) and an advanced TESOL certificate.

No, I'm really not trying to mess anyone around here. I'm simply trying to get some advice on what to do. I seem to be running into the pitfall of not having any experience and not enough education.

Mody Ba · Joined: 22 May 2003

He is absolutely right.I missed that point the first time I read your post.No degree,no legal work here.They do not care if you are working on it.They want to see that piece of paper. So, avery good idea to finish your degree.His advice is right on the money.Forget about anything someone might tell you about coming over here and working illegally.Some people do it and never get caught, but it is really not worth the risk of getting caught. Finish the degree first.Ba

Eaglescout · Joined: 17 Jun 2003 Location: Canada

Hmmm...

Well, thanks for the info.

viva · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Jeju Island

Eaglescout,

A hogwan, or hokwan is roughly translated to academy or institute. It is basically a place where students come for tutoring, or English classes after or before they go to thier regular school. The students come from families who can afford to pay for this extra education. They go to school as usual all day, and then they also go to thier hogwon a few times a week for English class.

There are many many hogwans in Korea. Most of the ESL job postings you will see on the internet are for jobs at hogwans. Some are large companies (Wonderland, Ding Ding Dang, Kid's Herald, etc. are some examples of the large chains that have hogwons all over the country.) Others are small and privately owned individual institutions.

The majority of newbie teachers in Korea start teaching in a hogwon, and then move elsewhere (such as to a university.)

Many hogwans are bad to work for becasue they are just money sucking companies that don't care at all about the well being of thier staff. These are the ones that will screw you over. Others are very honest and are great to work for. Personally I lucked out and work at a really great hogwon. You have to do your research to find a good school, but even that is not foolproof. You are taking a risk by seeking a job via the internet. However, it is certainly possible to find work at a great hogwan.

The above replies are correct. In order to work legally in Korea you must have a university degree. They will not make any exceptions, regardless of how close you are to finishing school. My advise is the same as above, wait till you have the paper in hand.

If you are absolutely desperate to get out of Canada and experience teaching overseas there are a few options. Keep in mind that these options are illegal and very risky.

1. If you look around you may be able to find illegal work on Korea (ie: without a work visa and under the table.)
You would have to come to Korea on your own dime and search for a job once you are here. Many hogwons will hire an illegal teacher becasue they do not have to pay them as much, and they are more expendable. (ie: they can walk all over you or fire you when they choose to.) This is risky, and you'd get deported and in a lot of trouble if you were caught. I know 2 friends from Canada who came over and found work illegally (they didn't have degrees.) Both of them had good experiences and no problems.

2. Many (crooked) recruiters will actually buy a degree for you so that you can work legally here. There are many places in Asia to buy fake degrees, Bankok especially. Again, I don't recommend it because it is dishonest, but it is an option. I also do not recommend using a recruiter. Most are crooked. There are a few good ones out there. (One good one I can think of is called Han Can Connections. Do a search and you'll find their site.)

3. You can come to Korea on your own dime and set up private lessons. Therefore you would be self employeed and able to make and create your own schedule and clientele. Keep in mind that this is also highly illegal and risky. You would be here on a tourist visa, which lasts only 3 months. As a result, you would have to leave and reenter Korea every three months. I know a lady who lives here with her boyfriend and teaches privates illegally. (She does not have a degree or a work visa.) She makes a lot of money and has a great vacation in Thailand every 3 months.

So, there you go. The pros and cons of waiting out your degree before coming. Your life would be easier here if you were legal. But, there are options if you are anxious to get here.

It is easier to get a job in Thailand without a degree. I've heard they will accept teachers with a college education and TESOL certification of some kind. They don't pay as well as Korea or Japan though. .

Hope this helps. Continue your research and you'll figure out your best option.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

You could easily pick up summer work at a camp in China with your quals. You could even get a fulltime university job. Doesn't pay very well. Not sure if they cover your airfare either but it might be worth looking into. Good way to get some experience.

charpet · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I heard that you could actually get a job teaching, even without a degree as long as you had a Tesol...right or wrong?

Mody Ba · Joined: 22 May 2003

As I have never worked in China,I do not know the requirements there,but to work legally in Korea,you need a degree.A TESOL cert is not enough to work legally in Korea.
The other posters gave very good advice.There are people in Korea teaching illegally.It is true many of them will never get caught.But sometimes people DO get caught.The consequences, which can include a fairly hefty fine ,leaving the country and a black mark on your record,are not exactly something to be sneezed at,although some people chance the consequences ,hoping they will be the ones who do not get caught.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

Morning Calm · Joined: 28 Jan 2003

The only way to get a E-2 visa (English Instructors Working Visa) is to have a degree from a English as their first languguage country. This does not mean that you can't teach here, but you have to be prepared and willing to go beyond the daily battles of living a foreignors life in Korea.

Good luck.