Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dutchman]

Anyone else think there is a big market for hagwon style education in North America? While I think Korean students are forced to study too much, I also think American students don't study enough. It seems to me there would be at least a modest demand for hagwons in the States.

Here's an example. A friend of mine just told me it costs $40 a week to have his daughter take piano lessons (once a week). Here it cost 80,000 won a month to study everyday. In the States the student goes to the teacher's house and has a one on one lesson. Here the students go to the hagwon ands the teacher circulates from student to student. The hagwon seems much more efficient and reasonably priced.

Might there also be interest in second language study for children? I'd certainly want it for my kids if I was living there.

What do you think?

[billbile]

Well I've heard that there are Hakwon-type outfits in Australia. Most of the students are actually Korean, which is probably not much of a surprise...

[ThreeDogNight]

Depending on whether or not it's against the law(you need to be certified to teach just about anything in the States) then I think it's a great idea and one that's necessary as well. I wish I had all this tutoring kids get here.

[Bulsajo]

They're already in Vancouver and Calgary for ESL (again mostly Korean students).

[Tiger Beer]

Yeah, I always thought hogwans would be great.. particularly with languages, but really anything.

I'd love to sit in a spanish classroom or Brazilian-Portuguese or whatever classroom for an hour a night paying less than $100 for the entire month.. with a local from that country.. and a little social club surrounding that person and his language/culture/country.. sounds fascinating!

[bignate]

They are pretty much the norm in North York, close to where I live. It almost looks like Korea here, similar signs lighting up the buildings, and that isn't anywhere near Bloor Street, where Little Korea is.

One Hagwon Owner has been here since the late 80s. It isn't new that's for sure. Everything from ESL, computers, Mathematics, to Music.

I am going for an interview today for a writing and composition Hagwon, should be interesting.

[Tiger Beer]

[jvalmer]

Something called Kumon. They concentrate on speeding up math skills with lots of drills, over and over again. I was the only white kid in the 'hagwon' for about 6 months. I think it's a Japanese organization. But, mostly asian kids enroll, a good mix of Chinese, Korean and Indian kids.