Korean Job Discussion Forums

gtse · Joined: 01 Sep 2006

Sounds like everyone has many negative things to say about Hagwons. I mean def more negative things than good. As a first timer, should I stay far away from Hagwons and look for public schools? And are all private schools Hagwons? THANKS.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

In answer to your two questions:

1. It depends. Some (and I stress the word some )hagwons/hakwons/hogwons are okay. You will get paid on time (mostly) and have decent to semi-decent working conditions. You will likely spend less hours there (30/week or so) as opposed to public school (40/week or so) but you will teach more classes.

2. Most are but not all.

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

There are so many things to say about hagwons vs public schools. The only way you'll really find out is to come here and be working at one of them. However, the fact that you've found many negative comments on hagwons is largely recognized to be due to the fact that it's more common for people to post their complaints rather than their praises. Hagwons are commercial institutes which are often pure businesses. Thus, there can be more risks involved in teaching there. Your best bet is to thoroughly research any potential school and speak to existing teachers to get the real scoop on a school.

gtse · Joined: 01 Sep 2006

Is it impossible o get public school positions or private school positions as a first timer?

Thanks for the reply and advice!!!

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

dulouz · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Location: Uranus

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Homer · Guest

Well done indeed HotPants.

Could not have said it better myself!

OP: don't rely on what you read here when it comes to hakwons. The people having bad experiences are more vocal than those that are happy in their workplace. Also this place is not all representative of working in Korea.

Hakwons are a mixed bag. You need to sift through that bag (i.e. do your research) and find the good schools (yes there are some).

Just be patient.

When you do contact a school and if they offer you a position always contact the teachers on staff there (Foreign teachers) and ask them about working at the school, the accomodations and the area where they live. They are the only ones who have information that is relevant to the school.

Best of luck with the job search!

Marcilla · Joined: 24 Oct 2005

Yeah, make sure to talk to some people there

I didn't do that, and I'm at a place that's completely disorganized with a boss that's super nice half the time and a psycho bitch the other half

heydelores · Joined: 24 Apr 2006

My first situation in a hagwon was not good. My current situation is great! As others have said, do your research, ask plenty of questions, and visit in person if at all possible.

gtse · Joined: 01 Sep 2006

All great suggestions! Thank you all very much!

On another note; just so I can get a grip of the time frame; say if I was planning to teach around the month of january (2007; can u believe it? Time is going by fast!) when will schools/recruiters usually contact me? Now seems a bit too early for the schools to have anything definite. THANKS Smile

Homer · Guest

About 60 to 90 days before they need someone.