Korean Job Discussion Forums

Weigookin74 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009

Which Chain Hogwans are the best? I may not know them all. YBM ECC, YES, Pagoda, Avalon, etc? I seem to be reading so many negative complaints about the public school system. I'm not happy with my situation but it's not as bad as many I have read here. Also, does the increased competition seem to be making it difficult to find good hogwan jobs too? Maybe recruiters not getting back to you so quickly? Give me your thoughts.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Home sweet home

What are the main complaints with the public schools? For me, the highlight is low teaching hours, and starting early int he morning, I'm an early bird.

youtuber · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

The biggest negative is working with a coteacher. It seems hit or miss whether you get a good one or an overbearing one. Bottom line, is I wouldn't want someone looking over my shoulder and having to approve everything I teach. It is a subordinate relationship and is not equal.

And by the way OP, everyone will have some trash talk about every hagwon, public school, English Village, ect.

In my experience, I enjoyed working at YES Youngdo and the Seoul English Village. But many people would have hated it I am sure.

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject:

It's less of a crap shoot to find a good hagwon because instead of random assigned placement to some school you've never heard of before, WITH A HAGWON YOU CAN VISIT BEFOREHAND, talk to the staff, see the facilities and apartment, get a good sense of the people and the place. I did that and found a wonderful hagwon I stayed at for three years.

I just recently had a phone interview for a hagwon job and the director wanted to hire me but I insisted on visiting first, on meeting her in person, talking to the other teachers, seeing the classroom and classes in action, eyeballing in person the apartment, asking questions of anyone and everyone came across, really made sure it was a good fit.

Don't rely on the franchise name or corporate chain brand to decide which hagwon to work at because good and bad hagwons vary within and between all chains, franchises and mom&pop shops. Instead, consider the specifics of a particular hagwon, as that is what makes all the difference between a good experience and a bad one. Now, it's not fool proof to visit and interview in person, but it sure helps. I have walked out of plenty of hagwons WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES on my job search because my spidey sense went off about something or someone, and one should always go with one's gut.

If you are overseas and not in Korea yet, however, it can be almost as much of a crap shoot as the PS jobs, but at least sometimes you can talk to staff on the phone and have apartment pictures emailed, can find out how far your commute will be and have a conversation with the person who will be your boss.

smoggy · Joined: 31 Jul 2009

I thought that ECC was going to be fantastic, but the franchises only buy the name and must use the rotten books that the supervisors select. The kids often hate the books (Teen Talk & Interactions) They often ask me why do we use this book. Why do we talk about love and being dumped when we are in elementary school?

Some owners don't follow the contract, and pay on a regular basis, but often late. I'm used to getting my pay at the start of the day in my account. If there is a holiday day, it pushes our pay by a day or two. This would never happen in the US.

neil537 · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Location: Incheon, South Korea

"G in Girls and B in Boys, GnB English is the best"

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

loyfriend · Joined: 03 Aug 2009

neil537 · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Location: Incheon, South Korea

I'm not seriously saying GnB is the best, No.

My OP is part of the 'GnB Song' that is printed at the start of all our books. I have sung it once (when I was a newbie) and I will never sing it again!

In saying that, I have worked at for 2 different directors running 2 schools each over the last two years, and have enjoyed most of my time working.

I get paid on time, I work 2-8:30 mon-fri, the classes are quite small and although the kids are not of a high standard, they are mostly well-behaved and keen to learn. Severance pay and flights home were not a problem last year, my apartment was small last year but is much better this year, and my bosses were and are pretty flexible with vacation.

I know for a fact that there are a lot worse chains out there. And yes, there are a lot better too. But I'm content with my lot. GnB is the same as a lot of hagwon chains, it all depends on what your franchise is like. I guess I've been lucky.

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:23 pm Post subject:

I have a friend who works at Reading Town and she loves it.

adjective_noun · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:06 pm Post subject:

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:05 pm Post subject:

Captain Obvious · Joined: 23 Oct 2009

Daniel_D · Joined: 29 Dec 2008

I work at a GnB and can say it's not bad at all. I worked at another chain before and it made me hate my life ~.~

madhusudan · Joined: 30 Jan 2006

I've found that working in the main office of a large hagwon chain is fine. The headquarters is, in my experience, run like a normal business ie. paid on time in full, insurance, pension etc.

That same name, in one of its franchises, might be a hell hole.