Korean Job Discussion Forums

Aoisagi · Joined: 21 Jul 2009

I haven't really had a lot of luck getting into a public school in Gyeonggi province. I've been trying for about 6 months, contacted a bunch of recruiters and still no luck. I have all the basic credentials (BA, Canadian citizen, TESOL etc.) and I have all my documents. What's up with these GEPIK individual schools?

Recruiters keep telling me they'll find me a position and they'll contact me (it's usually me having to ask them if there are any new schools instead of them contacting me) when they have one but so far, I've had maybe 2 schools but they ended up eventually hiring someone else.

I'd really like to work in Gyeonggi province in any kind of city like Suwon, Bundang, Bucheon, Anyang etc. but the public sector looks very bleak for me. I don't know what gives. I get along well with my recruiters. I figured recruiters would go all out for me since they get money if I go with them.

So please. help me out here. I'm lost as to what to do. Should I pressure my recruiters? Or forget about PS and go private? Honestly, I want to stay away from the hagwons but it looks like I'm running out of options. Thoughts?

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

sulperman · Joined: 14 Oct 2008

I think public school is a better gig than private in most cases, especially for experienced teachers, but not that much better. At a good hagwon you're going to meet more foreigners and more people your own age, probably sleep later, and have a great time.

Plus it is a lot easier at first, because you can settle in to teaching with nobody really watching you, whereas at a PS you are in front of 40 kids being observed by another teacher in every single class.

Adam Carolla · Joined: 26 Feb 2010

toph · Joined: 10 Jun 2010

Okay, so hagwons aren't that bad. A lot of people here post horror stories, but that's because a lot of people treat Dave's as a way to vent their personal experiences. You shouldn't rule hagwons out until you've had your own experience with them.

As for GEPIK--I had trouble getting a job with them as well. The recruiters I was working with were all really nice, but I just couldn't get a job for some reason. I gave up after 2 months and moved on to hagwons. I still haven't applied to any hagwons, because I'm not going to leave until December or January.

I wouldn't settle for working in a rural location, but that's also considering the fact that I'm used to where my aunt lives (Ilsan in Gyeonggi-do). I can't really tell you to choose hagwon over pub-schools, or vice versa, as this is going to be up to you in the end...but what I am saying is that you shouldn't leave them out. Just look into all your options, this way you'll be able to find the best fit for you.

Aoisagi · Joined: 21 Jul 2009

Thanks for the replies everyone.

TheUrbanMyth -> I'm 24 years old and I'm half Chinese and half Scottish but born and raised in Canada. So definitely not the blonde looking guy.

Adam Carolla -> I'm currently in Canada. I really hadn't gotten any interviews say on the phone or on Skype but I've had to write up a lesson plan and answer interview questions (basically type out my answers) from a principal at an elementary school. Are you / were you applying to hagwons when you had your interviews?

tpoh -> Thanks for the tips.

Are there hagwons that have the same start time as PS? Maybe 8:30-4:30 or 9-5? The majority of them that I end up seeing are from 2-9 or some really awkward schedule. Thanks again.

different · Joined: 22 May 2003

If you have no experience teaching ESL, I hope you end up at a hagwon. It's nothing personal, I just hate when newbie teachers end up in public school jobs.

Why do I feel that way? In a public school, your contract may say you're an assistant, but that's not really the case. The native teacher usually puts together the curriculum and prepares all the activities, and it's actually a very challenging job to do *well*. If you're a newbie, the students' time will be wasted as you "get your feet wet". Frankly, I don't think most public school native English teachers (experienced or not) affect the students' English that much.

At a hagwon, though, an inexperienced teacher can still do a good job. Hagwons have much smaller classes (which are divided by level) and will probably have everything laid out for you to follow. Sometimes the curriculum is lame, but if it's good, even a new teacher can make a difference.

After a couple years, if you think you're ready to put together a curriculum, you can try a public school.

By the way, if you prefer morning & afternoon hours, there are plenty of hagwons out there for you if you are willing to teach kindergarten classes.

RANT: EPIK et al were absolutely insane to take away the nice vacation time they once offered. What a great way to push away the qualified teachers that they need.

EDIT: I was reading another thread and I guess public elementary schools follow a nationwide curriculum (middle and high schools don't).
I don't know if the elementary curriculum provides good activities, but even if it does, an experienced teacher will execute more effectively in such a large, mixed-level class situation.

Aoisagi · Joined: 21 Jul 2009

different -> You make some valid points regarding public schools. Perhaps I should go the hagwon route. What should I look for in a hagwon? Reputable? Location? Pay on time? Are the morning/afternoon classes involve kindergarten and elementary? The things that scare me about Hagwon is getting fired before the contract is over so the owner doesn't pay the bonus + flight, not getting paid on time, and insurance/pension. I know, I know this doesn't reflect all of them but these are my concerns.

Edit: I'm looking through some hagwon positions and the times are from 9 am - 7:30 pm. I know you don't teach the entire time but isn't this a bit long? 10.5 hours?

different · Joined: 22 May 2003

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

OP,

I think this thread is really helpful to you. While I don't teach for these kind of schools, I read all threads on these boards, and I can tell you that the information you've received so far seems really good.

Listen to the feedback you're getting, I think these guys are truly trying to help you.

Good luck.

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

9-7:30 isn't common for hagwons.

A hagwon (sometimes advertised as a private school) is an after school program. You may start your day at 12 and finish at 8 or 9. This is common, but by no means is it standard.

Other posters are correct, if you are new to teaching, don't go to public school. It could burn you out. If you have teaching experience/Education/English major I'd advise you go to public school and get the pay bump Idea

@different
My school hired a new teacher recruited by yours truly. I truly believe the game is to get another local $$$- at any cost.

Edit:
Since you got TESOL I'd like to give you a hint on what's happening:
Schools are being stingy. The principal controls the school as though it were his fiefdom, and he can dictate which budget is used to buy what (read: English supply money used for BBQ night out) The principal may not want to sacrifice his dinner budget to give a teacher an extra $100 each month. BUT: if public schools are what you want, keep aiming for it. There is always an opening somewhere.

kiwipenny · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Location: South Korea

You could even try for a gangnam public school job( I worked for them before).. they will start looking for teachers around July ... for September semester.

Great pay and 6 weeks vaca.. they are more strict than GEPIK ( who I'm with now) and they run their own district..

If you can find some info about who to email I'd send them your resume ... they usually like experienced teachers but will also hire teachers with TESOL who are coming to Korea for the first time or with a teaching cert.

They also had good workshops when I was there.. to help with teaching etc.. don't know how much it has changed in the last 12 months but worth a try~

Try searching ... Gangnam Gucheon Office of Education Job posts~

I liked them.. just had a prob with my principal and one of my co-teachers.
But the program is ok to work for~ and pay starts around 2.5
( used to provide housing or 600 for rent.. but heard now they may not have housing .. but give you something like 800-900 for rent)

8 years down · Joined: 16 Dec 2009

What's with the hakwon teacher hate?

I've taught at both and I can tell you the kids learn a whole lot more at a private school, where they are grouped by level rather than some garbage public curriculum where half your class can't speak a word of English.

Private school curriculum is garbage as well, but at least you have a smaller group of similar level students that you can actually see results with.

Adam Carolla · Joined: 26 Feb 2010

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

Not all hagwon jobs are terrible. In fact, some are downright fantastic. Some of us make more money than the top tier PS teachers, will less hours logged. Generally, though, you do have to sacrifice vacation time.

I think the glory days of PS jobs are over. I think at one point in time, they were superior but I'm not so sure that's the case anymore.