Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DanseurVertical]

Among foreign teachers, as well as among the Korean populace. Thoughts?

[I know well that among chains, each has its exceptionally better or worse individual schools -- I'm just curious about general reputation.]

[olsanairbase]

Your premise is flawed since it assumes that ANY hogwan or hogwan is respected in SK.

[dyc]

The S Koreans I've talked to seem to favor Avalon and ECC - the "big name" ones. But of course, we have all heard the horror stories from some of the YBM-ECC franchises.

[ktkates87]

for some reason every one in my town thinks their child will come out a genius if they go to Poly School.

[edwardcatflap]

For a hagwan or chain to be truly respected I'd say it would need the following.

1) Only employ experienced and qualified teachers
2) Pay them around 3 million a month for around 20 hours a week of teaching with a sliding scale for more quailifications and experience.
3) Have regular teacher development workshops
4) Have management who are more experienced and qualified than the teachers, get paid more and have time down to observe teachers and give them constructive crtiticism.
5) Have a level system based on proper assessments and placement testing.

Otherwise it's probably just down to good marketing or current trend.

[misher]

[Skyblue]

Does the British Council count as a hagwon?

[wylies99]

Even among Korean mothers and students there is little "respect" or loyalty for hagwons. They switch around to different ones at the drop of a hat and always try to cut side deals for groups in their churches or temples. If anything they are more loyal to certain teachers and will follow a good teacher to any hagwon.

[hellofaniceguy]

Not a one; no korean owned hogwon is well respected, let alone respected. Same with chain schools.
These places are just to make money off of desperate parents hoping that their little Johnny/Susie can learn to speak decent English and be able to get a decent job and leave korea.

[edwardcatflap]

[bobbybigfoot]

Respected by foreigners? None.

Respected by parents? Meh, I dunno.

[Skyblue]

[vermouth]

When I was investigating before taking my current job I didn't really hear anyone who had much bad to say about Poly other than that it has you working a lot of hours. Which if that's most of what people are saying bad about a hagwon it's going pretty well.

[pkang0202]

OP, your premise is incorrect. Its not the chain or name of the hagwon that is important. It is the area it is in.

[some waygug-in]

Why do you care if it is respected?

You should be caring more about what the current teachers think about it and what kind of working conditions they have.


There is no such thing as a respected hagwon or chain.