Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Warhammer820]

I really want to go to Korea to save money so that I can teach in Thailand without struggling financially my first year there. The thing that is stopping me is the horror stories about Hagwons. I don't want to get screwed out of money so that is why I am hesitant to go to Korea. If i get into trouble I don't know anyone that could help me. I have heard about trying to contact teachers at hagwons to ask them about their job through e-mail, but what if they won't tell the truth if their Hagwon is bad for fear of losing their job. So i guess my question is, how common are bad Hagwons?

[marsavalanche]

[denverdeath]

[marsavalanche]

OP if you're that paranoid you should stick to big chains like ybm and avalon. those are known to at least HONOR their contracts even though they may not be the best gigs.

of course don't be a moron and sign a contract at slp, cdi, and then come back here whining because you're getting screwed over.

[Warhammer820]

thanks everyone for your helpful advice.

[Gorf]

I work for a "good" hagwon. Low hours, pay is always on time, nice management. It's plagued by some of the common hagwon problems, such as changes at a moment's notice and some weird educational systems, but the environment is nice, the location and apartment are better than most, and the kids are really smart and fun to teach. There's no way to find a "good" hagwon, you just have to do as much research (call current teachers, search for online blogs of teachers who work there, etc) and then give it a shot if you find one that works for you. Read up on here about shady school practices (taking your degree, not enrolling you in the pension, whatever) and then start sending recruiters e-mails. Good luck.

[Allthechildrenareinsane]

Good hagwon? Good luck.

[mollayo]

I thought I had a good hogwan...until I got to my 11th month.

[Warhammer820]

Are bad Hagwons really that common as the stories say anyway? The stories make it seem like half the hagwons don't pay you.

[sojusucks]

[Warhammer820]

so if I understand correctly, if a Hagwon does not pay me I can go to The Labor Board to make the Hagwon pay me?

[ttompatz]

[Warhammer820]

Well, if I go to Korea it will be for the money. So this is why I am trying to figure out as much as possible. I am definitely going to Thailand to teach though.

[Warhammer820]

Of course a culture experience too.

[sallymonster]

I work at a good hagwon. Great hours, only 26 classes per week and always less than 7 work hours per day, pay on time and in full, a kind and supportive director who doesn't micromanage (I hardly even see her day-to-day), national health insurance (yes, I have the booklet), and overall a well-managed school!

My hagwon is definitely much better than the GEPIK school I used to work at, where I had mostly useless co-teachers, huge classes (even the after-school classes were big), very little support, and mandatory overtime! (I have to say, the overtime pay was good, but I hated teaching those after-school classes). When I worked at a public school, I woke up every weekday morning dreading going to work. That doesn't happen now that I'm at a hagwon.

My hagwon isn't a part of a chain, it's a mom 'n pop type place that has been in business for 10 years now. I didn't get this job through a recruiter. I was interviewed and hired directly by the school. Before accepting the position I spoke with 3/4 of the foreign teachers working at the school (2 of them in person, 1 on Skype), which everyone should do when offered ANY teaching position in Korea. Being already in Korea, I also checked out my future apartment before accepting.

I guess you can say that I'm really lucky. Of course, it also helps that I was in Korea during that job search.