Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ifa79]

Hi,
I've already done a year at a hagwon and am now back in Canada finishing up a Bachelor of Education for 9 to 16 year olds. Thinking about another year or two in SK and want to know if I can get a university job or perhaps an International school. I also have a TESOL Certificate now.

Do the hagwons care about a B. Ed or give me a bit better salary? How about the public school system? Is it good?
Any news or advice will be appreciated since I haven't been over there in two years.
Thanks.

[Grotto]

A bachelor of Ed does open more doors. You will be able to get a job in a public school at the higher pay level. 2.3 for 22 classes a week with the opportunity for overtime.)GEPIK(

You might be able to land a uni position but I would recommend that you wait until you have some exp to go with the degree.

Hogwans will want to hire you but they wont offer you any more money.

The public school system is a different set of headaches from hogwans. Usually its just boredom

[Zark]

The real "international schools" - the ones that pay well and offer you wages equal to home, free housing, air tickets - all over the world - will want you to back up that B.Ed. with a teaching certification from your home country and a couple years of teaching in your home country's public schools. Once that is done - the world is your oyster. In fact, from your previous overseas experience you will have a slight advantage over other newbies.

You are so close to having it all (two years in your home country would do it) - it would be a shame to return to Korea and lose those future opportunities. Just my opinion here.

Real international schools will allow you to work almost anywhere in the world - at good wages - with a secure future. Return to Korea with only a B.Ed. will get you nothing but the hogwan job you already had before.

The B.Ed. won't open any real university doors for you - but handled correctly - will open the world to you.

Good luck!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Dawn]

There are a handful of hogwans that recruit B.Ed. holders and pay accordingly. I've just started my third year at one of them. It's worth noting, though, these jobs tend to involve a lot more work than your "typical" hogwan gig. Lesson planning, evaluation, report card writing, and participation in special events are as much a part of these jobs as of a traditional school job.

All in all, my present job consumes slightly more time a traditional teaching job would. It pays about the same as the largest international schools, several thousand dollars a year more than the smaller ones, and double or more what many of the religious international schools pay. On the downside, there's significantly less vacation time. First-year teachers get the standard two weeks, plus Korean holidays. Personal days are non-existent, and sick days are reserved for near-death experiences. On the plus side, housing and location (the two things that mattered most to me) were far better at this job than at any of the international school positions I considered. Job satisfaction is also somewhat higher, as I deal with students who, by and large, genuinely want to learn.

[Zark]

A real international school will give you about three months vacation - I would consider that critical for a decent job.

The B.Ed. and international school experience will also get you a "real" teaching job back home - with your overseas experience counted and paid for - should the time come that you want to return there. Something even a good hogwan can't do for you.

Nothing against hogwans, don't get me wrong, but if you can get yourself up another rung or two on the ladder - and make your life much sweeter - I say Why not?

[Dawn]

[Zark]

I guess I'd take have to that chance. Twenty years of better wages and a total of five years more vacation time. He could look into a non-unionized state (Arizona is a Right-to-Work state, for example). Or his improved savings and investments of the last twenty years should cushion him from from misfortune.

Sorry, I just can't advocate a lifetime of hogwan work in Korea - when the world could be your plum. Better to open up the options a bit - even on the odd chance of a problem (maybe) in twenty years.

The OP asked about international school or uni jobs - and I have suggested what, in my experience, would be the better path.

Only my opinion, of course. To each his own.

[guangho]

Any word on the Korea International School?