Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ABCDAVE]

Am I crazy to consider teaching at a 학원 during my second year in Korea?

The public school position I have now is great... but has been very isolating given the fact I am about a 30 minute drive from North Korea. Furthermore, with the exception of the students I teach (MS), just about everybody in the area is well into their 70's.

One reason I've enjoyed my current position is that I have been exposed to the more traditional and cultural side of Korea. However, until I make a final assessment on what Korea is like, I would like to experience the more urban and social side of it as well. Hence, I have decided to stay another year.

The big question now is, even though I could find a "public" position in an "urban" area... stay public... or go private?

[chachee99]

Hmm, I never worked in the country side. However, finaing a public school position in Seoul will be extremely difficult. There are public schools in Gyounggi Do area which is close to Seoul. However, most contracts are GEPIK deals.


I don't think you are crazy for wanted to trade your rural public job for a hogwan position in the city. I being out in boonies would probably drive me mad after a couple months, mainly due to bordom. The sticks is nice to visit, but I wouldn't want to commit myself to a year of it.

Sure you probably spend less of your paycheck, but IMO most days would be extremely dull.

[sock]

If you're happy teaching middle school kids, I can think of two potential benefits to switching from public school to a hakwon. First of all, you're more likely to meet more foreigners at a hakwon, which makes it easier to have an instant social life. Secondly, if you're careful and choosy about the hakwon, it's very possible to have a healthy salary bump and still teach at a decent institute. Daechi and Gangnam come to mind as areas in Seoul that might offer above-average salaries for teaching middle school kids, especially to a teacher who has public-school experience teaching that age group.

Potential drawbacks to switching from public school to a private school: your schedule is in for a major change. Expect to teach anywhere from around 3-11 pm. And you'll be teaching every hour, not like the cushy public school where you work a three-hour day and then sit on your butt surfing the internet for the rest of your "workday." Classes will never be canceled so the kids can go on some field trip to the mountains/beach or take some oh-so-important test. If you're into padding your income on the side, you won't have time (at least not at the right time of day) to teach privates, but you might be able to pick up some kindy work if you think you can handle it. Sometimes after working all afternoon and evening, you are exhausted and don't feel like heading out for a night of partying--but then again, some people like working and then immediately going out and not having to worry about waking up early and/or hungover the next morning.

There are good things and bad things. Like everything else in life, whether it's good or bad, worth it or not, is up to you. If you decide to make the switch, now is a good time. Tons of jobs out there, and this time of year employers are starting to get desperate enough for you to capitalize on.

[gsxr750r]

I would consider it a bad idea to switch.

Find another public school closer to Seoul. Sure, there are a few exceptions where a hagwon job can be decent, but they are rare.

Don't go back to a hagwon.

[ABCDAVE]

I have felt, and am feeling as though I am leaning more towards sticking with the public schools. But I can't help but wonder what the other side has to offer. Just as I said I wanted to experience both sides of Korea (social metropolis vs. cultural country), I often wonder if I should give the education field the same chance (public vs. private)...

Just yesterday I read that in 2005 Korea spent 3.4% of it's total GDP on 학완 oriented schooling ($15bn/yr). Being able to become familiar with how this sector works could hold a lot of potential when considering future business prospects between the US and Korea.

But perhaps I don't have to teach in a 학완 to know that I would already like to see a significant change in some of their shady ways.

Thanks for the advice thus far guys.