Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bofoglitterunicorn]

Hi,


I'm been preparing to get a job in Korea. Originally I was simply going to go and get a job there but because I would have to get a tourist visa and seeing as how most jobs give you a ticket, I decided to get a job before I go. Now I've been reading these posts for a while now about the different companies and most hagwons sound evil . I mean not most but basically all. Someone must be having an good experience out there. I don't have any teaching experience so I can't get those fancy university jobs or anything. Any recomendations? Also are there any jobs out there where you work 30 hours a week with prep time included? They seem rare.

[Peter Jackson]

Hello,

There ARE some good hagwons (very few) and it will take some real research to find one. Even some of the big bad franchises (Kid's College, Wonderland, ECC, etc) MAY have one or two decent branches. Some tricks are to not take the first job offered to you, ask lots of questions, and if possible get the email adresses of teachers who are currently working there.

You can also post any potential contracts on Dave's and ask for a review.

Happy job hunting!

[Sody]

It's hard to understand from all the posts on this site, but the best teaching jobs in Korea are all in hagwons. They beat out even the best public school jobs. However, if you've done your homework you would realize it is REALLY hard to find and get these jobs. Virtually impossible for new teachers or teachers who have limited experience. Also these jobs are very scare and limited. They are also usually reserved for better qualified teachers (some with teaching degrees) and can usually only be gotten through word of mouth or direct references.

Sody

[ttompatz]

[bofoglitterunicorn]

Thanks for the replies.

That's basically what I concluded already. But I have another question. Are 30 hour working weeks hard to get. It seems like it's advertised often but when looking at the actual hours it works out to 40-50 hours a week. Are those 30 hour a week jobs out there?

[The_Conservative]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[ttompatz]

[esetters21]

Every time that a question like this comes around it peaks my interest. It seems that most people that give advice have had no teaching or job experience beyond what they have done in Korea.

People always tell you what you should be making for hours taught. Does anyone consider that most of you have no formal training, educational degree, or certification to teach anywhere? If you were teaching in your native country, I am almost positive that the prerequisites would be more than they are here and the compensation would be about the same.

You should feel lucky to be given this opportunity and stop bitching about how you are being screwed.

Teaching is a job that requires many hours beyond just the classroom. If you do the bare minimum to get by until you get on the plane to go home after your year or two, then you have wasted everyone's time.

To answer the OP's question; yes there are good hagwons that care about the students and their progress. There are far more that don't care about anything more than fattening their own pockets, but to generalize hagwons as all being this way is ignorant.

[mj roach]

It is possible to come here on your own as you originally planned, meet people (lots of threads re. pubs, etc.) and check out various hakwans before signing.

You won't need to 'get' a visa, unless you want more than the 30 day tourist visa you get on arrival (Portland, Ore. - U.S. passport, right?).

You can negotiate to have your airfare reimbursed. Insist that it be included with the first months pay (get it in writing!) and don't forget to include return fare in the contract.

Since there will be no recruiers' fee, they will be willing. Also, make sure they pay for the 'visa run' and don't be talked into working before you go.

The downside is that you will have to find somewhere to stay, and pay out of pocket, while you search. 'Cheap places to stay' has been done many times - do a 'search'.

[some waygug-in]

While it may be true that there are some good hagwans, I'd guess that there are an awful lot more bad ones. Even if a good hagwan job is better than your average public school job, a bad public school job is better than a bad hagwan. (by far)

That's been my experience anyway.

Follow the advice given above, especially by Tompatz. Don't rush.

It's worth your while to take it slow and not be pressured into anything.

[esetters21]

Any business (which hagwons are) would be stupid to consider reimbursement for airfare and living expenses for those that chose to come here on their own dime. As far as the visa goes, if you don't secure it before you come, then your hiring institution will most likely pay for the "run" for you. I get so tired of the people that feel like they are entitled to reimbursement when they had no affiliation with the hiring school prior to coming here. They owe you nothing!

[esetters21]

[Homer]

There are more good hakwons that people think. In fact, there are many very good to excellent Hakwons out there. You just have to find them.

Sift through the bad ones until you find a good one which of course takes time and energy.

Public School jobs, on average, tend to be better than avg Hakwon positions. But this also depends on what the teacher wants to do.