Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sash]

I know the subject will attract some punch lines.

The search function doesn't seem to be working today.

I was wondering if anyone has heard of, or works in a good Hakwon. I don't mean a good hakwon to work at, but one to attend; Either the hakwon has a good reputation, or you know first-hand that the students are learning more than they would by themselves or at other hakwons.

I would like to know the Hakwon's name, location, and what age groups are taught at the establishment.

Thanks in advance

[GoldMember]

Yea, but WHY?

[GaryCooper]

Lee Sang Hee Preparatory School in Pohang is an excellent hogwan. It's at 987-15 Daejam-dong, Nam-gu, in Pohang. It teaches preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school students, plus it has a few clases for adults.

It's been in business since 1981 and has a reputation of preparing students well for the English demands of prestigious universities. The teachers there have master's degrees in education in one form or another, so they are quite knowledgeable. The owner is a teacher herself, and (unlike most hogwan owners) is extremely knowledgeable about English education. The personnel director is an American who's been at this hogwan for 24 years and is now part owner. The academic director has been at this school for about 5 years, and has been teaching for about 15.

Yours truly has worked there for over two years. We are treated exceptionally well by management, given fine support by them when their support is needed. They pay us well, provide us with excellent housing, and even pat us on the back from time to time. It's a highly motivating place to work and, consequently, it would feel like we were betraying school if we didn't throw our weight into planning, teaching, grading, etc. Students learn more from us than they do from our competitors in town, and so we have a reputation of attracting higher-level students keen on learning English. New teachers who come to the school are sometimes impressed by how intelligent and diligent these students are, compared (for example) to other hogwans they have worked at. That was my response when I came here.

Anyway, I am sure there are other great hogwans out there, but that's the one I know well.

[Sash]

[Dev]

I recommend that you forget about hagwons and get a public school job with EPIK.

Because the schools are funded by municipal governments, there's no nonsense with getting paid. They won't screw you out of your airfare and severence pay by firing you in your 11th month. You don't work weekends and you always finish work by 4:30 pm. And of course you get about two months off total when school is out of session during the winter and summer breaks.

Don't do that hagwon thing man. They'll work you to death and maybe rip you off.

There's also no job security there. If any of the kids don't like you (even if you're a good teacher), you'll be fired. That's part of working for a private enterprise.

[Sash]