Teaching English in Korea
Hagwons/Hakwons (Private Schools) Versus EPIK (Public School)
Jun 24, 2009
Teaching ESL in Korea can be a great opportunity to travel while setting aside up to thousands of dollars a year. Both private and public schools offer competitive salaries, as well as housing, plane tickets and other benefits. Choosing the right school is a matter of personal preference.
What are Hagwons/Hakwons?
A hagwon is the Korean word for private school. Korean children typically attend several hagwons after school for various subjects like English, piano, tae kwan do, and math. Classes are generally one hour in length.
Hagwons: The Pros
- Most teachers are enticed by the working hours offered at a hagwon. The typical hagwon position requires up to thirty teaching hours a week between the hours of 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. (excluding kindergarten teachers, who work mornings). The classes are usually elementary age, with students ranging in age from six to twelve (although this may vary).
- A hagwon position is great for someone with no prior teaching experience. Most hagwons have comprehensive textbooks for their classes, complete with workbooks and teacher manuals. All the teacher needs to do is scan the material before class; very little preparation time is necessary.
Hagwons: The Cons
- Hagwons are primarily a business, and all decisions are made with the bottom line, not education, as the deciding factor. For those with a true passion for teaching, this can be a deal breaker.
- Hagwon owners are notorious for taking advantage of foreigners. Any potential hagwon teacher should review his contract carefully, and be sure to point out anything questionable before signing. Many hagwon teachers have faced unpaid overtime hours, unexpected weekend field trips, and unpaid mini-camps as a result of signing their contract too quickly.
- Housing is provided by the hagwon. While some apartments are very nice, it's not uncommon for a hagwon teacher to find himself in a cheap apartment with mold, bug infestations, and other problems, all so the hagwon owner can save a few dollars each month.
Of course, there are many good hagwon owners in Korea. Before signing on with a hagwon, spend some time communicating with the owner and, if possible, current and former teachers, to get a feel for the school.
What is EPIK?
EPIK stands for English Program in Korea. This government-run organization focuses on creating methodologies and textbooks for teaching English in Korea's public school system, and provides teacher training.
Korean Public School: The Pros
- A public school teacher has much better job security than a hagwon teacher. The contracts are straightforward with no surprise camps or unpaid hours.
- Usually, every foreign ESL teacher at a public school is partnered with a Korean teacher and receives guidance on lesson planning and help with classroom discipline. While the foreign teacher is responsible for more lesson planning than a hagwon teacher, the school provides materials, and many new teachers are very successful with a public school job.
Korean Public School: The Cons
- School typically starts around 8 a.m., so there's no sleeping in for the public school teacher! Regardless of actual teaching hours, every teacher must be present at school all day. Many public school teachers report spending three or four hours a day at school, surfing the internet or reading.
- Part of EPIK training occasionally involves attending out-of-town weekend seminars. While this does losing a weekend, it can also be an opportunity to meet many new foreigners while exploring a new city during down time.
Deciding to Teach English in Korea
It is possible to pay off student loans while exploring a new culture by teaching ESL in Korea. The decision to teach at a private or public school should be based on the priorities of the teacher, and what he or she wants out of the experience.
For an extensive list of Korean ESL jobs, visit Dave's ESL Cafe.
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