Comments on: Teaching English in Korea: How to Get a Good Hagwon Job

By: Amanda Slavinsky

Amanda Slavinsky — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 08:46:44 +0000

I’m glad you found it helpful! Hagwons aren’t all bad. If you can get a good one I think it could actually be better than a public school, minus the vacation.

By: Ceri

Ceri — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 06:36:12 +0000

This is a great post. I’m in the process of applying to teach in Korea.

I’m applying for the EPIK programme but all my documents are going to be submitted late (late April/early May) so there’s no guarantee I’ll get anything because of the first come, first serve basis. At the same time I’ve been in contact with a friend’s old boss – the head of a Hagwon who has an opening for the school in September.

I’ve been back and forth about which one to go for if I have the opportunity to choose so this information about Hagwons is really useful. Thank you.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 02:18:20 +0000

Glad to hear someone else had a good experience. Thanks for the comment!

By: Doc Wends

Doc Wends — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 06:30:09 +0000

My sister used to teach ESL in Korea too and stayed there for 4 years where her experiences were great. She now resides in Canada with her hubby whom she met while also teaching ESL in Korea, in the very school where she taught.

I agree with you in all fronts on this post.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 07:55:09 +0000

Very true. I didn’t realize the full extent of this until I was looking for my second job after having lived in Korea for 10 months. I said I was looking for jobs in eastern Seoul and they would send me listings for jobs in Bundang, or for afternoon shifts when I wanted to work mornings. If they actually listened to what English teachers wanted they would probably be able to place more people!

By: Daniel McBane

Daniel McBane — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 09:46:17 +0000

The advice to be firm with recruiters with respect to what you’re looking for is very important. Many recruiters will pull the “bait and switch”, ie they will list a great job to get applicants, but once you inquire about that job, you will find it’s no longer available and will be bombarded with substandard offers that often ignore any guidelines you may have given. If this happens, find a new recruiter. There are so many of them and some actually do try to do their job honestly. If you’re not sure about your recruiter, just get a new one. If they’re honest, you’ll know

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 06:13:32 +0000

I agree. A lot of it is common sense but I think people can get intimidated or nervous when looking for a job and settle for something because they don’t think they can get anything better or that something else will come along. You might not be able to negotiate with a hagwon, but you can turn them down and wait for something better. It’ll be worth it when you aren’t selling your soul for a year and hating it here

By: Waegook Tom

Waegook Tom — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 15:30:43 +0000

Amanda, these are GREAT tips and echo exactly what I say to anyone coming to work in Korea. The job specifications you’ve laid out (8 hours, 2.1 mil, 10 days vacation + severence) are what anyone starting out should be going for.

You’re right about getting the e-mail address of the current foreign teacher. If the recruiter is reluctant, you’ve got to think “WHY wouldn’t they want me to talk to a current teacher working at the place?” Likewise if the recruiter is uncommunicative or doesn’t listen, get a new recruiter.

Hagwon jobs are often seen as unsavoury and they can be, but if you follow the tips you’ve laid down here, you’ll minimise the chances of getting a crappy job for sure. Most of it is common sense really, but it still bears being said as some people just jump in blindly.