Teach English in Korea at private schools (Hagwons)

Overview

Koreans have great concern for education and illiteracy is almost nonexistent. Most Korean elementary and high school students go to regular public schools in the morning and early afternoon and then attend private institutes in the late afternoon and evening. There are literally thousands of the private institutes that specialize in teaching English to children and teenagers in Korea. These kinds of private institutes are called "Hagwon."

Many native English-speakers are hired to teach at English-language institutes in Korea, referred to as 'yeong-eoh hagwon' which translates as English private school. Hogwons are the most common type of teaching English job in Korea and often require no previous experience Hagwons often have class sizes that range between 1 and 15 students. They provide text books, work books and teacher manuals, so things are pretty much cut and paste and easy to teach. Teaching at a private institute usually means a greater number of teaching hours per week (30 to 36 classes at Hagwons versus 22 classes at the public schools) , less vacation day (10 days of vacation per year at Hagwons versus  21 days to 56 days of vacation at public schools). Wage can be similar or higher to those at public schools (depends on your qualifications). The real benefits of working for a private institute, however, is that usually there are more native English speaking teachers who can help acquaint you with the ins and outs of daily life in Korea while you are the only teacher when you teach at a public school. Since there are more foreign teachers around you, you may make some new friends who can hang out with you (this may not be always true).  Another good point about these institutions is that the relationships between the private school owner and the teachers would be much closer than that of public schools. For example, if you meet a nice employer, he/she will take good care of you. They will treat you like family, take you to restaurants, and show you around (tour) Korea.

 

Need to know more about Hagwon? (If not, you can skip this information).

Hagwon is the Korean-language word for a for-profit private cram school prevalent in South Korea. For families that can afford it, hagwon education usually starts at or before elementary level. It is common for Korean school children to attend one or more hagwon after their school.  It is not uncommon for students to be enrolled in several hagwon of different subject areas at once (in addition to their normal school attendance). Hagwons may specialize in subjects like math, foreign language, science, art, or English. Hagwons offering integrated instruction in several subject areas are also common. These are known as soksem hagwon at the elementary level, and ipsi hagwon at the secondary-school level. College and adult students attend gosi hagwon, which are typically focused on preparation for specific civil service examinations.

In Korea, there are three major types of Hagwons that teach different age groups - Adult class, Secondary Student Class and Junior Class. Secondary student class, for example, focuses on secondary school students as their target market.

There are some private institutes that specialize in teaching English to adults but not many. Most of the schools carter to Kindergarten, Elementary and High School students. Unlike the institutes for children, the job applicant (native speaker) is usually required to have some English teaching qualifications and experience. It is not easy to obtain quality positions teaching adults unless one is "on the ground" in Korea or has some English teaching qualifications and experience. Salaries and benefits tend to be as good as those provided by the children's schools or less than other types of schools.

For the Adult Classes, you start teaching from 6(7) Am. to 9(10) Am. Classes resume again at 7Pm. -10Pm. If you are teaching the Adult classes you have time between these classes to go out and do whatever you want. This type of class is what they call a "split-shift"

For Secondary school Student Classes, you always teach between 2(3) p.m. to 9(10) p.m. You will be teaching student aged between 15 to 19 years old.

For Junior Classes the day is arranged differently. You generally teach between 10:00 Am-6: 30Pm.  A full day of teaching would mean that you would start at 10:30 Am. and work until 6:30pm .You would teach approximately six hours including break times between classes plus one hour lunch break plus one hour waiting time you do not teach but you may have to remain in school. You may take a rest or you may prepare a lecture during the one hour waiting time.

The teaching hours could vary from one school to another. Sometimes the working hours of the schools are much better (different) than the hours I have listed above because many institutes cater to two or more specific markets: Kindergarten, Elementary, High School and Adult Classes. You will need to think about what type of school you are looking for and nee to let us know if your choice is to teach at a Hagwon.

 

Qualification and Benefit

The majority of the information provided in below is quoted directly from the various schools' standard contracts. It is important to note however that there remains the possibility of some differences in the actual contracts signed by you upon your acceptance for employment. Information has a way of changing faster than it can be updated, as policies and business strategies evolve with the times. I will do my best to keep information current and to the point, but updating on an hourly or even daily basis is not always possible. Please forgive any inconvenience this causes you in your research. I have tried to present as much information as was possible here for your viewing, but to put everything would be impossible. Again, this information is as honest and as close to current situations as possible. Hopefully you find it useful in your research into the field of ESL teaching in Korea. I will E-mail changes to applicants as the information comes to my attention.

Qualification

Be a citizen of a country where English is the primary language.

ü        By E2 visa law, teachers should have a citizenship from one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, and South Africa. Must have studied from the junior high level (7th grade) and resided for at least 10 years or more in the country where English is the primary language.

ü        Ethnic Koreans with legal residency in a country where English is the primary language can apply, but must provide proof of English education beginning from the junior high school level

ü        Teaching experience is preferred but not a must. If you have teaching experience, you will be offered better salary and benefits.

Contract period

The term of employment is for one year. 6 month contract may be possible but hard to find in Korea.

Duties

Teaching English from elementary level (students aged 6-15) to high school students or adults. The number of teaching hours is 30 working hours per week (1 working hour could be either 50 or 60 minutes). Please refer to the contract.

Salary

Month salary of 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 Won. Depending on your qualification and experience, you will receive more.

Medical insurance

Employee will be covered by medical benefits under the Korean Medical Insurance Union, a Government Health Organization. The costs of this coverage will be borne half by employer and half by employee. Payment will be made by monthly deduction from employee's salary, at present about 2.1%, and an alike amount contributed by employer. The policy will be primarily for major expenses, that is, the major portion of the cost of a treatment will be paid by the policy and you will have to pay small part of the cost. Health care costs in Korea are much less expensive than in US. A typical visit to the doctor, including medicine, will cost less than $35 in USD. The Korean medical and insurance system is difficult to explain in all of its variants, but this is the working method for a general situation. Depending on the level of treatment required, there is a fluctuation of the cost incurred by you.

Income tax and Pension plan

Income tax and retirement taxes will be observed from the salary according to the Korean tax law. The amount of tax paid by a foreign instructor is approximately 3.3 % to 5 % of the salary. National Pension Contribution (approx. 9%, of which the Employer pays for half, refundable for US and Canadian citizens only at the end of the contract term) will be deducted from your pay.

Overtime payment

Each hour in excess of 100(120 hours for Adult class) working hours will be considered as overtime.1,8000-20,000 Won will be paid per hour.

Severance payment:

After the 1-year contract is done, the teacher will receive a severance payment. Most often, this is equal to one month salary.

Transportation

The Employer will purchase for the teacher an economy class ticket from the closest international airport of point of hire to Korea. After completing the one-year contract, the teacher will be provided with a return ticket. If a teacher wants to buy a roundtrip ticket on his or her own, the teacher will be reimbursed 50% of the total amount upon arrival at the school and 50% of the total upon completion of contract.

Housing

Housing is usually located near the school for the teacher's convenience. The school shall provide furnished living accommodations. Furnishings provided by the Employer include; blanket, pillow, television, toaster, bed, kitchen table, chairs, two-burner gas hot plate, refrigerator, wardrobe, telephone, and washing machine. Selection of apartments will be made by the Employer. The cost of monthly services, utilities, and telephone charges for the accommodations provided will be paid by the teacher. In the case of a shared apartment, costs will be shared by both teachers.

Vacation and holidays

Your employer is obligated to observe all national holidays - 10 or 12 days per year depending on which day it falls on. Additionally, in most of the schools, there would be approximately two weeks (10 working days) of school vacation time per year as dictated by the schools' calendar, such as Christmas, New Years holiday, summer vacation etc. All holidays and vacation time are paid. Regardless of the number of holidays that fall during any given teaching session, your monthly salary is guaranteed.

Emergency leave (sick leave

Employees are permitted up to three to six days of paid emergency leave. This is permitted only during unusual circumstances including death or serious illness of self or immediate family, upon presentation of proof to the institution.