Teaching English Overseas in South Korea

If you have been searching online for English (ESL - English as a Second Language) teaching jobs overseas in South Korea, you have undoubtedly run across the word "hagwon" (pronounced: hog-wan). The obvious question is "What is a hagwon?" A hagwon is a private after-school academy for Korean students. There are hagwons that teach Korean students: math, music, language, Tae Kwon Do and other subjects. One of the most popular subjects taught at hagwons is English language and you are probably applying to be an English as a Second Language teacher. *The Koreans will translate the word "hagwon" into English as "academy".

ESL language hagwons are granted the right by the South Korean government to employ a person to teach English who qualifies for the E-2 Visa. This would be you, a college graduate of a country whose native language is English.

Some ESL hagwons are just a privately owned micro enterprise with one school location (for example: Superior English Academy). Some ESL hagwons are franchises with many locations (for example: EEC). ESL hagwons typically ask you, the ESL teacher, to work for 26-30 hours a week, before you are paid overtime (an hourly amount that should be stated on your contract). You should have Saturday's and Sunday's off and the vacation time you will receive is usually 10 days or less a year, including Korean National Holidays (this too should be stated in your contract).

ESL hagwons are a fine place to work while spending a year abroad in South Korea. Hagwons offer a teaching situation where the class size is usually smallest (1-10 students). As well when teaching ESL in a hagwon you are usually asked to follow the lessons in a given book, which is quite an easy task. Students then progress through the levels of the book and come out the other end an English speaker. At least that's what everyone is hoping for.

When it comes to the ESL hagwons' reputation , it is a situation of one bad apple spoils the reputation of the bunch. If you have been doing your research, you may have read numerous critical accusations by ESL teachers online against ESL hagwons in South Korea. Accusations of late and inaccurate paychecks, mental abuse, work on Saturday's are just some of the more popular ones. Don't let this discourage you. The fact is many ESL teachers are satisfied with their ESL hagwon teaching jobs. Regrettably, disgruntled teachers just seem more likely to post online than happy ones.

While these discouraging situations do happen at ESL hagwons, it is certainly not the norm. Just like your job at home, there is no fool proof plan to completely avoid the reality that you may not get along 100% of the time with your boss. The best way to avoid a disreputable English hagwon is to do research online and question the ESL teacher you will be replacing. Although not always an accurate description, your English teaching predecessor will probably at least tell you if the ESL hagwon owner is a dishonest scrouge. (Insider tip: Remember, while researching your potential employer online, that many hagwons and hagwon owners have the same name. The Korean last names: Kim, Lee and Park are remarkably common.)

Some ESL hagwons teach only adult learners (for example: Pagoda), but most ESL hagwons are for school age students. There are also ESL hagwons that specialize in kindergarten (kindies) age students (Insider tip: these hagwons are a great opportunity for teachers who love young children as often the pay is higher and the hours shorter than a regular hagwon). Usually your teaching day at the hagwon will begin with the youngest ESL students (age 4-6). As your teaching day progresses, the students in your classroom will get older through high school age.

At a hagwon you may not have the same teaching schedule everyday. The teaching schedule for ESL hagwons can vary quite considerably from each other and also from day to day. Some English hagwons offer a split-shift schedule. For the split-shift you may teach early in the morning, have the afternoon off and then work again through the evening. Other hagwons start the work day at 3pm and end at 9pm (this is a great schedule for those ESL teachers who insist on getting drunk every night). (Insider tip: It is very common to have your hagwon teaching schedule change, unannounced, several times during your contract period. Don't let this aggravate you, it happens to everyone.)

My advice to you when looking for any ESL job overseas is: Ask questions, be patient and be picky. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure to read your hagwon ESL teaching contract carefully and keep one copy for your records at home and bring another copy to South Korea with you. ESL Hagwon manager / owners may try to take advantage of your kind nature and overwork you without the proper compensation outlined in your contract. When it comes time to stand up for yourself, having a copy of your contract will be a valuable and an irrefutable tool for your defense.

If you have found this AC article on ESL hagwons informative, please view my other interesting AC articles on ESL and South Korea by clicking on my name "Tesl Goddess" at the top of this page.