Hagwons – Teaching English in South Korea
Hagwons, also known as after-school private learning academies, are a popular form of employment for many teachers looking to teach English in South Korea. These private learning providers offer a unique work environment and can be an excellent opportunity for teachers looking to gain teaching experience and make lifelong memories.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at what Hagwons are, the benefits of teaching at a Hagwon, the requirements to be eligible for teaching at a Hagwon, how to find Hagwon positions, and also what to keep in mind when applying for a teaching position. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of whether teaching at a Hagwon is the right choice for you and what to expect if you decide to pursue this type of opportunity.
What is a Hagwon?
Hagwons are private institutions in South Korea that offer after-school education to children and teenagers. These schools are typically located in urban areas and they operate outside of regular school hours, offering classes in the early morning, evenings, and weekends. These classes are usually focused on English, math, science, and other subjects that the students study in public schools.
They play a significant part in the South Korean education system, as they provide an extra opportunity for students to improve their academic performance in the very competitive academic climate that has developed in South Korea over the last few decades.
Hagwons are very popular because they offer a more personalized approach to learning compared to the regular classes that are found in public schools. Classes are also often smaller, giving the teachers a better opportunity to focus on each student’s individual needs.
Why English teachers choose Hagwons
The two most common forms of employment for English teachers in South Korea are public school teaching positions, such as the ones that are provided through the highly competitive government-run EPIK program, and Hagwon teaching positions.
While public school teaching positions are popular due to the job stability and great work-life balance they provide, they can be quite difficult to come across, mainly due to the competitive EPIK program which focuses on public school placements. This prompts a lot of teachers to instead pursue a more flexible career path which also often offers slightly better salaries and benefits.
Let’s take a look at what benefits you commonly come across when working at a Hagwon.
Salary and benefits at a Hagwon
One of the main reasons many teachers prefer teaching at Hagwons over public school is due to the competitive salaries and benefits packages. The average salary for teaching English at a Hagwon in South Korea varies depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, and location.
However, the average salary for an entry-level teacher with a Bachelor’s degree and no teaching experience is around 2.1-2.3 million won per month (approximately $1,800-$2,000 USD).
With more experience, qualifications, and advanced degrees, teachers can earn higher salaries. This makes teaching at a Hagwon a great way to save money.
There are also often other benefits included such as:
- Housing
- Health insurance
- Paid vacation days
- Flight reimbursements
- Severance pay
- Professional development opportunities
- Other bonuses
More freedom
In addition to good salaries, teaching at a Hagwon also allows you more freedom of choice and job opportunities, as they can be found all over South Korea. This means that you’ll have more freedom to choose your employer and location, compared to teaching in public school through the government-run EPIK program, where you will have very limited say in where you will be placed.
This makes Hagwons an attractive choice for people who value their freedom of choice. You are also often in charge of your own class, compared to public teaching jobs where you often have a local teaching partner in the classroom.
Fewer students in each class
Hagwons tend to have smaller classes compared to public teaching positions. This makes Hagwons a great way for new teachers to gain teaching experience, as they can focus more on each individual student.
This can help teachers improve their teaching skills and develop a better understanding of how to tailor their teaching methods to different students.
Teaching schedule
Depending on what type of teaching schedule you prefer, the working hours at a Hagwon typically involve teaching after-school classes from Monday to Friday, with some classes also held on Saturdays.
The workday may start as early as 1:00 pm and can end as late as 10:00 pm, with breaks in between classes.
Qualification requirements for a Hagwon
To work at a Hagwon in South Korea, you will need to obtain an E-2 visa, which is specifically for foreign nationals who wish to teach English in South Korea. When you have obtained a job offer from a Hagwon in South Korea, your employer will typically provide you with the necessary paperwork and guidance to apply for your E-2 visa.
In order to be eligible for an E-2 visa, you must meet certain requirements. These include:
- Holding a valid passport from a country where English is recognised as the primary language by the South Korean government (e.g. United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa).
- Having at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in any field.
- Obtaining a criminal background check from your home country.
- Being in good health standing and submitting a self-medical check survey. Once you arrive in Korea, you’ll have to undergo a medical check at a Korean health center where they test for general health conditions, drug usage, and diseases.
For more information about the qualification requirements for the E-2 visa, please reach out to the closest South Korean embassy. They will be able to provide accurate and up-to-date information and guide you through the process.
It is important to note that the application process for an E-2 visa can be lengthy, so it is recommended that you start the process well in advance of your intended start date at the Hagwon.
Make sure you have all of the necessary documents and meet the eligibility requirements before beginning the application process, as obtaining an E-2 visa before going to South Korea is a necessary step for foreign nationals who wish to work at a Hagwon.
When applying for a teaching position, the employer is also going to want to see that you’ve undergone the necessary training and that you possess the right teaching certification. Having a recognised 120-hour TESOL/TEFL certificate is an industry-standard requirement that you are expected to be able to present when sending in your job application.
Getting your TESOL/TEFL certificate:
To teach English in South Korea, you are going to need an accredited and recognized TESOL/TEFL certificate.
If you haven’t enrolled in the course you can do so here:
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By meeting the eligibility requirements and following the application process set by the South Korean government, you can obtain your work visa and start your teaching journey in South Korea.
How to prepare before your application
When applying for a teaching position at a Hagwon in South Korea, there are several things that can be good to keep in mind.
Research the employer
Firstly, make sure that you research the Hagwon/recruiting company before applying. Look for reviews online, and ask other teachers about their experiences in order to get a base understanding of their reputation in the teaching community.
This can be done via review websites like Glassdoor, Trustpilot, etc. You can also check online forums such as Reddit to see if there is anything mentioned about the employer. Though, it’s worth keeping in mind that information found on sites like Reddit needs to be taken with a grain of salt, as pretty much anyone can post there anonymously.
By doing a little bit of research, you will be able to get a better understanding of what to expect.
Research the position
Secondly, make sure that you are clear about your salary expectations and other benefits. Some Hagwons may be more generous than others, so it is important to negotiate and ensure that you are being offered a fair compensation package.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that you have a good understanding of the culture and customs in South Korea. This includes knowing the appropriate dress code and behaviour in a professional setting.
It is also recommended to learn some basic Korean phrases to help you communicate with your students and colleagues. When preparing for the interview, make sure to highlight any relevant teaching experience or certifications you may have. This can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of being offered the position.
Research the location
Lastly, it is important to consider the location of the Hagwon. Some Hagwons may be located in more remote areas, while others may be in more urban areas. Make sure that you are comfortable with the location and have a good understanding of the transportation options available.
How to find a Hagwon job opportunity
There are several ways to find Hagwon teaching positions in South Korea. A big portion of the available positions are found online via various job boards, Facebook groups, and company websites.
Here are the most common ways to find Hagwon teaching positions:
- Online job ads – A lot of teaching positions are found online via ESL job boards, and Facebook groups focusing on teaching in South Korea.
- Recruitment companies – Many teaching opportunities are also offered through recruiting companies that work with Hagwon placements. These recruitment agencies can help you find Hagwon positions that are a good fit for your qualifications and experience.
- Direct hiring – It’s not uncommon for Hagwons to accept direct applications from teachers. Some may even conduct interviews over the phone or via Skype.
- Networking – If you are already in South Korea or have friends teaching there already, try to leverage your network for recommendations on suitable employment opportunities.
A good way to find job boards, Facebook groups, and recruitment companies, is to search online using terms such as “ESL jobs + South Korea”, “English teaching jobs + South Korea”, etc. This will provide you with plenty of opportunities to choose between.
Before you decide to move ahead with a job offer from a Hagwon, remember to thoroughly check the contract and terms before signing, as you want to make sure that it matches your expectations and criteria.
When is the best time to apply for a Hagwon job?
With public schools, a lot of the available teaching positions are offered through the government-run EPIK program which mainly recruits for the two annual academic semester intakes.
Hagwons, however, are private after-school learning providers. This means that they tend to recruit teachers year-round. Parents will often send their children to take extra classes during the summer holidays when public schools are closed, so there will often be more jobs advertised around this period, but you’ll find that vacancies are often available throughout the year.
This is great for you as a teacher, as it provides you with more opportunities to launch your English teaching career in South Korea – you might not need to wait until the next semester starts.
Conclusion
Teaching English at a Hagwon can be a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in South Korean culture, gain valuable teaching experience, and make lifelong memories.
However, it’s important to research potential Hagwons carefully and to seek advice from other teachers and reliable resources before making a decision. By reviewing your contract and understanding the terms and conditions of your employment such as salary, benefits, working hours, and contract clauses, you can ensure that you are receiving fair compensation and that your contract reflects your expectations for your employment.
With the right preparation and diligence, teaching at a Hagwon in South Korea can be an enriching and fulfilling experience.
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