Making a Decision

When I first began my search for a job in Korea, I read a lot of horror stories. I even came across a list of hogwans you should avoid in a Google search. Perfect! I thought. But when I went to that page, there was a large note written in red at the top saying “We have stopped this list because there were too many schools to report. Don’t work in Korea. Go to Japan.”

This is ignorance and generalizing, at best. It’s simply not true. There are many wonderful jobs in Korea. I know because I’ve had a great job. And many of my friends have had great jobs.

But there are also bad jobs in Korea, like everywhere else in the world. Some hogwan directors will be unfair. Some of your colleagues might ignore you. Some schools might not give you the vacation or health insurance they promised. Like anywhere else in the world, there will always be a chance you land a bad job.

But as your recruiter, we only work with schools with proven track records. If a school does not follow through with what they promise in their contract or treats a teacher unfairly, we will work with you as a go-between and negotiator. In the future, we will not work with them again. Not only do we want our teachers to be happy, but it’s—on a selfish note—in our best interest to only connect teachers with quality jobs.

We always require that our partner schools allow their current foreign teachers to be contacted by you for questions and opinions on the job. This can help ease your mind and know that you are making the right decision.

It’s important for you not to just settle with the first job you come across. Don’t think when you accept a job, “Oh, it’s just a year. Even if it’s bad, it’s only a year.” Because when you move to Korea and have a job that you hate, it will ruin your experience. And “only a year” will feel like eternity.

It’s important that you, as the job seeker, ask as many questions as possible—to us, your future employer and the current native teachers at your potential school.

10 questions to always ask your potential employer

  1. What is the salary?
  2. What are the teaching hours?
  3. What are the working hours? When am I required to be there every day? When do I leave?
  4. Will I ever have to work Saturdays or weekends?
  5. What is the class size?
  6. What kind of curriculum do you use? Do you supply my curriculum or do I come up with my own? What kind of books do the students use?
  7. Will I be responsible for grading papers, phone calls or report cards for the children? What are my duties outside the classroom?
  8. How much vacation will I get?
  9. Are Korea’s public holidays included in my 10 days of vacation? Or are those extra?
  10. What will my housing be like? It is near the school? Is it furnished?

10 questions to ask the current native teachers at your school

  1. Have you been happy at this school?
  2. What are the positives of working for this school?
  3. What are the negatives?
  4. How is the housing? Is it comfortable? Is it one room? Two rooms? Is it furnished? Is it close to the school?
  5. How are the Korean co-teachers that I work with? Are they friendly and easy to get along with? Are there other foreigners who work at the school?
  6. How heavy is your work load? Do you have to do a lot of preparation before classes?
  7. Did you get all the vacation you were promised? Are Korea’s public holidays included in my vacation? Or are those extra?
  8. How are the students? Are they good or naughty? What kind of disciplining do you have to do in the classroom?
  9. If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your situation?
  10. What is the foreigner community like in your city? Do you have plenty to do on the weekends?