Teaching Positions

Entry level candidates generally start off their teaching positions at privately run ESL learning centers know as “Hagwon”. There are, however, various positions at several institutions

PRIVATE ESL SCHOOL POSITIONS “HAGWON”
The Hagwon system is a Korean invention, designed to address the insatiable desire of parents for education and supplement public school education. It is a privately owned after school center regulated by the Ministry of Education and the Bureau of Immigration To date there are more than 4000 Hagwons in Korea that provides, academics, sports, crafts, the arts, music and foreign language instruction. Young-Ah Hagwon or English language center is the most popular.

There are two kinds of privately run ESL schools- independently run schools, usually a mom and pop style operation; and the franchise schools, with branches nationwide. Classes begin right after mainstream school which is mid-afternoon. Students generally receive instructions three times a week from Korean teachers and native speakers with classes running for 40-50 minutes. Korean teachers teach grammar and vocabulary while native speakers provide authentic English conversation practice. Native speakers are not required to speak Korean as they are expected to conduct lessons only in English with support from Korean staff. Maximum number of students is 10. Majority of students are grade school and middle school pupils. Some well establish chains have preschool classes where kids are taught for more than four hours by Korean and expat teachers. Typical lessons with children involve a lot of games and activities and are up beat and fun. Lessons often involve the use of story telling, art based projects, audio visual aids, and music and movement.

On the other hand, adult and business classes are conducted in the evening or early in the morning, either right before office working hours or after business hours..The more mature the pupils the more mature the study material and delivery. Student-teacher social interaction is often as important to the students as the tuition itself

PUBLIC SCHOOL ESL POSITIONS
In response to the public’s clamor for public school reform, the Korean Ministry of Education has begun employing Native Speakers in 2005 to improve the quality of English education at state funded schools. In fact, the office of education has been gradually placing expatriate teachers to every primary and secondary schools nationwide, starting 2006. It will also provide English instructions two years earlier than the current third grade. English immersion program , wherein English is use as the medium of instruction in teaching academic subjects, will be given to primary and secondary pupils at Korea’s special economic zones and in Jeju Free International City in 2008. This scenario has further compounded an already massive demand for qualified teachers.

Working hours and conditions are comparable in many ways to teaching in the public school systems in Canada. Salary ranges from 1.8 million to 2.7 million won per month, tax free. Employed by the Korean government, teachers are entitled to all national holidays in addition to 14 workdays paid vacation, plus paid time off when schools are closed. Public school ESL positions also afford teachers to network with high-ranking education officials and administrators who can improve the way English is taught in public schools. Not only do teachers have the opportunity to teach diverse backrgrounds, Korean public school teachers are also their students, who will then go on and teach more pupils.

Amongst other ESL positions, this is one job that has the potential for you to touch more lives and create much greater impact in society

PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Almost all Koreans are educated at state funded public schools. However, an elite minority receives private schooling thru privately run foreign international schools. Admission requirement is almost prohibited to Koreans which includes a minimum of 5 yearsoverseas education. Teaching Position is akin to teaching in North American public schools. Curriculum and methodology are base abroad and have international accreditation. Hence, teaching qualifications and credentials are similar to teaching in North America. Minimum requirement is a BA in Education and at least a three- year teaching experience.

CORPORATE LANGUAGE CENTERS
Korean conglomerates (jaebol in Korean ) like Samsung and LG run their own in-house ESL programs. Perhaps of all the teaching positions in Korea, corporate language centers have the most rigid and goal oriented approach in teaching ESL. Instructions focus on Business English, conversation, English for Specific Purpose (ESP), and exam preparation. Students are corporate employees, whose jobs partly depend on how much they have learned English. Thereby creating a teaching environment with highly driven learners, who are adept at directing their learning goals and expressing their language needs. Hence, corporate teaching jobs are one of the most sought after, with stipend going up to 3 million won. However, corporate employers require excellent qualifications and experience. Positions are scant and highly in demand.