Private Schools in Korea – Teaching at Korean English Schools
The bulk of ESL job opportunities in Korea are found in the private school sector. There are more than 12,000 westerners teaching at thousands of private schools in Korea right now. Private schools in Korea referred to as Hagwons by Koreans, are generally franchises. Most Language schools are managed independently; however, some branches and campus locations are owned and managed by the franchise head office.
Private schools in Korea are sometimes referred to as; Hagwons, language schools, English schools, ESL schools, English academies, language academies, English institutes, language institutes.
General Working Conditions For Private English Schools
Remember: Every school is different and most job offers will have slight variations in there working conditions.
Starting Dates
New jobs available every month (Jan through Dec)
Class Size
8 - 12 Students Per Class
Curriculum
Set curriculum provided by the school
Location
Teachers Can Choose Specific Locations
Western Teachers
1 – 20 teachers per school
Salary
1.9 to 2.9 million Korean Won (based on experience) - Currency Converter
Accommodations
Furnished apartments provided by the schools
Severance Pay
Equal To 1 Months Salary
Avg. Work Hrs (Day)
6 to 8 hrs (including prep time and breaks)
Avg. Teaching Hrs (Day)
5 to 6 hours (in-class teaching)
Airfare
Airfare provided (Usually provided In advance)
Class Time
40 - 50 minute classes
Private School Student Age And Working Hours
Kindergarten & Elementary school students (example working hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm)
Elementary & Junior High school students (example working hours: 2:00pm – 9:30pm)
Kindergarten, Elementary and Junior High school students (Schools that offer lessons to all 3 age groups usually have two different work schedules available. Some teachers at the school would be working the morning - afternoon shift and the other teachers would be responsible for working the afternoon – evening shift)
Adult students (example working hours: 7:00am – 10:00am, 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 8:00pm) English institutes that offer adult level classes will usually require a split shift from their teachers. Unlike the younger age groups, adults have limited time and available hours to study English, due to this factor the schools must coordinate the operating hours with adult work schedules.
Kindergarten education is a huge deal in Korea and most English schools will offer some K1 level classes. Private English programs offering K1 classes easily make up the large majority of the job market in Korea, and many teachers have no choice but to accept employment that will require some K1 teaching
Senior High School Age Students in Private Schools
The private sector doesn't really offer much at the high school level. Korean parents tend to take their children out of English schools once they reach senior level; hoping their child will study harder and get accepted into the better universities and colleges. If you’re only interested in teaching senior high school students then your only real option is in the public sector.
Top 15 PrivateEnglish Franchises in Korea:
The following schools, when combined, constitute more than 70% of the private teaching sector in Korea. The remaining 30% is devised of independent schools and smaller less known franchises.
Avalon English Schools
Berlitz Adult English Schools
CDI English Institute
Eastern Language Schools
ECC Schools (Division of YBM Education)
Ewas English Academy
GNB English Schools
JungChul English Schools
Kids College English Schools
Language Club International (LCI Kids Club Schools)
