Hagwon
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A hagwon is a for-profit private cram school prevalent in South Korea. For families that can afford it, hagwon education usually starts at or before elementary level. It is common for Korean school children to attend one or more hagwon after their school. [1] "Hagwon" is also sometimes used to describe similar institutions operated by Korean Americans in the United States.
It is not uncommon for students to be enrolled in several hagwon of different subject areas at once (in addition to their normal school attendance). Hagwons may specialize in subjects like math, foreign language, science, art, or English. Hagwons offering integrated instruction in several subject areas are also common. These are known as soksem hagwon at the elementary level, and ipsi hagwon at the secondary-school level. College and adult students attend gosi hagwon, which are typically focused on preparation for specific civil service examinations.
Like in many Korean public schools, discipline is sometimes administered with extra amounts of work assigned, as well as corporal punishment, if students misbehave, fail a test or do not complete their homework.
[edit] Native-speaker instructors
Many native English-speakers are hired to teach at English-language institutes in Korea, referred to as 'English hagwon'. The minimum requirements for such teaching positions are citizenship of USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, and a full university degree obtained in the country of citizenship. In return for signing a one-year contract, the institute provides an instructor with a monthly salary, round-trip airfare from his or her country of origin, a rent-free apartment or housing stipend for the duration of the instructor's contract, and an additional one month "severance pay" at the completion of the contract.
Many recruiting companies exist to hire native English speakers for Korean hagwon. Some are based in the US and Canada, while others are Korean-owned. While some of these recruiting companies provide decent services, many of them have earned a reputation of being shady and willing to lie and even fabricate diplomas to get teachers to go work in Korea.[2]
English hagwon frequently experience staff problems and conflicts between the Korean staff and the foreign teachers. Many Korean managers are surprised that foreign teachers are unwilling to perform duties not explicitly outlined in their contracts, despite the Korean ethic of working hard and doing as one is told. Similarly, there are foreigners who are unable to adapt to the new work and cultural environment, or are simply inexperienced teachers, which can lead to problems with not only management but also students and their families. Given that foreign instructors are generally economic migrants who would not otherwise have moved to South Korea, the ability of schools to pay salaries and bonuses in a timely manner and adhere to tax, pension and healthcare regulations tends to be directly proportionate to the morale and goodwill of their foreign instructors.
There are also teaching opportunities in neighboring countries such as China, Japan and Taiwan. The average salary and / or ability to save money in these countries, however, tends to be lower than in South Korea. [3] Salaries are typically higher in larger cities, but so too is the cost of living. [4]
[edit] Notes
- ^ US Embassy Information on Hagwons and Teaching in South Korea, retrieved Sept 14, 2006
- ^ How to get a teaching job in Korea, retrieved Jan 28, 2007
- ^ Adams, Jonathan - Teaching English in South Korea. Transitions Abroad Magazine, retrieved Sept 14, 2006
- ^ Teaching English in Korea - Canadian Consular Affairs, retrieved Sept 14, 2006
