Teaching English Overseas in South Korea

If you have been searching online for English (ESL - English as a Second Language) teaching jobs overseas in South Korea, you have undoubtedly run across the word "hagwon" (pronounced: hog-wan). The obvious question is "What is a hagwon?" A hagwon is a private after-school academy for Korean students. There are hagwons that teach Korean students: math, music, language, Tae Kwon Do and other subjects. One of the most popular subjects taught at hagwons is English language and you are probably applying to be an English as a Second Language teacher. *The Koreans will translate the word "hagwon" into English as "academy".

ESL language hagwons are granted the right by the South Korean government to employ a person to teach English who qualifies for the E-2 Visa. This would be you, a college graduate of a country whose native language is English.

Some ESL hagwons are just a privately owned micro enterprise with one school location (for example: Superior English Academy). Some ESL hagwons are franchises with many locations (for example: EEC). ESL hagwons typically ask you, the ESL teacher, to work for 26-30 hours a week, before you are paid overtime (an hourly amount that should be stated on your contract). You should have Saturday's and Sunday's off and the vacation time you will receive is usually 10 days or less a year, including Korean National Holidays (this too should be stated in your contract).

ESL hagwons are a fine place to work while spending a year abroad in South Korea. Hagwons offer a teaching situation where the class size is usually smallest (1-10 students). As well when teaching ESL in a hagwon you are usually asked to follow the lessons in a given book, which is quite an easy task. Students then progress through the levels of the book and come out the other end an English speaker. At least that's what everyone is hoping for.