Greetings!
As an educator teaching abroad, we understand the importance of finding the right teaching environment to enhance your skills and foster a fulfilling experience. That’s why we have prepared this detailed comparison between public and private language schools (hagwons) in South Korea! We want you feel confident and well-prepared when making a decision about your teaching career.
We cover the differences in salaries, housing, working hours, airfare and so much more below. These valuable insights into the unique characteristics of both public and private language schools in Korea will help you to make an informed choice that aligns with your professional aspirations.
Let’s get started!
Public vs Private Language School Comparison
Public vs Private Language Schools
Salary Range
Public
2.0 – 2.7 million won (based on qualifications, experience and location exclusively).
*Documentation required for proof of experience/certifications.
Private
2.0 – 3.0 million won (based on qualifications, experience and work hours).
*Varies from school to school.
Bonuses
Public
– One month severance at end of contract.
– Settlement bonus.
– Renewal bonus with EPIK.
Private
One month severance at end of contract.
Taxes
Public
Taxes
Private
All nationalities pay standard 3-5%.
Housing
Public
Always single furnished (unless couple housing requested for married couples).
Private
Single furnished housing.
Working Hours
Public
9 – 5ish (could be 8-4), Monday to Friday. Standard 40 hour work week. No weekends.
Private
Varies: Daytime, afternoon/evenings, rarely weekends. Standard 40 hours at work to be expected. Some 9am-6pm, others 3pm-10pm. Schedules could change.
Teaching Hours
Public
22 Teaching Hours/Week.
Private
25-30 Teaching Hours/Week.
Airfare
Public
1.3 million won reimbursed for each flight (paid within a month of arrival).
Private
Some schools pre-pay for airfare, others reimbursed.
Orientation
Public
1 week comprehensive training (sometimes not for those arriving later or outside of normal hiring periods).
Private
1 week training program.
Medical Insurance
Public
50% of monthly premiums of national plan paid for.
Private
50% of monthly premiums of national plan paid for.
Vacation
Public
18 business days (some areas have up to 5 weeks)!
Private
10 – 16 business days is normal.
Co-Workers
Public
1 Korean English co-teacher in the class with you. Usually no other native English speakers in the school with you.
Private
At least one other native English speaking teacher at the school with you. Sometimes as many as 20. Rarely have another teacher in the class with you unless you are teaching Kindergarten.
Location
Public
Location placement will be found out after you arrive in South Korea and attend your training.
Private
You will always know exactly what school you will be working at prior to signing your contract.
Class Sizes
Public
Often about 30-40 students.
Private
Usually no more than 15 students.
Organization
Public
Very organized – government schools and are very structured with fantastic support.
Private
These schools are private businesses and at times subject to schedule changes and changes due to parent requests, etc.
Curriculum
Public
Pre-determined curriculum for you to follow – sometimes varying level of students in the same class/grade.
Private
Curriculum is usually pre-developed, classes are often determined by skill level as well as age.
Work Environment
Public
No pressure to retain students – not profit motivated.
Private
Success of business is based on student numbers and satisfaction of students/parents.
Visas & Paperwork
Public
Full E2 or F4 Visa paperwork required, plus transcripts from University.
*See our helpful E2 Visa Guide!
Private
Full E2 or F4 Visa paperwork required. Transcripts not required.
*See our helpful E2 Visa Guide!
Hiring Period
Public
Hiring mostly at end of February and end of August. Positions sparse the rest of the year.
Private
Hiring every month of the year – more positions in August and February.
Holidays
Public
2023 Holidays in Korea:
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/south-korea/2023
2024 Holidays in Korea:
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/south-korea/2024
Private
Same!
If you’re ready to start your adventure, teaching in a public or private language school in South Korea, apply today!
Public vs Private Language Schools
| Public Schools | Private Language School (Hagwon) | |
|---|---|---|
| Salaries (range) | 2.0 – 2.7 million won (based on qualifications, experience and location exclusively) *Documentation required for proof or experience/certifications. |
2.0 – 3.0 million won (based on qualifications, experience and work hours). Varies from school to school. |
| Bonuses | – One month severance at end of contract. – Settlement bonus. – Renewal bonus with EPIK. |
One month severance at end of contract. |
| Taxes | Tax free. | All nationalities pay standard 3-5% |
| Housing | Always single furnished (unless couple housing requested for married couples). | Single furnished housing. |
| Working hours | 9 – 5ish (could be 8-4), Monday to Friday. Standard 40 hour work week. No weekends. | Varies: daytime, afternoon/evenings, rarely weekends. Standard 40 hours at work to be expected. Some 9am-6pm, others 3pm-10pm. Schedules could change. |
| Teaching hours (contact hours) |
22 teaching hours/week. | 25 – 30 teaching hours/week. |
| Airfare | 1.3 million won reimbursed for each flight (paid within a month of arrival) | Some schools pre-pay for airfare, others reimburse. |
| Orientation | 1 week comprehensive training (sometimes not for those arriving later or outside of normal hiring periods). |
1 week training program. |
| Medical Insurance | 50% of monthly premiums of national plan paid for. | 50% of monthly premiums of national plan paid for. |
| Vacation | 18 business days (some areas have up to 5 weeks)! | 10 – 16 business days is normal. |
| Co-workers | 1 Korean English co-teacher in the class with you. Usually no other native English speakers in the school with you. | At least one other native English speaking teacher at the school with you. Sometimes as many as 20. Rarely have another teacher in the class with you unless you are teaching Kindergarten. |
| Location | Location placement will be found out after you arrive in South Korea and attend your training. | You will always know exactly what school you will be working at prior to signing your contract. |
| Class Sizes | Often about 30-40 students. | Usually no more than 15 students. |
| Organization | Very organized – government schools and are very structured with fantastic support. | These schools are private businesses and at times subject to schedule changes and changes due to parents requests etc. |
| Curriculum | Pre-determined curriculum for you to follow – sometimes varying level of students in the same class/grade. | Curriculum is usually pre-developed. Classes are often determined by skill level as well as age. |
| Work Environment | No pressure to retain students – not profit motivated. | Success of business is based on student numbers and satisfaction of students/parents. |
| Visas | Full E2 Visa or F4 Visa paperwork required, plus transcripts from University. *See our helpful E2 Visa Guide! |
Full E2 Visa or F4 Visa paperwork required. Transcripts not necessary. *See our helpful E2 Visa Guide! |
| Hiring Period | Hiring mostly at end of February and end of August. Positions sparse the rest of the year. | Hiring every month of the year – more positions in August and February. |
| Holidays | 2023 Holidays in Korea: https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/south-korea/2023 2024 Holidays in Korea: https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/south-korea/2024 |
The same! |
If you’re ready to start your adventure, teaching in a public or private language school in South Korea, apply today!