The Complete Hagwon Guide
Hagwons are South Korea’s private academies — and the primary employer of foreign English teachers in the country. Here’s what they are, how they work, what they pay, and how to choose a good one.
What is a hagwon?
A hagwon (픟원) is a private, for-profit educational institute. Korea has them for almost every subject — mathematics, music, taekwondo, art, and more — but English is by far the largest category. The hagwon system exists because Korean families invest heavily in their children’s academic performance, and the competition for university places means supplementary education is near-universal. An estimated 83% of five-year-olds in South Korea attend a hagwon of some kind.
For English teachers, what this means in practice is a large, well-funded, year-round market with genuine demand and employment protections enshrined in Korean labour law. Hagwons are legally required to provide written contracts, register employees with the national health insurance and pension system, and pay severance on completion of a 12-month contract. The problems that do arise — and they do occur at some schools — are largely due to poor management at individual institutions rather than structural issues with the sector.
Hagwon vs public school: Hagwons pay more than public schools, hire year-round, and tend to have smaller classes. Public schools offer more vacation (18–21 days vs 7–10), more stable environments, and regular 9am–5pm hours. TEFL Heaven places teachers into hagwons — which offer the strongest package for first-time teachers prioritising salary, savings, and flexibility of start date.
Types of English hagwon
After-school hagwon
The most common type. Students arrive after their regular school day (typically 1pm–9pm). Primarily elementary to high school students. High energy, homework-help focused, with significant English conversation and exam prep components. Schedule means your mornings are free. Teachers often describe this as the best part of the hagwon lifestyle.
Kindergarten hagwon
Morning-focused, teaching young learners (ages 3–7). Hours typically 9am–5pm. Often higher pay than after-school hagwons. More physically demanding — young children require constant energy. Excellent for teachers who love early childhood learning. Some kindergartens combine morning kindie classes with afternoon elementary classes for a full teaching day.
Adult / corporate hagwon
Teaches adult professionals English for business or daily use. Less common but higher prestige. Often involves early morning corporate classes (6am–10am), a long gap, then evening sessions (6pm–10pm). Corporate English specialists can command premium rates. Often found in Seoul’s business districts.
The hagwon teaching schedule
Your schedule depends entirely on what type of hagwon you work at. The most common — the after-school academy — creates a distinctive lifestyle that surprises most first-time teachers with how much it suits them after a brief adjustment period.
After-school hagwon
9am–1pm — mornings entirely your own. Language study, gym, exploring the city, sleeping, admin.
1pm–2pm — arrive at school, lesson prep, administration.
2pm–9pm — back-to-back classes (40–50 min each) with breaks. Students arrive in rotating groups from their public school.
9pm+ — Korea’s social life is late. Dinner, drinks, and Korean BBQ sessions routinely start at 9 or 10pm.
Kindergarten hagwon
9am–1pm — kindergarten English classes. High energy. Songs, games, phonics, stories. Korean teachers assist with management.
12pm–1pm — lunch often provided by the school. A genuine perk — Korean school lunches are substantial and good.
1pm–5pm — elementary afternoon classes at some schools. Admin and parent communication.
5pm+ — evenings free. Korean food, city exploration, socialising on a schedule most Western teachers find comfortable.
Hagwon salary and benefits
The hagwon salary is only part of the picture. The full package is what makes South Korea one of the world’s most financially rewarding TEFL markets.
| Benefit | Standard hagwon | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly salary | ₩2.3–2.5M (first year) ₩2.5–3.0M (experienced) | Approx. $1,700–$2,200 USD at current rates |
| Housing | Free, employer-provided | Studio or one-room apartment; you pay utilities only (~₩100–150K/mo) |
| Flights | Reimbursed | Typically arrival flight reimbursed; some include departure. Confirm in contract. |
| Severance pay | One month salary | Paid on completion of 12-month contract. Korean labour law requirement. |
| National health insurance | 50% employer-paid | Covers most medical costs. You pay approx. ₩85,000–100,000/mo contribution. |
| National pension | 50% employer-paid | ~4.5% each. Full lump sum returned to you when you leave Korea. |
| Vacation | 7–10 days paid | Plus Korean national holidays. Significantly less than public school (18–21 days). |
| Sick leave | ~3 days | Koreans rarely use sick leave; cultural expectations can be demanding here. |
The pension payback: Korea’s national pension scheme deducts approximately 4.5% from your salary each month — and your employer contributes an equal amount. When you leave Korea, you can apply for a full lump sum return of your contributions. On a ₩2.4M salary over 12 months, that’s approximately ₩1.3 million returned — around $950 USD — on top of your severance.
TEFL Heaven places teachers in South Korea
Accredited TEFL certification, guaranteed hagwon placement, full E2 visa support, and in-country backing throughout your contract.
How to vet a hagwon before signing
The most important decision in your Korea teaching experience is choosing the right school. TEFL Heaven’s placement network only uses vetted schools — but if you’re researching independently, here’s how to evaluate a hagwon before committing.
Check the contract carefully before signing
The contract must include: salary amount and payment date · housing arrangement (direct provision or allowance, amount) · flight reimbursement terms · severance (must be mentioned — it is a legal right but must be in your contract) · pension and health insurance enrolment · vacation days (number and when they can be taken) · teaching hours and overtime rules. If any of these are missing: ask, and do not sign until they’re included.
Contact previous foreign teachers at the school
Ask the school for contact details for their current or most recent foreign teacher. Any reputable school will provide this willingly. If they refuse or become evasive, that is a significant red flag. When you speak to current/former teachers, ask: Was salary paid on time every month? Was the housing as described? Were the teaching hours as contracted? How did management handle problems? Would you return to this school?
Search the school on expat forums and databases
The subreddit r/teachinginkorea maintains community threads where teachers share reviews of specific schools. The “Blacklist” thread documents schools with known problems. Dave’s ESL Cafe Korea forum has a similar community-sourced database. A school with multiple negative reviews about late payment, housing problems, or contract violations is not worth the risk, regardless of salary.
Have the contract reviewed before signing
TEFL Heaven reviews all contracts for program participants before signing. If arranging independently, the Korea Association of TESOL (KOTESOL) and expat Korea community resources offer guidance on identifying problematic contract terms. The time invested in review before signing is always worth it.
Hagwon red flags
- ⚠No written contract provided before you sign — verbal agreements mean nothing. If they won’t put it in writing, walk away.
- ⚠Salary significantly above market rate — schools offering ₩3.5M+ for entry-level positions often compensate with excessive hours or unpaid overtime. Understand why the pay is high.
- ⚠Severance not mentioned in contract — this is illegal. Severance pay is a legal right for any employee working 12+ months. Its absence from a contract suggests the school has no intention of paying it.
- ⚠Resistance to providing contact details for current/former teachers — legitimate schools welcome this. Evasion means they know what those teachers would say.
- ⚠School appears on community blacklists — check r/teachinginkorea and Dave’s ESL Cafe before committing. Multiple independent negative reviews about the same school are reliable signals.
- ⚠Requests to work beyond contracted hours without additional pay — Korean labour law covers overtime. Know your contracted hours and what overtime compensation should be before you arrive.
Hagwon FAQ
Are all hagwons the same?
No — quality varies enormously. There are outstanding hagwons with supportive management, clean facilities, fair contracts, and excellent working environments. There are also schools with chronic late payment, excessive overtime demands, and housing that doesn’t match what was promised. Vetting your school before signing — through contract review, teacher references, and community research — is the most important step you can take. TEFL Heaven only places teachers in vetted schools.
Do hagwons provide lesson plans?
Most hagwons provide lesson outlines, textbooks, and materials — especially for first-time teachers. This is part of the appeal for teachers without experience. More established or senior teachers at larger hagwons may have more autonomy over curriculum design. Ask in your pre-employment interview what preparation support the school provides and how much planning you’ll be expected to do independently.
Can I change hagwons if mine is a bad fit?
Yes, but it requires careful handling. The E2 visa is employer-linked — changing jobs requires a visa transfer (visa modification) processed through Korean immigration. Your new employer must be willing to sponsor the transfer. If your school has breached contract, the Korean Labour Board can help. TEFL Heaven participants have access to support if placement issues arise during their contract.
Teach English in South Korea with TEFL Heaven
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