I work at a private academy (called a hagwon [학원] in Korea) as an English teacher. A lot of my friends that work at public schools hear horror stories about working at private academies in Korea. I like my job and I like where I work. This is the third academy I've worked at, and while I have had various frustrations, I like working in this environment.
So, let me tell you what to pretty much expect from this sort of job. There are exceptions, of course, but this is what my experience has been like.
If you work kindergarten, you'll start in the morning (~9:30am) and teach back-to-back classes for six to seven hours each day. If you teach older students, you will often teach evenings (and Saturdays for adults). If you work kindergarten, you'll typically get free (Korean) lunch.
Little preparation is necessary, but classes will be more fun if you do. Typically your school will provide you with books to instruct with.
Keep in mind that your students are shuttled from academy to academy. My elementary students go to public school, and then go to several academies (e.g. English, Chinese, martial arts, art, math, history, science). Academies are a business, and a competitive one at that. It's a careful balance between educating and entertaining your students.
If parents can afford to send their children to private academies, it typically means that their families are well-off. The students you teach are adorable, yes, but typically, very spoiled. Just keep that in mind when you experience your first breakdown because you told a student, "no," and they've never heard that before from their parents that they rarely see.
Vacation time is scarce. Typically there will be a week off for the summer, a week off for the winter, and all Korean national holidays off.
Taking sick days is frowned upon. Staying home to rest while you're sick is a foreign concept in Korea. If you think you're clever enough to get a free day off of work by saying you're sick, power to you, but it's never worked in my favor. I've heard of bosses taking teachers to the hospital and then immediately back to work.
Some teachers have to work more hours in the winter or summer for what they call "intensives." From what I understand, it's sold to parents as a way their students can study more while they have vacation from regular school. Your students will pay more for class with you during this time, so you'll receive a temporary bump in pay as well.
Talking to friends that work for public schools and universities, it seems as if the pay for academies is better. I have always been reimbursed for a round-trip flight and received an additional month's pay bonus at the end of each contract. Along with deposits to pension and health insurance, working for private academies has worked out for me.
Keep in mind that these academies offer less job security, as they are a business and sometimes they go out of business. Or their hiring needs change. We have all heard stories about teachers that don't get paid on time or fairly, or teachers that are let go for various reasons. This happens. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it does happen.
Your employer will expect you to come out to every staff outing (e.g. dinners, drinking, singing room). This is part of the culture and it's extremely rude to not go. Often employers may give you very little notice and you may have to cancel other previously-made plans last minute. So, if your Korean coworkers decide to go out to dinner after work or if your boss wants you to stay longer to do something, you will be expected to cancel whatever you had planned for that evening. You could tell them that you have a 'promise,' but they may give you the cold shoulder for a while. Be careful about saving face.
You may have to prepare or grade homework or additional activities. Calling students at home for an awkward English conversation is my least favorite.
Typical problem is that your boss and your Korean coworkers will neglect to inform you of important things and spring sweeping changes on you at the last minute. I'm never 100% positive about most things at work, including field trips, vacation time, or special events. Learn to accept living in uncertainty.
You may be the only foreign teacher, or one of many (or few). It can be lonesome being the only foreign teacher, but on the other hand, it can be better than dealing with some crappy foreigners who come in hungover every morning and complain all day. I have had experience with both.
If you're up for working at a private academy in Korea, then by all means give it a try. These are just some of my thoughts. I really enjoy living in Korea, and working here gives me the opportunity to pursue my interests.
