Job Discussion Forums

ChuckUFarley · Joined: 09 Jan 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Guatemala

Hi everybody, and thanks for all the great advice going around on this forum.

I've been lurking for a while, and just got signed up. I'm hoping that there are some of you with experience with the BC.

Here's my situation. I'm a reasonably experienced EFL teacher with an MA TESOL from a British University. Recently work mostly in teacher training.

My partner (erm, wife, but I haven't got used to saying that yet) is equally experienced, DELTA qualified.

She's extremely interested in working for the British Council. We've looked at BC posts all over the place, and are open to most anyplace. It looks like they're doing a lot of hiring in Seoul right now. But any British Council would be interesting.

But...a few things. The two year commitment is a bit longer than we were really hoping to make. Anybody know about conditions of contracts? What if we (she) took a two year contract, and had to cut it short?

Also, if I went with her on a spousal visa, am I allowed to work? I've done a lot of curriculum design and teacher training, so am happy to remain "freelance." I know answers to this depend on the country- please let me know about any country you happen to know about.

And finally- one of the reasons we're hesitant about a two year commitment is that we're planning (hoping) to start a family within 1 to 3 years. Does anyone have experience with maternity benefits and the BC? We're hoping to return to the UK to actually have the baby(ies) under the NHS, but would like to know anything you know about benefits and options...

Best regards,
ChuckU

gungediana · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 82

I can answer one of your questions.

re your spouse working in Seoul, you would find it difficult I think to find any work in teacher training/ curriculum design because most foreigners who do that are long-termers in Korea with contacts, a Korean spouse and the resultant visa to allow them to do that kind of work

but with an MA TESOL you'd definitely be able to get a job at a good university in Seoul

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject:

Welcome!

I'm not 100% sure I agree with gungediana- I've done short term work in Korea, and it seemed like there was a market for more than I had time to do.

In any case, OP, were you talking about freelancing within Korea or moving in and out?

Best,
Justin