Korean Job Discussion Forums

[RoryB]

Hi, I am a 23 year old British guy that has just finished a degree in the UK and wanting to find a position teaching in Seoul asap. I have some teaching experience, although not much in a classroom or with foreign students. I have pretty much sold everything I own and have managed to gather about �1000 excluding the flight over. What would you do in my position, fresh out of uni with no experience? Come over and look for work or find a job from home? I have read most of the threads on this topic but not from the perspective on someone without any experience what-so-ever. I have posted my CV up along with a photo but all the offers I seem to be getting are very generic and I have no idea what they would actually be like.

Also, what would be the best (cheapest) way of getting out there providing I decide to come out before securing a job? Do I have to buy a return or would a single and a ticket to Japan do? From what I understand they want to see some sort of exit ticket? I don't want to get to the airport and then not be allowed into the country!

Finally, what are the essentials that I HAVE to bring in my situation? Just a few copies of my degree that have been notorized? Do I have to do any leg work here before I leave?

Any help will be greatly appreciated and I will reward you with many a beer should you help me get set up over here.

PS Anyone play cricket or hockey out there? Not ice hockey, but what I think you call "field hockey". And no, it's not just a girls sport - it's actually quite popular here and where I was born (SA)!

[mt01ap]

Majority of English teachers are fresh out of university with little to zero teaching experience.
do you know anyone in Korea? If so, where do they work? Do you have a place to stay? prolly not i'm guessing
You can find a good job from home, that will take care of your airfare.

[ttompatz]

[dogshed]

I did EPIK because of the dependable paycheck.

I bought my ticket with http://www.bt-store.com/ and that left me
with just enough money until my flight reimbursement and 300,000 won settlement allowance.

You get extra money for teaching the camps and sometimes the Koreans set that up for you.

They are changing the contract. See: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=91249&highlight=epik+contract

Often classes are canceled for various reasons and sometimes that gives you a weekday to run an errand you can't do on a weekend like get your driver's license. Sometimes that can mean a three day weekend. Over winter break I did a lot of skiing between camps that was counted as "working from home" and "exploring Korean culture".

To be fair sometimes people get a bad EPIK position, but I'm happy where I'm at.

[PRagic]

I'd suggest coming over on a free ticket provided by your first employer so that you can use your 1000 quid to hold you over until your first payday.

Whether you are applying from in the EU or from within Korea, you need to get together

1) letters of recommendation (2 or 3)
2) original diploma (plus notarized copies)
3) orginial transcripts in sealed envelopes (this takes time from UK schools, I understand)
4) a criminal records check (most places demand them now)
5) passport (no brainer, but you'd be surprised!)
6) letter of introduction/cover letter
7) letter describing your motivation to teach and live in Korea/teaching philosophy (some of the better schools want this, even if you don't have experience or a 'teacing philosophy'. Just write something up.

You might want to try out a public school first as you'd get better vacation and usually a more flexible schedule than a hakwon will provide. Depends on whether or not you want to teach kids.

Cheers.

[tob55]

You should definitely come with money in your pocket as there are any number of out of pocket expenses you will incur when you arrive, especially if you have no employment lined up...