Korean Job Discussion Forums

magicmajenta · Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Location: Saint Paul Minnesota

Out of all the countries to teach English, Korea seems to have the most opportunities, the best pay, and the best benefits. I know it is all supply and demand but how long will this market last. As of now you get paid over $2k a month, airfare provided, rent provided, and other benefits as well. You don't get this stuff in other countries. So how long will this last. Do you think there will be a time when the pay will go down, and airfaire and rent will no longer be provided?

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

There is presently a slow move in that direction, but you would be hard pressed to say it will escalate to a great extent so long as there is a supply and demand problem with foreign instructors...With that said, I think there are some signs of what you mentioned on the horizon, but the people here will continue to press for this to not happen...Regardless of the attractiveness of many places in the world, Korea still ranks up towards the top in terms of pay and accommodations, but they do have their probelms as well...People coming here for opportunities to work should be willing to experience a whole range of situations when working...It can be the best of times, but unfortunately it can also be the worst of times for some...

I see you hail from MN...how are things there these days? I lived there a number of years before coming to Korea...

Sody · Joined: 14 May 2006

Yes, this is an interesting discussion to say the least as it affects most of us on this forum. I remember another poster who posted another interesting subject about the ESL industry in China and how the ESL industry there was growing because the economy is growing there as well. Whatever standards are happening in China will ultimately affect Korea as well.

For the short term I don't think Korea can afford to not offer free rent and airfare otherwise most people would rather work in Japan.

Sody

faster · Joined: 03 Sep 2006

Remember, Japan paid pretty well back in the 80's-early 90's. Now so many people fetishize Japan and want to go there, that's no longer the case. Eventually we'll see that happen in Korea (to some degree, of course, not necessarily the same).

magicmajenta · Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Location: Saint Paul Minnesota

magicmajenta · Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Location: Saint Paul Minnesota

Oh, yeah there was a school in Taiwan that was interested in me and I found out they don't provide airfare. Is that typical in Taiwan; no airfare?

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

You will find several places like Thailand, Taiwan, and a few other Asian countries tend to advertise options for teaching, but in the end they offer little in terms of airefare or other accommodations. I know a few people who have worked in those places and they provided mixed reviews, some good, and some bad...Again, I am a bit biased about my opinion, but presently Korea offers some of the best perks for teaching as a foreigner...This is with all things considered, and in spite of the troubles that some experience...Once again, this is my opinion...

Weather wise...Most of South Korea would be like living in the St.Louis area...The winters are nothing like we experience in MN, but they can be harse at times...Unless you are located in one of the mountain regions of the country you would not likely see serious weather except for the fact that the jet stream and ocean currents can occasionally set up one whopper of a snowstorm for the southern regions of the country...For the most part, the winter months in the northern part of the country are rather dry during the winter, but with high humidity...