Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fleep]

I might be coming over to Korea to teach English. I don't have any personal contacts to tell me which schools/agencies are legitimate and which ones are scams. I have heard/read many bad stories so I just want to make sure I am taking a good first step.

I thought I could apply to "EA and Partners" and "Good Day Korea." They are both all over Hotjobs and seem to be marketed to people like me who are new to all of this teaching abroad stuff.

Please let me know if you have heard of these organizations and if they are good/bad/fine.

Thanks!

[PRagic]

Good luck with your plans, but don't count on much feedback on your question. There are a ton of recruiters out there, mainly because anyone can throw their hat into the ring. It is unregulated, it requires very little actual work, and any schmuck with an in at a school or two can get into the game.

Look at the stickies to know what you should be asking recruiters and potential employers; this is more important than which recruiter your go though.

In my opinion, you should pepper EVERY recruiter with your resume, and then kick back and let them do the work. DON'T ever feel pressured to make a decision. Remember, they are making a buck by simply placing you.

[MarionG]

Also, respond to ads that are directly from schools. You will have the option that way of talking to someone at the school itself...and judge whether there's anyone who can speak English.

Many schools have only one foreign teacher. It is very common here for NO ONE at a school (other than the foreign teacher who will leave when you arrive) to speak even passable English, including the Korean English teachers.

If no one speaks English, how will you get any problems resolved?

There are excellent resources on this site for judging a contract...use them extensively!

Don't come over without an E-2 visa firmly inside your passport
Don't come over with an unsigned contract
Don't come over with only a "contract summary"
Don't come over without pictures of your housing, inside and outside
Don't come over without talking to the school director on the phone
Don't come over without understanding all the pitfalls of a contract
Don't be pressured into accepting a job until all these things have fallen into place...