Korean Job Discussion Forums

MBSteigerwald · Joined: 22 May 2009

Hello, I have been lurking here for a while and have decided that I will be headed to SK in Aug. Just hoping to meet some people and have random advice thrown my way. I'm American, 27, Male, Caucasian and have submitted a few applications but not found a position yet. I spoke with a nice girl named Jen who works for the Education Ministry who gave me some good advice.

I want to be in Seoul but could be convinced otherwise, mostly I just want to travel and see the world over the next few years and I figure SK is a good place to get some experience. My degree is in Film and I have tutored computer classes for years. I want to teach Adults or High School.

I will accept all flames and favors, advice and recomendations.

Thanks

-Blake

alphakennyone · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Location: city heights

First of all, good luck to you.

Beyond that, you haven't really brought up any difficult issues so you should be able to find answers to all your questions in the forums.

indyflyguy · Joined: 17 Apr 2009

You sound like me - I'm also a 27 year old male from the States, heading to Seoul in August Smile

Good luck in your search! I took other posters' advice, and simply sent my resume to as many recruiters and schools as possible, and finally found a position that matched what I was looking for, and just felt "right".

Let me know if you'd like the contact information for my recruiter. She was the first one to actually send me positions with the criteria I was looking for, and not just any position they had available.

RufusW · Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Location: Busan

This board has a huge amount of information on it - use google advanced search and get going on it (where you want to live, expected pay etc). Make sure you feel good about the recruiter/employer before you commit - being where you don't want to be could be a very big mistake (stress/cost).

I think you're too late for EPIK applications for August, but you should be able to find a Hagwon position quickly. But try not to rush into it.

tonyvu · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:44 pm Post subject:

yeah if you search long enough, you'll be able to sift through all the crap on these forums and find what you really need in no time. Looks like hagwons are the way to go since public school jobs for august seem to be filled, unless your recruiter can work its magic and get you in on time. If you dont mind waiting, epik is taking applications starting in october for the march intake.

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

That's how you best learn to swim - dive on in! (I'm also reminded of that famous quote about learning to swim in the winter and skate in the summer.....).

PM me or visit on EFL Classroom 2.0, I'll help/share what I can. I've always lived open and especially sensitive to new teachers and their needs, support. I'm going to have a nice new detailed and searchable recipe feature on EFL 2.0 in the near future. In the meantime, everything there very searchable and teachers are very friendly...

Most important advice -- have a good shyte detector! Lean on the side of being positive, life , especially life overseas, awards those who know how to rise with the gales and lay back when the seas are calm...

Cheers,

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

White, male, American, breathing = you've ticked all the right boxes.

For an August start you don't have to hurry. Give yourself another month and check the job board here daily and only apply for ones that you really want. Don't jump at the first thing that is thrown at you.

Seoul is a good choice for a 1st year. A school that already has a heap of other foreign teachers is really good for someone starting out, to give yourself a support net and a few friends.

I wouldn't be too picky with the adults and high school thing. They can often be the most difficult. A room full of bouncy 2nd graders is more fun than a room of teenage zombies. Keep an open mind about that.

oldtactics · Joined: 18 Oct 2008

If you're interested in public school, it's still worth it to apply to the areas outside of Seoul - SMOE is probably full but I know EPIK people who got their jobs a week before orientation.

Highschool has been interesting - I got really lucky with my school but it's definitely daunting to be a first time teacher and having to deal with 800 highschool girls a week. Took me a while to find my groove, I definitely recommend reading a lot about lesson planning and teaching methods if that's the route you're aiming for.

Best of luck, enjoy the adventure!