Korean Job Discussion Forums

[curioustraveler]

Here�s the long and short of my situation:

I�m American, 37 and single
Traveled to many countries in Asia before
Starting a new career in ESL

I�ve thoroughly looked over the posts on this website and it seems, for the money, that Korea is the one and only place to work if you actually want to make and save some money. I�ve read the countless horror stories about Korea. They seem to be never ending!

Where�s the best place for a new person to start, public, private, or one-one-one teaching? Is there a place that won�t rip me off by keeping my last month�s pay and actually provides a FURNISHED place to live?

I�m flexible as to what city I�d work, but I guess I would prefer a big city.

[johnny_larue]

Public jobs are usually pretty good. I don't have too many complaints with my job in Incheon.

[curioustraveler]

Where you provided with housing, or do you have to go out and find your own? This is the part that worries me the most. I don't want any out-of-left-field surprises. It seems in China they give you a fully furnished flat.

[okayden223]

Damn near everywhere with a salary in Korea will furnish your apartment. Think of it this way: There are 25k native speaking teachers in Korea and probably 200 regularly post on this site. The rest must not be pissed off enough with their situations to go online and complain. If you end up at a school that you don't have a single complaint for after a year then you got really lucky. It's not like you're teaching english in the Sudan. Yes Korean life can be annoying for us and some people get screwed but I think most people have a decent time here.

[Sausolito]

I'm a member of this forum and also forums to do with the football team i support.

Guess what?

Both forums are, in the main, populated by those who are disillusioned with their situations.

At least you'll be going to Korea in the mindset that it's gonna be hellish... and hopefully you'll be in for a nice surprise!

That's what I keep telling myself anyway!

[romano812]

I'm not so sure about that anymore. I'm into my third year here and when I first got here it was easy to save a ton of money. Now even though I make about 500,000 Won more a month than I did 2 years ago, with the exchange rate it is about $700 less a month than I made 2 years ago. Add that to the sudden dramatic increase in food and other costs and I wouldn't say you are going to save Alot of money, you will save some. As far as I can tell Korea usd to be the highest paying country by quite a bit. Now I would say it is no different than the U.S.A., Canada, Japan, or China.
As for good schools, it is completely hit or miss. Even schools that were great at one time can change overnight with a sudden change in staffing or when a new director comes in. All you can do is try to find what you are ooking for, read your contract carefully, and hope for the best.

Good Luck.