Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sheisaeval]

So I'm teaching elementary through gepik right now, and maybe I'll do another year, we'll see, but after that, where should i go next?

I don't have any certificates, but I do have a bachelors and masters (not in english or education).

I'm looking for a place that has:
friendlier, happier locals
better behaved kids
decent pay to cost of living
better weather


Also, is there any other place that has decent vacation that is at least 4 weeks a year? I wasn't sure about this.


Oh, and I know hagwons in Korea are notorious for screwing you up, what about private schools or cram schools in other countries? Are they also as bad, or some countries have better ones?

Thanks!

[Zulethe]

Yeah, I know the place, it's called Utopia. Let me know if you find it cause I've been looking for it for 41 years

[bixlerscott]

I taught in Gangwon-do for 15 months and got 7 official weeks of vacation with another 1.5 to 2 months of idle time as well as many canceled classes to the only hard part was communication while the kids were mostly really good compared to a large Korean city I taught in before. It was a good job, but I only left it due to boredom, isolation, lack of socializing opportunities, nearly every adult lacking any interest in interacting with me, lack of communication at work, and a need to travel and visit home for a several months altogethor. You get 1 month straight if renewing.

There must be like 30 to 50 countries around the world were you can ESL, but pay is peanuts in most countries. There are jobs in central and south America, South Asia countries, North Asia, central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Southern Europe such as Spain as well as many middle eastern Muslim countries, but good pay seems hard to find to make it profitable as well as covering your expenses of world travel. There are lots of places. Research Vietnam and others. Did you see the post about someone getting a job in Oman? I asked how much it paid and he said, "$2500." I don't guess Oman is a beer drinking, socializing, free spirited kind of lifestyle though. Who knows, you might be able to snag a high paying gig in Saudi or Kuwait with a masters and experience?

I find Koreans can be very friendly, but being such a vastly different culture, people rub off differently on us unless they have the experience of living in a Western country for at least a year to understand our concept of friendliness, respect, and professionalism. I would imagine this is the situation is most ESLing countries.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

I'm not sure that ESL can offer you all of what you want. If there were positions which offered all these things, I'm not sure there would be many of us still here.

Off the top of my head, my only practical advice is that you look for a university position in Korea. If you find a reputable place that is not just a 'unigwon' you will teach (slightly) better behaved students, the pay will be better, and you will be spending more of your time on campus, where people are (hopefully) a little more worldly and comfortable with foreigners. You will have more vacation time which will allow you to go to places like Thailand for holidays.

This doesn't answer all of your wish list, but I'm not sure what would, other than changing careers and becoming a diplomat or international supermodel or something.

Ken:>

[gaffe]

If you're young and good looking (and male haha) go to Japan. You'll get laid (a lot), the money's not as good, but you'll get laid (a lot). If older and uglier (and female - and I'm not saying this to be misogynist - if you're young and pretty and female go to Japan and rake in the cash as a hostess) go to China, Taiwan or the M.East.

[PRagic]

Get a university job in Korea with fully paid summer and winter breaks. You'll be here only when the weather is decent, and you can travel the rest of the time. Get the best of both worlds.