Korean Job Discussion Forums

Intae · Joined: 07 Jun 2009

Hello all, after months of looking in America for a job I have greatly considered going to Korea for a year to teach English as well as explore my native country. Can someone give a quick breakdown of what steps I need to take in order for this to happen? Do I have to apply for a teaching visa before I sign a contract? I'm looking to teach in the heart of Seoul (I haven't been to Korea since the early 90's and want to see how much it has changed), any recommendations for hakwons/public-privateschools/private tutoring? Are there places where I can enroll to improve my reading/writing as well as prep for the GMAT exam? Cheers to all responses!

DC in Suwon · Joined: 14 Dec 2008

I'd say first just research this site, as well as others on the net. Google something like "teach in korea."

andrewchon · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:44 am Post subject:

1. Qualification: Do you have a degree from English-7 nations? (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, South Africa)
2. Get an F-4 visa
3. Get a Criminal Background Check.
4. If you haven't uploaded your resume onto Dave's then do so.
5. Start fielding offers. You'll inundated with tonnes of garbage. Do research carefully and take everything they say with mountains of salt.

There are few others on this site in same boat as you, proudman is one. Don't know what's happened to 8minutepopsong. Many others who are F-4. Do a search on F-4 and read up on their posts.

crescent · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: yes.

Documents you will need:

1. A copy of your passport photo/info, fully legible with a clear photo.

2. Your resume (must include; your full name, contact phone number, email address and "SIGNATURE must be IN HAND WRITING".

4. Your degree (ORIGINAL or copy certified by the Korean consulate)

5. CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK. This MUST BE APOSTILLE CONFIRMED, or certified by the Korean Consulate for Canadians. Also, Canadians must have a Vulnerable Sector Check as well.

6. E-2 Applicant�s Health Statement (Employer will send if hired or can be downloaded from Immigration website)

7. 2 Sets of TRANSCRIPTS from your university (this must be in a sealed envelope with the university seal on it.)

8. 6 Passport sized photos.

9. Employment Contracts (Employer will send if hired).

PROCEDURE:
Once you gather all these documents, you mail them to your employer. Your employer takes them to the local immigration office for approval, and receives an E2 Visa Confirmation number.
Your employer then gives you this number and you use it to fill out an E2 Visa application form. You take (or mail) that form to the Korean consulate nearest you and arrange for an interview. After the interview, your passport is stamped with the visa and you're done.

robot · Joined: 07 Mar 2006

Step 1: go to Korea.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: profit

andrewchon · Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:33 pm Post subject:

If you are a native of Korea: are you a citizen of some other country?
If so you apply for F-4 visa and renounce Korean citizenship so that you don't have to do military service. If you are on F4 you don't need a working visa (F4 is a working visa but don't need employer sponsorship). Since you are a native, I assume you look like a typical Korean. If so, very little chance of working in centre of Seoul for you. Seoulites like to learn English from Ken and Barbie dolls. Hagwons like Ken and Barbie dolls, also. Whether one can teach English great or not, unless they get it from non-Korean they don't feel they are getting their money's worth. Private and public schools have same curriculum, difference is snottyness of students. Private school students want their money's worth, also. (Hagwon and private schools are not the same things) For tutoring, have a look at the Private Tutoring sticky. It's a sticky business, private tutoring in Korea. There are too many GMAT places in Korea.

Now the good news. Some hagwons and some provincial public schools prefer hiring F-4. So, you'll get a job but probably not all your dreams will come true.

Intae · Joined: 07 Jun 2009

Thanks to all the replies so far.

I was born in the states so I have an American citizenship. This whole procedure seems alot more complicated than I thought...

Intae · Joined: 07 Jun 2009

DO i need an f-4 or e-2?

chnike112 · Joined: 05 Aug 2009

andrewchon · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 1:53 pm Post subject:

Yes, this and just about anything in the world that is worth anything, is more complicated than it looks. While you are job searching, you'll be doing job researching, but you should know that by now.

Born in the states and you say Korea is your native country: Can you clarify this? Are any of your parents Korean? At least one parent had to have held Korean citizenship for you to qualify for F-4 visa.

Some of the previous life lessons that bit me for the second time:

Battle plan is gone after 30 seconds of first shot. (battle <->lesson plan)

Easiest part is doing the job. Hard part is getting paid, hardest is keeping the money. (job <-> teaching)

At last you make something fool-proof, along comes a better class of fools. (fools <-> students)

Enemy isn't attacking just because they're bored, they've found a weakness. (enemy attacking <-> students goofing off)

So, research and prepare.

Intae · Joined: 07 Jun 2009

I'm sorry my native country IS NOT Korea. I don't know why I wrote that in my initial posting. I am an American citizen...