Korean Job Discussion Forums

[englishteachinmom]

Hi, I'm from Canada I have my Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and TESL certification. I would like to go to Korea to teach English but I would like to bring my son and husband with me.

Because I have good qualifications is it possible I could negotiate with the schools so I could bring my son and husband with me?

My husband would also like to teach but he only has two years of community college. I read on another site that Korea is now accepting English speakers with two years of college. I don't know if this is true.

Do any of you know people who have brought their children to Korea to teach with them?

Also, if I am able to bring my son how easy is it to find babysitters/childcare? I heard that it is pretty cheap and easy to fund a trustworthy caregiver.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. I can't find anything on the internet from people in similar situations.

Thank you!!

[matthews_world]

A lot of folks in your same situation.

I would apply to public schools - SMOE, EPIK, GEPIK, or to universities. Public schools seem to have the funds for larger apartments for their NET's, in my experience.

You don't need to put your family situation on your cover letter.

If you use a recruiter, definitely tell them upon interview. It may be better to wait until interview time with a public school directly to divulge the situation.

Working visas are certainly different here. Guests are not allowed to work in Korea if listed as dependants under the main NET's visa.

Couple jobs are out there. I'm not sure what this entails.

[englishteachinmom]

Thank you for your post! I'm pretty terrified to bring my family to Korea. I live in a small town in Eastern Canada so it will be very different.

I just need to know as much as possible before I go. It would be greatly appreciated if I could get info from those of you with direct experience with this or point me in the right direction.

[cincynate]

I know a couple of people over here who have brought their families. In fact in our contracts it states that we are allowed to do so. They will actually be covered by insurance, etc. I would go for it. I think it will be a great experience for them. Your husband can join talk which is for people who want to teach with 2 years of college under their belt.

[frankly speaking]

You have adequate qualifications. I wouldn't say that they are good. Your husband has no qualifications. There is one special program mentioned already TALK, I don't know anything about it, but it does give opportunities for those without a degree.

However, I doubt that you and your husband would be posted in the same area though. You guys might get jobs in different cities or at best different parts of the same city. Long commutes suck.

Your husband will not be able to get any other teaching job though if he doesn't get accepted into that program. He will get seriously bored without work. He could get labor work in a factory, but that sucks even worse. Perhaps if he could do something from home on the computer and get paid back in Canada would be an option. But his options in Korea are very limited.

I really don't think that you and your family will do that well in Korea. Your kids education will cost about 1/2 your salary. If you are supporting your family just on your salary, things will be tight.

If your husband was a University grad, things would be different. But as it stands I am certain that he will not be fully content in Korea being a house husband.

If teaching abroad is the way that you want to live and raise your family, I think that your husband should go back to school and finish his degree. In the long run it would be better.

If you are just planning on doing one year abroad, perhaps go for it, but I think that uprooting your family and bringing them to a foreign country without good financial support is a little immature and impractical.

[ttompatz]

[edamron]

I just learned yesterday that with a student visa, in the case where your husband would study Korean, he can teach individuals or have some kind of part-time work.

I am in the same situation as yours.

[Big Mac]

My understanding was that the TALK program was for people who have two years of UNIVERSITY. In Canada, community college is not university. So he may not qualify.

I think your husband will get very bored with no work. He could teach privates illegally, but if he got caught he might get deported. He could also do remote work by computer for an employer in Canada, but those situations are rare.

If you plan to send your kid to an English-speaking international school you will have to dish out some coin for that. That is, unless you get a job at an international school where you would get free schooling for your child. Since you have a Bachelor of Education, that is a possibility. If you are still considering going to Korea after thinking about all these things, I would only do so if you get a job at an international school.

Too bad your husband doesn't have a degree as it would make things much easier!

[I-am-me]

Try to find a rural position. Many Canadians with 2 yr degrees get jobs teaching. You both might be able to work at same school.

[englishteachinmom]

Thank you so much for your replies.

I should have been clearer. My husband has to years total community college but they are separate diplomas in trades (electrical engineering) So does that still count? They were each one year long in duration.

@frankly: I just meant that I thought I had good qualifications for Canadian standards and it seems that a lot of people go to Korea (from Canada anyways) with just their B.A's.

I'm not sure I understand how going to Korea is immature and impractical. In this part of Canada I'm in a bit of a dire situation. There are pretty much no jobs in the school system here and I'm left to spotty supply teaching work. Never knowing from one day to the next if I will work. To get full time work you have to get long term supplies that are six months plus a day to qualify for a "D contract" which means you are then qualified to get permanent full time jobs. Of course the long term supply jobs like maternity etc are six months or less so they don't have to give you a "D" contract making you eligible for full time permanent work.

In addition to that in my city you also have to know the right people and kiss a lot of ass. Nepotism is rampant. I have an enormous student loan to repay (about 50,000) and with the lack of work I'm pretty much forced to leave here so I CAN support my family.

Korea seems like a great place to save money and get teaching experience. Also, I would like for my son to see the world. Something I've wanted for myself since I was a child but haven't been able to do. Its been my dream to travel. This seems like a great way to kill two birds with one stone. I can see a new country and culture and also repay my debts and save money to support my family.

However, if I have to pay for my sons education and support my husband I may not be saving much. I think that if I could send my son to the same school I teach at like the public or international schools that would be the best option.

I'm in a really tough spot because I need the work and money but I have to make it safe and practical for my family. Life here in Canada is pretty unhappy because of the employment situation. I'm also terrified of being ripped off and taken advantage of by shady employers. So many fears and worries.

I would really like to contact those of you who have done this successfully. So I can understand clearly the risks and benefits and know exactly what steps I have to take.

Sorry for the long post! I really appreciate your help!

[ttompatz]

Wife and daughter - long timer in Korea.

Get a PS position and go for it.
Your husband won't qualify (so he will be here on an F3) but there is "under the table" work to be had to pad the bank account. He may also get work with a 1 year diploma at a PS on his F3 by getting permission from immigration for an activity outside his status.

You CAN live comfortably with a small family on the salary and benefits paid by the public schools because housing is supplied.

We usually put about CAD$10,000 per year into savings AND spent 1 or 2 holidays per year (as a family) on the beaches in Thailand or the Philippines.

One thing you may want to consider is to land a job, come over ahead of your family, get set up, get some money in the bank and then have them come over.

You may also want to look at Taiwan. Public schools there will fly you AND your family over as long as you have your "teaching license" from Canada.

.

[Mr. Pink]

What you should be thinking of is looking at international school jobs. They pay better and have better benefits. The fact your kid can go to an English speaking school and they usually pay for all of your airfare (3 people, versus 1 person with a Korean ESL school). Also the medical plans with international schools are much better than you will get working the ESL trade within Korea. Unfortunately atm, I think all the international schools in Korea have filled their slots.

If your husband is a trades person though, I was under the impression they made a lot of bank in Canada. You might want to think about changing provinces if you are in backwoods nowhere maritimes.

At any rate, good luck. Those student loans are going to be a killer for you to pay back on only one salary though.

[snowysunshine]

I've just come here from Eastern Canada. I had a job there, but had been in Korea before and really wanted to return. This time, I brought a husband. He's not working, but he's still enjoying himself. There's enough for him to do to keep busy. We don't have children yet, but aren't opposed to the idea. I'm pretty sure that we'll be here for quite a while, too, so if we do have children, it's possible they'll be schooled in a Korean school. Before that, my husband will be the main caregiver while I work. So far we're not experiencing anything too difficult in terms of finances.

Personally, I strongly encourage anyone to go for it! It's such a great experience, and can really provide your whole family with many great opportunities!

[matthews_world]

American home builders are to be found here on the peninsula that cater to rich Koreans who want western styled single family homes, although these are small operations.

The few times I've been in western bars in Korea, mostly in larger cities, I've run into Americans who do construction or work for the Department of Defense on local military bases as skilled contractors.

There's a discussion board out there for military folk here in Korea where he could ask around, perhaps someone could post the link.

Do a google.

Good luck. Keep us informed.

[PatrickGHBusan]

What Tom said is dead on.

But I would advise your husband refrain from under the table work, at least initially as getting caught (however low the odds) would be bad for you in your situation.

You can save and live decently on a PS job in Korea with your family. Considering the situation you described in Canada...Korea looks like a good option.

If you have questions...pm me...I am from Canada too and was in Korea 11 years.