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robinsoncrusoe
Joined: 22 Jan 2010
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 Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 2:31 pm Post subject: Best way to get started? |
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I've just started looking for teaching positions in Korea. I think I'll go through some recruiters because I don't know much (read: anything) about the process.
In addition, I'm a Korean American (gyopo), just graduated from a pretty good liberal arts school (although it's certainly no Harvard or Princeton) and majored in English Lit with a desire to teach for a living.
Because of my allergies, I can't teach in Seoul, so I'm targeting Busan for jobs teaching elementary school kids in public schools. My other option would be to contact schools directly and send out emails but I don't know what I'm doing and would rather have somebody with experience guide me.
I'm also aware that Dave's ESL has A LOT of negative people who like posting unhelpful or misleading crap. Please don't air out your problems here. I'm just looking for help on how to get started properly so that I can start teaching as soon as possible and get to learn more about my parent's homeland. Just looking for tips on how to get started (especially if you have a similar background and made it happen). |
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ThingsComeAround
Joined: 07 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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How were your SATs? you may qualify for a test prep school (although most of them are in Seoul)
Honestly, since you majored in English Lit and not English that could be a problem. Schools are trying to cut down on costs, and this is one of the [many] ways they do it.
If you are really serious, get an online degree which is over 100 hours- and get the certificate. Then schools know you are serious about what you will work at for the next year or more  |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Best way to get started? |
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| robinsoncrusoe wrote: |
I've just started looking for teaching positions in Korea. I think I'll go through some recruiters because I don't know much (read: anything) about the process.
In addition, I'm a Korean American (gyopo), just graduated from a pretty good liberal arts school (although it's certainly no Harvard or Princeton) and majored in English Lit with a desire to teach for a living.
Because of my allergies, I can't teach in Seoul, so I'm targeting Busan for jobs teaching elementary school kids in public schools. My other option would be to contact schools directly and send out emails but I don't know what I'm doing and would rather have somebody with experience guide me.
I'm also aware that Dave's ESL has A LOT of negative people who like posting unhelpful or misleading crap. Please don't air out your problems here. I'm just looking for help on how to get started properly so that I can start teaching as soon as possible and get to learn more about my parent's homeland. Just looking for tips on how to get started (especially if you have a similar background and made it happen). |
1) Do you speak Korean?
2) Can you read/write Korean?
3) Do you have family here (that you are in contact with)
4) Are you planning to come over on an E2 (teacher) or an F4 (Gyopo) visa?
The "how to answer you" will largely depend on the answers to the above questions.
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robinsoncrusoe
Joined: 22 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:03 pm Post subject: |
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My SATs were pretty decent Math 800 Verbal 740 Writing 750.
I'm going to study towards getting a teaching certificate but I know its not required.
I applied with several recruiters today, but I just feel so...powerless I guess because all I've done is send out resumes via email. Doesn't sound like a good way to get started. I'm going to follow up with phone calls tomorrow to get a real live person on the case who can give it some extra attention.
Also just sent in my app for EPIK March 2011. I have no idea what their system is like, but I won't be holding my breath or anything.
I realize how popular teaching abroad has become lately due to the dismal home economy and lack of decent jobs in the US. Kids who normally wouldn't have given it a second thought are flocking to places like Korea or Japan. A lot of smart, qualified kids too. |
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robinsoncrusoe
Joined: 22 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: Best way to get started? |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
1) Do you speak Korean?
2) Can you read/write Korean?
3) Do you have family here (that you are in contact with)
4) Are you planning to come over on an E2 (teacher) or an F4 (Gyopo) visa?
The "how to answer you" will largely depend on the answers to the above questions.
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1) Let's say my speaking is at about a 3/10 level. Maybe around 3rd-5th grader's level.
2) I can read well 8/10. My writing is crappy 1/10.
3) Distant relatives. Not in contact with. Most of my family are in NY or LA.
4) Don't they automatically issue an F4 since I'm Korean-American? If not, I don't know how to answer this question. Whichever one they give me, I guess. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:19 pm Post subject: Re: Best way to get started? |
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| robinsoncrusoe wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
1) Do you speak Korean?
2) Can you read/write Korean?
3) Do you have family here (that you are in contact with)
4) Are you planning to come over on an E2 (teacher) or an F4 (Gyopo) visa?
The "how to answer you" will largely depend on the answers to the above questions.
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1) Let's say my speaking is at about a 3/10 level. Maybe around 3rd-5th grader's level.
2) I can read well 8/10. My writing is crappy 1/10.
3) Distant relatives. Not in contact with. Most of my family are in NY or LA.
4) Don't they automatically issue an F4 since I'm Korean-American? If not, I don't know how to answer this question. Whichever one they give me, I guess. |
#4 is key here.
IF you qualify for an F4 then you skip past most of the crap that your average E2 has to go through, you get a vastly wider choice of job opportunities that an E2 cannot do and you do not require a sponsor.
An F4 is NOT automatic and you do need some different paperwork than your average E2 would need. You also skip past a lot of the problems that E2s have to deal with (like apostilles).
Look up the "getting an F4" visa threads or contact your local Korean consulate for more information.
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robinsoncrusoe
Joined: 22 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 7:59 am Post subject: |
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| ok, the consulate site says that it doesn't take very long to process an F4...a couple days on average. Does this mean I can get an F4 now and just hold onto it until I'm hired by a school in Korea? |
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