Korean Job Discussion Forums

[zachmcleod]

Hey guys,

My girlfriend and I are planning on teaching in Korea next year through the GEPIK program. At our university there is a program within the ESL program that acts as a recruiter for students and is in contact with GEPIK. I've spoken with a guy there about the application process and was wondering about a few answers he gave me.

First, he told me that GEPIK will almost certainly honor requests to live in a certain city/near another person. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this that might suggest otherwise, because I don't want to find out two weeks before going that my girlfriend and I will be an hour apart.

Second, he told me that as graduates from my university (Wisconsin) we would have no trouble getting jobs through GEPIK. My girlfriend is a Korean adoptee and neither of us have teaching degrees or certificates of any kind, although we do teach some free volunteer ESL classes here.

Basically, this sounds too good to be true to me. I would like to believe what I've been told, but I have heard there will be cutbacks on foreign teachers in Gyeongi next year. Any personal experience with the GEPIK program would be great to hear.

Thanks.

[ttompatz]

[rookieglobetrotter]

The ESL market in Korea is pretty competitive these days compared to years past. Employers are going to look at the more qualified or flexible candidates. Unless you are married, it is difficult to guarantee you will be placed with (or even near) your gf, but it can happen as in my case.

If your looking to teach in PS and not picky about location, why not try applying to the other programs EPIK, SMOE, TALK, etc as well to see if you can be placed together there and take the best offer. On your application list your preferences and in the comment section note that you are flexible about location but would like to be placed near your gf, or something to that effect. Usually if there are positions open, they will try to match your request although they could place you somewhat rural. But yeah search this board a lot and be persistent and you can land the job you want.

[zachmcleod]

Thanks for the responses. The reason we've decided on GEPIK is mainly due to our school's program. They set up pre-departure orientations with other students who're going and will serve as a resource for any problems we're having, which seems pretty appealing. We also have a few Korean friends who live in Incheon, Bucheon and the Western part of Seoul, so something in that area seems ideal.

I didn't realize you could apply as an engaged couple. What kind of documentation would they need on that?

I'm a little confused on the TESOL. I looked into a program at an ESL school near campus which had a TEFL program which was way too costly to justify doing ($2500 for 6 weeks). The hiring guy for this program said the Koreans were picky on where I had gotten a TESOL and recommended that place, so I'm not sure on where exactly to get the thing.

Sorry for my complete lack of knowledge on this :/

[zachmcleod]

So I've looked around for various TESOL programs and narrowed it down to either ITTT or KEISIE. Any opinions on either?

[tokkibunni8]

[winterfall]

[nobbyken]

We were told by Gepik staff last week that there are 2,300 teachers employed, with a cut of 200 being made at the start of next academic year.

[Junior]