Korean Job Discussion Forums

caraneb · Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Location: Aberdeenshire

Hi,

I've been reading the many helpful posts on here for the past month or so but have came across an issue I'm stuck with. After reading that a few of you that teach have children I realized that teaching in Korea was possible a realistic option rather than a dream. I'm finishing my MA at the moment and due to graduate in July. I figured that I could teach while my husband looked after our daughter (1 year old). However, after speaking to the ministry of education they have pointed out that my husband (2 years uni ed) can also teach through the TalK (?) scheme. I know from reading posts that childcare can be sorted out while teaching but does anyone know of any options for this during orientation ? or is this simply to ridiculous to consider ?

Any advice / info is very much appreciated !

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

How old is the child? Does your husband have any other work skills/language skills?

The problem with the TALK program is I think it only deals with very rural areas. So anything you do in a rural area will hamstring your options for child care and other services your family might need. I'm not saying it would be impossible, but it might be a little harder.

I assume the orientation you are talking about is the 4 week TALK program orientation?

If you really want to come to work in Korea, it would be much easier if your husband finished his degree. This will open many more doors for you.

Murakano · Joined: 10 Sep 2009

yes it's possible to teach through Talk but like the previous poster said, the schools will probably be way out in the boonies.

Perhaps if you could negotiate with EPIK (they handle both programs I believe) to have both schools in reasonable proximity to each other then why not. It's easier said than done though....

caraneb · Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Location: Aberdeenshire

thanks for the replies, I am aware that its rural and quite happy with that. I have spoke to EPIK who have said that it possible to be housed together and both teach. They also said that the POE could give early notification of schools so that it would be possible for me to contact them and arrange childcare before I start. However, I believe my orientation, although shorter than my husbands would run over, which still leaves the problem of childcare wherever the orientation is.

My husband was hoping to finish his degree through distance learning with out uni while we were away. Originally we considered just me teaching with both my husband and daughter entering as dependents but he's been in a fulltime management position for the past few years and I was thinking boredom might get to him after a few months.

We contacted EPIK again last night and thy suggested that it would be possible for me to start with EPIK alone to begin with and my husband could then join TALK on a 6 month contract once we were there and settled but I have it in my head that I read Visa types are difficult to change ? If not this is probably the more sensible idea although despite reading that it is possible, I'm a little nervous about trying to support all three of us on one wage.

Also, I'm 29, is my age a problem for any particular posts ?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Home sweet home

YOur husband and child can easily get an F3, dependent visa. They can't work or study on them though.

toniyellow · Joined: 30 Sep 2009

Have you tried the http://www.korea4expats.com/ forum?
They have a lot more people with children there, not just teachers but other kinds of expats.

I wouldn't let one week of childcare stopping you from the whole adventure. You'll know the location of the orientation far enough in advance to likely find a childcare solution. Of the 10 day orientation, 2 or 3 days are non academic, welcoming ceremonies, a cultural tour or quick medical tests, you might be able to keep the child with you.

You could try creative options like trying to find another expat family in the orientation area - military wives or teachers, who would take care of your kid during the day. Orientation is when school is on vacation, not every public school teacher heads for Thailand.

29 is younger than a lot of people in the EPIK system. And Koreans really respect marriage and kids, your school/s would like that.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Home sweet home

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 4:17 am Post subject:

Daycare options are numerous in Korea. Especially in the larger cities.

As for your husband, the TALK program is a decent option but how long do you two want to stay in Korea? If it is longer than a year or two, he will not be all that happy working for TALK as the options are more limited....

caraneb · Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Location: Aberdeenshire

Thanks for all the advice, its really helpful. At the moment I'm swaying more with playing safe with just me teaching ad my husband looking after our daughter. I've been led to believe that even though he's on a dependant visa he can still study online with a UK institution...so we're hoping he can finish his degree this year while I teach. If boredom is killing him EPIK/TALK have said its possible to change his visa type so that he can join the talk program for a 6 month contract which would time well with him gaining his degree and therefore allow him to teach without TALK.

As much as I think he would enjoy TALK I think the stress of moving, teaching and our baby might make the experience harder than in needs to be. Although all the info on childminding options are great and very much appreciated.

We have no set time frame for how long we plan on being in Korea, just planning to take it as it comes depending on how we all settle, hopefully we'll all enjoy it, if not then at least we've had an unusual experience as a family to look back on.