Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DeathByDrum]

Hi there, I'm currently saving up with the intention of travelling to Thailand to do a Celta course at IH next March/April. Afterwhich I'm thinking of teaching either in Thailand or South Korea - South Korea being probably the more attractive option at the moment because of the higher wage and Busan sounds great.

So the thing is, I'm trying to gather the information I need a bit early so I can start getting organised early on. I know I need to apply for an E2 Visa before I leave the UK since the new(ish) regulations came in. But everywhere I've read so far seems to describe the process as requiring me to have a job beforehand. So what I was wondering was:

1/ Can I apply for an E2 visa based on the merit of applying for a job there after a month long course in Thailand? Or would I need to complete the course in Thailand, then travel back to the UK, find a job then go through the visa process before flying out again? (I'd rather avoid this due to considerable expense!)

2/ How long does the E2 visa last for? I tried googling that and nowhere seemed to have a straight answer. I may have googlefailed but if anyone could tell me that'd be great thanks!

3/ Also, slightly different question but job-related nonetheless. I'm planning on getting a CELTA as it seems to be worth quite a bit and would allow me to get a job teaching English elsewhere (Western Europe) with ease from what I've read here and other places, but is there anyone who has personal experience of the CELTA course at International House Bangkok who can mention positives and negatives and also for those with the CELTA course, how much have you found it's improved your job-finding and earning potential?

Thanks for your time everyone. Been lurking here for months so I thought I might as well start asking a few questions!

[cocosheff]

Hi I'm from UK and CELTA graduated.

I can't help you with your Q on whether you need to be in UK for the E2 Visa - it's probably best to sign up with a recruitment agency, tell them your current situation - and they'll advise you best. I advise KoreanHorizons as they're UK national-run.

CELTA; by far the best course to do if you're coming straight out of uni etc. I just landed my first job in Korea because I had the qualification.

The E2 visa can last for a maximum of 1 year as far as I know; they're specialist ones for foreign language teachers.

So; sign up with an agency, ideally a UK-baser/run one

[DeathByDrum]

Ah thanks! That agency sounds pretty good from what I've just been reading. IH sounds good but I'm starting to think it overall might be easier if I do a CELTA course in South Korea maybe. Thanks again for your reply!

[Son Deureo!]

Unfortunately, if this is your first E2 visa, there's no particular advantage whatsoever to being in or near Korea to look for your first job. You'll actually have to apply from your home country and do an in-person consular interview there.

You might want to look into doing your CELTA at home if you're really deadset on teaching in Korea after you graduate.

[Setaro]

Most UK people don't need to do a consular-interview at all, unless they are applying for the main EPIK intake for March start.

You'll probably have a skype/phone interview with the school/education board in Korea.

[cocosheff]

Drum to Death:
I'm currently applying for my E2 visa in the UK, after living in Europe since January - trust me if you want to make any progress with your visa you'd really struggle being outside the UK.

There's so many tedious things like getting a university degree transcript in a university sealed envelope, having your uni sign the degree - checked by a notary - then checked by apostille service.

Being in the UK has doubled the speed of my visa progress

[ttompatz]

[DeathByDrum]

Ah thanks a lot for clearing up the Visa question. So I'm guessing it would be best to undertake just a TEFL course first and then get a job in Korea by the sound of it?

Just out of curiosity, could anyone tell me if either of these courses would be sufficient/acceptable for getting a job over there?

[ttompatz]

ANY TEFL course of 100 hours will suffice for the pay bump in a public school.

It won't make any difference and won't help (that is NO TEFL/TESOL will help) insofar as a hagwan job is concerned.

If you are going for a PS position (EPIK/GEPIK) then get the CHEAPEST, 100 hour, on-line course you can find.

If you are going for a language academy, save your money and put it toward your trip to Thailand after your year is done.

.

[DeathByDrum]

That sounds like some solid advice! Thanks to you and everyone else who posted. That's really helped.

[Swampfox10mm]

Is it just me, or does this type of thread deserve a sticky?