Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CarolinaTHeels]

I dont really want to work in the mornings. Id rather have a 2-8 shift or something similar I think for my first time, also with smaller classes soo I am thinking a Hagwon might be better.

[cyui]

Character? At least 'cyui" doesn't lie to cover up for the "guilty party"

Why don't you say my real name, man? :shock:

[spiraldance]

I'm sure this information is available elsewhere, but about the FBI check:

Don't forget to add the letter requesting the official seal and signature as this is necessary for the apostille.
Fingerprints - if you get them done at a police station, get several cards done or you can get them done at a professional fingerprinting business.
For the apostille, some states will do it. If not, you can send it to the US Dept of State or a private company that can get it in one day if you are crunched for time.

I had problems at every step and am still waiting on mine!! (And I started last fall!)

[Xylox]

[RMNC]

[CarolinaTHeels]

thanks RMNC,

Hagwons hire year round right, so it's not imperative that I find and accept an offer in August right?

Also I really like the idea of flying to Korea (Seoul) and searching for jobs on the ground so that I can see and ask other teachers about the diff schools/hagwons.

Is this better than going through a recruiter? Only real downside I can see is losing out on the flight reimbursement? But I might can negotiate that into the contract so.

[CarolinaTHeels]

[RMNC]

Whoops! Sorry, my bad.

Yes hagwons hire year-round for all times of the year.

I do not advise people to look for work in Korea by getting on a plane and going there. You're going to lose out of the free airfare and the chances of finding a job that is good is equal to those at home. On the slip side, you could end up not finding ANYTHING in the allotted 90 day tourist visa (where you'll also pay for food, transport and motels) and then you'll be screwed and have to pay for a flight home. I've seen it happen to at least 4 people in my time here (never found out if the other two made it or not). Anyways, just do your research from home before you sign a contract and you'll save a lot of money. I've never heard of anyone saying that they felt they were better off by being in Korea. You can just call the teachers who work there, and if the school won't give you their contact info, that's a huge red flag anyways. It's not really better than a recruiter because they do all the translation and have all the jobs in a database, whereas you'll be unable to communicate and will just be stabbing in the dark for work.

[sunshiningschool]

I'm in the same situation as the OP- same age, no experience, same desired job (Seoul hagwon). I was wondering about the TEFL. Does anyone have good recommendations on which company to go with for a TEFL? I've read about it and it seems like there are a lot of worthless ones out there. I would prefer online but is an online TEFL even worth it? I know to shoot for at least a 100+ hour class, but any good specific program names would help.

Also I am considering teaching in other countries also after Korea, like Japan, China, etc. Is TEFL certification accepted in most other asian countries as well?

[sunshiningschool]

Also one more question - could someone clarify what needs to be done with the copy of the college degree? On the first page of this thread, one person said to get it "notarized first by a public notary and second by the Korean embassy," and the other said "notarized by a notary public and the send it to your secretary of state for an apostille."

I'm assuming the apostille part was a mix up with what you are supposed to do with the CBC but I just want to be sure.

And can I just make the copies of my degree myself or do I need to ask my university for something more official?

Thanks!!

[jfromtheway]

[CtotheB]

I had my original notarized and apostilled just in case some time in the future the copy doesn't work. No biggie.

As far as TEFL just get the cheapest possible 100 hour course you can find. icalweb.com does ones for 265 dollars, and TEFL international is even cheaper I think

[northway]

[Fighter]

I'm in the same situation as the OP, and this thread has been a wealth of information. However, I do plan to attend graduate school next year, so if I were to go to Korea I'd need to be back in the states around august next year. Would that make this an impossible endeavor for me, seeing as most hagwon jobs seem to be year long contracts?

[RMNC]