Korean Job Discussion Forums

[williamsabia]

Is there a recruiter that specializes in private schools in Seoul? I don't want to work in a rural area, I'd like to work evening hours. Does anyone know any specifics on this subject? Also, is there a certain area of Seoul that is to be avoided and are there areas that have great food and nightlife and is there a section that is near a park or hiking area?

[ttompatz]

[Modernist]

If you have anything less than stellar qualifications -- Master's degree in TEFL or Linguistics or English Ed, plus some years on the ground teaching or significant Korea experience -- you can forget about adults or Uni students.

If you're willing to take a nothing salary and deal with very young students, you can probably find a Seoul hagwon fairly easily. I don't think there are any particular recruiters 'specializing' in Seoul placement. You can pretty much sign up with any of the big chain hagwons advertising on Dave's.

As for nightlife and parks and all that, you would be well advised to a)look at a map of the city, and b)see how extensive its metro system is. There is a very low chance that you would live in a hot, hip neighborhood, because those are expensive and why should a for-profit hagwon spend any more housing you than it has to? But you can get around very easily on the subway so it won't really matter much.

FYI. I'm telling you, don't assume you know what it's like to teach kinders & very young students if you've never done it before. It is MUCH harder and more draining than you may think.

[williamsabia]

Yes, I have substitute experience with all ages. I am aware of the challenges of focus and over-stimulation with that age group. Thank you for your responses. I do understand that the metro will get me around easily. I am very keen on getting the night shift in Seoul. I don't want to do mornings and I want to live in the big city. Is this going to be something I can find? I have four years teaching experience, a CELTA degree and BA in English.

[dodge]

i think you could find something suitable pretty easily, somewhere in Seoul, with those qualifications. There are loads of hagwans with different hours and conditions, you just gotta keep looking on the jobs board or sign up with some recruiters, or both.

Party areas: Hongdae, Hyehwa, Itaewon, Gangnam/Apgujeong are probably the main ones.

and yeah you can get to most areas pretty easily by subway, bus or taxi. good luck

[Modernist]

Well, if all you're concerned about is avoiding AM shifts, I would make that the screening option for looking at jobs. You want either split shift early afternoon - late evening, or 1-shift late evening. Don't accept any jobs with morning shifts, and drop any recruiters who try to convince you to take them. You'll have to look at hagwons for evening work, not public slots. Make sure the contract is very clear about what hours you can teach [if the word 'if' or 'may be' is on there, like 'the teacher may be required to be present as necessary to meet the needs of the school' then you WILL be teaching in the mornings].

With that experience, an English degree and the CELTA, I'm pretty sure you should be fine finding something, especially if you will willingly teach young learners. Post your resume on Dave's and see what you get.

But you would be well advised to drop the fixation on certain parts of 'the big city.' Seoul has more than 10 million people in the official borders, it's quite sprawling like most major Asian cities. Like I said, you won't be living in the fashionable parts. Life as an ESL teacher ain't glamour.

As for 'great food'? Koreans will tell you it's ALL great! Personally I find most Korean food rather disgusting [yesterday I had squid soup for lunch]. Seoul's best advantage is that there are many examples of NON-Korean food about--I have never been so happy to find a Quizno's before

[northway]

[gyopokid85]

Has anyone had any luck finding a job as a Gyopo without a degree?

[williamsabia]

I appreciate your help. Also, if I am interested in Korea, is Taiwan another option that is comparable in pay and living expenses? What about Hong Kong or Beijing? Is Korea the best place to teach, why?

[northway]

[SeoulNate]

[Modernist]

Here's a thought: check the native language of a place before asking about it.

Hong Kong, last time I checked, was a PART of China. And, you know, previously colonized by the British for >100 years. I don't think they need a whole lot of help with learning English.

I can't speak directly to Taiwan, but no housing or flight assistance would end my interest.

China more generally is very cool to live in and see as a place. BUT, check the site middlekingdomlife.com Great resource for the reality of working there. Bottom line, you CANNOT save almost anything beyond day-to-day expenses, unless you get one of a small number of highly-elite positions in Beijing, Shanghai or Gunagzhou. The inflation problem there is pretty nasty.

Korea is the best place in Asia if you want to save money, end of story. For quality of life the consensus is Thailand. For interesting locals, think Vietnam. For seeing a wide range of things, China.

For BIG money, Saudi Arabia. If you can stand it.

[edwardcatflap]

[northway]