Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ibsen]

Hey everyone, I'm new here.

I have some questions that hopefully some veterans here could help answer. I'm still fairly early on in the whole process so if my questions are completely unrelated or weird to you, please advise me because, again, I'm still new to this whole process.

Anyway, I am trying to get my F-4 Visa. Where I am in the process is I recently received my updated family history from the government in South Korea and am waiting to go back to the consulate in LA to obtain the visa. The questions I have are:

1) I have been hearing about FBI background checks being required to obtain visas. Where or how do I obtain these background checks and are they available to be completed online?

2) Are taxes exempt from the first year of working? And if so, are there documents that must be filled out before actually going to Korea, or afterwards?

3) Where are college diplomas required in this process? I recently graduated, so my diploma is still another 1-2 months away being ready.

4) How important are TEFL certifications? From my own research some people say they are not needed at all, while others say they are absolutely vital. I really don't have the money to spend on a $3000 course (at least that's the price at the university I went to), but if it's necessary then I will find a way.

Also if anyone has any other advice or recommendations for a newbie, it would be greatly appreciated!

[BananaBan]

i am also a newbie but i think i can help:

TEFL is not that important for Korean employers (how you look is more important actually, so better get a nice pic to insert on ur resume).
Unless specifically looking for a bilingual speaker, a blond hair blue eyed caucasion with no work experience/certf. will usually get the job over someone with a cert.

3,000 for a TEFL is a lot (i think).

hope i helped a bit

[Ibsen]

[overdrive2023x]

I think the way it's going in Korea, if you want to teach in a public school you'll need a TEFL certificate. It might not be mandatory at the moment, but I think with all the cuts, it will eventually become a requirement.

But also I think you should take a certification class even if it's not required. Unless you have a couple years of language teaching experience, I think the TEFL course will teach you a lot about how to handle a classroom and students, so that you're not a fish out of water on your first day of class. I've been teaching English at a Language Academy here in San Diego for the past 2 years, and actually learned a lot from the TEFL class I took online (only 300 bucks). I actually was initially against taking a TEFL class (I didn't believe in a 300 dollar investment just to maybe get a job), but it was a requirement for SMOE. But now I'm extremely glad I took it.

Oh and if you're going to the Korean consulate in LA, go there early in the morning when they open, and they can have your F4 visa done the same day. And if you can't speak Korean, have someone that does go with you, because those ladies can't really speak English that well.

[BananaBan]

[BananaBan]

you may want to try reading a book on how to teach a class and stuff if you wont do the TOEFL

i have taken out a book and have found some points useful.

[Ibsen]

[pikadoopoo]

I actually don't qualify for an F4 because of the dual citizenship law, but I can answer some of your questions.

For TEFL/TESOL, I did the ITTT 120 hour course (one of the least expensive, I believe). I definitely recommend them, and I'll admit I was suspicious. If I'm not mistaken, Footprints offers a discount and you don't even need to be working with them.

If you look around, there are threads regarding FBI background checks. You need to get fingerprints taken, and send them off to the FBI CJIS offices. The checks take 8~9 weeks to process, so hurry if you're planning on starting any time soon.

There's info about the Tax forms here, and also on waygook.org.

I'm not sure about the diplomas. I think some hagwons require them with your initial documents, so make sure to let them know about your situation.