Korean Job Discussion Forums

[aureliasmith]

Hello,

I am a female American teacher in the most preliminary stages of the process of attaining teaching placement in S. Korea, and I'd very much appreciate if someone who knows the process and country well could help me out. I'd like to teach in a Private Academy. From research, I have thought I'd like to go to Boryeong due to its location in relation to the rest of the country, and access to islands. I'd like to go to a culturally historical area. Access to transportation and a relatively low cost of living are important. I'd really like to be close to the water and get to explore the islands, but also save as much money as possible. Are locations closer to the beach drastically more expensive than those inland?

I have heard horror stories about less-than-professional recruitment agencies. Any glowing recommendations? I have a B.A., plus a post secondary degree in teaching secondary English and 1 year of experience teaching abroad. Anyone know a fair salary to expect for this type of experience? Are there certain areas/agencies to look at for a maximum salary? Lastly, if anyone could give me a rough overview of the steps involved in the process of settling paperwork- applications, contracts, visas, placement, etc. and a general time frame of how long this might take that would be so helpful.

Apologies that some or most of these questions may seem uninformed or self-evident. I find it so much better to just talk to people who have really done this stuff before rather than trying to get though the sea of information out there by myself, in a raft with no paddle. Thanks, in advance, for any help I can get on this.

-A

[ttompatz]

[aureliasmith]

To answer the question: because I need to pay back a big loan I have on deferment after taking a volunteer position in Bhutan. Thanks for your response- helpful.

If you have other places where you think I'd earn and/or be able to save more, please enlighten me. (I'm not interested in the Middle East).

[ttompatz]

Public school jobs in Taiwan pay on the order of $3000 plus benefits.
NET program in Hong Kong pays $3000/month + $2000 for benefits. (starting salary) but you will need to add a recognized TEFL/TESOL cert to your list of credentials. (30 days and $2000)

Decent international schools (as internationally accredited not just international in name) in China and Thailand pay starts at about $2500 + benefits (and the cost of living is much lower in both than it is in Korea).

When comparing jobs and salaries across different economies you should look at the quality of life (nice apartment, amenities, etc) and the NET savings at the end of the year rather than just the base salary.

Google:
public school jobs Taiwan[/color]
look at:
http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=1300&langno=1
http://www.tes.co.uk/jobs/
http://www.ibo.org/ (search out individual schools and NOT apply to the IBO)
http://www.searchassociates.com/ (fee to join)
http://www.internationalschoolsreview.com/

there are others as well.

There are LOTS of better options in terms of remuneration and professional development than simply working in a hagwon in Korea.

.

[dairyairy]

If you have your heart set on living in that area, (Boryeang), why not apply to teach at a public school in that province?

[aureliasmith]

I do appreciate and value the advice. I'll look into it all. My thinking was that, as a new teacher with limited experience, it would be the best way of making some headway on my debt and giving myself a little cushion to settle state side with. You always hear people say "Go to Korea to make money"...

I do not possess a TEFL/CELTA or any other "English as a Language" certification: I have a credential to teach Secondary English as a subject, and one year of international experience. I heard that you have to have a TESOL (or similar) to teach at most international and public schools, no? Thanks for the help so far.

[dairyairy]

[ttompatz]