Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dogboy]

Ok here's my situation. I have posted on the other sights, and have gotten some pretty negative feedback about Korea from the people in other forums. Now I want to here from the people in the Kprean forum.

I somewhat recently ended a 3 year stint witht he JET Program in Japan. My experience there was pretty good overall. Needless to say there were some problems, but I think that is only natural when living abroad. My biggest problem with living in Japan was that I was living in a small city. Being from New York City, it was life in a small city that got under my skin the most.

Now I am considering going back to Asia once more. The 2 places that look most feasible are Taiwan and Korea. Now I am not interested in hearing the debate about in which of these 2 places you can make the most money. I have read many of the debates, and I have formed my own opinions. What I am interested in hearing is, how any of the 3 places (Japan, Korea, Taiwan) compare to the others. I want to know about culture, life-style, teaching opportunities and other aspects of the jobs, and any other things related to life there.

As I said, I spent 3 years in Japan teaching in a high school. I do not have a CELTA or TESOL certificate, but I do have a B.A. in Secondary Education. I have a great deal of experience teaching in New York City Education system. I am most interested in teaching high school age or adult. One thing I hear about Taiwan is that most of the jobs are only teaching very young children.

Basically, I am looking for input from anyone that has lived in 2 or more of these palces and can compare and contrast some of their experiences. Since I am more of a city boy, I am looking mostly at Seoul and Taipei, so anyone who has experience in those places would be of particular interest.

Thanks for any advice that people are willing to share.

[thorin]

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=20658

[Rock]

Dogboy,

I've been in Taiwan and Korea. I taught, or tried to teach, in Taiwan for 7mos, and that after having been in Korea for five years. I can offer my opinion, but it's based on experience.

The culture in Taiwan is much more inspiring, there's more variety to the country, and in Taipei, there are many foreigners. The food isn't as healthy for you, say, as Korea's food, the people less hospitable, sense you must 'make it on your own there', and you'll run into a lot more penny-pinching, whereas the Koreans will be more generous.

Overall, the culture is EXTEMELY BEAURACRATIC.

In regards to lifestyle, Korea seems to have a higher standard of living. You won't enjoy scooters suffocating you with fumes in Taiwan either. The food is rather greasy and, unless you want to eat at an expensive restaurant, is clouded with fumes since most food is eaten out-of-doors.

Now the teaching experiences are plentiful, or the teaching opportunities. Be prepared to feel like the job's not secure though. A lot of places are illegal, they will not commit to an ARC right away, and you're usually looked down upon or else, used as a pawn

I'd choose Korea. Here, you know you have a job for a year. With your credentials, you could land a university job. Adult positions are around, but hey, kids are where the money's at here.

In Taiwan, teaching young kids, or at kindergartens, is declared illegal. The Taiwanese are very, very vague and disturbingly deceptive. I'd stick with something that gives you at least, a sense of trust, like a genuine contract that to Koreans, is more legitimate.

[Saxiif]