Korean Job Discussion Forums

Jlkhollins · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Location: Virginia, USA

I need some oppinions about whether traveling to South Korea is a worthwhile venture. I am currently an English teacher in the United States (B.A. in English, teaching certficate, and four years experience). I grew up overseas (Japan, Korea, etc.) because my father was in the military. I am looking for a rewarding experience, a chance to stretch my legs before settling down, and an opportunity to save money. However, I am 27, have left my "partying" days behind, and am concerned about whether or not I will fit in. I am interested in literature, art, traveling, just not bars, dancing, and drinking. If I travel to South Korea, it will be through footprintsrecruiting, as I believe for the first time overseas I need someone to spell out every detail for me. So, oppions please, and advice...am I going to be out of place....or is there a place for everyone?? Thanks in advance!

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

Are you wanting to work in a hakwon, a university, or an International School? As you're a certified teacher, I'd totally skip the hakwons. They are basically after-school programs and are 100% for-profit. You'll deal with a lot of business rather than teaching. (ie: satisfy the parents, entertain the kids) The bottom line is not to educate the kids, it's to make money. The discipline problems can be difficult as well, not to mention shady bosses.

I'm not trying to discourage you at all, but after working 4 years in Korea and now getting my MA in Elementary Ed, I would not want to work for a hakwon where the role of a teacher is more an entertainer/moneymaker for the boss/babysitter/psuedo-teacher. I would go straight for a university or an International School.

With your background in education and because you're certified, you should be a hot commodity for an International School or a university.

The International Schools would be a great place to start your search. You don't really need a recruiter for that--you can contact the schools yourself. I can understand wanting to have an organization take you under their wing so it's a more secure transition, but I think you would end up very frustrated if your recruiter got you a position at a hakwon.

And no, you're not too old or "out of touch"/whatever to go to Korea. There are plenty of cultural and travel-oriented things that don't have to be based around drinking. You will find LOTS of foreigners that consider alcohol their past-time, but not everyone. My husband and I never bothered with that scene and had plenty to see and do. Never felt like we were missing out--wasn't really our cup of tea (or bottle of beer...) to get smashed twice a week. You are right to assume there's a lot of expats who drink and go to bars every night they go out.

If you get involved in an international church service, you'll find a lot of people who are more interested in the things you are (or at least have an interest other than drinking). Also the USO has tours and events that you can be a part of. Most of the bases have a hospitality house that reaches out to expats in Korea. Good luck!

justagirl

Jlkhollins · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Location: Virginia, USA

Thanks for the reply! I didn't realize the programs I was looking at were basicly after school day cares. How do I find more information about the International schools in Korea? I think I would be most interested in that, verses university education. Thanks again!

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

Just google it.

http://princeton.iss.edu/displaydirectory/ShortSchools.asp?country=Korea

A side note--if you're looking here on the boards for the International schools, some hakwons are naming themselves international schools, but they are not accredited or truly schools.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

What kind of schools did you attend as an overseas base-brat? Perhaps you could try contacting them.

The Korean public school system is a great place to work, but unless you go through EPIK (which places you randomly) it's hard to get a job in it unless you're already in Korea. You may wish to contact the US government about US international schools in Asia. My (Canadian) cousin taught in several in Kuwait and Venezuala and it was a pretty secure and rewarding deal ... except when the Iraqis invaded while he was thankfully away on holiday in Europe.

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

Oh, I forgot that! Go check out the DODDS website as well for teaching US army brats on the bases here. Good advice!

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

jlk ---
i wouldn't completely ditch the idea of teaching at a university. you will likely have shorter working hours/ stress and longer vacations for exploring the region. there are also more jobs to choose from than international schools.

deessell · Joined: 08 Jun 2005

Why does it have to be Korea? I would look to get into the international school and then you can teach anywhere. There are much better places to live and teach than Korea.

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

what gives you the impression expats like to party?

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

kangnam mafioso.... love your "current location" listing under your avatar...need I say more? Very Happy

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

Yeah, but you can only travel if you have time off, i.e decent holidays, which are a rarity.

Homer · Guest

Hakwons are not all after-school day cares....many of the less well run ones are however.

With your background and education I would sugges Public School jobs or perhaps university teaching.

You could also check out the EPIK program.

As for hakwons, there are excellent ones out there that do care for education but they are outnumbered by the shady profit oriented ones.

All this being mentionned, Footprints will be near useless for you as they have very few contacts other than Hakwons.

Ben Glickman · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada

Just wanted to clear this up- We (Footprints Recruiting) - don't only work with private language schools. We also recruit for the public school boards of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, as well as the Gyeonggi and Incheon English Villages.

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

International Schools pay western salaries (for instance the Shanghai American School pays American teaching salary, the Bangkok Canadian School pays a canadian salary, etc.) so if you have a real teaching certification and experience, why come to Korea? The rest of us come here because it's a good place to make money. If you can have your choice, I'd recommend choosing a country you'll like. That depends on your personality but nobody's personality is a match for Korea. Consider: China, Japan, Thailand