Korean Job Discussion Forums

Wildwater · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Location: USA

Hello, My name is Austin Hunter and I will be graduating from college soon. I have some teaching experience. I am looking to come over to teach in South Korea the middle of January. If anyone knows any great schools or places in general to teach I am open to any and all information. I can be reached on any of the messengers or email me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from people. Thank you, Austin

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

People may be more willing to believe your teaching "experience" if you had proofread your post. Smile

I don't normally bother people about their spelling on this board, but if you are asking people to help you find a job, you should at least take the time to double check. (Check "messengers" too).

i_teach_esl · Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Location: baebang, asan/cheonan

browse the FAQ and you'll find a lot of info to start with. then you'll have specific questions to ask, and more will be willing to answer. "great schools" and "great places" are a little too broad to address.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Wildwater · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Location: USA

wow.. you guys are really cut throat on this profile thing. I was coming in to meet some nice people. I get shot down for being the dumb jock that has nothing to give. OUCH

trinity24651 · Joined: 05 Nov 2006

Big city...small town?
Inland or close to the water?
Kindergarten or older?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Mea · Joined: 24 Mar 2006

Before I started applying for jobs, I read almost every thread ever posted for over a whole year, plus older messages too. Now that I'm looking for a job (hoping to be in Korea for early Jan), I search on this forum and also use Google to find info about the school, the area it's in, to see if the contract I've been offered has already been reviewed here, etc. All the reading I've done has resulted in me being super picky, but I'd rather take my time looking for a job than sign some sh!t contract because I hadn't done my research.

The best advice for you now is simply: do tons of research. People here are actually very helpful IMO, as long as you've looked at the resources available.

seoulsista · Joined: 31 Aug 2005

Poor guy. My advice is this. Get your resume proof read. Emphasize any work you may have had with children and DON'T SETTLE.

Initially you are going to get a million e-mails from recruiters all offering you the same thing.

30 hours teaching
10 hours preparation
single housing
bonus, health and pension
all for 1.9 or 2.0

I wouldn't take less than 2.0 try and get 2.1 or 2.2 if you can. Aim for 2.1 for a total of no more than 32 hours teaching and prep combined.

If ANYTHING about the interview or recruiter seems fishy (not to be confused with gross incompentence - that's just Korea) come post a summary of the situation here and see what people think about it. You may be over reacting, however, you may be lubing up for a go.

Rules to live by:
1.) Always talk to at least 2 teachers from the current school (preferably over the phone)
2.) Post your contract here for review
3.) Be cynical inside but polite from the outside. There are a lot of sheisty people out there and you are a prime target. There are hagwon owners and recruiters who prey on people just out of uni.

bobbyhanlon · Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Location: 서울

don't worry about these guys. whenever a newbie comes along the old-timers like to chime in and tell him/her why he knows absolutely nothing, etc etc. the fact is that teaching english in korea is far, far from rocket science, so if you want to come over here, just come over. we were all newbies once... and i promise it won't take you long to get the gist of how this hakwon stuff works.

anyway, try to avoid franchise schools, and kindergarten (unless you actually like small children). don't believe recruiters who promise you the earth. don't work at wonderland. don't sign a contract without talking to other people who have already been to that school. i think these are things that most people would agree on, but no doubt there are many more.. good luck and remember, there are thousands of jobs out there, so don't be afraid to hold out for something good.

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I wasn't trying to hate on you in my earlier post. Personally, when I am asking for help finding a job, I try to present myself with my best foot forward. If the job I am seeking is teaching English, I would be sure to re-check that all my spelling and grammar were correct in my resume, or in an email I was sending to a prospective employer. Since your post was asking if anyone knew of any good schools you could get a job at, I would have thought the same care would have been taken.

It's been corrected - so my beef is gone Smile

If you're so into the outdoors (as your profile states), you'd likely not want to be directly in Seoul. It's hardly a nature-lovers paradise. You'd likely want to be on a coastal city where you have access to the beach, or in a rural area with lots of mountains. That being said, it is very easy to access these places from Seoul on weekends, if you'd rather be in a big city atmosphere for the remainder of your time. Hiking is loved by all Koreans, so there are tons of trails and mountains to climb in your spare time. If you do your research properly, you will find lots that you will be interested in, in various locations throughout the country. American football, however, you will likely NOT encounter. So if your love for that is great, prepare yourself for a year without it. If you prepare and plan for the worst, you won't be disappointed. Do your research. Find a school in an area you want to be in. Talk to current and former teachers from the school to see if they had any problems at all. Someone said to stay away from large, franchised schools, but SOME of those schools are ok. Most are not, but the rest have suffered from the bad name of the others. So if you do enough research, you'll be fine. In the end, you have to go with whatever makes YOU feel comfortable, and where YOU think you'll be happy for a year. That we can't help you with. Good luck! Smile

i_teach_esl · Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Location: baebang, asan/cheonan

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

I'd suggest the OP consider working at an English village / camp. It might be the best place for someone like him. Paju pays very, very well.

moptop · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Location: Gangwondo

They actually do have American football teams in Korea and Seoul. My boyfriend has been playing for the last 2 years for the Seoul Vikings. There are 4 or 5 other foreigners that play on the team with him. They usually play against University teams and even have a Kimchi Bowl in January. I know they have a website, but I think it's all in Korean. It's worth looking into if you like playing. It's a good way to develop a social network, andthey have bang-up feeds after games. They also travel to other cities to play so you have a chance to see other parts of the country...