Korean Job Discussion Forums

[AgentM]

Hi all,

I recently registered on the forum and thought I'd just introduce myself, I'm not sure if this is customary on this forum but it is in others sometimes so here goes. I'm a Canadian, 4th year university student (Poli-sci Major/Public Admin Minor) in British Columbia who is planning on coming to Korea after grad to teach English for a few years (hopefully). I've been lurking here off and on for a while now, and have found the site and forum to be quite the useful resource (if you take the forum with a grain of salt because of all the negative posts). I'm hoping to go to Busan as my first choice of cities (I've visited Korea before for a week).

Does anyone have any (preferably serious) tips for newbie 1st year teachers?

P.S. Does anyone know if/when the search function for the forum might get fixed? That would be quite helpful.

Cheers

[Tundra_Creature]

You might want to try the Teaching forum or General Forum for more info.

I'm new here myself and not even a teacher, so I can't really give you any real tips. Other than be patient and try to keep an open mind, though don't bend over backwards. Seems to be the general thing that the Ped Counsellors in my area say.

[Kikomom]

- Use this for the search of this site.
http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=006359271486458796786%3Azldpir6y9yy

It actually works. This site's search function will bring up every thread on every subject regardless of what you type in.

- Learn the differences between hagwons (private academies) and public schools. Decide which best fits your life style and needs.

- Research recruiter sites and see what requirements are needed to get your visa. The BA/BS is only a qualification. There are many hoops you'll be jumping getting ready to go to Korea--degree and CBC, transcripts, passport photos, a scan of your passport picture page. Learn how to go about getting these things.

- Stay organized about your job search.

- Learn what things you want to see in a contract. Pay, location, hours, airfare, apartment/furnishings, benefits, etc. Be prepared to negotiate.

- Make copies of everything you are preparing to send with your application for your personal files and future reference.

[AgentM]

Thanks Kikomom!

[Kikomom]

YW.

And if you use a recruiter, try to find one that offers support after you land. This can come in handy if the job ends up sucky and you need help getting a letter of release (LOR) to move on to something better.