Korean Job Discussion Forums

[louloubelle]

Hallo everyone!

I'm Louise, this is my first post on here. I'm writing because I have just accepted a job offer in a boys middle school on the Gangneung coast and will be arriving there from the UK in 2 weeks.

As I am a complete newbie to teaching and Korea I thought I would see if I could meet any fellow foreign teachers in the area through here! Would be great to chat to someone who teaches there already and can give some info on the place or any kind of advice at all for me! For example I have read that the beaches are closed for most of the year, is that true? And how easy is it to travel to Seoul? I have also heard there are quite a few festivals in Gangwon, are these worth checking out?

Am a little scared but mostly very excited to come to Korea, I have travelled Asia fairly extensively already so I think I am prepared for the culture and the weather. Just teaching will be a brand new experience for me, I need to start scouring this forum for tips!

Thank you in advance ! Louise ^_^

[schwa]

Chances are you'll like Gangneung. You can in fact visit some pretty nice beaches year-round & there are mountain parks close-by too. The locals can be quite warm to foreigners & theres a friendly expat community -- check out Warehouse bar downtown to meet people.

Boys middle school could be a bit of a challenge but if you bring some energy to the equation you'll be fine.

I've visited Gangneung many times & theres fun times to be had there. Hopefully others planted there now will chime in too on this thread. Its a nice corner of Korea.

[louloubelle]

Thanks so much for that Schwa, that's really reassuring to hear Gangneung is a friendly, welcoming place. Will definately check out Warehouse.

I know 30 boys is going to be a handful and a challenge! I only get 2 or 3 hours training before I'm thrown in with the lions! Gulp

[Geckoman]

One Stop English!

One Stop English
www.onestopenglish.com

�One Stop English� is a good resource for ESL teachers. It has lots of educational material � worksheets, flash cards, audio material, video material, etc. � as well as forums for ESL teachers to exchange ideas and stories.

There is the free subscription and the paid subscription, with the paid subscription giving you more stuff. They call the paid subscription section of the site the �Staff Room.�

I have a paid subscription and everyone is free to use it. Here is the access information:

E-mail address: vain908[@]yahoo.com
Password: nutagava

You may share this access information with whoever you want. The more people that use my subscription the better as that way I know my payment is going to good use.

If you want to contact me don't e-mail that address but PM me. I don't use that e-mail address.

Good luck and happy ESLing!

[PeteMoses]

Hi Lou,
I'm heading there at the start of October. I'm either going to Gangneung, or Sokcho, so I'm pretty much on the same boat! Heard some pretty good reports about the area in general tho.
Hope it's all good, and maybe see you out there!

[oldtactics]

Really great public school people in Gangneung, I'm friends with quite a few of them. There are a couple active groups on facebook that you should join, that seems to be the best way to meet people and get invites to events.

I'm biased, but I love Gangwon province and there's definitely no shortage of festivals and things to do here. Definitely not true about the beaches in Gangneung- I'm not sure about the winter but they've been open since March and they're still open now, so not to worry

There are buses that run from Gangneung to Seoul about once every hour, every day, and the trip takes about 3.5 hours. You can also get to Busan from Gangneung, and lots of other cities in between.

There are two other bars downtown that expats tend to frequent - Rush, and Bumpin' - There's also another area of the city called Taekji and they have a Wa Bar and a few other pub-style bars where you can always find people to talk to.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

[louloubelle]

Hey Pete- I was wondering if you ended up in Gnagneung in the end? I'm right near the downtown area...

[Underwaterbob]

You're close to some of the best skiing/snowboarding in the country, and just in time for the season.

[louloubelle]

really?? I've never ski'd before but could be a good opportunity to start I guess!

[PeteMoses]

Hey Lou, I didn't actually end up in Gangneung, I've been stuffed up in the mountains in Taebaek. Although, a guy from my orientation did go to Gangneung. If you ever run into Matt from California, tell him Taebaek's Scottish contingent says hello

[louloubelle]

lol- 'kay if I ever meet this Camifornia Matt I will pass on that message! Have fun

[wigulous]

I just happen to be that California Matt. Haha, hows it going here in Gangneung with the middle schoolers? Good I hope. Well hit me back when you get this. Maybe sometime we can all get together for something fun. You can find me at [email protected].

Hope to hear from you Louloubelle

[PeteMoses]

Matt you crusty old gemstone! Let's get something organised? Preferably at your end, Taebaek is getting cold...

[Bibbitybop]

Gangneungers! On my other thread (http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=168773) I am looking for directions/location of Warehouse.

I will be in town and I hear there will be a Halloween party on the 31st.

Will someone please post directions or location using landmarks? Or map?

I don't want to wander around asking random people on the street.

Thanks, BB

[Forward Observer]

I've been to Taebeck one time. Very small town, about 30 min from a ski resort we stayed at. The beef in Taebeck was outstanding.