Korean Job Discussion Forums

2Canadians · Joined: 02 Mar 2010

Hello,

We are two young Canadians who are recent graduates from the University of Alberta in Canada (B.Sc. and B.A.). We are both currently working for companies in downtown Edmonton, but we have a strong desire to get out of Canada and experience new cultures. Teaching English for 2 months in Mexico during a university exchange program ignited a flame within us that continues to burn today and pushes us to try and teach English overseas.

There is so much information and so many recruiting agencies that we are simply overwhelmed and feel somewhat defeated already (that goodness these forums exist...we'd be lost without you guys!!!).

We reside in Edmonton and would love to meet up with anyone who is currently living here to discuss where we should even begin; or if anyone on this forum has any suggestions, please, please, please share them with us.

This post could possibly be moved to the international job forum, as we have decided that we would like to be in Japan (most likely). The JET Programme looked amazing, but we realized that the deadline has long passed.

Does anyone have any advice or insight into what the best methods are to finding a good employer in either SK or Japan? We are both very easy going, but we don't want to be miserable for a year (or more) either.

We would like to work semi-regular hours (starting @ 8 or 9 a.m.; work at the same school; work for someone who actually cares about the students and not simply about making money; live in a fairly safe environment; money is not a huge issue, even if we break even we will be happy).

Sorry for the newbie questions, but good lord I envy anyone who has actually jumped in head first and figured out how the system works on their own.

Thank you kindly.

Respectfully and thankfully,

Shawn & Julia

ChilgokBlackHole · Joined: 21 Nov 2009

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

I would check the stickies in the Forums Forum Index section.

I got most of my information about the process by reading the stickies and then asking questions about what I didnt understand.

2Canadians · Joined: 02 Mar 2010

Fair enough, but can we try this route.......

Top 5 schools to teach at in Japan?

Top 5 schools to teach at in Korea?

Are there any schools that offer regular (in terms or 8-4) hours?

Thanks,

Shawn and Julia

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

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

and also if you're looking into Japan as well...this forum (specifically Korean teaching) is probably not the best for that country...

There is a Japan forum here on the international side, but you should also try one of the other forum sites that focuses on ESL in Japan (gajinpot, letsjapan, bigdaikan)...some are more active than others.

Good luck to you two!

jmuns · Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Location: earth

Manuel_the_Bandito · Joined: 12 Sep 2009

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

Hobophobic · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:55 am Post subject:

^
I would say the sheer number of people who have worked at one of those schools listed above warrants each and every one of them as being in the top 5...but what particular top 5 list they belong in specifically is not mentioned... Very Happy

littlelisa · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Location: Seoul

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

Two people from my home town, and alma mater-- and someone else who taught in Mexico!

Have a look at my site, if it helps:
http://keneckert.com/esl/guide/index.html

MarionG · Joined: 14 Sep 2006

The list one poster gave you, starting with Wonderland, was blown through his smoke hole. Do a search on the net for the book "Prisoners of Wonderland."

You need to do some basic research.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:15 am Post subject:

If you recommend prisoners of wonderland as research option on teaching in Korea...well what can ya say.

That is one pseudo-book about the experiences, albeit bad experiences, of TWO people in ONE wonderland school...now how many schools does the company have?

To the OP: Tom was right....read the FAQs and inform yourselves and then you will ask informed and relevant questions that will generare informed and relevant responsed from experienced people. This spoon feed us the information thing you two are on is not exactly conducive to a good exchange of information.

So far OPs you said you want to work in Japan...on a Korean forum. You also said you want the list of top 5 schools in Japan and Korea. Top 5 according to what?

Do you mean international schools? Private academies? Private Academies for kids or for adults? Universities? Public Middle Schools? Public High Schools?

Do you want to work with kids or adults?

Do some basic research please....it will pay off in the quality of responses you get.

Good luck.