Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JustTurtle]

I would like to do some ESL teaching in SK starting sometime after March 2011. I am mostly interested in working for public schools and preferably outside of the major cities (but not too rural). It's rather confusing because I have noticed that start dates for all jobs seem pretty sporadic. What exactly is the "school year" in SK and is it possible to get six month contracts working for a public schools?

I'm just confused so please help meeeeeeeeeeeee

[Louis VI]

Turtle, you gotta know that Korea is a land of rabbits: inactivity followed by spurts of hurried action. Most PS jobs for March 2011 will be filled a month or two before, in fact, many will be filled last minute "bbali bbali!" or late. Certainly you have another four months before you even need looking into it.

[Morticae]

You should consider the next EPIK intake. They will likely start taking applications in October (You want to apply as soon as you can when the window opens), and the actual school semester starts in March I think.

You can apply direct, or through a recruiter. Up to you. But it is a public school and starts right around your availability. I'm not sure if you can start in March, or if it has to be after. If after, then you will have just missed the very large public school position intake.

You'll probably need to get the FBI check now, by the way.

[toph]

@op

I'm actually trying to get in Korea in 2011 as well, and here are some things that I think may answer your questions:

1. It'll probably take you like 2-3 months (maybe even 4) to actually research, apply, interview, send documents, and get the job. This is just a heads-up, cause you're going to want to start well in-advanced before you actually apply.
2. Schools in Korea start in March (for the spring term), and September (for the fall term). EPIK begins to accept applications for the spring-term during October, so you should start applying during October.
3. Many schools hire off-season, which would explain the sporadic starting-dates for the jobs you've been seeing.

As for the 6-month contract? Well, most public schools work on 1-year contracts. Some programs (like TaLK) have a 6-month option, but if you are eligible for EPIK...do EPIK.

[JustTurtle]

thanks for all the input, it really helps a lot.