Korean Job Discussion Forums

verne1 · Joined: 14 Sep 2010 Location: Montana

Change of pace. I am thinking about ESL in ASIA. I have traveled extensively, I eat asian food, I studied martial arts. To me, today, there is nothing magic about Korea specifically. I am not so sure China is appealing.

Any thoughts to share on teaching in Vietnam, Thailand, or ?

hondaicivic · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Location: Daegu, South Korea

interestedinhanguk · Joined: 23 Aug 2010

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

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

air76 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007

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

Not on my high horse. Not even on a pony and I don't give a rats azz about what the schools' request or the market demands. If the immigration departments would allow a work visa / work permit with a simple high school diploma then I would suggest jumping on a plane and hopping right over...

BUT...

Just dealing with immigration in most countries can be an adventure in itself and with the US economy in the toilet there are more and more people with nothing more than a high school diploma and the prospect of long term unemployment hoping to become EFL teachers abroad and they will have to deal with the vagaries of the various immigration departments in the different countries.

Now back to the topic at hand....

hmm... where in the OP did it indicate any experience or qualification of any kind other than as a tourist?

A BA would be a good start. Do you have one? Hard (but not impossible) to get legal work as a teacher without one in most countries (especially in Asia).

A TESOL certification would be nice (even necessary in some countries if you are lacking a BA). Do you have one?

Perhaps a clean CRC would be a good thing?
Are you a rehabilitated drug dealer looking for a clean start? Might make things more difficult.
Perhaps there is something as innocuous as a DUI or an old mischief charge hidden back there? It will still make it difficult or impossible to work abroad as a teacher in many countries (Korea among them).

If there is anything on the CRC you can rub Vietnam, Korea, and Taiwan off your list of potential countries. If you are applying for a "B" visa (to work as a teacher) from a Thai embassy/consulate in the US they will also demand a clean CRC before they will issue a visa.

Any background at all other than liking Asian food, martial arts and enjoying travel - none of which will get you an E2 (or "B" visa with work permit in Thailand)?

If the OP is interested in illegal work, just hop on a plane and hit the language academies in the country of interest. You can always find temp work (enough to extend your vacation) but you won't make enough for a comfortable lifestyle for a long period (again, visa issues).

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verne1 · Joined: 14 Sep 2010 Location: Montana

Air76 thanks for the input, I appreciate. I'll move to the appropriate forum and repost.

ttompatz, I am going to put your name in the hat for the Miss Congeniality award. I think you may have to tighten up a bit for runnerup, however.

My post suggested that I was aware of the religions and cultures, and that I wouldn't have to hang out at Costco to enjoy a meal.

But mostly for you MC, I have a BS, have taught technical classes at the college level. Having said that, most of teaching has been out of doors, nonetheless dealing with youth. I have a National Youth Soccer Coaches License which I have enjoyed the past 6 years, have coached basketball with 13 and 14 year olds, once held an International Ski Instructors Certification, taught whitewater kayaking and basic mountain climbing skills in the Alps; and helped put myself through school teaching martial arts privates.

So my classroom work is a little light, of late..................but I am a quick study, love kids, and still love to learn. One thing I have learned to do, is find the "spark" in nearly all my students.