Korean Job Discussion Forums

[AlishaRyan]

Hello, my name is Alisha.

I have many questions about the job market in Korea for English teachers, and I also have questions about where some good and possibly not-so-good areas to teach are. For this reason, I am going to Seoul this summer from mid-July until mid-August. If there are any English teachers in Seoul at that time, I would love to meet and discuss teaching if at all possible! I will start teaching in Korea next summer, so I want to start planning where I will search for jobs and get all of my questions answered now so I can be prepared and organized.

If you cannot meet, but you are still willing to answer questions through this forum or through Skype or any other means, I would love your advice as well.

Thanks!

[MedellinHeel]

Basically for areas it is simple.

All decent sized (non rural) cities have all the bells and whistles you would need (malls, gyms, movies, restaurants, etc).

If you are a party person who needs numerous and diverse venues than you need to stick to Seoul. One could get by in Busan and Daegu I suppose.

Korea is very mountainous, so if outdoor hiking is your thing most cities will do.

If you want to live by the beach go to Ulsan or Busan.

[AlishaRyan]

Thank you so much for replying!

I have been to Korea in the past, so I know about the general areas, but I was a little more curious about specific areas within Seoul that are generally good (i.e. they have good schools for people wanting to teach English).

I am wondering about specific neighborhoods that, perhaps, have good English programs and specific experiences in schools, school districts, and neighborhoods that could entice me to work in or around that area as opposed to other areas. I have lived in Yaksu and Hongje, and those seemed like stable, safe neighborhoods to work in, but I don't know about the English teachers there, the administration, specific experiences, or many other things.

[MedellinHeel]

Unless you are on the ground and have connections to a certain neighborhood it is gonna be pretty hard to get a job in one specific small area imo.

I mean, many say it's not easy getting a decent job in Seoul, much less a specific neighborhood in Seoul.

[AlishaRyan]

Yes, that makes sense. I wanted to research it for that reason! I was thinking that, because I am visiting this summer (and it is almost one year before I will start teaching there), I could start making connections in areas that are good and even exploring schools if possible. Most students will not be in the schools in the summer, but some teachers and administrators will still be there, so I was hoping to get an opportunity to speak with some of them in order to make good connections within school districts. Also, I wanted to return to Seoul before I teach so that I can possibly even apply in person and revisit some of my connections after keeping in touch with them via email or other means.

That is my plan, anyway! For that reason, I am looking to get in contact with specific teachers while I am in Seoul in order to establish good connections and learn more about their experiences.

I have two connections to teachers in Seoul, but one is a retired native Korean teacher, and one is in administration. I would really like to make more friends who are English teachers because their experiences are unique!

[MedellinHeel]

Good luck making proper connections on a short visit that will matriculate into an actual job. It can happen but I would't count on it. Most likely you will do like what most newbs do and find a job through a recruiter.

I believe you are thinking too much about this. Really an easy process.

- Pick a city or area that suites you (personality and hobbies wise)
- Screen your job prospects carefully (talk with current teachers and the one you will replace ie find out about payment, work stress, etc)
- Pick the best of the lot

[AlishaRyan]

Thank you for your advice. Do recruiters really let you choose a specific area? I am not so sure about paying someone to get me a job, but it is a good option.
I guess what I really want to do is start making connections. I'm not saying that I will decide for sure on a school this summer, but I'm just saying that I want to explore others' experiences in certain areas and make friends with people I may be working alongside soon! This wasn't really meant to seem so so formal, but It drifted that way.
So, I just want to clarify that I would like to meet English teachers in Seoul who I may ask a few questions in order to start giving more thought to certain areas and make friends!

[MedellinHeel]

Um you dont pay recruiters. The schools pay recruiters.

A recruiter is gonna ask you where you are open to going and attempt to find you a job in said area / city.

Gonna be really hard for you to build the rapport and connections needed to get a job in a short time by simply taking a short visit. And many times teachers do not have a say in the hiring process. Usually, the schools handle that themselves through recruiters. Sure teachers can recommend someone but ultimately it comes down to the bosses and comparing resumes, experiences, and looks.

It's obvious you dont really know how this whole process works. You think it is more than it is or something.

Just stick to this and you will be ok

1) Research areas and cities and pick one or two you are open to working in.

2) Spam your resume to many recruiters telling them the type of job and where you are open to work.

3) Screen your job offers carefully asking about management, pay, workload, curriculum, students, student's parents, stress, apartment, amenities close by, transportation, etc

4) Pick the best or most pleasant offer

The whole just showing up in a country on a short visit to make connections that will lead to your first job is a bit of a stretch imo. Honestly, I would't even come. Save your money and go on a vacation or use it for something actually meaningful. Absolutely no need to pay to come to Korea prior to getting hired. Everything you need to know can be found out through your computer and phone.

[ttompatz]

[Overture1928]

Depends on where you are coming from but your money would most likely be better spent on something like TESOL certification or Korean classes than trying to come here for a month to "network". What is your education background? How good is your Korean? Most importantly what do you look like? If you are not attractive good luck networking in Korea. If you are just a university graduate in some random field like history or psychology you are really nothing special for others to network with. You could come here and just go from area to area writing down the schools you find but they could vanish by the time you get here the following year.

[Troglodyte]

As long as you're in a big city or a medium sized satellite city around Seoul, then they're all the same for general quality of schools. If you're looking at hagwons then you'll probably find a higher number of big ones (which might mean they're better but not necessarily) around the main universities and in the Gangman area (which has a lot of offices for large companies).

Incheon is also an economic city so you might find some larger schools there who cater to businessmen or the children of well-off parents. But that's a very general statement because all of these areas will have their fair share of bad schools.

In short, search for any area in Seoul (or a satellite city on the subway line) and then do a background check on the places that offer you a job.

[Old Painless]

[wanderkind]

[guavashake]