Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jon1]

Hi, Im currently teaching English in Kansai, Japan. Ive worked for small schools, had private students and worked for a big language school (Nova), and Im interested in teaching in Korea, for a change.
However I have some questions I would be grateful if anyone could answer:
1) How does teaching in Korea compare with teaching in Japan? From what Ive read there is no Nova/ECC/Geos equivalent and most of the teaching is done in small schools called Hagwons. What are these schools like? For instance, do I plan every lesson on my own or is there a big textbook to guide me (anyone whose worked for Nova knows where Im coming from)? How much freedom do I have in planning lessons? And what size classes are usually taught in your average Hagwon?

2) What cities are best to live in, considering Im 24 years old, want to learn conversational Korean, like to go to bars (though not every night, like some ex pats), like to meet locals, and like an urban atmosphere, as opposed to small country towns? Seoul springs to mind, and maybe Busan. Anywhere else? And can anyone compare Seoul to any Japanese cities? Ive lived in Kobe, Osaka and a couple of other Japanese towns, is Seoul or Busan like either?

3) Does anyone know if I can get a working visa for Korea from the Korean embassy in Japan? Or do I have to go back home (UK) to sort out my visa?

Thanks

[Howard Roark]

1) How does teaching in Korea compare with teaching in Japan? From what Ive read there is no Nova/ECC/Geos equivalent and most of the teaching is done in small schools called Hagwons. What are these schools like?

First of all, I have never taught in Japan. But I have been there several times - to Osaka and Fukuoka.

I imagine, although the cultures are somewhat different, teaching English is probably similar in Korea. Hagwans are not always small, some are big franchises and some are actually physically quite large as well. ECC is a chain in Korea, but I don't know if it's the same as ECC in Japan. I'm sure someone else will answer that. Hagwans are private institutes that students attend after school, on weekends, or simply of their own choice, as opposed to public schools or universities, or companies such as LG or Samsung

Every school is different. Some schools give you books to follow and sometimes you're left on your own. You'll just have to ask each prospective school individually what they exect you to do. Most often it's a combination of provided books and making your own materials. Likewise, the amount of freedom depends on the school. But in 4 years in Korea, teaching at public schools, hagwans, and companies, I've found I've been able to do pretty much whatever I wanted. Hagwan classes are usually pretty small - from one to maybe a dozen students.

2) What cities are best to live in, considering Im 24 years old, want to learn conversational Korean, like to go to bars (though not every night, like some ex pats), like to meet locals, and like an urban atmosphere, as opposed to small country towns? Seoul springs to mind, and maybe Busan. Anywhere else? And can anyone compare Seoul to any Japanese cities? Ive lived in Kobe, Osaka and a couple of other Japanese towns, is Seoul or Busan like either?

I think you want to go to Seoul. Busan and Daegu are other large cities, but they lack the (dare I say) worldy, cosmopolitan atmosphere of Seoul. I've always felt that Busan and Daegu are just large "small Korean towns". If I had to compare, I guess you could say Seoul is similar to Fukuoka. I think Tokyo and Osaka are culturally miles ahead of Seoul. But Fukuoka felt like Seoul a bit and prices were similar.

3) Does anyone know if I can get a working visa for Korea from the Korean embassy in Japan? Or do I have to go back home (UK) to sort out my visa?

You can most definitely get a Korean visa at the Korean embassy in Japan. Thousands of teachers in Korea can confirm this. I'd venture at least half of the teachers in Korea have been to Japan at least once for the famous "visa run".

OK, so I hope that helps a bit. I'm sure there are more than a few people on this board who have experience in both countries who can be more helpful.

Seoul is a lot of fun. Sometimes, dangerously so. Lots of foreigners, lots of young student types, LOTS of Koreans who speak English and are hungry for more! The subway system is great, taxis are cheap, shopping is good, loads of bars, loads of foreigner bars, Korean food is good and cheap, etc etc etc...it's cool.