Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tam Sadek · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Location: Suwon, South Korea

I'm a fully-qualified English ESL/EFL professional (with an MA TESOL and CELTA) and also a Cambridge ESOL Oral Examiner with experience of teaching and examining in Cairo, Singapore, Thailand and Russia; I was also ADOS of International House (IH) Moscow and have an IH DOS Certificate from IH London; as well as having been a communication skills trainer (via IH and the British Council) for Singapore Airlines.

I will be coming to Korea in September 2007 as my wife is taking up a post with Samsung in their Global R&D Headquarters in Suwon. My accommodation, visa, etc are all being taken care of by Samsung, so I don't need any help regarding these.

Does anyone know of anything 'good' in Suwon? I took a look at Suwon University, but have read mixed reviews on the Net. From what I can glean, most schools/universities in South Korea seem to be little more than cowboy outfits employing mainly 'inexperienced newly-graduated' native speakers with little or no teaching experience and subsequently burning them out; to replaced by a new crop on an annual basis.

Would that be a realistic analysis? I hope not as we intend to be in Korea for between 2-5 years.

As I do not teach kids, I'm looking for something either in a university or corporate training in Suwon.

Any advice or experience regarding whom to avoid and/or whom to approach in Suwon would be most appreciated

Thanks...

teachergirltoo · Joined: 28 Oct 2006

I am a high school teacher in Suwon. I do not have any knowledge of Uni teaching positions here, but the public school system has been a good experience for me. Suwon is a really nice area to live in. If you have pets Manza park area is a very nice area to live in. I rarely go into Seoul anymore because everything I need is out here, minus the horrendous traffic and noise, and it is still an area where you can get around by riding your bike on the sidewalk. If you and your wife end up in Suwon area I think you will really like it. Hope this helps.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

I was trained by one of the IH people from Moscow. She came to BKK for the second CELTA course there.

Can't remember her name. Nice lady though. Very good trainer.

ticktock · Joined: 14 Apr 2005

I totally second whatr the previous post has said about suwon, it's a really great place to live. I've PMed you about the other stuff regarding jobs.