Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hank_fredric]

Hello,

Maybe someone can give me a rough overview of my qualifications for South Korea. What should I expect to recieve ( or ask for) from a school.
First, I do not want to teach at a hogwan. I will be arriving at the beginning of Feburary from HCMC Vietnam where I currently reside as a ESL teacher.

My qualifications:
-BA (4year)
-TESOL certificate
-500+ classroom hours ( and counting)
-U.S. citizen

1. Will any of these things help or hinder my job search?
2. I have read that public schools start hiring in November for positions in March, is that true?
3. Also, there was a post that had all these FAQs about the cost of living in S.Korea and I can't seem to find it anymore on this site.
4. The apartments that they put teachers in (that the school pays for): are they nice? or roach motels?
5. Is a paid flight (oneway or round trip) the norm?

Sorry for all the questions at once.
Thanks, Hank

[spliff]

Forgot to include your skin color, age and weight...these factors are just, if not more, important.

[hank_fredric]

I had that line in it at first, but took it out at the last moment.

It is the same in Vietnam!!! "same, same, but different"

I am sickly white. 6'3, athletic, 29 but look 23 because of my vampire lifestyle. The only celebrity I have been compared to many times is Jake Gylenhall(?). My English mate here says I look like Steve Carrel(?) "The 40 year old virgin" that was a first.
Also I have tattoos, they are covered up when I work (shirt and tie). But what do Koreans think about tattoos?. In Vietnam it is a mixed reception.

[The_Conservative]

[Pak Yu Man]

1. Will any of these things help or hinder my job search?

Help or hinder. Some want a teacher with experience. Some want a pliable n00b they can screw.

2. I have read that public schools start hiring in November for positions in March, is that true?

As if any Korean is organized enough to start that far ahead.


3. Also, there was a post that had all these FAQs about the cost of living in S.Korea and I can't seem to find it anymore on this site.

Korea is a pretty cheap place to live. You can save loads of money depending on your life style.

4. The apartments that they put teachers in (that the school pays for): are they nice? or roach motels?

Some are great, some are roach hotels.

5. Is a paid flight (oneway or round trip) the norm?

Yes

[hank_fredric]

Sorry for the lack of info, but the "vampire lifestyle" just means that I avoid the sun. I am actually up at 6am Saturday-Thursday (crappy schedule) and teaching by 7am (summer school!!!). Most of my comrades at school are "bronze gods" who lay out in the tropical sun perfecting their skin cancer.

[spliff]

I believe that criminals here have tattoos, them and Mafia personal...

[some waygug-in]

There are some public school jobs available now, as teachers have left mid contract. My guess is that there will be a few more openings after the summer break....when schools realize their waygookin has flown the coop.