Living and Teaching in South Korea
Language Schools
Not all language schools are the same. As a first time ESL teacher, you are likely to be working in a Hog-wan, which is a private school. When these schools advertise teaching positions, it all looks good. The salary isn't bad either. You can make from 2 million to 3 million Korean won a month (2,143.85-3,215.77 USD), free housing (paid for by the school), paid round trip airfare, work between 20-30 hours hours week M-F and get paid to work overtime. Sounds great huh? Once you have talked with your employer and accepted the position, you will need to get some paperwork together. This can involve mailing copies of passport and university transcript and degree, sending the original or a notarized copy of the degree to a Korean consulate for the E-2 teaching visa, etc. This can take a couple of weeks. Before or upon arriving, you sign a contract. It should be in English. Make sure you read it closely, ask any questions and make a photocopy of it. If you haven't taught a class before, it is a good idea to take a short ESL course. This will help you to be more confident and familiar with the classroom and understand the culture a little bit better.
This where it can start to go down hill. Some teachers have experienced not being paid on time, being paid less, working more hours and/or weekends sometimes being fired for no reason. You might be saying,"they can't do that?" In some situations, yes they can. This why it is important to research the school you are interested in, living conditions, read through you contract and ask questions. Start by asking to speak to the teachers that are currently working there or the one you will be replacing. Find out what their experience was at the school and reason why they are leaving. Request the school to email pictures of the apartment to you. Not everyone will do this, but it is better to ask than to jump in without knowing.
Many teachers have had wonderful experiences in teaching. In fact, some stay for a couple of years and get jobs teaching in universities. Having a good attitude, knowing what you are getting yourself into, being prepared for the unexpected, will make this a great experience of a lifetime. There are positives and negatives to teaching in South Korea, but if you do enough research first, you can help to avoid some of them. Here are some website links that may be useful on living and teaching and South Korea. Good luck!
Law, Tax and Medical Information
Medical Guide for Foreigners: www.pusanweb.com/guides/medical/index.htm
Korea Employment Guide: www.pusanweb.com/guides/employment/index.htm
Immigration Laws: www.pusanweb.com/guides/employment/immigrationlaw.htm
Foreign Worker's Rights: www.pusanweb.com/guides/employment/handbook.htm
Living in South Korea
Life in Korea: General guide to culture, travel, shopping, language: www.lifeinkorea.com
U.S. Embassy-Helpful Facts: overseasdigest.com/english_.htm
Teaching in South Korea: Secure and Fun: www.escapeartist.com/efam/51/Teaching_in_Korea.html
Working, Living in South Korea: www.escapeartist.com/korea/korea.htm
Teaching Postings in South Korea
Types of English Language Schools: www.canuckabroad.com/overseasjobs/korea/schools.shtml
Work n' Play: www.worknplay.co.kr
TESOL/TEFL Certificate Training Courses: www.tesall.com/catalog.html
ESL Cafe Korean Job Postings: www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea
Hag-won Blacklist: members.tripod.com/~hagwonblacklist/public_html/list.html
Suggested Reading
Hur, S.V. & Hur, B.S. (2003) Culture Shock! Korea: a Guide to Customs and Etiquette, Kuperard, London.
Kim, K. & Whyte, R. (2001) Living in South Korea, Pro Lingua Associates.
Published by Jean Marie
Jeanetta enjoys writing and sharing her past and present experiences with others. She has published two books of poetry, Poems About Life, Love, the Inner Being and Self and Thoughts of a Traveling Poet. View profile
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