EPT
Any English teachers in Korea?
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BlackJack
United States10501 Posts
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clazziquai
6685 Posts
:D : D:D | ||
Rekrul
Korea (South)17174 Posts
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MrHoon
10183 Posts
Easy? Damn right. Its like working at a Host Bar in japan (but without the sex and drugs) Fun? No. You feel like you're earning money you aren't suppose to earn to begin with. And it depends really, but usually its all like a Supervisor thing. Slap them couple tests and make them take it, grade them, oral quiz them and tada you're done. | ||
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jjun212
Canada2208 Posts
On January 02 2009 16:02 BlackJack wrote: Does anyone here teach English overseas (Korea)? I have a friend from school that is doing that now and supposedly its a lot of fun and really easy. Supposedly they pay for your airfare / apartment and give you a couple thousand a month in spending money as well. Let me know if anyone has any experience with that, e.g. what exactly are you doing? Just proctoring exams / grading papers mostly? I have a couple of friend's who had American teachers in Korea and they became friends. I donno, the guys they knew seemed pretty chill with their work. Some schools or private companies only hire you for maybe certain classes. So you could just be in Korea, working from 6-9pm teaching adults or waking up early and teaching from 8am- whenever. It all depends I guess, and from what I heard, English teachers are placed in their own class with a Korean teacher who also knows English. But I guess all the schools are different. I mean, depends on what you want to do there right? Just want to pay off school loans or studying further to perhaps get a better position in the education field. Some universities in Korea hire professors with just a Masters if it is from a reputable post secondary institution in a English-speaking country. I heard marking does get tiring after a while though lol | ||
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Elric
United Kingdom1327 Posts
If you got any specific Qs, I'll be happy to help. I only really know about public school teaching though. (As opposed to private school/hagwon teaching, purely private teaching, university teaching or any other type) Oh, theres a lot of bullshit about teachers on these forums. Despite what some people (HEY REKRUL BABY) will post in every single English teaching thread, don't worry about it too much. Sure there are a lot of twats (foreigners and Korean) in the English-teaching business here but put it this way; I'm a teacher here and I've met lots of other teachers. I also have a very low tolerance level for stereotypical foreign faggotry, arrogance and retarded Americans. YET, the majority of teachers I have met here are decent people. Also, I feel absolutely no shame in saying I'm a high school teacher here. In fact, virtually every Korean I say that to is impressed so don't worry about the whole reputation thing. I must really stress though, that I speak from a public school perspective. I don't know if its a different situation for hagwons. If you are genuinely serious about teaching over here, by far the most important thing is to have an open mind. You probably read the spiel-blahblahblah about different working cultures etc.. but honestly, be prepared to have a bumpy ride.. especially during the first few weeks you're here. edit: Btw, when I write the above, I'm not trying to elevate "Teaching English in Korea" into some lofty awesome career path. It isn't. Personally, I don't like teaching very much at all and I am never going to teach again after my contract finishes. (lol) Thats just me and my specific circumstances though. | ||
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Quesadilla
United States1814 Posts
Take this guys advice, screw the rest. | ||
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PH
United States6173 Posts
I have no clue what to think on that anymore...T_T | ||
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gm.tOSS
Germany898 Posts
On January 02 2009 16:03 Rekrul wrote: shoot for the sky @BlackJack: Don't get the wrong expression, u better stay away from Rekrul :D | ||
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SingletonWilliam
United States664 Posts
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Cambium
United States16368 Posts
On January 02 2009 19:17 SingletonWilliam wrote: I'm wondering, what is the rest of the world's impression of Mormon missionaries? My cousin has been in Pusan for a few months on his mission and I'd like to think that he's incredibly different form English teachers who are there because they have an overdeveloped case of Yellow Fever. Are we talking about the kinds that knock on your door and preaches to you? | ||
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JudgeMathis
Cuba1286 Posts
On January 02 2009 19:56 Cambium wrote: Are we talking about the kinds that knock on your door and preaches to you? I think you're thinking about Jehova Witnesses, but it could be anyone to be honest. :-\ | ||
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ShloobeR
Korea (South)3809 Posts
a) You get to meet a LOT of interesting people (CEOs, doctors, judges, I have a lot of very influential people in regular classes, yes, I like to boast about that) b) You get to talk about interesting subjects, every so often you'll have a seriously enlightening conversation (Today I talked with a sociology professor from 1970s Korea, amazing lady) c) There are usually enough foreigners at the institute to help you get settled in (I personally hang out with Korean friends more then teachers/foreigners now) and they are nice people, yes, it's true. d) The standard contract fare that you get with schoolteaching also applies to hagwons. If you want to come to Korea I also reccomend that because: a) I have only been here 4 months, I will not pretend to know the ins and outs of Seoul, but so far, Korea has been an AMAZING place to live, I REALLY needed to get out of Europe for a while but this is turning out better then I could have hoped : ) b) English food... what?... what is that.... did it have flavour? c) As far as immersing yourself in a foreign country, in my opinion, Korea has a perfect mix of not throwing you in at the deep end, but also being so different from Europe as to make everything an 'adventure'. d) If you are coming to save money, there are probably better ways to do that, especially now with the economy the way it is. I came here to have fun, and to have a great experience, so far life is amazing, I have made so many good friends here and it genuinely makes up for the ... 6am... morning shift. I have no real plans to save a lot of money, I'm just living for now. e) Teaching is a fulfilling job (At least at the hagwon, I honestly don't know about schools) I honestly feel good about my job and what I do, I don't correct homework, I don't grade exams, I prepare people for interviews who want to emmigrate and help them get jobs, Because i see some of my students so regularly you inevitably make a bond with them, and then really hope for them to succeed in their english studies. Is Korea perfect? haha, no! Of course not, nowhere is perfect, and if you're looking for a stress free 'holiday' at the expense of the economic crisis/english students then I wouldnt bother, it IS hard, especially at first, my first month was pretty ridiculous. I have a lot of stories of things that happened those days, but if you want a fulfilling experience, a year (or more, hopefully!) then Korea is an excellent choice. As my learned friend Elric said :D... Keep an open mind, if you DO hope to Korea, and I hope you do, do NOT become one of those fucking foreigners who sit at bars all day in their small cliques moaning about how fucking boring and hard life in Korea is, IM ANGRY JUST THINKING ABOUT THEM GRRRRR >: ( seriously the other day... argh... dickwads. And don't go to Itaewon, unless it's to eat. Okay, that's my 2 pence. Edit: Oh and get used to having this kind of conversaiton with many Koreans you meet : ) 'Do you like spicy food? You do?!? WHAT KIND OF FOREIGNER ARE YOU?!?... OH MY GOD YOU CAN WRITE HANGUL YOU ARE SOME KIND OF WITCH FOREIGNER GENIUS' | ||
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HighTimes
Taiwan342 Posts
On January 02 2009 16:03 Rekrul wrote: shoot for the sky Hahahaha lol I concur | ||
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NotSupporting
Sweden1998 Posts
On January 02 2009 23:10 ShloobeR wrote: I work at a hagwon, teaching 1:1 classes with adults, if you are interested in teaching english in Korea, I do reccommend this style of teaching because: a) You get to meet a LOT of interesting people (CEOs, doctors, judges, I have a lot of very influential people in regular classes, yes, I like to boast about that) b) You get to talk about interesting subjects, every so often you'll have a seriously enlightening conversation (Today I talked with a sociology professor from 1970s Korea, amazing lady) c) There are usually enough foreigners at the institute to help you get settled in (I personally hang out with Korean friends more then teachers/foreigners now) and they are nice people, yes, it's true. d) The standard contract fare that you get with schoolteaching also applies to hagwons. If you want to come to Korea I also reccomend that because: a) I have only been here 4 months, I will not pretend to know the ins and outs of Seoul, but so far, Korea has been an AMAZING place to live, I REALLY needed to get out of Europe for a while but this is turning out better then I could have hoped : ) b) English food... what?... what is that.... did it have flavour? c) As far as immersing yourself in a foreign country, in my opinion, Korea has a perfect mix of not throwing you in at the deep end, but also being so different from Europe as to make everything an 'adventure'. d) If you are coming to save money, there are probably better ways to do that, especially now with the economy the way it is. I came here to have fun, and to have a great experience, so far life is amazing, I have made so many good friends here and it genuinely makes up for the ... 6am... morning shift. I have no real plans to save a lot of money, I'm just living for now. e) Teaching is a fulfilling job (At least at the hagwon, I honestly don't know about schools) I honestly feel good about my job and what I do, I don't correct homework, I don't grade exams, I prepare people for interviews who want to emmigrate and help them get jobs, Because i see some of my students so regularly you inevitably make a bond with them, and then really hope for them to succeed in their english studies. Is Korea perfect? haha, no! Of course not, nowhere is perfect, and if you're looking for a stress free 'holiday' at the expense of the economic crisis/english students then I wouldnt bother, it IS hard, especially at first, my first month was pretty ridiculous. I have a lot of stories of things that happened those days, but if you want a fulfilling experience, a year (or more, hopefully!) then Korea is an excellent choice. As my learned friend Elric said :D... Keep an open mind, if you DO hope to Korea, and I hope you do, do NOT become one of those fucking foreigners who sit at bars all day in their small cliques moaning about how fucking boring and hard life in Korea is, IM ANGRY JUST THINKING ABOUT THEM GRRRRR >: ( seriously the other day... argh... dickwads. And don't go to Itaewon, unless it's to eat. Okay, that's my 2 pence. Edit: Oh and get used to having this kind of conversaiton with many Koreans you meet : ) 'Do you like spicy food? You do?!? WHAT KIND OF FOREIGNER ARE YOU?!?... OH MY GOD YOU CAN WRITE HANGUL YOU ARE SOME KIND OF WITCH FOREIGNER GENIUS' When I finish school and my army training in about 1-3 years depending I am seriously thinking about going to Korea to learn the language (I am currently learning on my own). I don't know what the English word for it is but like a language travel where live as a student with others that want to learn the language and culture. This is usually a few months like 3-4. Has anyone else done something like this? How was it? Is 3-4 months enough to actually feel that you have gotten something out of it? How is Korean on foreigners (say I can speak fairly good when I arrive)? Is it easy as a foreigner to get any other job than a teacher? Any other tips? XD | ||
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clazziquai
6685 Posts
if you want to get a job as a teacher in korea, you need some teaching degree. | ||
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PH
United States6173 Posts
On January 03 2009 02:20 clazziquai wrote: i think compared to rest of the languages, korean isnt THAT hard... if you want to get a job as a teacher in korea, you need some teaching degree. You don't need a teaching degree to participate in those exchange program type things. Most I know of are private hakwon type things that are outside of the school system (similar to hakwons and tutoring centers in the US as far as I know). | ||
LosingID8
CA10828 Posts
i might have to contact a few of you guys for more details... | ||
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Demoninja
United States1190 Posts
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Rekrul
Korea (South)17174 Posts
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Cambium
United States16368 Posts
On January 03 2009 02:20 clazziquai wrote: i think compared to rest of the languages, korean isnt THAT hard... if you want to get a job as a teacher in korea, you need some teaching degree. Korean is definitely one of the easier languages to learn. | ||
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Elric
United Kingdom1327 Posts
Also, you don't need a teaching degree to teach. Hell, some places don't even require a degree ><. I think its awesome lots of you want to go - it's probably the best way to spend a year in Korea while earning some money and having fun. But, before you all dive in straight away and start applying left, right, centre.... Do your research!!! Seriously, there are fucking tonnes of corrupt teaching institutes here that fuck over clueless foreigners who think everything will be fine and dandy when they get to Korea. No!! Never... | ||
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Rekrul
Korea (South)17174 Posts
that or i'm just really smart probably the latter | ||
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dcttr66
United States555 Posts
On January 03 2009 15:57 Elric wrote:But, before you all dive in straight away and start applying left, right, centre.... Do your research!!! Seriously, there are fucking tonnes of corrupt teaching institutes here that fuck over clueless foreigners who think everything will be fine and dandy when they get to Korea. No!! Never... oh really? could you list the good ones? like for example there is GMSC...it looks like they require college degrees though...are they all like that? i ask because i've been learning japanese and am seriously looking for work...erm...if the korean requirements are lower than the japanese then i could get experience working with the koreans...then as the years go by i might then qualify to work doing the same job but in japan. | ||
lilsusie
3861 Posts
On December 02 2009 05:37 dcttr66 wrote: oh really? could you list the good ones? like for example there is GMSC...it looks like they require college degrees though...are they all like that? i ask because i've been learning japanese and am seriously looking for work...erm...if the korean requirements are lower than the japanese then i could get experience working with the koreans...then as the years go by i might then qualify to work doing the same job but in japan. I'm sure if you search some more, you will come up with TONS of answers. This topic has been hashed to bits. YOU NEED A COLLEGE DEGREE TO TEACH ENGLISH LEGALLY IN KOREA. no if, ands or buts. | ||
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VorcePA
United States1102 Posts
On December 02 2009 10:54 lilsusie wrote: I'm sure if you search some more, you will come up with TONS of answers. This topic has been hashed to bits. YOU NEED A COLLEGE DEGREE TO TEACH ENGLISH LEGALLY IN KOREA. no if, ands or buts. Also: http://www.eslcafe.com/ Aside from talking with NeverGG when I decide to deprive myself of sleep and stay up til ungodly hours, that website is -the- source for all things EFL teaching. | ||
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QuickStriker
United States3694 Posts
On December 02 2009 10:54 lilsusie wrote: I'm sure if you search some more, you will come up with TONS of answers. This topic has been hashed to bits. YOU NEED A COLLEGE DEGREE TO TEACH ENGLISH LEGALLY IN KOREA. no if, ands or buts. False... I was teaching English in Korea LEGALLY from August 2008 to January 2009 through the TaLK program as I am still a college student with no degree who just happened to go over to Korea to teach not for the joy nor benefit of teaching nor the good nature (though it was my secondary or third reason) but to run away from my life temporary... | ||
NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
On December 02 2009 11:09 QuickStriker wrote: False... I was teaching English in Korea LEGALLY from August 2008 to January 2009 through the TaLK program as I am still a college student with no degree who just happened to go over to Korea to teach not for the joy nor benefit of teaching nor the good nature (though it was my secondary or third reason) but to run away from my life temporary... People need to be aware that this is the only legal way to teach without a degree. The op made me laugh so hard with their claim that you get a couple of thousand spending money and teaching is 'really easy' - total bullshit. Teaching is only really easy if you put no effort in and then you're pretty liable to get fired in the end. Also Japan is a saturated market and it's very expensive to live there. I'd love to go over and teach, but I'm realistic about my chances of finding a job with more and more people applying to Korea/Japan because of the economic recession. | ||
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lokiM
United States3407 Posts
On December 02 2009 11:06 VorcePA wrote: Also: http://www.eslcafe.com/ Aside from talking with NeverGG when I decide to deprive myself of sleep and stay up til ungodly hours, that website is -the- source for all things EFL teaching. what is EFL? | ||
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BottleAbuser
Korea (South)1888 Posts
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Disregard
China10252 Posts
English as a Foreign Language. | ||
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NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
On December 02 2009 13:39 BottleAbuser wrote: The hookah bar I work at occasionally has a lot of foreigners coming in, and most are English teachers around here. The biggest complains I hear are the hours (at an English academy) starting at ungodly hours (6AM? meaning you have to be up by 5), and the fact that you're not really teaching English very well sometimes, being stuck with a certain crappy textbook that only teaches rote phrases... you see your pupils being limited to "Hello, my name is x. How are you?" and only knowing to answer to that "I'm fine. And how are you?" and not knowing what to say when the answer is any different.... When I worked in an intensive english hagwon I refused to let the kids use "I'm fine. And how are you?" - it seemed ridiculous to say something so bland or inappropriate if they came into class excited, angry or sad. I gave them loads of different alternatives instead. My hours are pretty sweet - 9am-4:30pm. You just have to be really, really careful where you choose to work. | ||
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