[Millou]

You can get an E2 visa to teach English in Korea if you have a passport from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, NZ, or Australia and graduated from an English-speaking university.

ESL (English as a second language), EFL (English as a foreign language), and TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) are used interchangeably, though ESL more commonly refers to learning English in an English-speaking country and EFL more commonly refers to learning English in a non-English-speaking country.

You do not need any kind of TEFL certificate to find a decent job. In fact you need good luck more than anything else. However it would be a great idea to get one just to give you some kind of starting point on how you should be teaching, especially if you can find one taught by someone used to teaching Asian students.

I don't know much about the TEFL scene in Taiwan or HK, sorry.

So if I don't have a passport of one of those countries, there's no way I can teach in Korea?

edit:
I was doing some research on the net, and I found this website about teaching in foreign countries. Now the problem is it says I have to pay them for the job opportunity? Did you guys have to pay anything in advance or something like that?

[FRUITYCHEESECAKE]

So if I don't have a passport of one of those countries, there's no way I can teach in Korea?

edit:
I was doing some research on the net, and I found this website about teaching in foreign countries. Now the problem is it says I have to pay them for the job opportunity? Did you guys have to pay anything in advance or something like that?

My cousin, who went to Korea recently to teach English, didn't pay any pennies. In fact, they even paid for plane tickets. You shouldn't pay to get a job at all - it is absurd.

[mal_911]

Hmm.. from what I have read previously in other blogs about a teacher's experience in working in South Korea, I think that A. it's better to know some decent Korean before you go. B. of course do research on the current things in Korea, the things that are in and things that are out.

Hmm... I think there was this page that principals try recruiting teachers here that at least have a 4-year degree in like English or something. I think you generally go to South Korea and basically teach there for like one to two years max. And you have to obtain like some type of Visa from the Korean Immigrant office near you (or something like that)... Anyways, I hope that people who wish to teach there luck! I may just be come one of you if I go for the teaching in Korea.

[j00n]

I have a couple of questions for you guys who already are in Korea teaching English.

Question 1
My cousin got a teaching job (teaching English) recently. On the day she was supposed to catch a flight to Korea, she wasn't allowed to board the plane because the agency only sent her one-way ticket to Korea. At that time, she didn't have any visa because there was no relatives in Korea of her mom (my aunt, who was born in Korea) so that her mom could give up her Korean citizenship in order for my cousin to get a F4 visa. The agency told her that they can help her to get the visa once she gets to Korea. However, since she didn't have any visa, the people at the airport said she has to have a round-trip ticket. Sadly, she missed the plane. Thankfully, though, the agency sent her a round-trip ticket in two days after the incident and she went to Korea yesterday. So, my question is - does this happen often?

Question 2
I am seriously thinking about teaching English in Korea, too, if my cousin tells me how it is for her. But I am pursuing a teaching certificate in Secondary Mathematics right now and I am wondering if there would be any option for me to teach Math in Korea as well as English? Would that be worth to try or not? If not, I can always teach in the States. I just want to have options when I graduate.

I've done research on the topics but I can't exactly get any clear answer on question 2.
Thanks for spending your time reading this if you did.

1. If you are eligible for F4 and are staying in Korea for an undetermined time, you do not need a round trip ticket. On the plane they will give you a form to fill out for tourist visa. Once you land in Korea, apply for the F4 Visa. It does not take very long: around 8-10 days. Once you have that you are all set.
2. There are options to each Science and Math but they are few and far between. If you want to maximize your salary you should get a degree in English, and teaching certificate in teaching ESL as well.

So if I don't have a passport of one of those countries, there's no way I can teach in Korea?

edit:
I was doing some research on the net, and I found this website about teaching in foreign countries. Now the problem is it says I have to pay them for the job opportunity? Did you guys have to pay anything in advance or something like that?

If you have to pay anything to teach, it IS A SCAM. If you are hired on E2 they should pay for salary, housing (or housing allowance), round trip airfare, 50% medical insurance, pension, severance pay (upon completion of contract), as well as some other things ARE STANDARD.

Luckily for them I am extremely easy-going. However, my co-teacher was upset for me! It was more a matter of them thinking the students wouldn't respect me as much if they know I am adopted. I think it's stupid because I doubt any student actually thinks my parents sent me to America to learn English and didn't mind that I could not speak any Korea.

Adoption is still a touchy subject in Korea, and i'm not surprised young students wouldn't understand. While on one hand you can be indignant that they request you not talk about it, understand that a lot of people don't understand much about adoption and may feel awkward or not know how to act around an adoptee. It's like teaching in a rural all white town in Southern Texas or Mississippi and being an Arab Muslim. For the sake of sanity and the fact you don't want to have to "explain" all the time, would that justify not telling people you are an Arab Muslim? I think so, but this kind of information is personal and you should decide to volunteer that information or not.

There are plenty of alternative things you can say:
You're a Korean American (gyopo) grew up in the US.
Your parents are divorced and you grew up with your mom in the US.
etc.

So if I don't have a passport of one of those countries, there's no way I can teach in Korea?

edit:
I was doing some research on the net, and I found this website about teaching in foreign countries. Now the problem is it says I have to pay them for the job opportunity? Did you guys have to pay anything in advance or something like that?

Your chances are slim to none.

Fantastic thread.

Posting here because basically I'm interested in anyone's opinions about my personal situation and if it could be accommodated into teaching English in Korea, and in what capacity if at all. Little to no knowledge of Korean at all as yet, but I'm very keen to learn, obviously (imagined this to be the largest of my obstacles at first, but after reading so many accounts of other successful people I'm not so sure).

Profile/411 - Nineteen years of age (twenty in feb), six foot caucasian male, English as first language, close to finishing second year of a three year LBB - Bachelor of Business degree in Victoria, Australia. In regards to the aesthetics mentioned, from what i've read it actually does play a role in some instances, so thought i'd include that. Intend to finish the degree first of course, before planning any trips. Only traveled internationally twice before, to Fiji and the USA respectively.

In terms of what i'm after? Just some advice on;
- whether I should perhaps add an extra year to my degree to get official teaching credentials,
- with someone as green and inexperienced as myself what sort of institution would look to employee me,
- what age bracket and sophistication of English would I most likely be teaching,
- general tips!


Thanks in advance for any replies,

Matt

- add the year to get the official teaching credentials + TOEFL certification
- most teachers coming to Korea for the first time land at Hagwons and teach for a few years. If you have TOEFL certification you can find a higher paying and more secure place. After that you have a few different options, upgrade to University job, do full time private lessons (NA for E2 Visa holders), English camps, or teach at Companies or a mix match of all the above.
- most likely elementary to middle school
- an open mind, open to new things, friendly, willingness to help/learn, and lots of patience

[Yubumsuk]

Hi,

I have skimmed over most of the pages as well as the FAQs on Dave's ESL cafe, but the information there is dated by at least 5 years. I'm currently a junior in college that will have some student loans to pay off. After reading over some stories a SMOE or government job seems the safest with the best hours, rather than a hit or miss hakwon. The pay being 1.8mil. won worries me slightly. It seems that many teachers are living quite frugally in Korea. How are your experiences with this? Do you live frugally? If you do/don't how much do you save? And if you don't mind, say how much your salary is.

Currently I am majoring in psychology, although this may change I have no plans thus far, therefore I will have no degree in education or English. I do some tutoring/ small group work at schools, but not much else. I read that SMOE salaries are generally set in stone, will there be no chance in a higher salary?

I am a gyopo/half korean that knows intermediate Korean at best, and understand that finding a job may be difficult, but from my understanding it is still fairly easy to obtain a job in Korea, do you feel that this is true?

Lastly, because of being of Korean decent I know that I can obtain an F4 visa, therefore I can work privates. Are privates too time consuming, is there enough time to work privates while working at your school? Also, do public schools generally give you overtime hours? If so how much are you able to make extra?

edit: One more question, I'm expected to graduate in June 2010, when should I start the whole recruiting and application process?

Thanks for answering my questions! Sorry if its all over the place

Going through one of the government placement systems is still a gamble but it's less of a gamble than going with a random hagwon. But be sure that you're ready for a Korean public school: potentially large classes, many students with almost no practical English skills, long hours, regimentation, tired kids, being the object of intense curiosity, and having to work with Korean English teachers who may or may not be competent. Also, if you're younger than any of the Korean teachers it might be a lot more difficult to get the kids to take you seriously, especially if you're teaching high school.

You might be able to get a much higher salary than 1.8 at many hagwons but I personally would prefer to go the public school route. But that's just because it suits me better. At some public schools there are lots of opportunities for making overtime. Sometimes you can come across some sweet deals. I taught less than 70 hours in August and made about 3.2 - I still got paid my base salary even though the first two-thirds of the month was summer break, plus I got paid overtime for teaching some extra lessons. If you only want to save money you might be better off seeing what hagwons can offer, but be sure to do some research on them and ask for the emails of some former employees. If you have an F4 visa you can always jump ship if you end up at a place with too much BS to deal with. Privates are what you make of them and are usually very flexible. If you have an F-visa they are still technically illegal unless you have a tutoring license though you will very likely not get caught / punished.

You can get by fine at most teaching jobs even if you have almost no Korean, actually. Indeed one problem with teaching kids is that if they think you can understand Korean, they'll speak to you in Korean.

[Apri1]

a lot of people say teaching english in korea is hard because the student don't listen to you. i don't know first hand but i've heard this a lot. i wonder what's up with that

[Yubumsuk]

a lot of people say teaching english in korea is hard because the student don't listen to you. i don't know first hand but i've heard this a lot. i wonder what's up with that

That depends so much on the students, their age, and what kind of institutional context you're in. Yes, at some institutions some students certainly don't listen, regardless of what language the teacher is speaking. Another class in another place may be hanging off your every word for the same lesson. I had a class this morning that I thought was so quiet I was actually wondering if they were unusually lacking in enthusiasm. I taught a dumbed-down version of the same lesson to a lower-level class yesterday that wouldn't pay attention until several of them were kneeling outside the classroom waiting to get punished.

Basically I've found that there are three absolute requirements to getting Korean adolescent learners to pay attention:

1. You need a lesson that can keep learners of various levels engaged for 45 or 50 minutes.
2. You need to come across as a genuine authority figure in the students' eyes.
3. You need to have a charismatic and dynamic classroom personality.

If you're lacking one of these chances are good things are going to fall to pieces. The same goes for if the place you're working won't allow you to implement #1 or 2. I'm constantly reminded of how trivial my problems are when I talk to other foreign English teachers and hear some of their stories of students who won't listen to a thing they say. I'm not saying my success rate for classroom management is 100% by any means, and I know I’m terrible with elementary kids, but when I walk by the Korean literature teacher's class and ten of her students are asleep, five are reading novels, and a few others are playing with their phones, while she's sitting at the front reading passages out of a book, I feel I must be doing something right.

[CRNmutt]

Going through one of the government placement systems is still a gamble but it's less of a gamble than going with a random hagwon. But be sure that you're ready for a Korean public school: potentially large classes, many students with almost no practical English skills, long hours, regimentation, tired kids, being the object of intense curiosity, and having to work with Korean English teachers who may or may not be competent. Also, if you're younger than any of the Korean teachers it might be a lot more difficult to get the kids to take you seriously, especially if you're teaching high school.

You might be able to get a much higher salary than 1.8 at many hagwons but I personally would prefer to go the public school route. But that's just because it suits me better. At some public schools there are lots of opportunities for making overtime. Sometimes you can come across some sweet deals. I taught less than 70 hours in August and made about 3.2 - I still got paid my base salary even though the first two-thirds of the month was summer break, plus I got paid overtime for teaching some extra lessons. If you only want to save money you might be better off seeing what hagwons can offer, but be sure to do some research on them and ask for the emails of some former employees. If you have an F4 visa you can always jump ship if you end up at a place with too much BS to deal with. Privates are what you make of them and are usually very flexible. If you have an F-visa they are still technically illegal unless you have a tutoring license though you will very likely not get caught / punished.

You can get by fine at most teaching jobs even if you have almost no Korean, actually. Indeed one problem with teaching kids is that if they think you can understand Korean, they'll speak to you in Korean.

Thanks for the reply, definitely cleared some things up for me. About the application time, when should I plan to app for a government position? I should be graduating June 2010.

[Yubumsuk]

Thanks for the reply, definitely cleared some things up for me. About the application time, when should I plan to app for a government position? I should be graduating June 2010.

You'll need a hard copy of your degree. If your graduation ceremony isn't until later on in the year than June ask your uni if you can get a copy earlier. Get copies of it notarised at the nearest Korean consulate to use of applications and DO NOT ever give a Korean employer the hard copy. Guard it with your life in Korea.

Once you've got the paperwork an August 2010 start would probably be best for you. You'll likely get a totally useless one-week orientation around mid-August and then get shipped off to a random school (or two or three or four) to start around 20 August.

[Millou]

Your chances are slim to none.

ugh, I knew my grand/parents migrated to the wrong place...

[missxmoody]

You'll need a hard copy of your degree. If your graduation ceremony isn't until later on in the year than June ask your uni if you can get a copy earlier. Get copies of it notarised at the nearest Korean consulate to use of applications and DO NOT ever give a Korean employer the hard copy. Guard it with your life in Korea.

Once you've got the paperwork an August 2010 start would probably be best for you. You'll likely get a totally useless one-week orientation around mid-August and then get shipped off to a random school (or two or three or four) to start around 20 August.

I'm working for GEPIK .. this year was a lot different, then others, since the Korean government couldn't find enough people to fill their positions. I personally would start talking/applying with the programs directly or though a recruiter, I'm going with Reach to Teach, in April or even March, before you graduate. I actually sent GEPIK the hard copy of my diploma ... one, it was a government program and two, I was assured they've never lost one before, but it was still hard to send it out. I mean I spent 4 years and 100K on that diploma, but a week later after they processed my paper work they sent my diploma back with my 'Notice of Appointment' papers, to get my E2 visa.

I'm personally having a major dilemma right now. I'm leaving Monday morning, to Korea, to teach at the HoMaeSil Middle School, in Suwon, visa GEPIK ... BUT, we all know about the current economic problem. The Korean Won has fallen so sharply the past two days and my original salary, that's 2 million won, which translated to US$1,800 a month is now $1400 .. anyone else say SHOOT ME?! I wish I had the liberty to not send money home and wait till I leave Korea to transfer everything back home .. but I have $50K+ in student loans and $10K+ in credit card debt (yes, never again lesson learned about the evils of credit cards!) and I need to send at least half of my income back a month to pay bills. I'm starting to think going to Korea isn't the best option, but a few expedited international USPS package, a few two hours drives out to Boston, a $25 criminal back ground check, a $6 apostillize fee, $45 visa fee, and of course that $1000 one-way plane ticket later.. I HAVE TO GO!

Sorry for my personal drama .. but for a real question now. I know that as an American citizen, I can get my pension money back after I leave Korea .. but can I still do that if I leave my contract 2 months early? I'm going to do it legally of course, with a 60 days written notice and etc etc, but I need to come back for graduate school. I know I'll lose my plane ticket home and a one month contract completion bonus, but you have to do what you have to do. Does anyone know if I can still get my pension money back and how do I do that? Koreanesl forum has some vague answers.

[jbigdog123]

I think Korean mentality is idiotic. You would think that the most desirable language instructor would be a person who is fluent in Korean and English, regardless of race or origin so that the instructor can explain/translate English words/phrases/syntax in Korean whenever the students are lost. But for them to reject some one simply because they aren't western/white enough even though they are qualified is simply ignorant.

They couldn't pay me enough to teach in Korea and put up with that garbage.

[ginger]

I think Korean mentality is idiotic. You would think that the most desirable language instructor would be a person who is fluent in Korean and English, regardless of race or origin so that the instructor can explain/translate English words/phrases/syntax in Korean whenever the students are lost. But for them to reject some one simply because they aren't western/white enough even though they are qualified is simply ignorant.

They couldn't pay me enough to teach in Korea and put up with that garbage.

My school actually requested an Asian person because they wanted to give the students a positive role model (a person who looks like them but can speak English fluently). They wanted someone who spoke Korean, too, so I think they were a little disappointed when I told them I barely spoke Korean. I've gotten a lot better at it and it's definitely helped in classroom, even with little things ("do we need our books today?" "I don't have my point paper this week", etc).
However, I know that my school is in the minority and many just want any white person who isn't obese or hideous (because, yeah, looks still really matter to Koreans).

-ginger

[jbigdog123]

My school actually requested an Asian person because they wanted to give the students a positive role model (a person who looks like them but can speak English fluently). They wanted someone who spoke Korean, too, so I think they were a little disappointed when I told them I barely spoke Korean. I've gotten a lot better at it and it's definitely helped in classroom, even with little things ("do we need our books today?" "I don't have my point paper this week", etc).
However, I know that my school is in the minority and many just want any white person who isn't obese or hideous (because, yeah, looks still really matter to Koreans).

-ginger

I'm a Korean and I find some of these institutes and people to be superficial and at times sanctimonious, but that's me.

[ginger]

I'm a Korean and I find some of these institutes and people to be superficial and at times sanctimonious, but that's me.

They definitely can be--the hagwons more so than the public sector. I had hagwon interviews where the person flat out said, "You're pretty but...we really can't hire an Asian person right now." Ugh.

-ginger

[Yubumsuk]

I'm working for GEPIK .. this year was a lot different, then others, since the Korean government couldn't find enough people to fill their positions. I personally would start talking/applying with the programs directly or though a recruiter, I'm going with Reach to Teach, in April or even March, before you graduate. I actually sent GEPIK the hard copy of my diploma ... one, it was a government program and two, I was assured they've never lost one before, but it was still hard to send it out. I mean I spent 4 years and 100K on that diploma, but a week later after they processed my paper work they sent my diploma back with my 'Notice of Appointment' papers, to get my E2 visa.

I'm personally having a major dilemma right now. I'm leaving Monday morning, to Korea, to teach at the HoMaeSil Middle School, in Suwon, visa GEPIK ... BUT, we all know about the current economic problem. The Korean Won has fallen so sharply the past two days and my original salary, that's 2 million won, which translated to US$1,800 a month is now $1400 .. anyone else say SHOOT ME?! I wish I had the liberty to not send money home and wait till I leave Korea to transfer everything back home .. but I have $50K+ in student loans and $10K+ in credit card debt (yes, never again lesson learned about the evils of credit cards!) and I need to send at least half of my income back a month to pay bills. I'm starting to think going to Korea isn't the best option, but a few expedited international USPS package, a few two hours drives out to Boston, a $25 criminal back ground check, a $6 apostillize fee, $45 visa fee, and of course that $1000 one-way plane ticket later.. I HAVE TO GO!

Sorry for my personal drama .. but for a real question now. I know that as an American citizen, I can get my pension money back after I leave Korea .. but can I still do that if I leave my contract 2 months early? I'm going to do it legally of course, with a 60 days written notice and etc etc, but I need to come back for graduate school. I know I'll lose my plane ticket home and a one month contract completion bonus, but you have to do what you have to do. Does anyone know if I can still get my pension money back and how do I do that? Koreanesl forum has some vague answers.

Yes, you can get your pension (which will add up to about 9% of your earnings) even if you quit before your contract expires.

I know a number of Americans who have to pay bills back home and it really sucks for them. At today's exchange rates a teacher at the higher end of the scale in Thailand, where top uni instructors get a lot more than school teachers (say, teaching uni with an MA-TESOL) can make $1,600 / month. The same instructor in a similar position in Korea, where some uni instructors make less than what some school teachers do, could be making around $1,900. Factor in the cost of living and they're saving up about the same. I never thought I'd ever see the day when Thailand could offer what Korea can in terms of financial savings. While I really like teaching in Korea I do think I'll at the least be contacting some Thai recruiters if I decide to make the move to university next year.

[CKalvin]

I'm wondering, if I defer my first year of uni to do a TESOL course, would I be able to find a teaching position?

[missxmoody]

I'm wondering, if I defer my first year of uni to do a TESOL course, would I be able to find a teaching position?

You need a university diploma to teach in Korea, because the government won't issue you a working visa. You can always work in Korea on a tourist visa, but you'll only find hagwons to hire you .. or if you're Korean get a F2 visa.

[freezia]

Is there anyone that's currently enrolled in the korean government program call TaLK or Epik??
What's the difference between them and which one's better?? Is it hard to get a position in one of these programs??

Sorry, if someone already posted this topic.

[Yubumsuk]

Is there anyone that's currently enrolled in the korean government program call TaLK or Epik??
What's the difference between them and which one's better?? Is it hard to get a position in one of these programs??

Sorry, if someone already posted this topic.

TaLK is designed for university students who want a cultural experience along with their teaching. Their teachers (whom they call 'scholars') make W1,500,000 / month for teaching 15 hours worth of lessons to kids at rural elementary schools in after-school programmes. TaLK 'scholars' are teamed up with a Korean university student-teacher with whom they teach together.

EPIK teachers must have as a minimum a bachelor’s degree. They may find themselves working at an elementary, middle, or high school or perhaps more than one school. They make between W1,800,000 - W2,700,000 depending on credentials, experience, and location. They may be scheduled to teach anywhere from around 12 to a maximum base of 22 lessons a week (40-50 minute lessons), but may teach extra classes on top of this for extra pay. EPIK teachers may work together with Korean English co-teachers or may teach alone.