Tefl in South Korea

babyfratelli_x · 12-04-2012 12:00am

I was just looking at flights there to Korea for August. Same prices came up on Expedia USA and the Irish one. Etihad was cheapest at 684 one way.
However used Travelsupermarket.com and flying with emirates by booking through lastminute.com came up at 615. So worth havin a look at if any of you guys are bookin flights

kraggy · 12-04-2012 10:43am

HenryChinaski wrote: »

Anyone know if the medical examination currently includes testing for weed? I smoked right up to my departure last year and had no issues but now I'm having trouble finding a definitive answer on the cannibinoid test. Some people are saying yes, they are testing, others are saying don't worry about it. I have six weeks 'til my new contract starts, less than three until I go back to Korea. I'm ust trying to weigh up my options regarding whether I could get away with a few wee puffs over the next week or two??

If you like your smoke that much, you're coming to the wrong country. It's not a smoking country.

Galwayj · 12-04-2012 2:35pm

Hi,
New here , currently applying for jobs with some recruiters. I have all my documents ready . Is there any recruiters people would recommend ?
Thanks

Choccie Lover · 12-04-2012 3:10pm

HenryChinaski wrote: »

Anyone know if the medical examination currently includes testing for weed? I smoked right up to my departure last year and had no issues but now I'm having trouble finding a definitive answer on the cannibinoid test. Some people are saying yes, they are testing, others are saying don't worry about it. I have six weeks 'til my new contract starts, less than three until I go back to Korea. I'm ust trying to weigh up my options regarding whether I could get away with a few wee puffs over the next week or two??

Don't even think about it!

When I was getting my medical last year, we were told at the medical centre that we didn't need to get the drugs test anymore. It was no longer a visa requirement. Then about a week later, we had to take a trip out to the medical centre again because (guess what!) we did in fact have to get the drug's test.

Moral of the story, as anyone who has spent time in Korea knows, everything changes at the drop of a hat over there with regard to red tape stuff, so don't cause extra hassle for yourself.

PES4 · 12-04-2012 4:57pm

babyfratelli_x wrote: »

I was just looking at flights there to Korea for August. Same prices came up on Expedia USA and the Irish one. Etihad was cheapest at 684 one way.
However used Travelsupermarket.com and flying with emirates by booking through lastminute.com came up at 615. So worth havin a look at if any of you guys are bookin flights

Not bad, but I booked last week to depart yesterday (11th Irish) and it cost only 565 one way through Trailfinders. Takes in a 8 hour stopover in Hong Kong where I'm currently typing from, but I reckon it is well worth it. Also, was pleasantly surprised by Cathay Pacific. Great in flight entertainment and decent leg room etc.

Keep looking TEFLers.

Andy!! · 12-04-2012 5:33pm

If your recruiter is willing to pay for the flight (whether upfront or reimbursement) do you or the recruiter arrange the flights etc. Or would you have to research the flight and send them the booking details? Personally I wouldn't mind, would probably find a cheaper flight that way.

R.D. aka MR.D · 12-04-2012 6:01pm

Andy!! wrote: »

If your recruiter is willing to pay for the flight (whether upfront or reimbursement) do you or the recruiter arrange the flights etc. Or would you have to research the flight and send them the booking details? Personally I wouldn't mind, would probably find a cheaper flight that way.

My recruiter organised it and sent me the details. From the Eticket they seemed to get themselves a pretty good deal with emirates from a Korean travel agent.

roosh · 13-04-2012 5:52am

Andy!! wrote: »

If your recruiter is willing to pay for the flight (whether upfront or reimbursement) do you or the recruiter arrange the flights etc. Or would you have to research the flight and send them the booking details? Personally I wouldn't mind, would probably find a cheaper flight that way.

My recruiter offered to sort my flights out, using their preferred partner, but the flights were a good bit more expensive than I got myself.

squeakyduck · 13-04-2012 10:53am

Galwayj wrote: »

Hi,
New here , currently applying for jobs with some recruiters. I have all my documents ready . Is there any recruiters people would recommend ?
Thanks

ATC or footprints

stay away from teacherforsouthkorea

Galwayj · 13-04-2012 3:32pm

Thank you , appreciated .
Im currently dealing with YBM Education , a guy called kim from Ga Education and dan from teacheslkorea , does anyone know if these have a good rep ? As im quite wary from all the horror stories you hear. Cheers

conbob · 15-04-2012 7:56pm

What do South Koreans you meet/talk to etc. make of North Korea? Are they worried by them or just getting on with their lives?

Galwayj · 16-04-2012 12:29am

I have been offer these two jobs so far but i think they look like they are in small cities , what do people think ? I do have my heart set on seoul as i do want to live in a big city from what ive been told

No.16 High school in pyungtaek,GEPIK
Starting Date: April 20th
Location:15mins from Songtan station by bus
Housing :3mins walking from School
City info:
http://www.pyeongtaek.go.kr/Contents.do?MENU_CODE=1E0100000000
Standard benefits: free airfare, free housing, bonus, 20 days paid vacation, 1/2 medical

Elementary School in Ansung,GEPIK
Starting date: April 5th,-May 25th
Location: 10mins from bus terminal by bus
Housing : 7mins from school by bus
City Info:http://www.anseong.go.kr/service/english_new/
Standard benefits: , free housing, bonus, 20 days paid vacation, 1/2 medical
Standard benefits: Reimbursed airfare,free housing, bonus, 20 days paid vacation, 1/2 medical
Others: 100,000 won more for rural allowance + 5days more vacation

Middle school in Hwaseong Dongtan new city,GEPIK
Starting Date: ASAP
Location: 10mins from Byeongjeom station by bus
Housing : The school will be get new housing for new teacher
City info:http://http://www.hscity.net/
Standard benefits: free airfare, free housing, bonus, 20 days paid vacation, 1/2 medical

squeakyduck · 16-04-2012 2:46am

Galwayj wrote: »

I have been offer these two jobs so far but i think they look like they are in small cities , what do people think ? I do have my heart set on seoul as i do want to live in a big city from what ive been told

No.16 High school in pyungtaek,GEPIK
Starting Date: April 20th
Location:15mins from Songtan station by bus
Housing :3mins walking from School
City info:
http://www.pyeongtaek.go.kr/Contents.do?MENU_CODE=1E0100000000
Standard benefits: free airfare, free housing, bonus, 20 days paid vacation, 1/2 medical

Middle school in Hwaseong Dongtan new city,GEPIK
Starting Date: ASAP
Location: 10mins from Byeongjeom station by bus
Housing : The school will be get new housing for new teacher
City info:http://http://www.hscity.net/
Standard benefits: free airfare, free housing, bonus, 20 days paid vacation, 1/2 medical

Pyeongtaek is a nice city, I've not explored it properly but I know people working there and there is a foreigner community. Pyeongtaek also is a main KTX (rapid train) which would get you to Seoul in about an hour.

I like about 10 minutes away from Dongtan by bus (I'm currently in Osan) it's a new modern city and it's very rich. I know a good few people from Dongtan and they love teaching there. I've went to a few of their apartments and they are state of the art.

Galwayj · 16-04-2012 3:25am

Ive also been offered this

Position: GEPIK
Public Elementary School
http://www.jangnae.es.kr/
City: Namyangju
http://www.nyj.go.kr/english/index.jsp
Starting date: April 27
Salary and benefits: GEPIK standard
Free housing
Free plane ticket
Severance pay
50% insurance support

sorry for all the posts , im just unsure if i should wait for a central seoul job or not

Galwayj · 16-04-2012 3:56am

I've been told by two recruiters that it is very hard for an irish person to get a job in central seoul . Is this true?

SpatialPlanning · 16-04-2012 4:24am

PES4 wrote: »

Cheers to Cloneslad and SpatialPlanning for the earlier advice in this thread.

As suggested I was upfront and honest about my situation and was allowed to delay my start date. I leave on Wednesday to begin teaching in a public school (got lucky) in Gimhae. Cheers for the info guys, this is a really great thread.

I don't suppose you play Gaelic Football? Or want to try? We train every Saturday on the West side of Busan - not too far from you. Great way to meet plenty of new people! Big tournament coming up in 2 weeks time in Busan too.

Look for 'Laochra Busan' or Busan GAA on facebook!

R.D. aka MR.D · 16-04-2012 4:35am

Galwayj wrote: »

I've been told by two recruiters that it is very hard for an irish person to get a job in central seoul . Is this true?

I was told this too and was really worried about finding anything. My advice is just to wait and see what you get offered. I don't know what recruiter you are working with but ATC are really cool and they seem to have placed a good few Irish people.

I know it's stressful when you want to get over here asap but waiting for what you want will probably be worth it in the long run. If Seoul is what you want then wait for it.

HenryChinaski · 16-04-2012 6:02am

Thanks for the replies. I'm not even a big smoker anyway it's just when you're home catching up with mates it's nice to chill out and have a few puffs instead of going out on the sauce all the time. I did smoke a little over the last couple of weeks but I've got 5 weeks until I start my new contract so I think I should be grand if I don't smoke again. Ideally I'd have 6 weeks clean to be sure so if I can put off the test for a week or so I will.

inverted_world · 16-04-2012 7:55am

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

I was told this too and was really worried about finding anything. My advice is just to wait and see what you get offered. I don't know what recruiter you are working with but ATC are really cool and they seem to have placed a good few Irish people.

I know it's stressful when you want to get over here asap but waiting for what you want will probably be worth it in the long run. If Seoul is what you want then wait for it.

I second this.

ATC said that they had very positive feedback from schools who had hired Irish teachers, so they don't give automatic preference to Americans. They found me a public school job in just a couple of days. I am in Anyang, but I'm closer to central Seoul than any of the other "Seoul" jobs I was offered with other recruiters, and my school is great.

I made a short introduction video as well, so the school could hear my accent.

Galwayj · 16-04-2012 12:24pm

thanks for the info
I just got a reply from atc who want to schedule a phone interview . I am already dealing with ybm ,teacheslkorea , tj recruiting .
I have been offered this place also Namyangju , i dunno if i should just settle for this place .
Thanks for all the replies

babyfratelli_x · 16-04-2012 4:35pm

I requested my police certificate by post on Thursday, and received it today!

Credit where its due, that was very efficient

I found ATC to be a bit hit and miss. They replied to my original e-mail saying that they were considering my application. They never replied back at the time. Got an e-mail from them a week or two ago saying that they had jobs in May and to contact them immediately if I was interested. I replied saying I wasnt but that I would be interested in applying for August. No reply since

Im currently dealing with teacheslkorea and another guy who I had a phone interview with but I cant remember his name?
Have a phone interview with footprints next week and have been in contact with Gone2Korea since yesterday.

Ive been told my two recruiters at this stage that EPIK applications are already closed for next semester! I was interested in Incheon however the guy at Gone2Korea told me that they are hiring through Incheon MOE office this year and not EPIK. However when I mentioned Incheon to the woman at teacheslkorea today she told me that as EPIK was closed I would have to settle for a school in the GEPIK programme.

Confused is an understatement! Anyone else know anything about this??

Galwayj · 17-04-2012 9:40am

Just had an interview and got offered a job there with ybm in dongdaemun in seoul which i am happy with so far . Though i didnt ask enough questions in the interview , what i did ask was how many foriegn teachers did they have ? which was 6
I am going to send them the email to confirm that i am happy with the position and get the contract .
Has anyone here had dealings with YBM and should i ask more questions in the email ? as i think i should get a contact email for a teacher

cloneslad · 17-04-2012 1:24pm

Dongdaemun is quite a good area to be in.
Did you ask the hours you'd be working,
is it split shifts?
will you be teaching adults?
Is it YBM ECC?
How far is your apartment from the school?
what's the apartment like?
what is the salary?
Who pays for the flight?
How are they to work for?

I'm guessing it's not a franchise, but you might be as well asking them.

Galwayj · 17-04-2012 2:04pm

I didnt ask them enough questions from what i gathered , i had all my question all laid out but only ended up asking them how many foreign tefl teachers did they have and from what i was told , 6 . I guess the tiredness got to me
I know i would be teaching 4,5 and 6 year old and 7-13 year olds .

Yes , it is YBM ECC do you have any information/thoughts on them ?
They havent send me the contract yet but when i get that , i shall ask those questions and get the contact details of a teacher there .
Thank you for your reply

Andy!! · 17-04-2012 7:51pm

Went to get my grades today. Two copies, in a sealed envelope with a college stamp across the seam. Do we only need to get the last years results? Cause if we need all the years I might need to go back.

babyfratelli_x · 17-04-2012 11:35pm

Andy!! wrote: »

Went to get my grades today. Two copies, in a sealed envelope with a college stamp across the seam. Do we only need to get the last years results? Cause if we need all the years I might need to go back.

Im no expert, but I think you need the full transcripts. As in from first year to final year. Someone else would know better though.

Galwayj · 18-04-2012 12:24am

I was never asked to get my transcripts , seems to depend on the recruiter .
All i was asked of was
Degree
gardai clearance
and an apostille on both

babyfratelli_x · 18-04-2012 1:09pm

I know this might be a stupid question, but my degree is from NUIG and its all in latin. I have a copy of it and Im going to get it notarized soon. But Im just wondering will that be ok? Will they need an English copy? Im pretty sure you can get these from some office in Dublin? Or will a copy of the original be ok?? Why is this process so confusing??

cloneslad · 18-04-2012 1:24pm

Galwayj wrote: »

I didnt ask them enough questions from what i gathered , i had all my question all laid out but only ended up asking them how many foreign tefl teachers did they have and from what i was told , 6 . I guess the tiredness got to me
I know i would be teaching 4,5 and 6 year old and 7-13 year olds .

Yes , it is YBM ECC do you have any information/thoughts on them ?
They havent send me the contract yet but when i get that , i shall ask those questions and get the contact details of a teacher there .
Thank you for your reply

I worked for YBM ECC but it was a franchise. I didn't work for the company itself. I think the actual company works longer hours and you'll never meet the higher ups, just the school manager.

You'll always get paid on time, unless they go bankrupt or something.

You won't be able to get minor things done that needs permission from the money men. I'd imagine if you had problems with yuor apartment, you'll just have to suffer in silence, unless each school gets a budget to sort this out.

My franchised school sorted everything for me, got a new washing machine one day after my principal noticed a stain on my top, being caused by the old one.

I've a friend teaching for YBM ECC in Daejon, he previously taught in the franchised one i worked it. He hasn't complained about it yet, he's been there about a month now.

Andy!! wrote: »

Went to get my grades today. Two copies, in a sealed envelope with a college stamp across the seam. Do we only need to get the last years results? Cause if we need all the years I might need to go back.

They aren't required by immigration anymore, though the old rules stated they had to be for every year. Recruiters do still ask for them though...what they do with them, I don't know....think it could be a 'just in case the immigration person is a tit' precaution.

babyfratelli_x wrote: »

I know this might be a stupid question, but my degree is from NUIG and its all in latin. I have a copy of it and Im going to get it notarized soon. But Im just wondering will that be ok? Will they need an English copy? Im pretty sure you can get these from some office in Dublin? Or will a copy of the original be ok?? Why is this process so confusing??

needs to be translated, not sure how you go about it, but it has to be in English, from what I remember.

babyfratelli_x · 18-04-2012 1:44pm

Found a form online from the head office in Dublin. Costs 50 euro

Thanks for the info though

inverted_world · 18-04-2012 1:50pm

babyfratelli_x wrote: »

I know this might be a stupid question, but my degree is from NUIG and its all in latin. I have a copy of it and Im going to get it notarized soon. But Im just wondering will that be ok? Will they need an English copy? Im pretty sure you can get these from some office in Dublin? Or will a copy of the original be ok?? Why is this process so confusing??

I didn't get mine translated and there were no problems.

babyfratelli_x · 18-04-2012 2:08pm

inverted_world wrote: »

I didn't get mine translated and there were no problems.

Aw really? Was yours from an NUI aswell? I wonder does it make a difference depending on the school, or is it simply for visa purposes?

Andy!! · 18-04-2012 4:00pm

Think I'm gonna risk it with just the final years results. They were the only ones that mattered towards my degree anyway (did a B.A. in Animation, kinda works a bit different than a more academic course). Also I think my garda check is back, and I'm going to arrange my references now. What is the difference between getting my degree and birth cert notarized and getting it apostilled? The application process for this is a little to get my head around, but this is definitely the part that has me most confuzzled :P How is apostilled pronounced? Silent or sounded 'T'?

inverted_world · 18-04-2012 4:27pm

babyfratelli_x wrote: »

Aw really? Was yours from an NUI aswell? I wonder does it make a difference depending on the school, or is it simply for visa purposes?

Yeah, it's from UCD. I was never asked for a translation from any of the recruiters I dealt with, and my school is a public school.

squeakyduck · 19-04-2012 4:14am

inverted_world wrote: »

Yeah, it's from UCD. I was never asked for a translation from any of the recruiters I dealt with, and my school is a public school.

Mine were from UCD too. I never translated either of mine and it was ok. I got my transcripts back from the school after I got here. They weren't opened or anything.

guitarzero · 19-04-2012 4:49am

Hey

I'm gonna be starting an online TEFL course soon and have been giving S Korea some consideration. Thing is, I dont know much about the place.

Having been reading through the last few pages it seems that theres more focus being given to those who have made up their mind and things on travel, garda clearance etc etc.

I'm quite curious as to what life is like in the big cities for Irish folk. Things like the language barrier, social life, meeting other english speakers, prices etc etc.

If anyone wants to give me a little run down that would be much appreciated.

19-04-2012 5:15am

If you're feeling really cautious, you could travel a bit first.. Get to Bangkok, do a few weeks around the country and see if you like being surrounded by asian people who don't speak English. If ya like it, teach in thailand of somethin for a few months and then think about korea.

cloneslad · 19-04-2012 1:18pm

Andy!! wrote: »

Think I'm gonna risk it with just the final years results. They were the only ones that mattered towards my degree anyway (did a B.A. in Animation, kinda works a bit different than a more academic course). Also I think my garda check is back, and I'm going to arrange my references now. What is the difference between getting my degree and birth cert notarized and getting it apostilled? The application process for this is a little to get my head around, but this is definitely the part that has me most confuzzled :P How is apostilled pronounced? Silent or sounded 'T'?

Get it notarised by a commissioner of oaths and get it apostilled by the department of foreign affairs.

The background check is notarised by the superintendent of the Garda station you get it from, so this only needs to be apostilled.

The copy of your degree needs to be apostilled, then notarised.

Your birth cert??? Does that need to be done now??

Andy!! · 19-04-2012 4:18pm

cloneslad wrote: »

The copy of your degree needs to be apostilled, then notarised.

Oh man thats ridiculous! :pac: Thanks for the heads up.

I dunno, I thought I read somewhere your birth cert is required for something. Good idea to bring copies with me anyway. Garda cert came back, and as I suspected, I've not killed anyone or robbed any banks so thats good. :pac: Next on my list is references, then I will get around to getting my degree apostilled and notarised.

inverted_world · 21-04-2012 8:27am

The only thing you MIGHT need your birth cert for is the police cert. One garda said I needed a copy of it, but another said I didn't as a copy of my passport was enough.
But I suppose having copies of it wouldn't be any harm.

You should clarify with your recruiter about transcripts. I needed a complete set, but I think that's only a requirement for public schools now. I suppose it's better to have everything you could possibly need to avoid a last minute scramble once you accept a job.

Just wondering; is anyone going on the GEPIK orientation next week?

bizzleodrizzle · 27-04-2012 1:01pm

Hey,

I'm hoping to move to Busan in August. I've been in touch with a number of recruiters, Footprints, ATC etc but all of them have dismissed my chances and almost laughed of my chances of getting a job there. Is it really that difficult for Irish teachers to find work in Busan?

Also, I was hoping to play GAA over there but it looks like Busan and Seoul are the only cities with football teams? Is this correct?

We're thinking of maybe going to Ulsan or Daegu instead. Anyone have any thoughts on these cities?
Thanks in advance!

Andy!! · 27-04-2012 1:21pm

bizzleodrizzle wrote: »

Hey,

I'm hoping to move to Busan in August. I've been in touch with a number of recruiters, Footprints, ATC etc but all of them have dismissed my chances and almost laughed of my chances of getting a job there. Is it really that difficult for Irish teachers to find work in Busan?

Also, I was hoping to play GAA over there but it looks like Busan and Seoul are the only cities with football teams? Is this correct?

We're thinking of maybe going to Ulsan or Daegu instead. Anyone have any thoughts on these cities?
Thanks in advance!

Really? Damn I was hoping for Busan. Did you do a TEFL course?

I'm looking to use youtube to increase my knowledge on teaching/ESL teaching. Anybody know of any channels that are good for this?

R.D. aka MR.D · 27-04-2012 2:33pm

bizzleodrizzle wrote: »

Hey,

I'm hoping to move to Busan in August. I've been in touch with a number of recruiters, Footprints, ATC etc but all of them have dismissed my chances and almost laughed of my chances of getting a job there. Is it really that difficult for Irish teachers to find work in Busan?

Also, I was hoping to play GAA over there but it looks like Busan and Seoul are the only cities with football teams? Is this correct?

We're thinking of maybe going to Ulsan or Daegu instead. Anyone have any thoughts on these cities?
Thanks in advance!

Busan was my first choice too when i originally decided to come over but i realised that to get a job in Busan you have to be lucky or willing to wait a while until one comes up. I didn't want to wait! I'm glad i came to Seoul though.

Andy!! · 27-04-2012 3:00pm

Oh damn. Best start applying for jobs now then, got most of my documents.

SpatialPlanning · 27-04-2012 3:39pm

bizzleodrizzle wrote: »

Hey,

I'm hoping to move to Busan in August. I've been in touch with a number of recruiters, Footprints, ATC etc but all of them have dismissed my chances and almost laughed of my chances of getting a job there. Is it really that difficult for Irish teachers to find work in Busan?

Also, I was hoping to play GAA over there but it looks like Busan:cool: and Seoul:( are the only cities with football teams? Is this correct?

We're thinking of maybe going to Ulsan or Daegu :eek: instead. Anyone have any thoughts on these cities? :eek::eek::eek::eek:
Thanks in advance!

Hey. Busan, Seoul and Daegu have GAA teams. A new league has just started (kicks off tomorrow - we're hosting it in Busan) that will be played once a month up until the Asian Gaelic Games in October.

I wouldn't risk Seoul - I hear they eat their own children up that way.
Daegu is another dodgy spot. I'd liken it to Chernobyl.

Busan is where you want to go for GAA. Look up Laochra Busan on facebook... http://www.facebook.com/LaochraBusan

If you are very keen to get a job quickly then join the facebook group and ask there if there are any jobs going. You'd be very surprised by how many jobs are filled via word of mouth! Shoot me a PM if you need any help.

cloneslad · 27-04-2012 10:57pm

Busan is full of Irish people, those telling you that it's not possible to get a job there are just trying to get you to go places they find hard to fill, as they know they can fill Busan positions easily.

Look for jobs that aren't using recruiters, or that are using decent ones (if they exist)

babyfratelli_x · 30-04-2012 12:38pm

hey there,j ust another quick question. Do you have to get the Police Certificate notarized first and then get it apostilled, or do you just get it apostilled?

R.D. aka MR.D · 30-04-2012 2:13pm

babyfratelli_x wrote: »

hey there,j ust another quick question. Do you have to get the Police Certificate notarized first and then get it apostilled, or do you just get it apostilled?

Just apostilled, it doesn't need to be notarized because the garda signature is enough.

babyfratelli_x · 30-04-2012 2:51pm

Thanks, was thinking I saw someone else on here say the same thing, but just wanted to double check.

The people on this thread have been more helpful than the recruitment agencies, I dont think most of them are used to dealing with applicants from Ireland. When I make it to Korea (fingers crossed) I think I owe some of you a thank you pint

Andy!! · 30-04-2012 7:21pm

babyfratelli_x wrote: »

hey there,j ust another quick question. Do you have to get the Police Certificate notarized first and then get it apostilled, or do you just get it apostilled?

Doesn't it come apostiled? If I knew what that meant it might help lol. I was in the department of foreign affairs today getting my degree apostled, do I have to back and give them another twenty for the background check?

Also, anyone know of a cheap notary in Dublin? That can be any solicitor, right? Or is there a specific place I should go.

Tefl in South Korea

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