nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

Child Item

Tefl in South Korea

lordwilmore

Hi!
Does anyone have advice about teaching in South Korea?
At the moment I am in Australia and would like to teach in Korea.
I have the relevant qualifications to work in Korea.
what i really want to know is what exactly i have to do? i.e. garda checks, university correspondents detailing my degree results.
Its slightly more difficult for myself on account of being in oz. all the relevant things i need are back home.
any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated, whether it be, what to avoid or what agency to use. What pitfalls should i be aware of?
thanks in advance.

Find more posts tagged with

tefl

tiger english

Quick Links

Comments

col89

The school that I'm going to be working at will be receiving my documents tomorrow, as my recruiter just told me that she received them today and will forward them on tomorrow.

I've been told that my next step will be for the school to obtain a visa number for myself, and then I will have to travel to the Korean Consulate/Embassy in Dublin. Does anyone know where exactly this is located?

And, also, can anyone tell me whether it is just the visa number I need for the interview with the Korean Consulate, or would I need any other documents/verification regarding my identity? Would I need to ring them up first and book an appointment, as well, or would it be acceptable to just go up at the specific times/days they do the visa applicants?

squeakyduck

dapto1 wrote: »

Starting in my boys middle school in Incheon tomorrow. I'm far more nervous than I thought I would be!

I hope your first day goes well Dapto! It's my first day teaching too. I'm not starting until 2.30 but I'm nervous that I'll do something wrong! I'd say once the first week is over it should be grand!

dapto1

Starting in my boys middle school in Incheon tomorrow. I'm far more nervous than I thought I would be!

hyperbaby

roosh wrote: »

male (last time I checked )

what was the craic with the orientation, what did it entail?

For teaching i think slacks, tie and a shirt are your best bet. Depends on the school but for first impression this is the way to go. After the first week or two it might be okay to wear casual things but it depends on the school.

The orientation was intense. get brought from the airport by bus then brought to the orientation site and there you are sharing a room with someone. It is a busy scedule. Full with lectures on everything from Classroom management to visual aids to korean history. then korean lessons in the evening and of course some sneaky drinks but not in the dorms only in the bars or outside the convenience store. Also went on a field trip and had an opening and closing ceremony/dinner. Busy week and a half.

seamie89

catweasel10 wrote: »

I circled OR for this, as I have an ordinary passport. I think DP is Diplomatic Passport but I'm not too sure what OF stands for.

oh right...thanks a mil for that

catweasel10

seamie89 wrote: »

On the application form for applying for a visa part 8 asks for classification of your passport...hmm anyone know what this is? thanks

I circled OR for this, as I have an ordinary passport. I think DP is Diplomatic Passport but I'm not too sure what OF stands for.

seamie89

On the application form for applying for a visa part 8 asks for classification of your passport...hmm anyone know what this is? thanks

roosh

actually, does anyone know how the holidays work with EPIK?

ARGINITE

Deleted User wrote: »

One small query, I know you can get accepted before you graduate but is there anyway you can fly home for your graduation? I really don't want to miss my graduation!

Not really as it would be very expensive and getting time of could be difficult or near impossible if working in a private school.

[Deleted User]

WOW, there are so many posts on this, I'm going to be here all evening.

I want to teach in South Korea for a year or more after I finish my degree. I will finish college in May 2012 and I graduate in September 2012.

From what I've researched the Public School EPIK programmes start in February and August each year.

I'm still looking into other teaching opportunities in Korea. I met someone on holidays from the US and she was teaching Art there.

One small query, I know you can get accepted before you graduate but is there anyway you can fly home for your graduation? I really don't want to miss my graduation!

catweasel10

Hey guys,

I'm heading to Korea next week and wanted to bring a small gift for the director. Does anyone have any idea what would be suitable? Cheers!

roosh

hyperbaby wrote: »

Hi there,
the orientation finished today so now we have left the EPIK wonderland.
It was a strange one. Very busy schedule but very like a baby \sitting service too. Not sure how I feel about it!

Regarding dress code, are you male or female?

male (last time I checked

)

what was the craic with the orientation, what did it entail?

hyperbaby

Hi there,
the orientation finished today so now we have left the EPIK wonderland.
It was a strange one. Very busy schedule but very like a baby \sitting service too. Not sure how I feel about it!

Regarding dress code, are you male or female?

roosh

hyperbaby wrote: »

Hello, I'm an the EPIK orientation at the moment.
It's quite a busy schedule!
Anyone else from boards at either of the orientations?

hey hyperbaby, how's the orientation going?

I'm currently on a waiting list to see if anyone drops out of the EPIK programme (I was late in applying). What are your first impressions like?

also, do you know what the dress code for EPIK teachers is?

hyperbaby

SpatialPlanning wrote: »

http://www.2011asiangaelicgames.com/index.html

There are 24 clubs (and over 600 players) from all over Asia and the Middle East competing in this years games. It is being held in Suwon, just outside Seoul. South Korea now has 3 Gaelic Football clubs - Seoul Gaels, Daegu Fianna and Laochra Busan. Both Busan and Daegu are new clubs.

Check out our club on Facebook - BusanGAA!

That sounds great!
You never know I might head to it!

There is a World Music Festival on in Gwangju this weekend! Great start to my Gwangju adventure

squeakyduck

Does anyone know of anyone who has any spare tickets to the Deagu athletics this weekend? Everything is sold out!

squeakyduck

My brother is coming to Korea to see this!

Can't wait. The other Irish foreign teachers in my school play for the Seoul Gaels!

SpatialPlanning

hyperbaby wrote: »

Asian gaelic games?
Say what?

http://www.2011asiangaelicgames.com/index.html

There are 24 clubs (and over 600 players) from all over Asia and the Middle East competing in this years games. It is being held in Suwon, just outside Seoul. South Korea now has 3 Gaelic Football clubs - Seoul Gaels, Daegu Fianna and Laochra Busan. Both Busan and Daegu are new clubs.

Check out our club on Facebook - BusanGAA!

hyperbaby

Asian gaelic games?
Say what?

hyperbaby

dapto1 wrote: »

I'm at the one in Seoul.

So I've had my first proper experience of Korean bureaucracy. So I was supposed to be on 2.1m a month due to TEFL cert + one year experience. But today the EPIK coordinator told me that because my proof of teaching experience letter didn't specifically mention that my experience was in a public school/university/IT that it isn't valid. The letter was from the company that employed me in Ireland. We were contracted to work in an IT. The EPIK coordinator told me that the contract is already drawn up and that I won't be eligible for the 2+ pay scale because of this. I'm actually pretty furious about this. My recruiter (Footprints) got this letter weeks ago and told me it was fine. One of the reasons I chose Korea is so I can save for going back to college next year, and this stupid little technicality could cost me nearly 800 euro over the year. I've emailed Footprints anyway but the EPIK coordinator seemed quite adamant that there's nothing that can be done. Anyone have any ideas?

That's bull****, I hope you get it sorted.
You should give out stink to Footprints!

SpatialPlanning

squeakyduck wrote: »

My brother is planning on visiting me with his wife for a week in October for the pan Asian gaelic games. He's coming over from Cambodia with her. He's wondering would he need a special visa or anything to come over or is he issued with something like an automatic 90day visa?

http://south-korea.visahq.com/requirements/Ireland/resident-Cambodia/

"South Korea tourist visa is not required
for citizens of Ireland for a stay up to 90 days"

squeakyduck

My brother is planning on visiting me with his wife for a week in October for the pan Asian gaelic games. He's coming over from Cambodia with her. He's wondering would he need a special visa or anything to come over or is he issued with something like an automatic 90day visa?

G86

squeakyduck wrote: »

I've heard different recommendations....anything from 500 to 1000

I brought money over in dollars (all my family gave me dollars!) and I put money on my o2 money card. I brought about €700 in total and I'm spending next to nothing! I'd say someone that has been here longer would be better able to give a sufficient answer as this is my third day!

I'd say you'd need at least 800EUR for your first month. I brought over 800 3 weeks ago and I'm running short already. The health check costs around 80/90,000 won and then there's just the little things you might want to pick up for need for your apartment. You're prob going to be going out a fair bit your first month too and sight seeing etc, those things definitely add up. I'm a veggie, so I spent more on food than the average person would have I'd say, and I spent 70,000 on the gym, but I'd still say at least 700/800. You don't want to be stuck in your apt every wkend for your first month here.

squeakyduck

johnnycnandy wrote: »

Hey everyone. I have a interview on tuesday (by phone) for a school in Daejeon. Any advice from someone who got a job? What kind of things do they want to hear?

Depends on the questions they may ask. I've been asked different questions by different interviewers.

Some examples

Why do you want to come to Korea
what is the element of teaching you enjoy most
how would you deal with a certain class
do you want to be located rural or urban
how will you deal with culture shock
Have you worked with children/teenagers/adults in a teaching environment

Also this is a post to another poster about what may come up in the interview. Each one is different though. You may not be asked any of these questions. I think it's good to prepare a few questions just in case!

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=73744903&postcount=1893

dapto1

hyperbaby wrote: »

Hello, I'm an the EPIK orientation at the moment.
It's quite a busy schedule!
Anyone else from boards at either of the orientations?

I'm at the one in Seoul.

So I've had my first proper experience of Korean bureaucracy. So I was supposed to be on 2.1m a month due to TEFL cert + one year experience. But today the EPIK coordinator told me that because my proof of teaching experience letter didn't specifically mention that my experience was in a public school/university/IT that it isn't valid. The letter was from the company that employed me in Ireland. We were contracted to work in an IT. The EPIK coordinator told me that the contract is already drawn up and that I won't be eligible for the 2+ pay scale because of this. I'm actually pretty furious about this. My recruiter (Footprints) got this letter weeks ago and told me it was fine. One of the reasons I chose Korea is so I can save for going back to college next year, and this stupid little technicality could cost me nearly 800 euro over the year. I've emailed Footprints anyway but the EPIK coordinator seemed quite adamant that there's nothing that can be done. Anyone have any ideas?

johnnycnandy

Hey everyone. I have a interview on tuesday (by phone) for a school in Daejeon. Any advice from someone who got a job? What kind of things do they want to hear?

hyperbaby

Hello, I'm an the EPIK orientation at the moment.
It's quite a busy schedule!
Anyone else from boards at either of the orientations?

net86

col89 wrote: »

I've accepted a position in Geoje yesterday and I officially fly out on the 14th, just after my graduation dates, can't wait!

By the way, Groupon are doing an offer on an online TEFL course for only 99 euro (saving 500 euro) for today only. I bought it today and I'll be doing it over the next number of weeks, so if anyone else is interested in it, you can buy it here.

Ah you're coming to my neck of the woods!! - I was only saying I need more Irish people here because 2 are leaving in the next few weeks.

cloneslad

col89 wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendation! Around how much would a 50-100cc scooter be? I'll look into getting one, hopefully they won't be very expensive!

By the way, how much cash would people recommend bringing over to keep you going before you get your first official salary on the next month?

You will pick up a decent scooter for about 400k or so from one of the teachers leaving. You'll see them advertised every now and again on the geoje teachers forum, but most people will just sell theirs on to someone they know on the island.

When we were there we got one for 50k (about €30 at the time) it was a 50cc and came with a lock and helmet. It wasn't the safest bike in the world and it got used for about 4 months to go to and from the beach. It then got a flat tyre and I was too lazy to bring it around to get it fixed. I also lived in the centre of gohyeon so it wasn't really needed.

as for money, as squeeky said, €700 should be fine, in fact €500 will most likely do you. there aren't a great deal of things to spend your money on when you live on Geoje, most of the fun things are free and you just have to factor in the cost of food and alcohol to create fun night time activities.

squeakyduck

I've heard different recommendations....anything from 500 to 1000

I brought money over in dollars (all my family gave me dollars!) and I put money on my o2 money card. I brought about €700 in total and I'm spending next to nothing! I'd say someone that has been here longer would be better able to give a sufficient answer as this is my third day!