Tefl in South Korea

kraggy · 31-08-2011 10:31AM

If you are going for private colleges (hagwons) you should sign up with a few recruiters. Get them working for you and you'll not be waiting long for a job.

If you want a public school job however, going through more than one recruiter for a particular area disqualifies you. So be careful in that regard.

Don't be so eager to get Seoul. I was and am here now and it's too big. Very hard to get around and hang out with people. The subway system is good but the city is so large that it takes ages to get anywhere. I'd say go for Busan. Was down there for a weekend and it seemed alright. Fresher air too. And it's no spring chicken - it has a population of around 4 million as far as I know.

Or even smaller places can be great craic too as all the teachers in that area know each other and hang out each evening. Not possible here in Seoul, for me anyway.

Another thing to remember is, if you work in a public school, chances are that you will be the only foreign teacher there. But with hagwons, there could 10 to 15 foreign teachers working together so making friends is MUCH easier. But the holidays aren't nearly as good as public school. So you need to weigh up the pros and cons.

Don't panic, you could be on the plane in 2 weeks. Just sign up with loads of recruiters. When you get the names of a few type the following into google:

eslcafe.com forums name of recruiter

That'll bring up people's experiences with the recruiter.

red_bairn · 31-08-2011 11:05AM

I've been here in Nonsan (논산) in Chungcheongnam-Do for 15months now and I've gotten to know a good few people around here. There is easily 30+ English teachers (lecturers) here in hagwons, public schools and the local university.

We've gotten to know other groups of people in other areas that are near by or from people who meet others from the same education group like EPIC, TALK etc.

This week we have about 6+ new TALK scholars coming to Nonsan, so we are having dak galbi, then heading out to a hof and maybe some place to dance afterwards.

Nonsan has a population of about 100,000+ and my Korean friend who lives in Seoul said it's the 'countryside', but this place is huge to where I lived back in Ireland (Greystones).

roosh · 31-08-2011 11:09AM

SpatialPlanning wrote: »

The dress code for EPIK varies from school to school. Generally speaking they aren't overly picky about what you wear. I teach in a tiny rural school on the edge of Busan so I can pretty much wear what I want. Some schools will expect you to wear a shirt and slacks but for the most part as long as you look semi-smart then they don't care. Wear a shirt for the first few days and you'll be able to suss it out.

SpatialPlanning wrote: »

I get 18 holidays and can take 10 in Winter and 8 in Summer. The holidays usually fall around the mid-end of January and the mid-end of August.

cheers SP

catweasel10 · 31-08-2011 01:47PM

SpatialPlanning wrote: »

Something Irish, like a bottle of Irish whiskey or Irish chocolates will go down well. It doesn't have to be anything too expensive.

red_bairn wrote: »

I'm sure I got mine all done in 2 days, if my memory serves me correctly.

Just came back 2weeks ago from Ireland and brought back some Cadburys (that I bought on Thomas St - really good price), Guinness toffees, Butlers chocolates, an Irish music CD and a book of all Irish party songs (or ballads).

Thanks guys...I'm over here at the moment and ended up getting a bottle of Jameson for the director and some chocolates for the teachers. I'm going to bring them to the school on Friday.

Just out of interest, did anyone have to bring their original degree with them? I didn't bring mine, but the school now wants it and I have to get it sent over. Also, has anyone heard of having to get a police check by the Korean police because you work with kids? My co-teacher never had to give his degree or get a police check, but I've been told I have to do both.

Cheers!

red_bairn · 31-08-2011 01:57PM

catweasel10 wrote: »

Thanks guys...I'm over here at the moment and ended up getting a bottle of Jameson for the director and some chocolates for the teachers. I'm going to bring them to the school on Friday.

Just out of interest, did anyone have to bring their original degree with them? I didn't bring mine, but the school now wants it and I have to get it sent over. Also, has anyone heard of having to get a police check by the Korean police because you work with kids? My co-teacher never had to give his degree or get a police check, but I've been told I have to do both.

Cheers!

I had to send my original degree over (including my dip) and other forms (contract, garda check etc). So yeah, these things are always requested for native speakers.

But it's much harder for people in countries like S.Africa because it takes 6months to do a police check...I'd hate that.

SpatialPlanning · 31-08-2011 11:40PM

catweasel10 wrote: »

Thanks guys...I'm over here at the moment and ended up getting a bottle of Jameson for the director and some chocolates for the teachers. I'm going to bring them to the school on Friday.

Just out of interest, did anyone have to bring their original degree with them? I didn't bring mine, but the school now wants it and I have to get it sent over. Also, has anyone heard of having to get a police check by the Korean police because you work with kids? My co-teacher never had to give his degree or get a police check, but I've been told I have to do both.

Cheers!

In public schools you don't need to bring your original. Once you send over your apostilled degree, the office of education keep it on file. I brought mine over with me but have never needed to show it to anyone.

The Korean police check is new as far as I'm aware. It's basically just signing a form that gives them consent to check you out. It's not a big deal. They only asked me to sign it about a month ago. I think all foreign teachers are now required to get their fingerprints takes aswell, so you will probably be asked to do that at some stage.

catweasel10 · 31-08-2011 11:49PM

I'm in a hagwon, so they might not have kept in on file!

Also, does anyone know where I could pick up a travel adaptor in the Seoul area? I brought the wrong type with me. I'm in Osan, but would travel a bit to get one if necessary!

Cheers!

kraggy · 01-09-2011 12:24AM

Cat Weasel,

I'd be very surprised if you couldn't get one in Techno Mart in Gangbyeon. Line 2, the last stop before the Han river southbound.

It's a massive building where they sell nothing but electronics.

red_bairn · 01-09-2011 12:56AM

kraggy wrote: »

Cat Weasel,

I'd be very surprised if you couldn't get one in Techno Mart in Gangbyeon. Line 2, the last stop before the Han river southbound.

It's a massive building where they sell nothing but electronics.

or Yongsan Electronics Market.

ekevosu · 01-09-2011 06:41AM

Never ever send your original degree. It is not needed for any job and should not be requested by potential employers.

The notarised and apostilled degree is a legal document and is all that is needed. If you send your original, it might not be accepted, might get lost or might not be given back.

livinginkorea · 01-09-2011 07:51AM

Great to see this thread is doing well and that so many of us are over in Korea!

Elba101 · 01-09-2011 08:46AM

Can anyonerecommend good recruiters? I'm with Footprints but they said they don't have anything that I want right now. I applied to other recruiters and nothing. Put my CV up on Dave's and got a load of replys, but it's hard to tell the good from the bad. Help would be well appreciated!

red_bairn · 01-09-2011 10:48AM

ekevosu wrote: »

Never ever send your original degree. It is not needed for any job and should not be requested by potential employers.

The notarised and apostilled degree is a legal document and is all that is needed. If you send your original, it might not be accepted, might get lost or might not be given back.

I sent mine and got mine back with no bother.

ekevosu · 01-09-2011 02:23PM

red_bairn wrote:

I sent mine and got mine back with no bother.

that's why I wrote might in my reply. Look online and you'll find plenty of people who had problems and never got it back. Missing the point though. Notarised and apostilled is all that's needed. Why take the risk?

Hells Kitchen · 02-09-2011 01:51AM

Elba101 wrote: »

Can anyonerecommend good recruiters? I'm with Footprints but they said they don't have anything that I want right now. I applied to other recruiters and nothing. Put my CV up on Dave's and got a load of replys, but it's hard to tell the good from the bad. Help would be well appreciated!

Use recruiters as simply an introduction to schools. It's then up to you to find out what the school is like by talking to current teachers. Most recruiters just want their cut and would put you in any crappy school. So sign up with as many recruiters as possible.

I did the same as you and posted my CV on daves and i got my job in Seoul through one of the agencies that replied.

catweasel10 · 02-09-2011 02:47AM

Sorry guys, just to clarify, my original degree is not for visa purposes. I was told it was needed to register me as a teacher over here. I hadn't heard of this before, and was wondering if anyone else had been asked for their original degree by a hagwon.

Thanks for all the advice so far guys, I really appreciate it

red_bairn · 02-09-2011 03:40AM

catweasel10 wrote: »

Sorry guys, just to clarify, my original degree is not for visa purposes. I was told it was needed to register me as a teacher over here. I hadn't heard of this before, and was wondering if anyone else had been asked for their original degree by a hagwon.

Thanks for all the advice so far guys, I really appreciate it

I had to do so and I currently have it in my possession. I'm with the franchise hagwon GnB:

http://www.gnbenglish.com/html/11_company/introduce/greeting.php

Elba101 · 02-09-2011 11:41AM

Hells Kitchen wrote: »

Use recruiters as simply an introduction to schools. It's then up to you to find out what the school is like by talking to current teachers. Most recruiters just want their cut and would put you in any crappy school. So sign up with as many recruiters as possible.

I did the same as you and posted my CV on daves and i got my job in Seoul through one of the agencies that replied.

Thanks! I signed up to a few but it's hard to know which ones are good to use. I've been offered a job but it's 2-10 or 12-8 and I really don't want those hours! I'll just keep looking!

catweasel10 · 02-09-2011 02:41PM

red_bairn wrote: »

I had to do so and I currently have it in my possession. I'm with the franchise hagwon GnB:

http://www.gnbenglish.com/html/11_company/introduce/greeting.php

Snap!!! I'm working at a GnB!

red_bairn · 03-09-2011 03:08AM

catweasel10 wrote: »

Snap!!! I'm working at a GnB!

Where are you again?

col89 · 03-09-2011 12:13PM

Cheers for the earlier replies, guys.

I'm going to be working at a GnB school, as well, as it happens! It seems that it's a popular school choice among Boarders. I have to say that my school does look a bit cramped, and I've been told that I'll have to buy a few of my own resources, but neither of these things bother me too much since I want to gain the experience and see what it's like for myself.

Just wondering, does anyone think 500 or 600 euro would be enough to bring over on an O2 Money Card, just to tie me over until my first salary comes through the following month? This might sound like a stupid question, but does Korea take Western cards for spending and/or topping up? Or, would it be recommended to open a Korean bank account upon arrival?

I've one last thing to ask, if anyone would be able to answer this question for me: Is there any essentials that should be brought over? I'm sure I heard something about deodorant and limited stocking over there, or something to that effect. But would it be recommended to bring over a full case of deodorant or any other items? :P

ARGINITE · 03-09-2011 12:19PM

col89 wrote: »

Just wondering, does anyone think 500 or 600 euro would be enough to bring over on an O2 Money Card

A what?
We brought cash wish we had brought more as we found it hard to find an ATM machine that would accept our bank cards.

col89 · 03-09-2011 12:56PM

ARGINITE wrote: »

A what?
We brought cash wish we had brought more as we found it hard to find an ATM machine that would accept our bank cards.

An O2 Money Card - it's like a substitute for a credit card.

Are ATM machines not common in Korea? Would it be best to get your currency changed at the airport or at one of the banks (just in regards to getting the most of your money's worth)?

red_bairn · 03-09-2011 01:28PM

col89 wrote: »

Cheers for the earlier replies, guys.

I'm going to be working at a GnB school, as well, as it happens! It seems that it's a popular school choice among Boarders. I have to say that my school does look a bit cramped, and I've been told that I'll have to buy a few of my own resources, but neither of these things bother me too much since I want to gain the experience and see what it's like for myself.

Just wondering, does anyone think 500 or 600 euro would be enough to bring over on an O2 Money Card, just to tie me over until my first salary comes through the following month? This might sound like a stupid question, but does Korea take Western cards for spending and/or topping up? Or, would it be recommended to open a Korean bank account upon arrival?

I've one last thing to ask, if anyone would be able to answer this question for me: Is there any essentials that should be brought over? I'm sure I heard something about deodorant and limited stocking over there, or something to that effect. But would it be recommended to bring over a full case of deodorant or any other items? :P

I think I had over 2000euro when I went over. Some of it was on my BoI credit card and the rest was changed to Won, which I got over in Ireland before I left. I think 800euro should cover you for anything you might want to buy for your apartment, in case some things aren't there. You should get a quarter of your airfare refunded by the boss within 1-2 weeks of starting. So that should also help you out.

Your boss will help you to get a phone and open a bank account. You won't be able to top up on those cards here. You'll get a cash card when you open the account and you can lodge money in the atm's here! Don't worry - they have plenty of them here.

If I were you, I'd brink some lovely Irish teabags (200pack - single bags), deodorant, shower gel and adapters for any electronics.

squeakyduck · 04-09-2011 03:07AM

col89 wrote: »

Just wondering, does anyone think 500 or 600 euro would be enough to bring over on an O2 Money Card, just to tie me over until my first salary comes through the following month? This might sound like a stupid question, but does Korea take Western cards for spending and/or topping up? Or, would it be recommended to open a Korean bank account upon arrival?

I brought over 300e on an o2 money card and I think it was one of my smarter ideas. I buy my train tickets via credit card and pick it up at the station!

I bought my daegu athletics tickets via credit card too. I find it makes things so much easier. You can also top up the card via your internet banking. You will need a code card to do that but that can be easily sorted.

I've not tried my O2 card to pay for anything but if you do run out of money I use they citybank ATM's its the only atm I've been able to take money out of my Irish account with over here!

red_bairn · 04-09-2011 03:46AM

squeakyduck wrote: »

I brought over 300e on an o2 money card and I think it was one of my smarter ideas. I buy my train tickets via credit card and pick it up at the station! I bought my daegu athletics tickets via credit card too. I find it makes things so much easier. You can also top up the card via your internet banking. You will need a code card to do that but that can be easily sorted.

I've not tried my O2 card to pay for anything but if you do run out of money I use they citybank ATM's its the only atm I've been able to take money out of my Irish account with over here!

You can also withdraw money with your c/c but you may get charged a bit. I'm not sure if using the o2 card works the same way.

squeakyduck · 04-09-2011 03:57AM

red_bairn wrote: »

You can also withdraw money with your c/c but you may get charged a bit. I'm not sure if using the o2 card works the same way.

I think it does work in the same way. When I used my atm card in the city bank atm it told me that they were gonna charge me 3000 won for the transaction but I took out a good bit of money to tide me over the next while!

Gonna try and not touch my wages for as long as possible!

catweasel10 · 04-09-2011 04:39AM

+ 1 on the adapter...maybe bring a universal one, and one of those multi-plug extension cords. I brought over a large bath towel, because I'd heard that the Korean ones are tiny. If the one left for me in my apartment is anything to go by, they are!

red_bairn · 04-09-2011 04:58AM

catweasel10 wrote: »

+ 1 on the adapter...maybe bring a universal one, and one of theose multi-plug extension cords. I brought over a large bath towel, because I'd heard that the Korean ones are tiny. If the one left for me in my apartment is anything to go by, they are!

Not true. They have large ones in HP (Samsung & Tesco owned) and CostCo.

catweasel10 · 04-09-2011 06:21AM

red_bairn wrote: »

Not true. They have large ones in HP (Samsung & Tesco owned) and CostCo.

Didn't know that...I could have saved myself some luggage space

Tefl in South Korea

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