Tefl in South Korea

RingTheAlarm! · 17-08-2014 7:58pm

oinclark wrote: »

I'll be heading in to get my police certificate soon. Do you need a letter from the Korean embassy stating why you need it? And if you do need a letter how would you go about getting one?

How long did it take for yours to come through?
Any responses appreciated!

I got mine after two days, I told them that I needed it for work and they had it ready very quickly.

RingTheAlarm! · 17-08-2014 8:01pm

Also, can anyone recommend any recruiters please? I have sent my CV to several on Dave's ESL, etc but not with a whole lot of movement except for trying to get pawned off to some remote parts of the country for kindergarten/elementary jobs.

Choccie Lover · 17-08-2014 8:22pm

RingTheAlarm! wrote: »

Also, can anyone recommend any recruiters please? I have sent my CV to several on Dave's ESL, etc but not with a whole lot of movement except for trying to get pawned off to some remote parts of the country for kindergarten/elementary jobs.

Haven't much experience of agencies I'm afraid.

Have you applied directly to schools as well? Schools often advertise directly on Dave's ESL, waygook.org and worknplay.co.kr.

At least that way you know where you are applying to.

SeantheMan · 11-09-2014 6:46am

Choccie Lover wrote: »

Nah, don't listen to that old chestnut about there being limited jobs in Seoul. All the recruiters say that. You should have no bother at all, especially with being a qualified teacher.

This is probably being said with regards to Public teaching jobs.
Seoul and most of the rest of Korea have decided to cut back or completely cut out all Foreign teachers for Middle and High School.
So it's only elementary teaching jobs available at public level really these days.

Though, in Seoul you have infinite number of Hagwons (Academies) , so you can easily get a job there if you find a suitable one. Try check into the history and contact other teachers who've worked their if you can.
Some academy owners are chancers, but it's not a common thing, most are reputable institutions.

I think I went through Footprints recruiting when I applied, but there are many others out there.

You should also check Waygook.org, it's probably the biggest forum in Korea for foreigners and there will be posts there with regards to jobs etc, it is also a great resource for teaching materials at times.

However, on a sidenote, take everything you read there with a pinch of salt, half of the posters seem to be toxic Americans who just love to hate on Korea and compare it to the US constantly....I don't know what they're even doing in the country.
But if you manage to filter that out, you'll find a wealth of knowledge and useful info on there.

Choccie Lover · 11-09-2014 10:40am

SeantheMan wrote: »

This is probably being said with regards to Public teaching jobs.
Seoul and most of the rest of Korea have decided to cut back or completely cut out all Foreign teachers for Middle and High School.
So it's only elementary teaching jobs available at public level really these days.

Though, in Seoul you have infinite number of Hagwons (Academies) , so you can easily get a job there if you find a suitable one. Try check into the history and contact other teachers who've worked their if you can.
Some academy owners are chancers, but it's not a common thing, most are reputable institutions.

I think I went through Footprints recruiting when I applied, but there are many others out there.

You should also check Waygook.org, it's probably the biggest forum in Korea for foreigners and there will be posts there with regards to jobs etc, it is also a great resource for teaching materials at times.

However, on a sidenote, take everything you read there with a pinch of salt, half of the posters seem to be toxic Americans who just love to hate on Korea and compare it to the US constantly....I don't know what they're even doing in the country.
But if you manage to filter that out, you'll find a wealth of knowledge and useful info on there.

Yeah, my post was referring to hagwons. As far as I remember, that particular poster was looking for hagwon positions.

But yeah, it seems more tricky to get a public schoo position in Seoul!

RingTheAlarm! · 13-09-2014 8:43pm

Nothing decent came of the recruiters so I'm going through SMOE/EPIK instead in March. Just wondering if I said I wanted to go to Seoul and then on the form it says if you weren't picked for Seoul would you withdraw or want to be put elsewhere would you automatically be put elsewhere? I wouldn't mind Busan/Daegu either but ideally would like to go to Seoul!

brianw1 · 14-09-2014 3:48am

If you don't get picked for Seoul and it's your only option then you're out

RingTheAlarm! · 14-09-2014 11:28pm

brianw1 wrote: »

If you don't get picked for Seoul and it's your only option then you're out

I went with the other locations too! Also on that note, is it a case of you sign your contract and then they tell you where you will be?

slowly horse · 25-09-2014 12:43pm

I'm really confused with the notarisation process.

I want to get a copy of my degree notarised. I called one notary public and they said it was €20 and I only needed my original degree and the photocopy - and that my boyfriend could do it for me with no problems. Another office said it was €50, I needed my passport, 2 forms of proof of address, the original degree and if my boyfriend were to do it for me I'd need a written statement from my college to say that my degree had actually been conferred.

Are these 2 completely different processes, or could one office just not give a fupp?

R.D. aka MR.D · 25-09-2014 2:31pm

slowly horse wrote: »

I'm really confused with the notarisation process.

I want to get a copy of my degree notarised. I called one notary public and they said it was €20 and I only needed my original degree and the photocopy - and that my boyfriend could do it for me with no problems. Another office said it was €50, I needed my passport, 2 forms of proof of address, the original degree and if my boyfriend were to do it for me I'd need a written statement from my college to say that my degree had actually been conferred.

Are these 2 completely different processes, or could one office just not give a fupp?

Well, I only know about my experience and it was like the first. It was a guy who was a solicitor in the town and I just went with my degree and some photocopies and he just stamped some things and we had a wee natter about how we both went to Trinity, blah blah blah.

The second one you described seems a bit extreme!

slowly horse · 25-09-2014 2:45pm

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

Well, I only know about my experience and it was like the first. It was a guy who was a solicitor in the town and I just went with my degree and some photocopies and he just stamped some things and we had a wee natter about how we both went to Trinity, blah blah blah.

The second one you described seems a bit extreme!

Thanks for the response. Did that stamp work for you then? I assume you're in (or have been in) Korea - sorry, haven't read too far back in the thread.

slowly horse · 25-09-2014 2:47pm

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

Well, I only know about my experience and it was like the first. It was a guy who was a solicitor in the town and I just went with my degree and some photocopies and he just stamped some things and we had a wee natter about how we both went to Trinity, blah blah blah.

The second one you described seems a bit extreme!

Thanks for the response. Did that stamp work for you then? I assume you're in (or have been in) Korea - sorry, haven't read too far back in the thread.

And yeah, it seems a bit extreme - he even emailed me a 9 page document with the terms and conditions of the notarisation process along with the wording of the affidavit that I'll have to swear....

R.D. aka MR.D · 26-09-2014 3:44am

yep, i had no problems at all. After it is notarized it is sent to be apostilled to make it doubly authentic!

kaji · 28-09-2014 1:07am

Does anyone know what the odds of getting placed by EPIK in Seoul are? That's where I really want to go (if I pass the interview). I would also go anywhere within an hour of Seoul, but not sure what you get to put down on the form, can you even choose a location? Would appreciate any help

RingTheAlarm! · 28-09-2014 2:08pm

You have to fill in a separate form for SMOE along with your EPIK form. It said on their website the earlier you apply the better your chances are

slowly horse · 08-10-2014 10:05am

More questions...

My recruiter offered me a job without pension - I told him that I was only interested in jobs that paid pensions (I don't want to be hired as an independent contractor, because, as I understand it, my rights would be less than someone hired as a teacher). He said that not having a pension was advantageous as I wouldn't have to pay that extra 4.5% which I wouldn't be able to claim back - he quoted that info alongside something that suggests that he thinks Ireland is in the UK(!)

I had a look and it seems as though we have a bilateral agreement with the South Korean government that allows us to claim back our pension contributions, is that correct?

Any info on working as an independent contractor/pension payments would be greatly appreciated.

Choccie Lover · 08-10-2014 11:01am

Hi, I was last in Korea in 2012 and at that point there was no bilateral agreement that allowed us to claim back the pension (it was a big gripe among Irish teachers). Perhaps that has changed???? Where did you get that information?

slowly horse · 08-10-2014 11:25am

Choccie Lover wrote: »

Hi, I was last in Korea in 2012 and at that point there was no bilateral agreement that allowed us to claim back the pension (it was a big gripe among Irish teachers). Perhaps that has changed???? Where did you get that information?

Ah sorry, I'm a bit of an eejit, I've taken another look at it and we can't claim back our pension in cash form, but it is counted as an Irish contribution.

Is it not worth having the contribution anyway? If I stay in Korea long term (my boyfriend is Korean) then having the pension contributions will be handy if I change visa class, and if I come back home then I'm not screwed on having missed a few years of contributions.

brianw1 · 08-10-2014 1:51pm

There's no pension refund for us. Honestly I wouldn't let that put me off taking a job, my own job wouldn't let me opt out of the pension so there was no choice. But yeah don't worry about it. More money in your pocket.

R.D. aka MR.D · 09-10-2014 2:41am

slowly horse wrote: »

Ah sorry, I'm a bit of an eejit, I've taken another look at it and we can't claim back our pension in cash form, but it is counted as an Irish contribution.

Is it not worth having the contribution anyway? If I stay in Korea long term (my boyfriend is Korean) then having the pension contributions will be handy if I change visa class, and if I come back home then I'm not screwed on having missed a few years of contributions.

Personally, I wouldn't take a job without a pension for the simple reason that a lot of places who stiff you on the pension and try to get out of doing what they are supposed to are more likely to stiff you in other areas, health insurance, final bonus, 11th month firing...etc.

slowly horse · 14-11-2014 7:37pm

Thanks for the advice. Got a job with pension etc. Leaving next week

just wondering what type of questions they ask at the interview with the embassy, anyone have any experience?

brianw1 · 15-11-2014 8:55am

They didn't ask me anything. Went in filled out some forms and that was it.

teddyboy · 23-11-2014 12:21am

Any experience with the PAGODA ACADEMY ?

red_bairn · 25-11-2014 9:44am

slowly horse wrote:

just wondering what type of questions they ask at the interview with the embassy, anyone have any experience?

They just asked about why I wanted to go to Korea and a few other questions. can't remember them since it was very quick and 4 years ago.

aqn29swlgbmiu4 · 28-11-2014 8:16pm

Hey everyone,

I've been following this thread for a good while now. I got accepted to EPIK starting Feb 2015.
I'm two years out of my Psych degree & desperately want to leave the country. Both my bro & sister TEFL'd in Saudi & Japan & had a great time.
I'm nearly finished my online TEFL course and to be honest, it really hasn't given me much confidence at all.
Its a 100 hour course + 20hour classroom exp. I've nearly finished the 100 hours but it has taken me around 20hours to do so.

I haven't really got a better grasp on the whole TEFL gig & I'm worried I'm just going to crash & burn. I have no experience with teaching or kids at all & the reality of what I've got myself into is really starting to kick in.
I have travelled extensively and have lived abroad so its not the culture shock which scares me.

I have read loads of blogs online & they seem to have all been written by really outgoing extroverts while I'm not like that

Can anyone offer any advice?

Choccie Lover · 28-11-2014 9:35pm

Peter Vast Concrete wrote: »

Hey everyone,

I've been following this thread for a good while now. I got accepted to EPIK starting Feb 2015.
I'm two years out of my Psych degree & desperately want to leave the country. Both my bro & sister TEFL'd in Saudi & Japan & had a great time.
I'm nearly finished my online TEFL course and to be honest, it really hasn't given me much confidence at all.
Its a 100 hour course + 20hour classroom exp. I've nearly finished the 100 hours but it has taken me around 20hours to do so.

I haven't really got a better grasp on the whole TEFL gig & I'm worried I'm just going to crash & burn. I have no experience with teaching or kids at all & the reality of what I've got myself into is really starting to kick in.
I have travelled extensively and have lived abroad so its not the culture shock which scares me.

I have read loads of blogs online & they seem to have all been written by really outgoing extroverts while I'm not like that
Can anyone offer any advice?

Hiya,

I have worked in Korea in the past.......and I wouldn't say that I'd be the outgoing, extrovert type.....and I did just fine, so don't worry..... :-)

With EPIK, you should get a week or so training beforehand which should settle your nerves. A lot of people who go over there are first time teachers, so don't freak out... You'll be fine! :-)

kaji · 28-11-2014 9:54pm

When should I apply for Epik 2015 for positions starting in September?

aqn29swlgbmiu4 · 29-11-2014 12:05am

Choccie Lover wrote: »

Hiya,

I have worked in Korea in the past.......and I wouldn't say that I'd be the outgoing, extrovert type.....and I did just fine, so don't worry..... :-)

With EPIK, you should get a week or so training beforehand which should settle your nerves. A lot of people who go over there are first time teachers, so don't freak out... You'll be fine! :-)

Is there a curriculum to follow? Like is there any structure or guidance for whats expected for the English programme for the year?
Thats what worries me the most, having no direction

Choccie Lover · 29-11-2014 10:39am

Hiya,

Actually, I didn't work with EPIK. I worked in a private school(hagwon), so my experience would have been somewhat different.

Perhaps someone else can chime in here with their experience of EPIK. I would imagine you would have a curriculum and a fair amount of support. As far as I am aware you will be paired up with a Korean teacher and he/she will be your 'go to' person for matters of planning, etc. From what I have read, experiences can vary from school to school. For example, your co-teacher may be a very prominent presence, giving you lots of guidance and perhaps you will be working side by side in class a lot. Or it may be a case that he/she will leave you to your own devices more.

Either way, there is a wealth of resources online you should be able to use to supplement your curriculum. http://www.waygook.org/ is one that is specifically aimed at teaching in Korea where a lot of teachers working with EPIK seem to upload tried and tested lesson plans and ideas.

Hope that helps!

RingTheAlarm! · 13-12-2014 3:00pm

Hi all,
I'm after getting a job offer and there is a private pension. I was just wondering if you could tell me if I can claim this back? I read that pensions can't be claimed would that just be state ones though?!
RingTheAlarm!

teddyboy · 14-12-2014 3:23pm

RingTheAlarm! wrote: »

Hi all,
I'm after getting a job offer and there is a private pension. I was just wondering if you could tell me if I can claim this back? I read that pensions can't be claimed would that just be state ones though?!
RingTheAlarm!

where you going?

Morshemallow · 21-12-2014 6:28pm

Peter Vast Concrete wrote: »

Is there a curriculum to follow? Like is there any structure or guidance for whats expected for the English programme for the year?
Thats what worries me the most, having no direction

Yes there is a curriculum and you are given textbooks with teachers guides. So each lesson teaches a different grammatical point usually through a particular theme. The book tells you what to do but you can supplement it with your own material too. (You will probably do this a lot as the book are a little.... well you'll see.)

Don't worry you will be fine. EPIK is great because it is secure and there will always be someone to ask if you have a problem. I just came back from a year and I love it.
Best of luck with it

An Cuinneach · 28-12-2014 7:53am

Hi there,

So after reading a lot of this I'm more enthusiastic than ever to teach English in Korea.

I've two questions though:

Does it really matter what 120+ hours online TEFL course I complete? There's one on Grabone at the moment for only $100.

And secondly, I'm in New Zealand at the moment on a 12 month visa. Can I do the whole process from over here? Or do I physically need to walk into the embassy back in Ballsbridge?

Thanks for any help

Brian-

kaji · 01-01-2015 7:17pm

Hi! Anyone else like me wanna go teaching English in September 2015? Would love to chat with people in a similar situation as myself. Drop me a line...

An Cuinneach · 02-01-2015 12:06am

kaji wrote: »

Hi! Anyone else like me wanna go teaching English in September 2015? Would love to chat with people in a similar situation as myself. Drop me a line...

That's when I was thinking f going as well Kaji!

PS To anyone interested, I emailed the Korean embassy back home about applying for the E2 visa abroad and they said the following:

'Yes you can apply for E-2 visa at Korean Embassy in New Zealand, along with the visa issuance number obtained by your employer.'

brónaim cád?? · 02-01-2015 3:03pm

Any advice on where to look for TELF jobs for the summer? I'd love to get out of here from June - August but a lot of the things I am finiding I need to fund myself. USIT have number of interesting things but they are very expensive and only for a short period of time.

R.D. aka MR.D · 02-01-2015 3:12pm

brónaim cád?? wrote: »

Any advice on where to look for TELF jobs for the summer? I'd love to get out of here from June - August but a lot of the things I am finiding I need to fund myself. USIT have number of interesting things but they are very expensive and only for a short period of time.

Well you definitely can't do that in Korea.

Maybe you can fins a summer camp in England or elsewhere. Try tefl.com, sometimes they have jobs.

You don't have to fund yourself for those but you might need some qualifications.

They make you fund yourself on these 'placements' you see because most real jobs require a years commitment.

kaji · 02-01-2015 9:40pm

So if I want to get a job for September 2015, when do I start preparing? I looked at a few websites and it seems like a lot of documents are needed. Even stuff like a sealed envelope with college transcripts- do Irish colleges even do this?

brianw1 · 03-01-2015 12:58am

Yeah they do it, call them up. They are not important for private school jobs. If you want to start in September, then start getting everything together in May or June.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer · 05-01-2015 7:23pm

Does anyone know about the difficulties of getting the necessary documents together when you're abroad? I'm in Colombia at the moment and I've been considering teaching in Korea again in the future. Preferably I'd move stright from here back to Korea but applying for the visa may be a problem.

red_bairn · 06-01-2015 9:44am

brianw1 wrote:

Yeah they do it, call them up. They are not important for private school jobs. If you want to start in September, then start getting everything together in May or June.

I needed them for my hagwon.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote:

Does anyone know about the difficulties of getting the necessary documents together when you're abroad? I'm in Colombia at the moment and I've been considering teaching in Korea again in the future. Preferably I'd move stright from here back to Korea but applying for the visa may be a problem.

You need to get your visa at the Korean Embassy in Dublin. In some cases, for me especially, you can be interviewed briefly about your application for Korea. I can't remember about the other documents but the Visa is the most important thing and needs to be sorted in Dublin.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer · 06-01-2015 10:56am

red_bairn wrote: »

You need to get your visa at the Korean Embassy in Dublin. In some cases, for me especially, you can be interviewed briefly about your application for Korea. I can't remember about the other documents but the Visa is the most important thing and needs to be sorted in Dublin.

There's a Korean embassy down the road in Bogota. I'm not sure if they would be able to do it or not.

R.D. aka MR.D · 06-01-2015 11:00am

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

There's a Korean embassy down the road in Bogota. I'm not sure if they would be able to do it or not.

You're best bet is to ask them. Either ring the embassy in Bogota or Dublin and see of you can get an answer. You could also try emailing.

From my experience, some countries allow you to process a visa anywhere and others don't. I just processed my work visa for Japan. They wouldn't let me do it in Hong Kong but it was absolutely no problem in Bangkok so just ask around.

I mean people do 'visa runs' to process their E2 (well they did when i was there) so technically it should be possible.

Football Friend · 11-01-2015 9:05pm

Hey guys. This has probably been asked a million times before but I scrolled back a few pages and didn't see it.

Just getting my documents together now. I have my police clearance and copies of my degree. Is it the original copy of the police clearance and 2 copies of the degree what I need to get notarised and apostilled?

I have a valid passport too so is that everything then or am I missing something? I'm trying to find a job in a Hagwon so don't think I need transcripts however I do have 1 sealed copy of those. Do I need to get those notarised or apostilled?

Also how long did it take people to get everything sorted? I'm hoping to be out there in the next few weeks but I'm not having too much luck on the job front yet. I'm sending emails to lots of people on waygook and daves esl but the only person to contact me back so far is 1 recruiter.

Thanks.

brianw1 · 12-01-2015 11:54am

The degree copy has to be notarized and apostilled, I think the original police cert just has to be apostilled but double check that. No need to do anything with your transcripts, leave them in the envelope, my school never asked for them by I brought them anyway.

It took me just over 2 months to get everything together and get over here.

Football Friend · 12-01-2015 8:45pm

brianw1 wrote: »

The degree copy has to be notarized and apostilled, I think the original police cert just has to be apostilled but double check that. No need to do anything with your transcripts, leave them in the envelope, my school never asked for them by I brought them anyway.

It took me just over 2 months to get everything together and get over here.

Thanks Brian, I'll double check it anyway. I'm in contact with a recruiter at the minute so hopefully something comes up soon. Just want to have a date now and get going.
How did you find the teaching in general or had you experience teaching before you went out?

TeacherforHire · 13-01-2015 1:03pm

How do you get your degree and Guardai cert 'appostilled' ? How much does it cost and how long does it take?

I've heard that it costs forty euro :O

brianw1 · 14-01-2015 11:17pm

The department of foreign affairs do it, they are in Dublin and Cork. You can go in person or it takes 2-3 weeks by post. It costs 40eur per document, so 80 in total.

https://www.dfa.ie/travel/our-services/authenticating-documents/

I came to Busan last June straight out of uni and no experience. The teaching in general is really good. I know all of my students well and class doesn't really feel like class, just good banter. What I'd say is to try multiple recruiters and don't take a lowball job offer. My job is for 7 hours a day afternoon shift at 2.1mil, but there so many jobs on dave's/facebook that are 9-10 hours a day for the same money. Wait until you get a good offer and don't rush it. Try OK Recruiting, they are good ^^

Football Friend · 15-01-2015 8:16pm

brianw1 wrote: »

The department of foreign affairs do it, they are in Dublin and Cork. You can go in person or it takes 2-3 weeks by post. It costs 40eur per document, so 80 in total.

https://www.dfa.ie/travel/our-services/authenticating-documents/

I came to Busan last June straight out of uni and no experience. The teaching in general is really good. I know all of my students well and class doesn't really feel like class, just good banter. What I'd say is to try multiple recruiters and don't take a lowball job offer. My job is for 7 hours a day afternoon shift at 2.1mil, but there so many jobs on dave's/facebook that are 9-10 hours a day for the same money. Wait until you get a good offer and don't rush it. Try OK Recruiting, they are good ^^

Hey Brian. I'm actually talking to ok recrutment at the minute as I saw a lot of good reviews for them online. Was talking to Bonnie the other day on Skype so hopefully be sorted in the next week or so.

With the apostille did you have to make an appointment to get it done or do you just turn up and queue. Also you only got 2 documents done. I thought I needed 3? Two copies of the degree and the garda clearance cert?

kaji · 15-01-2015 10:40pm

Should I apply for a public school job or just go for a hagwon? I really want/need Seoul as I know 2 people living there.

Tefl in South Korea

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