I am a college graduate looking to work abroad as an ESL teacher, and am currently considering South Korea. Does anyone have any specific information--pros and cons, personal stories, areas/schools to avoid?? Any information is greatly appreciated.
2006-06-21 10:59:44 · 12 answers · asked by *USA Girl* 2 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Korea
I've been teaching English in Korea for 5 years and it has been good and bad. I moved to Seoul 2 years ago and things changed for the better, but the work got even more. My answer to your question is simple...it's what you make of it. If you are willing to embrace the Korean culture, you'll be ok. And let me tell you it is difficult at some times. Most foreigners here talk bad about Korea and so have I on occasion, but the bottomline is that this land created a chance for my kids to study whatever they want. People come up to me and ask if they can teach my kids the violin and stuff for free.
Then again if you are here to have a good time only...it's a great place to be for a year or so. Not for long. I know lots of my co-workers got so frustrated after 4 years cause they just couldn't party that much anymore. Every year promises new things. I got from teaching at a hakwon or English Institute to a Private School in 3 years and am currently at an Elementary School. But you can easily get a job at a university with only 2 years experience.
Koreans will never accept foreigners into their circle of trust, so don't even go there. Just do your job and get out over the weekends is what I suggest.
The people are xenophobic which mean they are afraid of foreigners. Some can be really good friends though.
The food is horrible and spicy, but really inexpensive at some places and sometimes worth having a bite. Beware of some meats. Keep to bulgogi houses for the time being and then move on to other restaurants or do as I did...eat McDonald's all week.
The traffic is crazy in Seoul and you can spend up to 20 000 won for a taxi one day and 5000 won the next day for the same distance. In other parts you don't even have to worry about traffic...the smaller towns.
The cost of living is HIGH, fruit and veggies are expensive, but one can survive once you know what to buy, how much of it to buy and when to buy. You can bargain..that's nice about Koreans.
Night Clubs are great but expensive. The karaoke rooms are a favorite among Koreans, but I like it too. Relatively cheaper but you pay lots for drinks and food there.
Have a good time in Korea and keep saying: "Korea number one" and you'll be loved by Koreans. Don't know what it means, but just try it I guarantee you'll be ok..
2006-06-21 14:49:17 · answer #1 · answered by Porgie 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Nice mix of answers on here...
First you might want to ask yourself 'Why Korea?' I'm only saying that because... it should be a place you genuinely want to go to.
I have had a fascination with Korea since I was 8 years old... so that was my basis for coming here, secondly I didnt come here to teach english....
Koreans have a tendency to leave everything till the last minute, nothing is terribly organised, so if you like to know every last detail, and are a stickler for time.... BEWARE haha. Plans and 'promises' can change at any time.
I havent had much experience with racism... worst I get is people assuming im American. Taxi drivers can tend to charge you double... so beware of that, and for simple reasons you really should learn some Korean.
I caught a taxi in a drunken state last weekend, and a simple 15 minute drive took 1 hour in the wrong direction and 2 times the price, I only had my exact taxi fare, as I was going abroad the next morning. Worked out ok though... we came to an understanding, hence the importance of attempting to learn the language.
They will think more highly of you if you do also, because there are too many foreigners in Korea who dont care, and dont bother to learn basics, and Koreans hate that.
Just always be aware of the fact that this isn't an english speaking country, and not everyone is going to appreciate you for being a native speaker. If you are a female smoker... keep it discreet.
Have fun!
Japan is close for holidays, and not living in Japan makes it such a great place to travel to. If not horribly expensive.
2006-06-24 16:43:41 · answer #2 · answered by kara_nari 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Korea has a lot of opportunities for ESL teachers. Research any job carefully, before agreeing to sign a contract. Some jobs are better than others. Try the links below for more information about working and living in Korea:
2006-06-22 04:15:22 · answer #3 · answered by simon_grim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I taught English (and a little Spanish) in Japan for six years. I visited Korea while I was over there.
I've heard some rough things about Korean language schools. There are chat boards and discussion forums for ESL teachers in Japan; there probably are some for Korea as well. Search it out on the Net, because then you can get in touch straight with ESL teachers working in Korea right now.
I've heard that the country is interesting and the students are great -- it's the people who run the schools who you should watch out for.
I've heard that they'll ask you to hand over your passport to them (which is probably illegal), and that they'll offer you a bonus at the end of the contract year -- only to make your life miserable toward the end so that you'll quit and thus forfeit the bonus.
Again, check out some discussion boards for ESL teachers. You should get a lot of info off there.
2006-06-21 14:25:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm not sure about short-term contracts in Korea, I've been looking for a job there myself recently, but there are definitly that sort of thing in Thailand if you'd consider going there instead. Thats where I am now. Here I work for a public school and have a 3.5 month contract. There are also other public schools with longer contracts that are closer to six months, and some private schools that are more like 8-9 months. I know its not exactly what you're looking for, but its still Asia and is a similar concept.
2016-05-20 09:41:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seoul could be the capital of Korea and it has over 600 years of history and you will learn it with hotelbye . Seoul is one's heart of Korea's tradition and education along with politics and economics. Seoul is house to many previous old web sites like Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces, and areas of old-fashioned tradition like Bukchon Hanok Village, Insa-dong, and Namdaemun Market. The buying and leisure districts of Myeongdong and Apgujeong, and Asia's greatest subterranean buying middle COEX Mall also pull a large number of tourists every year. In just one word, Seoul is unbelievable, is really a city worth visit.
2016-12-19 22:59:38 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Berlitz sucks!!! I used to work for them in Seoul. Don't do it. Not them.
Actually, I have taught in both Seoul, Korea and Japan. 9 out of 10 people who have taught in both countries prefer Japan. Broaden your thoughts.
If you truely like Korean culture then go for it. I just find the Koreans to be more rude than their Japanese counterparts. Seoul is a big dirty city. Tokyo is so much better. Seoul is just a caotic place to live.
2006-06-22 15:05:37 · answer #7 · answered by Adam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Japan is good too, did you consider japan?
www.gaijinpot.com
I hear Koreans are better at learning English though. Korea has good food, but from what I've heard (and may short visit to Seoul) Japan is more interesting.
2006-06-21 14:05:32 · answer #8 · answered by chigaimasu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seriously, Be yourself when you do come here Korea is an easy place to stuck in a rut. DONT COME SPONSERED! If you do htat then the compnaies sponsering will rip you off! Trust that. Also, Realize koreans are very racist. So White Females, from us, aus, GBR get the jobs first!
2006-06-21 14:57:14 · answer #9 · answered by Dylan 88 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dave's ESL cafe has tons of info:
http://www.eslcafe.com
2006-06-21 11:03:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋