I plan to go there next year to teach english. would love to hear of any experiences of teaching or living in Korea, or teaching english elsewhere in Asia, or TEFL in general. basically, if you think id like to hear your story please let me hear it! thanks a lot!
2007-12-08 03:12:38 · 4 answers · asked by minister one 2 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Korea
Hi there. South Korea is one of the highest paying countries if you're looking for a job teaching English in Asia. I arrived in Korea last year to teach for a well known hagwon (English academy) and have been having a great time earning good coin while learning about Korean culture. I'm currently making $40 an hour teaching elementary and middle school kids, more when I teach advanced level reading and writing classes that require grading of essays and discussion of literature. I recommend working for the well known companies here in Korea as the smaller, privately owned ones can be quite shady if you're not careful. A good place to ask questions about teaching English in Korea is www.iluvkorea.com. This is a site for foreigners living in Korea - the majority of them are here to teach English and there is a separate forum dedicated to ESL and TEFL.
Some hagwons I recommend include YBM, Pagoda, and CDI. I work for one of these 3 and have interviewed at all of them. I recommend choosing the hourly rate over the flat monthly salary because you'll make much more that way. Another plus is that hourly wages are taxed only at 3.3% compared to a near 7% for people on salary. The only downside to this is that you don't get a bonus, severance pay, and national health insurance. Most of the teachers at my hagwon are hourly and the ones who do want health insurance, including myself, pay around $55 a month. Not too shabby compared to the rates in the USA.
You're probably aware of the stricter laws S. Korea has recently put into effect for those wanting to be English teachers in Korea. You're going to need a criminal background check and a visa from your home country instead of the usual way of flying out to Japan for a visa run.
My hours are from 3pm to 10pm so my mornings are free which is great for me since I like to sleep in. I work 6 days a week including Saturdays, but this is done on a rotational basis with other people so you won't have to work on Saturdays every semester. Teaching can be fun but also tiring - mentally and physically. Be prepared for kids with behavior problems, problems communicating with members of the administrative staff, and being suddenly asked to teach a class you haven't been trained for at the last minute. Although I'm Korean by blood, there are certain cultural differences that I find annoying and inconsiderate. People expecting you to do things you never agreed to do in the first place is one example. All in all, I am enjoying my 3rd semester teaching in Korea and hope you will too!
2007-12-08 04:21:06 · answer #1 · answered by Elizabeth 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your best bet is to read over the articles and information at the link below. There are a lot of articles written by experienced teachers who can tell you what to watch out for.
2007-12-11 12:05:50 · answer #2 · answered by real_answers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can make the most money in Korea, but hagwon teachers don't make $40 an hour. You can get $40 and up teaching private lessons, however.
Most hagwon contracts are 1.8 to 2.5 million a month for 30 teaching hours a week. This is about $16 to $22 an hour.
For other countries, I would only recommend Japan and Taiwan if making money is one of your priorities.
You can check for jobs at this site:
www.eslcafe.com
Edit: Elizabeth, I'm well aware of what the financials look like at hagwons in Korea. You're way overstating what hagwon teachers make to someone who is trying to make a big life decision. I'm generalizing because in reality, it's what to expect. YBM and Pagoda don't pay teachers $40 an hour in LEGAL contracts: I was affiliated with YBM for two years and I've done consulting work for Pagoda. Can you get offers of $40 and up under the table? Of course.
If you're getting paid $40 an hour and up (as you say) that means a monthly salary of 4,800,000 won or higher. You must work for CDI, but I don't believe they generate revenue to pay teachers 4.8 million won a month. Elizabeth can you provide any job ads for English teachers paying 4.8 million a month? I don't think so.
I have two sources where there are many in the 1.8 to 2.5 million won range.
You're misleading minister one by exaggerating hagwon teachers salaries--- but everything else you wrote is true.
2007-12-08 22:29:46 · answer #3 · answered by Busan-man 6 · 2⤊ 5⤋
you will possibly choose a coaching degree to coach as for looking a job it is as much as the koreans and their choose to hire u. perhaps u might desire to write to the embassy there and locate out the advice u r searching for however the advice would be previous by ability of time u get out of faculty. perhaps u can write to your loved ones in korea and have them supply the letter to a instructor there to get the advice u choose. wish this permits
2016-10-01 03:39:03 · answer #4 · answered by lounsberry 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋