Imagine waking up to your alarm clock, but instead of turning it off right away- you take a moment to picture your family back home getting ready to sit down for dinner. The sun illuminates your room as you get out of bed, enjoy a big stretch and breathe in your new life in South Korea. Outside your window is one of Korea’s breathtaking mountains, which is perfect because you’re just about to get onto your motorbike and cruise the countryside, rolling alongside rice paddies and chili patches, slipping through little fishing villages and getting lost in your endless freedom. As you can see, I had the time of my life in Korea.
I started thinking of teaching overseas in Asia my first year of university, and by the time I graduated, I had only talked myself further into it. It looked like a great opportunity to get a feel for teaching before committing myself to teachers college-and more importantly, for me at least, was to start seeing the world. So if you are sitting there, thinking that you know you do not want to settle down at a job just yet, or you really don’t know what you want to do, maybe this will help get your mind flowing.
There are many countries that are looking for English teachers; China, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand are among some of the most popular. Since I have only taught in Korea- I will help you go through the process of finding a teaching position and filling you in on what to look for, while shedding light on what you should expect. So come on, check it out.
Korea is a highly driven country, where school and education more often than not, come first- so do not be frightened to see children working harder than you ever did throughout school. It is their culture and it is what has made them one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Koreans work hard but they also know how to enjoy their time outside of work, and you can find a good number of South Korea’s 48 million filling one of its amusement parks on a sunny summer day, hiking the dormant volcano on Jeju Island, shopping at one of Korea’s extensive network of underground malls, painting their body at the annual Boryeong Mud Festival, rocking out at one of the Seoul’s free outdoor concerts, or eating at one of Korea’s famously spicy restaurant at four in the morning. Everything you dream and even things you haven’t, you will find in Korea.
You are probably wondering “how do I get around Korea when the only word I know is anyong-haseyo?” Well, I will let you in on a few tips that might make your life abroad a little easier.
Imagine a culture with a society based around perfecting skills, family gatherings, eating big meals and karaoke- you are going to meet a lot of smart, loving, hungry, fun people- but sometimes they might tend to be reserved, and it has a lot with their shyness towards speaking English, which is totally understandable. To make these Koreans feel more comfortable, it is helpful to initiate conversation and reinforce that you understand them clearly- and more often than not, you will end up at a local Korean barbeque at 3 in the morning, being dragged to the karaoke- you better not say no, or you will be missing out on a friend for life, and one hell of a good time.
A good percentage of the youth in Korea have a grasp on the English language, if they are not already fluent- so you are never too far from conversation. And remember, there is a huge underground of English teachers from all over the world- and you are all going through the same experience.
Ok, so assume that you have decided to go to Korea, and you have already researched the culture thoroughly. Now you are asking yourself “what do I need to do next?” Well you would have to find a school.
There are many websites to locate schools in South Korea: www.daveseslcafe.com, www.worknplay.com.kr, and www.englishspectrum.com are some of the best, and have thousands of recruiters or schools looking to hire someone like you, a university graduate. Semesters start in September and March, so there is always an increase of positions accordingly, but one-month winter and summer camps open up all the time- so there are always plenty of jobs to be had all year round.
With the abundance of jobs there is room to find the best school for you. Ask yourself the questions, do I want to work night classes or day? Teach small classes or big? Teach adults or children? Work Saturdays? And most importantly, which city in South Korea do I want to live in?
Another important question to be asking yourself, is what should I expect from your school? This is where I can help you. The standard expectations for a first time teacher are:
· roughly 2.0 to 2.3 million won/ month (2000 – 2300 Canadian dollars)
· house or housing allowance 400,000 won ( 400 Canadian dollars)
· roundtrip flight- return paid upon completion
· 10 days holiday + statutory holidays ( believe me there are many)
· Bonus month pay upon completion (2000-2300 dollars)
· Pension and medical coverage
I know it is a hard decision to just pick up and go, so you can help put yourself at ease by asking to speak to one of the foreign teachers at your school. They can give vital information as to whether the school is well run, if they pay on time, if they have a consistent schedule and most importantly if it is a fun environment.
Now that you have found a legitimate school, the business side becomes involved. Believe me this process can sometimes get frustrating, but do not let it deter you from teaching abroad- for the rewards are far greater than the hassle.
First, you will need to contact your university and order a sealed transcript ($8/each- it is good to order more than one if you plan on teaching for more than one year) it takes around 3 weeks to receive. Meanwhile, you can drive to the nearest police station that performs criminal checks and ask for the vulnerable sector search, tell them that you are going to teach English overseas and they will understand. This process takes 2 weeks and costs $40 and you can get as many copies sent, within reason.
Send the above two documents to your schools Korean address, along with your original diploma (order another original if yours is framed on the wall or magnetized to the fridge), 2 passport size photos, resume, and a copy of your schools contract signed. In as early as two weeks, your Korean contractor will send you a visa number that you need to bring to the Korean Consulate in Toronto, go to www.koreanconsulate.on.ca/en/ (click E-2 visa guidelines for complete instructions) to clearly see the specific details. If you live two hours away or further from Toronto, you can perform this step over the phone, rather than fighting your way through Toronto’s ferocious traffic.
Unfortunately, you do require making an appearance eventually when your visa sticker is available, you have to go to the Korean consulate and have your passport stamped with an E-2 visa- allowing you to teach English overseas for a one year period.
There are a few things to consider if you plan on travelling outside of Korea during your stay. You are going to need to ask for a multi- entry visa. It comes compulsory for Americans, but up here in Canada we need to request it and pay the small fee, which is totally worth it. Also, one more important reminder, make sure your passport does not expire while abroad. If have already booked your flight, show your electronic-conformation to the passport office and they can speed up the process, and if you are sweet enough try your luck at the Korean consulate.
That is it you are finished, nothing else to worry about, right? You have a new exciting job, which pays well and gives you the freedom to explore and meet new people. What else could you ask for? How about experience!
Unfortunately, I cannot give you experience; only time can give you that. But before you walk into a classroom filled with rambunctious kids or eager adults, it helps to have some ideas or knowledge to fall back on. Some schools have strict teaching guidelines. Some have books or a curriculum to follow. While others might give you complete freedom within the classroom- so it is a good idea to always be thinking of new teaching ideas that are fun and interesting. For help on teaching tips for all ages check out www.daveseslcafe.com.
Don’t forget, most contracts are for one year so think carefully while you pack. You will be able to find most products in Korea from English bookstores, McDonalds and silkworms, all the way down to Kraft Dinner- so you aren’t cut off from the world just yet. Also think about bringing a laptop to stay in touch with your family back home, and if you are of the fairer size like myself; bring some extra clothes and shoes- they really do go the extra mile.
Lastly, before you go and jump on a plane to Korea, I have to be cheesy for a second- so you have been forewarned. Everything I have mentioned prior is all well and good, but you need to know that the most important things to bring with you are good energy, a positive attitude and sense of adventure. There is nothing better than looking back on the year and noticing a difference in your student’s speech and gained comfort in the English vocabulary and who knows you might even learn a thing or two about yourself along the way- I sure did.
For those of you who are still wondering what anyong-haseyo means, it is a polite way of saying hello. So go spread the word. Happy travelling
No comments:
Post a Comment