Int'l ESL Gateways
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Common Questions about the hiring process
How do I apply for a job? It's easy! There are many jobs throughout S.Korea and we have access to many of the schools. Please send your resume and photo to my email and fill out our teacher's application form I will get back to you ASAP. We will look over your resume and see if you are a good candidate for that job. If you don't see a job you don't like, apply anyway, because there are many jobs that are not listed. We usually have 100's of job openings throughout the year. What qualifications do I need? Most teaching positions require a bachelors degree and that your nationality has to be one of the following; Canadian, American, Irish, Scottish, British, South African, Aussie or Kiwi. What is the interview process like? If we feel you are a good candidate for the job. We will submit your resume and photo to the school and they will reply with an answer within a day or two. If they like your qualifications and how you present yourself, then they will ask for a time to set up an interview. We will contact you and set up the time for an interview between you and the school. Once you have been interviewed, we will talk to the school about your application. If they want to hire you, then we will send you a contract for you to sign. If they don't want to hire you, then we will continue searching for a job that will best suit your qualifications. How long will it take before I find a job? In some cases, the process is very quick and you will be going to S.Korea in a week. In other cases, the process can take longer and will take up to 6 months. Depending on your qualifications, preferences and situation it can vary from person to person. South Korea is not like any other country you have experienced and so like any country it has it own nuances. Negotiating contracts takes time and ensures that Teacher and Director are not disillusioned when they meet. How do I know I am not being scammed by a lousy contract? We have gone through extra pre-cautions to make sure you are not dumped in a lousy school. Korea is notorious for its reputation of lying and cheating teachers out of their pay and benefits. We are well aware of this and want to make sure you are not trapped by these nasty people. So there are things you should know before you sign a contract. We also suggest that you do your own research and check the reputation of the schools and hakwons that you are applying to. If I feel that the school is good, but doesn't uphold of the conditions held by Korean law. I will definitely tell you of the existing conditions, because if I treat you right, then hopefully you will tell your friends about my services. Right? Each contract should offer you the following, Salary, (Paid on the 1st of the following month) We also pre-screen schools and look up information on the web. We will also supply you with emails and/or phone numbers of the teachers that work at the schools. What do I do after I am accepted for a Private School position? The visa process is a two step procedure. First immigration must issue your visa issuance number. Once you have your visa issuance number then you can apply for your visa. To apply for you Visa Issuance number, you have to submit to your school the following documentation. New E2 guidelines, Dec 1st, 2007 -Your resume, The school will take your documents to immigration and will apply for your visa issuance number. This should take 1 to 7 days, depending on where your school is located. Generally, schools in Seoul will take longer than schools in rural areas. Once immigration has processed your application, your visa issuance number will be emailed to you. You will then have to go to your Korean consulate and apply for your visa. You will need your passport, passport photos, your degree and whatever your Korean consulate asks you to bring. There will be a fee for your visa, so make sure you check to see how much it will be. This should take 1 to 7 days, depending on the office. Once you have your visa, you can now enter Korea. If you are running out of time, then you can enter S.Korea on a visitor visa. Your visitor visa length is dependent upon your nationality. Once in S.Korea you can apply for your visa issuance number with your school. Once your application is processed, your visa number is issued and then you can take a trip out of the country to Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, China or where ever there is a Korean consulate to get your visa. The process is generally the same as stated as before. What do I do after I am accepted for a Public School position? The same as the above, but you will have to do a few more things. In the meantime, while you are sending your documents off to South Korea for your visa issuance number, you will need to have a criminal and medical check. We have the procedures needed to help you with your checks. Why does my degree have to be notarized? It has to be notarized by the consulate because of all the scams that are going on with fake degrees. If you send your original degree, you will get it back. So far, there is an hundred percent success rate for sending back the original degree. By doing so, it speeds up the whole process. If you still feel uncomfortable sending your original degree, then go ahead and notarize it while trying to find a job. When you do notarize your degree make sure you send the right information with your degree so that you are not waiting for it to be notarized. Check with your local consulate to see what you have to do to notarize it. I have been looking up flights and am going to book one tomorrow. I wanted to make sure that Incheon airport was the one I wanted (there's also one called Gimpo?) In some instances, the school will pay for your flight to the school. Throughout the airport, there are information booths that will help you with any questions you might have. They speak excellent English. When I arrive, will there be someone there to get me or do I have to figure out how to get a bus/Taxi, etc.? Yes, someone will be waiting at the airport to help you on the right bus/taxi. Korea is very modern and has signs in English and in Korean to guide you on your way. There are also help desks with people who can speak English. When I arrive, can I work right away? No! You should first go to immigration and apply for an alien card. Here is a list of Korean immigration offices in S.Korea. You should also register with your embassy so that you will be looked after in an emergency. There are also events and groups that your embassies can help you get connected to. Alien Registration Information The following is information for completing the work permit process. The third and final stage involves applying for an alien registration card (ARC). An alien registration card is required for such matters as opening a bank account, signing a lease, and applying for a driver’s license. Also, you should carry your ARC with you at all times as your form of ID in Korea. Application for Alien Registration: http://www.moj.go.kr/immi/08_english/01_introduction/immi_f.html Multiple-entry Status Application: http://www.moj.go.kr/immi/08_english/01_introduction/immi_f.html What if I don't have my E2 Visa? Then you will have to enter the country on a tourist visa and then you will have to receive you visa number from your school and then make a trip to fukuoka, Japan. Depending on your country, you will have different lengths of tourist visas that you will be able to apply for when you enter S.Korea. You can either fly to Fukuoka, Japan from Seoul/Busan or take a ferry to Fukuoka. You can also go to Osaka and many other places. Please click here for visa information. If you don't have an E2 visa and plan on entering the S.Korea, you will be required to have an outgoing ticket to another country. What are your services after I arrive in S.Korea? Since we are located in Vancouver and have associated business in South Korea, we are able to serve your needs in North America and over in South Korea. Our services include, 1. Helping you gain information on South Korea, 2. Finding a suitable job that is in line with you needs, 3. Negotiating on your behalf for better benefits, 4. Helping you with the visa process, 5. Pick up from the Airport and transport to the job or help to find the proper location all depending on where you are working. 6. Liason with the school and you. We will be there to help you if you have any problems in the middle of your contract. 7. Send information updates throughout the school year regarding restaurants, cafes and shopping. 8. Keep you informed of any concerts or events occuring throughout the year. Ok, where do I sign up? Easy! All you need to do is email us your resume and photo, fill out our online application and then get ready for an adventure of a lifetime! |
Teaching Tips 1
Teaching Tips 2
How to organize yourself
Eating in South Korea
Namdaemun...Korea's largest market
Hiking in South Korea
First day of work in South Korea
Traditional village in South Korea
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What is the school system like?
When does the school year start?
Public schools start in March and September and Private schools run throughout the year.
What type of curriculum do the schools teach?
Public schools and Private schools will use a variety of curriculum. The public schools are on EPIK/GEPIK system and the private schools will use anything from Let's go to Gogo loves English.
Here are some good websites to find useful information.
- Very good situational vocabulary. For example: comedy, movies
- Reading room - gives links to 22 English newspapers, as well as 30 online books
- 28 lesson plans on verb tenses
- Has a massive database of grammar usage
- For $15 US you can download the Grammar E-book (240 pages) and for $7 US more you can get 100 exercises and a writing and punctuation section
- Contains lesson plans, handouts and an online quiz section (Great for lesson planning inspiration)
- Articles on teaching ESL and forums to discuss teaching ESL
How long are the contracts?
Most contracts are for a year. Schools do offer 1, 3 and 6 month contracts, but these are usually the exception rather than the rule. Schools will generally give preference to those who want a year contract over a 6 month contract. So it might take a few months to find a school that accepts your application.
How long is a school year?
The school year goes for 12 months with 2 weeks of vacation for the private schools and 3 to 8 weeks for the public schools.
When are the hiring seasons?
Hiring seasons for Private schools go throughout the year. There are usually four major hiring seasons and they are March, June, September and December. However, hiring goes on throughout the year.
For Public schools the main hiring seasons are March and September.
What is the difference between Public schools and Hakwons?
Most public schools offer more vacation days and less teaching hours. Usually around 14 days of vacation and around 22 teaching hours per week. You also have more assurance that you will be paid on a regular basis and won't be messed around with your contract. However, you can be teaching anywhere from 20 to 40 students and you have no idea of who your co-worker is going to be.
Public school jobs can be great, with some good benefits and vacation time that could rival University vacations, but you have to be very flexible and able to develop a natural affinity with Koreans that you meet.
Public schools are the safer bet, but private schools can offer you great incentives and bonuses after a few years of employment.
What is the difference for working at Central Public School vs a Rural Public School
The advantages of Suburbs vs rural
Suburbs
1. On the subway line
2. Bigger cities, more things to do,
3. More foreigners,
Rural areas,
1. Cheaper,
2. Better pay, (Salary increases by 100,000 won)
3. More vacation, (5 days per year)
4. More appreciated, schools in rural areas are more appreciative of teachers working there
5. Children are more well behaved,
6. Apartments are generally nicer,
7. Better training period, (My main contact will be doing the training You will be getting trained by a professional)
Requirements for working a Public School
•Applicants must be a citizen of one of the seven major English speaking countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and South Africa.
*Applicants from non-English backgrounds - either a citizen or a legal resident of one of the six major English speaking countries - must have studied from junior high school level and resided for at least 10 years in one of the six major English speaking countries. (If you are a male citizen of the Republic of Korea under the age of 35, you must have either completed mandatory military service or have received an official waiver.)
•Have a good command of the English language and have the ability and willingness to adapt to Korean culture and living.
Remuneration for the Public Schools
(Gyeonggi-do) (Central Seoul and Busan) (Rural positions)
- A Teacher's Certificate, for Elementary or Secondary school, with at least two years of full time teaching experience at accredited institutions or a Teacher's Certificate with 100 weeks experience with EPIK.
- A TESOL/TEFL Certificate comprised of a minimum of 100 course hours with at least two years of full time teaching experience at accredited institutions or a TESOL/TEFL Certificate comprised of a minimum of 100 course hours with 100 weeks experience with EPIK .
-A Master's degree with at least two years full time teaching experience at accredited institutions or a Master's degree with 100 weeks experience with EPIK.
-A Teacher's certificate for Elementary or Secondary School.
-A TESOL/TEFL Certificate comprised of a minimum of 100 course hours.
-A Master's degree.
-A Bachelor's degree with at least one year of full time English teaching experience at accredited institutions or a Bachelor's degree with 50 weeks experience with EPIK
-A third Level ELI must have at least 3 years of BA / BS degree
Contract Term and other conditions
The contract term is 52 weeks (One Year)
Employee shall work 8 hours per day for 5 calendar days per week from Monday to Friday and shall not work on Saturdays, Sundays and national Holidays (approx. 14 days) of the Republic of Korea. The work hours of employee may follow the normal work schedule of Korean teachers.
Actual class instruction hours of employee shall not exceed 22hours per week. (If exceeded, employee shall be entitled to a supplementary class instruction pay at the rate of 20,000 ~ 25,000 won per hour and if they work over time)
BENEFITS
Accommodation
Employer shall provide each employee with a place to stay a single housing with a bedroom and a bath room, Employee shall also be offered a closet, kitchenware, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a TV set and some basic furniture.
Any and all fees, charges, costs, taxes, expenses, etc. incurred in using the apartment shall be borne by Employee. Employee shall pay 300,000 won for 3 times as a security deposit (The security deposit will be returned to the Employee at the end of the Contract)
Airfare
The air-fare for Employee's flight to Korea shall be provided by Employer based on an economy class air-fare of the most direct flight available from his/her permanent residence to Incheon Airport. In case of a renewal, most direct flight available from Incheon to Employee's home, and back, excluding domestic airline will be provided.
Employee resigning within the first 6 months of the current contract is responsible for returning the airfare.
Vacation and Paid Leaves
- Paid leaves: 14 days - Anytime if not affecting vacation programs at the school under the permission of the employer. 19 days with rural public jobs.
- Special leaves : Employee may take a Special Leave for a number of days(inclusive of a National Holiday, Saturday and Sunday) as set forth below for each of the following events;
Seven (7) calendar days for Employee's marriage.
Seven (7) calendar days for the death of Employee's parent or spouse; three (3) calendar days for the death of
Employee's child.
- Sick leaves: 15 calendar days per contract (If more than 3days, medical report is required / more than 15days- non-paid leave)
Tax Exemption
All participants, except Canadians, will be exempt from paying Korean income tax for the first two years. Successful candidates must bring their “Residential TAX certificate” which verifies they are paying taxes at their own country. Canadian participants will be responsible for approximately 2-4% of their income as Korean income tax depending on the level of employment, since there is no tax treaty between Canada and Korea.
Other Benefits
(1) A settlement allowance of 300,000 Korean won will be provided for the first year.
(2) Half of the Medical insurance, which is approximately 2% of employee's salary, will be paid for by the employer. Medical insurance will allow you to get medical attention and prescribed medication at a fraction of a cost.
(3) Pension fund is a payment implemented by the government to protect the employee in case of a tragedy or retirement which are the only cases the money is refunded to the employee. This fund is comprised of 4.5% borne by the employer the GMOE, and another 4.5% payment borne by the employee, deducted from monthly pay.
(4) Return airfare will be provided when completing the contract. Round trip airfare for visiting their home country (not exceeding two weeks) will be provided for employees who renew their contract.
(5) Employer shall pay employer 30 calendar days’ average wage as a severance pay when you complete the one year contract.
(5) All the other working condition not mentioned will be same as EPIK (English Program in Korea run by Ministry of Education)
Required documents
All applicants will be required to send in :
▶ A completed application form,
▶ Personal essay (cover letter),
▶ Medical form (Self Evaluation) and an Official Medical Report
▶ Two reference letters,
▶ Diploma & Transcript copies,
▶ A passport copy (photo page).
▶If applicable: Teaching Certificate Copies
▶If applicable: Teaching Experience Proof
▶ A copy of Citizenship or a copy of legal residence certificate (For ethically Korean foreigner)
Information on living in South Korea
Books
Have you bought any books on South Korea? If not, I do have a book store if you would like to find something on S.Korea. My info page will only give an overview on the inner workings of South Korea. To really familarize yourself with the country and the people buy S.Korea, by Lonely Traveller.
Why would I choose South Korea?
In the land of paradoxes, South Korea offers an amazing amount of diversity within such a small land mass. South Korea has gone through rapid changes in the last 100 hundred years and it's old traditions are now meeting with technological innovation. One can easily see a elderly man, ajoshi, cruising on the street with a tractor while in the midst of skyscrappers. There are also many fields of rice patties with old ladies, ajummas, packing hay on their backs while a lexus roars by. With many young students enjoying the North American culture, many South Korean traditions are being lost in the shuffle. If there was ever a time to still see what Korea once was, then this would be it. South Korea is quickly becoming one of the world's most advanced economies and supplies a wealth of knowledge to its neighbors. Anywhere you go, you will be able to find PC cafes and wireless internet with kimchi abound! Construction is booming with many sites having 10 to 20 tower cranes building their towers. Learn more about S.Korea through this website; Life in Korea.
I don't know where to live?
Check out our map on S.Korea. For some people, this isn't a question, because they have already decided on where to live. For most foreigners, living in Seoul is an obvious choice. From the markets of Dongdaemun to the cafes of Gangnam, there are always great choices for entertainment and relaxation. Whereas, others are more undecided and don't want to live in the big city, so they want to know more about the country before choosing.
When you arrive in South Korea, one of the first things your employer should do is bring you to immigration for your alien card. You will need to purchase travel insurance before heading out. Make sure your travel insurance covers your flight and at least one month into your contract. Once you have your alien card, then they should submit your number to the health insurance board so that you will be under their medical plan.
HOWEVER, and this is a big however, their medical will not cover you for all accidents outside of your workplace. So, if you break your arm skiing or find yourself in a car accident then you might have to foot the bill. Make sure you are aware of what your medical covers. Fortunately, South Korea's medical system is very modern and inexpensive so you won't be looking at a hefty bill for short term stays in the hospital. If you find yourself in a big accident, then your bills could start to become pricey so look at medical plans that will cover you in the case of an emergency. Check into your medical clause in your Korean National Health Insurance and make sure you are covered.
It is not uncommon for people who choose to live in a foreign country to have difficulties regarding health in the initial stages while their bodies are adapting to a new climate, diet, and way of life. It is therefore strongly recommended that all teachers purchase travelers/health insurance for a minimum of 1 month to cover all emergencies. Health care is extremely cheap in S.Korea relative to most Western countries. Health care in S.Korea also meets a relatively high standard. Basic services such as medication and doctor visits are very inexpensive. Basic health insurance is obtainable through various organizations such as BUPA, AIA, WHO, or MD Travel Health. The Website of the National Health Insurance Corporation for South Korea is www.nhic.or.kr and the Telephone is : 1588-1125 For foreigners : 02)3270-9836~9
Medication
Are you taking any medication? Make sure that you are well supplied with your prescription drugs. Tylenol is hard to get in S.Korea, you should try to bring some. Health issues and the quality of the medical care vary significantly depending on whether you stay in Seoul or venture into rural areas. One of my teachers has his doctor mail his drugs to him. Check into this before you go!
Travellers tend to worry about contracting infectious diseases whilst abroad, but infections are a rare cause of serious illness or death whilst overseas. Pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease, and accidental injury (especially those from traffic accidents) account for most of the life threatening problems. Becoming ill in some way, however, is relatively common. Fortunately, most common illnesses can either be prevented with some common-sesnse behaviour or be treated easily with a well-stocked traveller's medical kit.
Most people don't, but look into it so you will know. WHO gives a list of required and recommended vaccinations. The CDC also has good information on what to look out for.
Your apartment should be no smaller than 11 pyeong. (One pyeong is equal to 3.3 square meters (35.59 square feet). If it is smaller than that, then look up information on how to live like a hobbit. Seriously, sometimes your school will try to fit you into a hole, with a noraebang (karaoke) downstairs and with cockroaches upstairs. Make sure you see pictures of your apartment or at the very least ask one of the teachers to tell you what your apartment is going to look like. Also, make sure that your air-conditioner is the right size for your apartment and that it sufficiently cools it down. S.Korea is hot and it is almost impossible to sleep without airconditioning so make sure your apartment has one. Don't get stuck in a situation like this dude!
Travelling outside of South Korea while living in the country.
With travelling outside of the country, it is very easy if you live in Seoul or Busan. If you live in Jeonju or any other city outside of Seoul and Busan then you will have to travel 3 to 4 hours on a bus to the international airport. Travelling by bus in S.Korea is very comfortable and inexpensive. It will cost you 25 dollars to travel to the international airport from Jeonju. If you lived in Seoul or Busan then it would only take 30 mins to 1.5 hours to the airport. Seoul and Busan are huge cities, so it all depends on where you are placed. Living in South Korea is great for travelling to other countries, because they offer great discounts to places like Thailand, Vietnam and China. My friend, when he was finished his contract travelled to Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Russia and Europe for cheap. If you want details on how to do that, I will be able to help you with that.
If you are planning on leaving South Korea to travel to other countries, you will need a multi-visa when applying for you alien card. When you get your alien card, you can request which one you want. A multi visa allows you trips into and out of the country while a single visa doesn't. You will have to buy a visa every time you want to leave. Do you want a good travel agent while you are in S.Korea? Check out Kangsan Travel!
Safety
Register with your Embassy when you arrive in S.Korea, so they will be able to contact you in the case of an emergency. Whether it is Kim Jong il (North Korean Dictator) or Sars, you want to be able to get out of the country quick if an emergency arises.
Don't get me wrong, S.Korea is really safe, but there are two things I would like to point out. Make sure you (girls) don't travel alone at night in a taxi. I don't want to scare you, but taxi drivers in Korea are not the safest people. Also, some foreigners in Korea are really creepy so just be wise with giving your number out. The police in S.Korea don't act like they do in America/Canada giving preference to their own nationalities.
Clothes
Will you be happy with their styles or should you bring enough to last you a year. Korean women are quite petite so consider this when thinking about what to bring. Usually, if you are over a size 8, you will have a difficult time finding something to wear. The same thing with men, if you are over a large, then you will find it difficult to buy clothes in South Korea.
For women, I would suggest being just a bit more conservative that you might be at home. Modesty is a good thing for a western girl in Korea. I think it's possible to look modest, classy and sexy at the same time. Bring a couple of fun things for when you go out with the other foreigners. Make sure you bring enough shoes with you when you go.
For guys, the same principle applies here as with women. S.Korea and most countries that are Asia are more conservative and so look down on revealing attire. One time, we were swimming at a very popular waterfalls and the security guards ignored all of the drinking Koreans to point out my skinless top. It's ok to get blasted at the falls, just make sure you are swimming with a shirt on. ha.
Anyway, if you are over medium size, you might have a hard time finding clothes in S.Korea. Therefore bring extras of everything and make sure you have shoes that will be good for a year. Otherwise you will have your moma shipping you stuff throughout the year.
Electrical Power in Korea is 220 volt
All of your things like hairblowers, curlers and so on won't work, because they are 110 volt. Either buy new appliances in S.Korea or bring a transformer with you than can convert 220V to 110V. Here is a guide to all of the power sources in the WORLD!
Foods
Are there any special foods that you like? Because it is hard to buy spices and speciality foods in Korea. Make sure you bring along spices and an assortment of food that you like. Korea is very restrictive on its trade policies so it is difficult to find some of our regular dietary foods from North America. Vegetarians have a tough time making it in S.Korea.
If you are interested in finding out more about South Korean cuisine, I suggest you check out Zen Kimchi's blog!
Banking
Check your ATM card for the Maestro/Cirrus/Plus emblems. If you have that, you should be safe, but you can only access/withdraw during KOREAN banking hours. If your card is in iffy shape, stop by your bank and get an extra card.
KB (Kook-min Bank) has CIrrus/Plus emblems on the back; and can be used outside of the country - even at BoA machines in Austin, Texas, during Christmas time. KB's policy is that you can use them anywhere on the Cirrus/Plus link.
Extras
You can't find bed sheets in Korea, so bring some along. Find out before hand, how big your bed is going to be. In most cases, it will be a single, but you might as well check to find out if you are one of the lucky ones.
Religion
S.Korea is a fascinating place to go to for seeing different religions.
Changing the locks on your doors
Many foreigners report having their stuff stolen, so I recommend that you change the locks to your doors. I would bring this up in the interview process to make sure that they don't mind doing this right away. Otherwise, you might have a problem when you get there.
WHY TEACH IN SOUTH KOREA?
People who work overseas and come back have a greater chance at success in the global market. Employers recognize that people who travel overseas are able to think outside of North American cultural norms.
SALARY
Most jobs are very well paying. You can make 2.0 Mil won to 3.0 Mil won per month. When you convert that, it comes out to 2000 thousand dollars to 3000 US dollars. Most jobs usually go for 2.0 to 3.0 mil Won, but in some cases you can make as high as 4.0 Mil Won.
BENEFITS
The benefits are awesome. All jobs in South Korea pay for you airflight to and from the country. You receive medical (you have to pay ~100 bucks a month), pension, your own free apartment, a months severance pay at the end of your contract and other bonuses.
INFLUENCE CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
You get to work with kids and influence lives with your character and integrity. At the end of your job, if you have invested in these kids lives with love, you will have friends for life.
EXPLORE NEW CULTURES
Get to see another culture and travel for free. I have a friend, Paul http://www.myspace.com/pspangler, who worked in South Korea and travelled to Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Russia, Europe, Canada and is currently in America. Travelling out of South Korea is cheap and is easily available for those who love to travel. You have great access to many nations because of your location.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
International experience opens up great opportunities when you get back to your home country. What a great way to invest in your future, by going to another culture and learning another way of life.
CONTACT INFO
Are you interested in teaching English in South Korea? If you are interested in a great experience and learning about other cultures, we are here to help you with that life changing move!
