Teaching ESL in South Korea 101
So you have decided you want to go teach in South Korea, here is a step by step guide in securing your first gig.
These two sites will serve as your life-line to everything ESL in Korea
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea
http://waygook.org
*To even be eligible you must be from a native english speaking country and have a 4 year college degree*
1) Apply for your FBI Criminal Background Check
This is the absolute first thing you need to do as it take the longest amount of time. (4-8 weeks)
This is the FBI's page on the criminal background check
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks
Here is the actual application you need to fill out and mail to them.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/backgro...ation-form
After that you need to go to your local police / sheriff's office and get your fingerprints done.
Now you will be ready to mail off your application.
*IMPORTANT*
Include a note saying you need the official seal of authentication for apostille (Korea).
Go ahead and get TWO copies.
2) Prepare your resume, get your diploma, and take a professional shoulder up picture. The picture is CRUCIAL. Id recommend a button up with a black blazer. SMILE. You will have to email your resume and picture to recruiters.
3) Start doing research and decide where you want to live. To be honest there is only two options for a young single guy. Thats Seoul and Busan. Seoul is like the New York of Korea. It has the most women, and the best nightlife. Weather and air pollution is not that great. Busan is considered the west coast of Korea. A sort of more laid back Cali vibe going on. It has the beach and the mountains in the back drop. Good nightlife, cheap seafood, lots of outdoor activities. It is not as big as Seoul but with over 4 million people that shouldnt be an issue. You can make more money starting out in Seoul, but I think the deciding factor is whether or not you like/want to live at the beach.
4) Next you need to decide what type of school you want to work at. As a NET (New English Teacher) you generally have two options. Hagwons and Public Schools. Hagwons are private English Language Institutes. Small class sizes. Generally at night. Public School are large classes with a regular 8-5 schedule. Id recommend a Hagwon, for a newb as they usually assist you more in the teaching and you will have other foreign teachers working with you. Most public schools only have one foreign teacher, so making friends can be an issue sometimes.
5) Start getting in contact with recruiters. Recruiters will be your link for getting a job in Korea and communicating with prospective schools. Many people will be like who should I use and if they are good ect. They are all the same. You need to contact as many as possible because the more you contact the more jobs you will have available to you. If you decide to go the public school route you should only use one recruiter, because they have been known to disqualify you from the running. I will say this in regards to recruiters, find recruiters that specialize in the city you want to teach. I found two in Busan that had TONS of jobs. Tell them what you want. Pay, hours, location, ect. Average starting pay is 2.1 mil won but you can easily find jobs for 2.2 and 2.3 mil won. DONT work any stupid hours, I recommend finding a job that is 5 hours a day teaching 6 total. 7 hours max. Do not agree to work any job that is 8-10 hours a day for the normal starting wage. They will tell you bullshit lies to try and get you to take jobs outside of the main 2 cities as they are harder to fill. Dont listen to that rubbish. Tell them you know there is plenty of jobs in Seoul and Busan and that if they cant find you a job than you will find another recruiter.
* Interviewing Tip *
They will ask you why you want to teach in Korea. This is the PROPER answer.
"I LOVE teaching and working with kids"
5) The offers will start rolling in. You must go over the contracts in detail making sure they are up to par ie include national healthcare, pension, severance, exact working schedule and max hours per week. The standard 10 vacation days. If something isnt in the contract tell the recruiter and alot of times she will have the school rewrite it and get it in writing.
6) After finding a contract that meets all your requirements You need to ask to speak to a current and/or former teacher. Get their email and then put that in facebook to make sure they are a real person. Best to get their number and speak to them over the phone. Ask about the working conditions, if the pay is on time, ask about the apartment (make them send you pictures).
7) After speaking to people that work there and no red flags arise then email the recruiter and say you will accept the position. Next step is mailing off all your documents to the recruiter. They will then apply for a visa pin number which you will use to apply for your actual E-2 working visa. Takes about a week for them to get the number.
8) Now that you have the visa pin number its time to finally apply for your actual visa. First thing is to find out which Korean Consulate handles your state. Look here for that.
http://www.asia-pacific-connections.com/...fices.html
After than you need to arrange all the documents to mail off to them.
Which is as follows...
One official transcript OR a notarized copy of your diploma
Visa confirmation number
Copy of employment contract (does not need to be signed by the employer)
Completed Visa Application
Completed Consul Checklist
Completed Health Statement
One passport size photo
Passport- YOU MUST SEND YOUR ACTUAL PASSPORT. THE VISA ISSUING OFFICER MUST STAMP DIRECTLY IN TO THE PASSPORT.
$45 (cash or money orders only made payable to Korean Consulate. Personal checks are NOT acceptable)
Resume detailing your work/teaching experience including all experience in Korea
Postage paid self-addressed Express Mail (USPS) or FedEx envelope for return of your documents & visa- (if you are picking up your visa then you do not need to send the envelope)
Mailing in Your Required Documents
You must send a pre-paid self-addressed express mail (USPS) or FedEx envelope for return of your documents. We will not accept FedEx envelopes that have the credit card information written in; they must be pre-paid
All documents must be sent via express mail or any other service that can be tracked. Plain envelopes with stamps are not acceptable.
If you plan to pick up your visa, then you do not need to send the envelope.
Getting your passport & visa back take 4-7 days.
You are finally done and ready to board a plane!
Biggest advice I can give is to come with an OPEN mind. Go out and make friends. Join local city groups and clubs. Dont just hangout with other foreign teachers. Make Korean friends. Try to build a stable of women (korean & foreign chicks) Make the most of it, and have fun!
Hope this can help some of you cats looking to do the same thing. I think this covers everything. Feel free to ask me any questions!
So you have decided you want to go teach in South Korea, here is a step by step guide in securing your first gig.
These two sites will serve as your life-line to everything ESL in Korea
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea
http://waygook.org
*To even be eligible you must be from a native english speaking country and have a 4 year college degree*
1) Apply for your FBI Criminal Background Check
This is the absolute first thing you need to do as it take the longest amount of time. (4-8 weeks)
This is the FBI's page on the criminal background check
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks
Here is the actual application you need to fill out and mail to them.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/backgro...ation-form
After that you need to go to your local police / sheriff's office and get your fingerprints done.
Now you will be ready to mail off your application.
*IMPORTANT*
Include a note saying you need the official seal of authentication for apostille (Korea).
Go ahead and get TWO copies.
2) Prepare your resume, get your diploma, and take a professional shoulder up picture. The picture is CRUCIAL. Id recommend a button up with a black blazer. SMILE. You will have to email your resume and picture to recruiters.
3) Start doing research and decide where you want to live. To be honest there is only two options for a young single guy. Thats Seoul and Busan. Seoul is like the New York of Korea. It has the most women, and the best nightlife. Weather and air pollution is not that great. Busan is considered the west coast of Korea. A sort of more laid back Cali vibe going on. It has the beach and the mountains in the back drop. Good nightlife, cheap seafood, lots of outdoor activities. It is not as big as Seoul but with over 4 million people that shouldnt be an issue. You can make more money starting out in Seoul, but I think the deciding factor is whether or not you like/want to live at the beach.
4) Next you need to decide what type of school you want to work at. As a NET (New English Teacher) you generally have two options. Hagwons and Public Schools. Hagwons are private English Language Institutes. Small class sizes. Generally at night. Public School are large classes with a regular 8-5 schedule. Id recommend a Hagwon, for a newb as they usually assist you more in the teaching and you will have other foreign teachers working with you. Most public schools only have one foreign teacher, so making friends can be an issue sometimes.
5) Start getting in contact with recruiters. Recruiters will be your link for getting a job in Korea and communicating with prospective schools. Many people will be like who should I use and if they are good ect. They are all the same. You need to contact as many as possible because the more you contact the more jobs you will have available to you. If you decide to go the public school route you should only use one recruiter, because they have been known to disqualify you from the running. I will say this in regards to recruiters, find recruiters that specialize in the city you want to teach. I found two in Busan that had TONS of jobs. Tell them what you want. Pay, hours, location, ect. Average starting pay is 2.1 mil won but you can easily find jobs for 2.2 and 2.3 mil won. DONT work any stupid hours, I recommend finding a job that is 5 hours a day teaching 6 total. 7 hours max. Do not agree to work any job that is 8-10 hours a day for the normal starting wage. They will tell you bullshit lies to try and get you to take jobs outside of the main 2 cities as they are harder to fill. Dont listen to that rubbish. Tell them you know there is plenty of jobs in Seoul and Busan and that if they cant find you a job than you will find another recruiter.
* Interviewing Tip *
They will ask you why you want to teach in Korea. This is the PROPER answer.
"I LOVE teaching and working with kids"
5) The offers will start rolling in. You must go over the contracts in detail making sure they are up to par ie include national healthcare, pension, severance, exact working schedule and max hours per week. The standard 10 vacation days. If something isnt in the contract tell the recruiter and alot of times she will have the school rewrite it and get it in writing.
6) After finding a contract that meets all your requirements You need to ask to speak to a current and/or former teacher. Get their email and then put that in facebook to make sure they are a real person. Best to get their number and speak to them over the phone. Ask about the working conditions, if the pay is on time, ask about the apartment (make them send you pictures).
7) After speaking to people that work there and no red flags arise then email the recruiter and say you will accept the position. Next step is mailing off all your documents to the recruiter. They will then apply for a visa pin number which you will use to apply for your actual E-2 working visa. Takes about a week for them to get the number.
8) Now that you have the visa pin number its time to finally apply for your actual visa. First thing is to find out which Korean Consulate handles your state. Look here for that.
http://www.asia-pacific-connections.com/...fices.html
After than you need to arrange all the documents to mail off to them.
Which is as follows...
One official transcript OR a notarized copy of your diploma
Visa confirmation number
Copy of employment contract (does not need to be signed by the employer)
Completed Visa Application
Completed Consul Checklist
Completed Health Statement
One passport size photo
Passport- YOU MUST SEND YOUR ACTUAL PASSPORT. THE VISA ISSUING OFFICER MUST STAMP DIRECTLY IN TO THE PASSPORT.
$45 (cash or money orders only made payable to Korean Consulate. Personal checks are NOT acceptable)
Resume detailing your work/teaching experience including all experience in Korea
Postage paid self-addressed Express Mail (USPS) or FedEx envelope for return of your documents & visa- (if you are picking up your visa then you do not need to send the envelope)
Mailing in Your Required Documents
You must send a pre-paid self-addressed express mail (USPS) or FedEx envelope for return of your documents. We will not accept FedEx envelopes that have the credit card information written in; they must be pre-paid
All documents must be sent via express mail or any other service that can be tracked. Plain envelopes with stamps are not acceptable.
If you plan to pick up your visa, then you do not need to send the envelope.
Getting your passport & visa back take 4-7 days.
You are finally done and ready to board a plane!
Biggest advice I can give is to come with an OPEN mind. Go out and make friends. Join local city groups and clubs. Dont just hangout with other foreign teachers. Make Korean friends. Try to build a stable of women (korean & foreign chicks) Make the most of it, and have fun!
Hope this can help some of you cats looking to do the same thing. I think this covers everything. Feel free to ask me any questions!