South Korea, I might be going there.

ManonvonSuperock

So when I finish up my bachelor's, I plan to do some English teaching somewhere. There is a local church here that is teaching me Korean, so I figure South Korea'll be the way to go. Basically, I want any info that'll help in that decision.

Sakebomb

Do you drink?
If not, stay far far away from Soju.
If you do drink....
Stay far far away from Soju

Casper

Come on Soju is not that bad, at least from what I can't remember about it.

TaGuelle

Korea is really easy to find decent paying placement. It's not Japan and already tapped and it's not Thailand in that it won't be able to pay a salary that won't make you cringe. I loved Korea when I was there but I'm a half-blood and so while that creates it's own stigmas in a societal way, my family is great. Korean society can be a little bewildering and it can be a little overwhelming at times, but they're a great people. Seoul is a massive city and the country side can be poor and rich. There was a great book that I read that hit the nail on the head about koreans, I'll look it up and tell you it later.

ManonvonSuperock

excellent, thank you.

TaGuelle

The Koreans by Michael Breen. A caveat about that book. The man that wrote it speaks Korean fluently and is married to a Korean. He has pretty much lived there for decades and has become a part of the society there. Good read though. Funny as hell at some points.

ManonvonSuperock

consider it bought.

Steel Angel

A friend from high school got stationed there a bit back. She tells me it is COLD. Be aware of climate differences and prepare for them.

TaGuelle

Also be prepared for it to be so hot you can't breath. Cold too.

poshniallo

If you ask a Korean waiter 'Is this spicy' and he/she answers 'Just a little bit...'

...Run.

ManonvonSuperock

I've been eating Korean food at the Church I've started going to, so the food should be no surprise to me.

MisterAlex

I'm actually leaving Canada to go teach over there at the end of August (In Incheon, though, not Seoul) - If you want, I can give you my impressions once I get there!

FinalSunset

I have a Korean friend who's planning to go to college there, so I thought it might be helpful if I asked him about your situation.

He said that most of the major English learning centers were filled to the brim with able teachers and suggested going for smaller learning centers where there tend to be plenty of jobs Also, according to him, there might be a bit of racism (unlikely though), and some people tend to be reluctant to interact with foreigners. Prices for housing have been rising quickly for the last decade, so a roommate would probably necessary in urban centers like Seoul. As for transportations, subways are usually packed and traffic can alternate between flowing and jammed in minutes. The only other piece of advice he offered was to never get in a fight (because they take it "to the limit"), but, that would be unlikely to occur with a foreigner.

I hope this is of some use.

ManonvonSuperock

Alex, sounds great.

I'm trying to avoid the more urban areas if possible.

TaGuelle

Don't go too rural or you'll find the Korean a little more difficult to understand and the society much harder to get into. A lot of people try and avoid other expats, while some seek them out and only speak English. It's always nice to grab a beer with someone who speaks your language when you're abroad, so I wouldn't suggest going so rural.

pinenut_canary

FinalSunset wrote: »

I have a Korean friend who's planning to go to college there, so I thought it might be helpful if I asked him about your situation.

He said that most of the major English learning centers were filled to the brim with able teachers and suggested going for smaller learning centers where there tend to be plenty of jobs Also, according to him, there might be a bit of racism (unlikely though), and some people tend to be reluctant to interact with foreigners. Prices for housing have been rising quickly for the last decade, so a roommate would probably necessary in urban centers like Seoul. As for transportations, subways are usually packed and traffic can alternate between flowing and jammed in minutes. The only other piece of advice he offered was to never get in a fight (because they take it "to the limit"), but, that would be unlikely to occur with a foreigner.

I hope this is of some use.

It is the truth. Hello there! I'm in South Korea right now, on vacation. And hell it is hot and humid.

I'm Korean, but was born and raised in the U.S. After I gradute after a year or so I plan on teaching in Korea for a few years. One, because my girlfriend lives there. Two, because it is all right money (depending on where/how you plan to teach), and Three, because I don't have to pay for housing, because I have a lot of family that live here (some rich) and a lot of friends too.

You have a few options about teaching. You can join a program online, and they'll send you there and provide room board while you teach public schools. Then you can try and tough it out and advertise yourself by going to "learning centers". Then you can have friends who know friends who know someone who can hook you up with a job. I'm getting in by the last option. My cousin is having her children learn English by a Korean guy who was born in the U.S., and she also knows an American teaching English, and both are making a lot money, and I already talked to both of them, and they seem confident that they can get me a good job. Even if they can't, I think I'll be able to find one.

In my circumstance (Korean, but a "native" of the U.S.), I'll make a bit more money than usual, because I know both cultures and languages, so I'll be an effective teacher. A lot of teachers here don't know Korean, just saying "hi" and stuff like that, so learning Korean (as you are doing right now) is a very good step. It'll make you an effective teacher (and earn you more money), and make it living here a lot more easier.

If you teach English through some company, you'll most likely teach public schools. I have a friend who does that, and also does PE on the side (which she says is a lot of fun). There's also teaching at learning centers/academies (Hak-wun, 학원). In Korea, if you're a student and you don't go to an academy during your free time/vacations, you're not getting anywhere. If you want to make the big bucks, teaching private is the best way to go. You'll get anywhere from 2-5 students, and you teach them individually for about 2-3 hours, 2-3 times a week. You guys will basically set a meeting place (library, your place, or their place), and then you teach them.

I think you'll find Korea very fun, in my mind (that's very biased), South Korea is a very under-represented Asian nation that no one really recognizes. You will find it very overwhelming at times, but feel free to gently shove people when you're in a crowded place. Last time I came here, there weren't that many foreigners, but now, I see one or two everytime I turn onto a new block. Korea is not a lot more English friendly, with bus and subway schedules having both Korean and American. And if you like the Korean food you're eating right now, you're going to love it over here, because it's cheaper and even more delicious. I was grown up on soju, so I love it. Try everything, especially the chicken feet. (Don't try the chicken feet if you can't handle heat). Also, cigarettes are very cheap.

Good luck.

ManonvonSuperock

The hot and humid thing shouldn't be a problem. One of the guys at the center that I go to came here (South Mississippi) from Seoul this year. He said his first reaction was, "gasp! it is so humid here i cannot even breathe." I asked him about Seoul and he said it is about as hot but not as humid as here. I was thinking about going over on a tourist visa and trying to get hired and then getting a work visa instead of using a US-based company.

Also, my bachelor's is in art education so I'll be a certified teacher in the US. I hope that'll help me some. Where do I go to get certified specifically for teaching English as a second language though?

ManonvonSuperock

So, my info acquisition of knowledge is going well--a few questions for those familiar with Korean culture:

I'm really into boardgames. Outside of Baduk and Janggi, what boardgames--traditional or non--can I expect to encounter in Korea? -specifically those that I would not normally encounter in the states.

Folklore, Fairytales, Legends, Mythology, etc. Where can I find it? What tales should I know about? What's Korea's equivalent of Momotaro and the Journey West in regards to cultural importance?

What Korean cartoons, comic books, video games, films, etc. should I be familiar with?