Will I enjoy teaching English in Korea?
Typical comments from some of our teachers include:

From New Zealand Teacher Bronwyn Bruce.

It is a place that epitomises the word 'crazy' and for good reason.

To give you an idea, this is the first job I've ever had where I didn't have to attend an interview. Koreans are often concerned with looks so they may hire you pretty much on your photograph. I flew over here after signing a contract and booking a one way flight. While I had done a lot of research I still consider moving to Korea a giant leap of faith.

The basic deal with coming to work here is paid flights, a salary of 1.8-2 million won ($2,700-3,000NZD) a month, free housing and no more than 30 hours work a week. It sounds a tad unbelievable but it's for real. Sometimes I wonder when someone will pull the plug on this whole deal because it's a really great opportunity.

South Korea is comparable in size to the North Island of New Zealand,yet it has a massive population of 47 million. I am living in the east coast city of Ulsan which has a population of one million people.

The sprawling greenery that you'll see in a short drive from Wellington to Otaki is possible to find in Korea but not without a 'Dunkin Donuts' or 'FamilyMart' periodically dotted around.

Because of its size however, Korea is easy to get about and many ex-pats get to visit most things worth visiting during their one year contract here. An added bonus is the number of national holidays on offer. Three day weekends where you can visit Seoul, Busan or Jeju come along relatively frequently.

Korean children are pretty cool. They have a good level of English in my experience and are usually warm and friendly. Learning English is viewed as a necessity here which explains the mammoth number of Hagwons (Private Schools) floating around.

I have been given the Korean name 'Moon So-ra' by one of my classes, which is good because many of my students are yet to master the pronunciation of my name, 'Bronwyn'. Typically I am either 'Bro' or 'Brom-man' and some days 'Herman' (go figure!). Sometimes I feel a real fraud being called a teacher; with no formal training I am a University graduate entertaining Korean children and getting paid a lot for my troubles.

A favourite English phrase of any Korean child is "are you crazy?" and to come here, being a little crazy kind of helps. In the name of entertainment I've done all sorts of crazy things in class, calling
out Bingo words in a Lord of the Rings 'Gollum' voice and arm wrestling to name a few.

I get to be pretty creative at my school and am currently teaching one class the lyrics to a Westlife song. It's a two way street however and I am equally well entertained by my students. Being quoted strange wrestling phrases such as "Can you dig it sucka?" is a daily experience. Last week, one of my more flamboyant students walked around the classroom on tip-toes shouting "sexy body".

Basically, take everything you thought of as normal and file it far, far away. In my four months here I've come to know that cars sometimes stop at traffic lights and indicating at intersections is optional. Dairies sell beer, wine and soju (a cheap vodka-type drink) and encourage drinking on the premises with tables and umbrellas placed outside.

Koreans will tell you exactly what they think of you, whether that be 'beautiful' or 'pig'. Grown men sitting in a PC room playing computer games at 1am suffer no geeky social stigma and yes, fermented cabbage(Kimchi) is the national dish. So why is it that people on the street stare at me while a dog, dyed pink and wearing shoes goes unnoticed?


I must be blending in well with the locals because my students have stopped asking me, "Teacher, crazy?" and are now stating, "Teacher crazy!"

I'm enjoying my OE in Korea so much and am glad I decided to come.

I know I will leave here with many great memories and probably a few loose screws!

Bronwyn Bruce
Teacher

From Kendall.

"My school is wonderful!……or rather the people are the ones making it so great!

From Karla.

"I have been spoilt rotten! they all try to include me in their plans to entertain me etc".

From Julie.

" I can report that life is going really well. I am enjoying work immensely. School Director, Cha, is very good to me and often goes out of her way to make sure that I am provided for.
I have made nice Western and Korean friends. I feel quite settled and happy! Already I feel a bit like a local!"

What to take & not to take

• You need a Visa card
• How much cash to take from home depends on what time of the month your contract starts
• You do not need an International drivers licence, as you will not want to drive in Korea!
• Do not take too much, anything you want to buy on this planet, you can buy in Korea!
• Concentrate mainly on personal items.
• If you are a larger person it will pay to bring extra clothing from your home country - including shoes.
• Good shopping areas are very accessible and in Seoul around Itaewon (a large Western area). However, electrical goods and mobile phones are not as cheap as you would expect.

What about friends?
Can friends come with me to teach? Yes, please refer others to us, we need 20-30 people every month! We will actually pay you a referral fee for every person you refer to us - provided they travel to Korea. We appreciate your help.

Do I need to learn Korean?
No, Korean people have an enormous thirst for learning English, they want to learn all your Western "ways".

What about the climate in Korea?
Korean winters are cold and the summers are hot! Winter is December to February, and is the coldest, getting as low as minus 12 degrees celcius. However Koreans have a very clever under floor heating system in schools and apartments which it is wonderful. In Summer the hottest months are July and August, when it can be very humid.

ATM (Money) Machines?
These are common particularly in Subways. Be careful when withdrawing money as the Korean Won is in large amounts (often six figures plus).

What age are the children I will teach?
Teaching in the mornings is mainly to pre-school age and in the mid afternoon to older children from public schools. (You are teaching in a Private school). Class sizes normally are small.

What Salary can I earn?
Your salary is paid in Korean Won and monthly, normally the 5th or 10th each month by cash, direct credit or cheque. Normal salary level is 1.8 million Won monthly for New Zealand and Australian teachers. If anyone offers more, beware and be careful! However, American and Canadian Teachers can attract more as Koreans admire anything North American!

Do I have a choice with my Location?
Yes, you can request a specific location, however it may take a little longer to place you.

Other Westerners:
Most areas now have solid Western communities.

Accommodation:
Normally single, although you may request shared. Apartments are normally 1 bedroom and small by Western standards. Normally concrete or brick exterior, multi storey, high rise, with vinyl flooring. Furnished sufficiently for you to arrive with groceries and sit down. No luxury items provided like microwave or CD Player, although a TV is provided normally. (Cable TV is your expense)

Distance to School (from accommodation)
Normally within easy walking distance, if transport required it is cheap, frequent and reliable.

Clothing standard:
Normally in class very neat tidy casual clothing is acceptable, Korean people dress very well, they never wear any old or "tired" looking clothes.

Placements:
Normally very quickly once you advise an approximate date you are available. Although, remember, Koreans are very spontaneous by nature, so normally you will only be advised within a few days of your given departure date, maybe 1 week out. If you need to give a current employer 2 weeks notice for example, or a Landlord, please ensure you advise us of this requirement. Please do not do this until we have confirmed your Contract, you have signed your Contract and your flight has been confirmed and pre paid by the Principal. We also need to ensure all your Visa documents are in order.

School Classes
Each school normally prepares their own material and is individual. There are many different programmes. Most, or some preparation is done for you, although you are expected to assist on a daily basis. There are set patterns to follow and not to difficult. Resources available normally are tapes, videos, books (large!) white boards, & board games etc. Koreans love taking their children outdoors so some school time is spent out and about, in parks, animal areas like zoos, & museums etc. Korean Principals and Teachers are normally women. The Principals do not normally speak perfect English, however the other Korean teachers you work with normally speak very good English and you become very close personal friends.

Teaching Experience:
While obviously teachers are preferred, anyone who is outgoing, open minded, confident and sincere will do well "Teaching" in Korea. (and with any University Degree for your E2 Working Visa). If you are not a Teacher we strongly recommend you spend sufficient time in a Pre-school or Kindergarten before your departure. The idea being to observe what actually goes on in such an organisation. Ideally if you can source/copy some resource material from the school this would be very helpful to you. You may like to make a small donation or offer your time in appreciation of assistance given. Be aware though, class sizes here in Western schools are far greater than in Korea, in Korea the average class size is small, normally only 5-12 children.

Flights:
All our School Principals pre pay in advance your return airfare for you.
All departure Taxes are included.

Please note:
Some Recruiters/employers request you to pay this Airfare and wait until you arrive in Korea to be reimbursed, maybe weeks or months later!

On arrival Airport Seoul:
Please request a "Multi entry Visa status" this is important if for example you wanted to return home for a holiday during your contract period.

Travel Insurance:
This is your choice and your decision. Once in your School you need to see the Principal and arrange Korean Health Insurance for the remainder of your Contract, the Principal normally pays 50% of the Premium and you 50%.

Qualifications:
In order to obtain your E2 Working Visa you need any 3 or 4 year University Degree in any major, with academic records/transcripts.

Entering Korea on 90 Day Tourist Visa: (not E2 Working Visa)
You can enter Korea on a 90 day Visitor/Tourist Visa without any documentation required. Soon after your arrival documents are processed and the School pays for you to travel to Japan briefly, perhaps same day to complete the process. You then re enter Korea with your E2 Working Visa stamped into your Passport. In this situation everyone must be sure you will in fact qualify for your E2 Visa.
Accordingly, your contract must be finalised first and your documents already in Korea to be assessed and accepted.

We advise obtaining your E2 Working Visa first while in your home country.