Jobs in Korea for ESL Teachers - How is the position for ESL...

You should go to eslcafe.com and read the Korea forums there. All of your questions will be answered.

Hi Kennard,

You never know what someone´s level of English is like. Sometimes you´ll be surprised, sometimes you´ll be frustrated beyond all belief. But, often your Korean colleagues will be helpful and will show where to find things or the name of things in Korean.

One of the biggest things to remember is the style of communicating in Korean is totally different from English. When you´re in Korea you have to ask for information, no one will offer it to you. So, if you have a job lined up, I would start to write a list of questions you might want to know the answers to now, a week after you arrive, even a month after you arrive. Ask your friends and relatives for ideas of questions they might want to know the answers to if it was them going to Korea.

The problem with asking for information is that you don´t know what to ask for if you don´t know what to ask for! If that makes any kind of sense. :)

Here are some examples of things that you might want to know but none of your Korean colleagues or employer will think to tell you in advance. Where is the nearest dentist/doctor (don´t worry, there are a ton of them)?
Do I have to make an appointment to see them? (the answer is no)
What time do the buses start/finsh? (depends onthe area you live in)
What time does the subway start/finsih? (6am to midnight I think)

And so on. Think of the most ordinary, mundane things and write them down because seriously, no one will sit you down and give you a run down of informaiton necessary for making your life comfortable. And by the way, when you arrive in Incheon airport, don´t be hesitant about grabbing a handful of the free maps and information they have. You can always recycle them. Which reminds me - all non-recyclable rubbish goes in specially marked local rubbish bags. You can buy these individually (although small convineance shops like to sell them in packs), or in bundles of 10. If you live in an apartment complex there are set recycling days. If you don´t use the specially marked rubbish bags and use ordinary rubbish bags, they will go through them and try and track you down. Never happened to me :) but has happened to other foreign colleagues.

And one last thing, there are free websites where you can learn Korean. Written Korean is very easy to read. Not kidding. :)

cheers,
Linda

There are many jobs in Korea, and age is not a issue here, unless the male hirer is intimidated by older, and often maybe more experienced applicants. Grin!!

In fact there are more jobs than teachers, so keep seeking and you are sure to find a position. I took a Hagwan job for first contract, and that gets you into the system so you learn for the next position. Teaching here is actually quite good as you get free accommodation and all you earn is yours to keep...or if you are like me..travel with..

Good Luck

Looks like you need my site..
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/expatexperiences

There are other sites such as ESK Forum..