A nation possessing a combination of tradition and technological modernization, and one with strong ties to the United States, South Korea is increasingly becoming a popular destination for educators looking to teach abroad. South Korea is a place where foreign teachers can feel comfortable while at the same time experience the thrill of exploring a new, unique culture.
While South Korea is a wonderful place to teach abroad, making the most of your experience there can be difficult without the right resources. Here are a few tips on how to best navigate your South Korean teaching experience.
Working in South Korea
Typically, all you need to qualify to teach in South Korea is a four-year degree. If you combine the good salary, the free accommodations and the free flight, it is easy to see that teaching in South Korea can give you a perfect way to save money. But, there are still some factors you must be aware of. Some teachers working abroad in South Korea who desire more money teach private lessons. Private lessons are basically one-on-one conversations with people who want to learn to speak English better. The demand for English teachers is high, and students are willing to pay $40, $50 and more for the opportunity to sit down with you for an hour and work on their English. Keep in mind, however, that some school contracts may prohibit such independent lessons.
Popular Resources
Berlitz is one of the most popular online destinations for information and job connections for educators looking to teach in South Korea. The organizations is one of the largest employers of teachers of English in South Korea. Teachers should know that Berlitz is particularly known for catering to adult students, rather than your usual K-12 classes.
TEFL.com has one of the largest databases of international teaching jobs on the web. It provides listings of jobs for those hoping to become teachers in South Korea. TEFL.com also offers a resume posting service and a training directory. Other resources include a city cost guide, health insurance information and testimonials from other teachers.
The Culture
It is proper custom in South Korea to always remove your shoes when entering a home. South Koreans also place an emphasis on respecting elders. These two customs are important to South Koreans, and serve as hallmarks of a culture steeped in tradition though being quite a technologically advanced society.
Popular foods from the region include bulgogi, bibimbap and kimchi, a sliced cabbage, fermented with red chili sauce and anchovy paste. South Korea is also a very drinking friendly culture, with the popular beverage being soju, a clear, vodka-like drink typically served with food.
As for South Korean food, you may love it, but you may not want to eat it all the time. South Korea is a very metropolitan country and, like the United States, full of culinary choices. The cuisines available ranges from American, Italian, Japanese, French and more. South Korea even has Subway, McDonald’s, Burger King and pizza!
Safety
Though South Korea is a country commonly visited by U.S. citizens, it is still a good idea to familiarize yourself with any outstanding safety concerns and visa requirements before you depart. Check out the South Korea page on the Department of State website to ensure you have all of your bases covered.
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You should now be in a much better position to make your decision of whether South Korea is the right teaching destination for you. Information is the key to being comfortable with your decision, so be sure to follow up on the suggestions presented here with further research.
You may also be interested in reading about how to teach in Japan or how to teach in China.
