Previous teaching experience

[Larissa]

... and other questions!

Hello! I'm really thrilled to have found this site. At present I teach 6th grade at a private boarding school where there are numerous Korean students. I was struck with the idea to travel to Korea and teach English for a year while I become familiar with their language and culture while talking to a Korean student who lives with me in my dorm.

Anyway, naturally I have a few lingering questions that your website was not able to answer, but I was lucky enough to find this forum!

I was wondering how previous teaching experience factors into the job search process. I am currently in my second year of teaching math, science and reading to 6th graders and have also taught 12th grade science and college students before then. Do Korean schools look for teachers who are fresh out of University? Do they prefer teaching experience? Does it matter at all?

Is there a typical length of stay for these jobs? In theory, I would come for an entire year, but I am not sure. Are there shorter contracts and longer contracts?

Are there jobs that are situated in areas that are close to the country? I don't mind urban if there's an easy escape!

Thanks in advance for your response!

[Dan Henrickson]

Hi Larissa. Thank you for posting these questions. I'll do my best to answer them.

Schools will like to hire someone with teaching experience. I have been very surprised with how many schools are not too interested in paying much extra for teachers with experience. They tend to view experience more, when it comes to paying more. It's strange to me. Some higher end schools, or more demeanding schools on teachers, will pay more. I personally suggest going with the easier schedule, with less pay and stress.

1 year is the standrad length of contracts. It's possible to convince a school to ign you for less than a yr, but it's more challenging than I think it should be.

I also suggest the small or medium sized cities for many people. Seoul and Busan are enormous, and more crowded than the western cities we're used to. In the smaller cities it's easier to escape to the mtns...which are often surrounding the cities! It looks so much more beautiful than endless apartments.

I hope this helps!

[Larissa]

Thanks for the response!

Another few questions, Dan.

If I am not planning on arriving in Korea until late July/Early August 2008, should I apply now anyway?

Do you have any recommended reading material? My friend Curtis who taught for many years in Taiwan recommended "The Art of Crossing Cultures" as a universal guide. Anything Korea-specific?

Do they allow pets? I have a cat that I would prefer to bring, but if need be, I can hand her off to some friends that would love to have her.

[Dan Henrickson]

Hi Larissa.

Thanks for the additional questions.

With most schools you can bring your cat, but I've had a few schools say they preferred no pets in the apartments.

With any start date, I suggest that you apply at least 3 months in advance, even though most schools don't start planning until about 8 weeks before they will need teachers. We're always trying to "train" the schools to start the process sooner. Sometimies I do get schools that ask for teachers as far as 6 months in advance, so feel free to send your info through well ahead of time.

As for a suggested reading, I don't really have anything that stands out. I guess you could post this question on Dave's ESL and get some feedback. Overall I find the tone of many teachers on that site negative, but you can also get some needed help.

I hope this helped!

[Larissa]

Thanks Dan. I will be applying with you once I have all my bearings straight!