Has anyone taught English in Seoul, Korea?

Question

I am seriously considering this possible scam. We have all heard of the free flat, free airfare, cheap food, new culture, but have any of you experienced it? What the heck is it really like?

Answer 1

As someone who spoke with someone who teaches english in korea, you dont make alot. I dont know where the 6 digit figures come from. Maybe hes a x-files fan and wants to believe. I would take jessica's advice though.

Teachers there can make good money but not 6 digits. Right now, they are facing a backlash. Few months ago , KBS ( korean news station ) had a segment about teachers molesting young female students and bring drugs into the country. This made alot of korean parents angry, worried and relucant to send their kids to private tutors. Thats where the entire anti korean posters from dave's esl started. Most of them were treated bad by korean employers so they take it out on korea with anti korean messages, which of course is stupid since alot of native koreans know about the site and that site being translated into korean.

Answer 2

Free flat?

Free airfare?

Cheap food?

I've never heard of that.

But it is true that if you teach English in Korea you can make very good money.

Some teachers make 6 figure digit salaries.

So instead of relying on whatever source you got that from,

I suggest getting there yourself, getting a place by yourself, getting food by yourself, and getting a job yourself.

Because all in all, if you make teaching English your job and you're good at it, then you can easily cover all those costs and still live comfortably.

But can you speak Korean?

Answer 3

Greetings from Korea!

My mom is currently over here in Korea teaching English, we are about an hour drive south of Seoul in a city called Pyeongtaek.

She is working at a public girl's middle school (not private) through GEPIK (the province's school board).

This is basically what you get when you come to Korea if your working as a public or private teacher (these do vary, and depending on what level of education you have - TEOSL, Masters, Bachelors, etc- then pay will vary).

-Fully Furnished bachelor or 1 bdrm (if you have a dependent then you get 2+ bedrooms (we have 3 bdrms).

-Return Airfare (when you arrive within 3 months or so you will have your ticket over to korea reimbursed and they will reimburse you for your ticket home within about 10 days before contract end)

-From 1,900,000won - 2,500,000won per month (equivalent to about $1900 - $2500 usd).

Its not too good to be true. I would advise going with a  public school rather than private. Alot of teachers have had bad experiences with private schools but it doesn't necessarily mean that everyone has. To teach in Korea you must have a degree, unless you have a private institute higher you under the table (risk of being thrown out of Korea).

Food is priced decently, not nearly as cheap as the US, but way healthier. In the stores (emart, lotte mart, etc) fruit is very expensive, some veggies as well (at least compared to the US).

Its a very different culture, but I've been enjoying it so far - its definitely an experience you'll never forget. For the most part, Korean people are very friendly and kind. The subway is efficient and taxis are way cheaper than back home.

Its not necessary to speak Korean (although some Koreans may be offended that you rely on the little amount of English they may have).

I would definitely NOT recommend just showing up in Korea, there is recruiters that will have your contract delivered and help you with everything. Never pay any money for a job overseas, always a scam. The school your hired at will pay the recruiter who found you. Search the web, and check out the website I've included - its for Gyeonggido Provincial Education board/office - Gyeonggido is the province in which Seoul is located. Keep in mind that Seoul is very desirable and there may not be any openings.

Gepik - http://www.gochang.es.kr/gepik/web/index...