*This post is a little long, so feel free to use command-F, or your search function, to jump ahead to help on Teaching Certificates, Recruiters, Apostilled Diploma, or Videos
Here are the programs for public school teaching in South Korea:
TaLK- The only program where one doesn't need to have a bachelor's degree. This program also offers 6 month contract options, instead of the 1 year contract. The program is a bit different. It can be found on the EPIK site.
* * Please note, each of the programs below involve a one year contract. * *
EPIK- English Program in Korea. They are responsible for all locations except for the Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds Seoul and Incheon. They are still responsible for Seoul and Incheon, however. This is the least competitive of the three, but please keep in mind that the process itself still is.
- EPIK Website
SMOE- Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. EPIK handles Seoul applicants, as well. Take note that there is a different application form and set of requirements, though. This is the most competitive.
- See EPIK site
GEPIK- Gyeonggi English Program in Korea. This program is responsible soley for the Gyeonggi Province. It is slightly more competitive than EPIK because of its proximity to Seoul and Incheon. A number of those who work in Seoul commute from cities located in Gyeonggi.
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| Jirisan Mountain, image from TheExpeditioner.com |
Benefits
There are a lot of perks to go and teach with each of these organizations. For example, you will earn 2.0 million KRW (~$2,000USD) +/month (depending on qualification), free furnished housing, and round-trip flight reimbursement. There are also entrance and exit settlements you are granted, as well.
Requirements
Sounds great, right? And it really is! But there are also requirements that need to be met for one to qualify. It may sound intimidating, but each of these programs hire twice a year so you can have as much time to get everything together and leave at a time of year that suits you.
Here are some of the requirements:
1. A Bachelor's Degree -in any major
2. Teaching Experience OR a teaching certificate (CELTA, TEFL, TESOL), min 100 hrs.
3. Valid Passport
4. Two letters of recommendation
5. A FBI Criminal Record Check -must be done within 6 months of sending in application
*this is the one item that you should make sure to plan accordingly, as obtaining it too soon and too late are both no good.
Those are the basic things to be aware of. You should most definitely go to their websites for all of the requirements (there really aren't many more, though) and explanations of each.
YIKES!
...Here is where the help comes in.
Teaching Certificates
If you don't have any teaching experience, you need a certificate to teach in Korea as of 2012. I recommend a TEFL or TESOL. A 100-/120-Hour course will run you about $300, but it is extremely helpful (and now necessary). I decided that I wasn't going to worry about the expense, because I will make it back soon enough. I chose a 120-Hour course through TEFL Academy, although there are other programs to choose from.
With the online course, you read material from specific sections and do a corresponding assignment, which is then submitted, graded, and returned to you with feedback. The feedback is really great and they are there to help you! Which program you take may end up depending on which recruiting agency you go through, if you do.
Recruiters
I HIGHLY recommend applying with a recruiter. Especially if you are going for GEPIK. The only connections I have been able to find to GEPIK are through different recruiters. Each program has a group of recruiters that they work with. They are incredibly helpful, though, as they provide support and make it easier for you to perfect your application package. They are very hardworking and will do their very best to get you a job that suits your preferred location. You simply apply to them first, and then help is on the way!
Here is a list of a few recruiters:
Korvia Consulting- This is who I went through. They work with EPIK, SMOE, and GEPIK. They have been instrumental to my current position. How it worked was that I had an interview with one of their recruiters, after applying, who accepted me. I submitted my information to her, and she approached different schools until we found one that wanted to hire me. Because I know the caliber of their work ethic, I will most ardently recommend them first.
ATC Recruiting
WorknPlay Consulting
Footprints
There really is no wrong decision. Go to several websites, see what they're about, read their testimonials, and double check which programs they are affiliated with. Pick the one that scores the highest marks with you, and go for it. You can only work with one, though, as working with several for the same area could get you into serious trouble.
Apostilled Diploma
One of the additional requirements you'll need to send in once you're accepted at a school is an apostilled copy of your Bachelor's Diploma. *Note, copy of your diploma, not the original.
I originally sent this to Washingtong D.C. along with my FBI CRC for an apostille, but this is not correct! While they apostilled my CRC, they sent back my diploma. Your diploma needs to be apostilled by the state that issued it. BUT! Before you can get this, you need to have it notarized. This just means that it is an original copy. Let's break it down into steps.
Step 1- Make a copy of your diploma
Step 2- Bring copy of diploma along with the original to a public notary (these can be found at your local bank, but call first to make sure they're in for the day). They will imprint the copy with their notary seal, state that it is an original copy, write their name, and the date that they notarized it.
Step 3- Bring the notarized copy of your diploma, your original diploma, driver's license, and passport (to make sure all of your bases are covered) to a Secretary of State SUPER!Center. These supercenters are able to apostille documents, and are extremely efficient (with 34 people in front of me, it only took them 10-15 minutes to call my number). If by some chance you cannot drive to one of these stations, you may also submit your apostille request by mail, which will take a little longer. The apostille will be a paper attached, along with a seal. They will also put a seal over the staple. This should remind you that even when making copies of your documents, you should never ever un-staple an apostille.
I was able to do all this within an hour! And the only cost was $1 for my apostille. The notary may charge you $5, but mine didn't. I hope yours will be the same :) View SUPER!Center Locations in Michigan.
Videos
Another helpful tip is to make a video! Make several videos! Not all on the same thing, of course. An introductory video is probably something that your recruiter will ask you to make, if you go through one. This is handy because the video can be posted on youtube and shared with schools over in Korea. The video should contain a brief bit about who you are, why you want to teach in Korea, why you are a good choice, and what your teaching philosophy is. I actually wish that I had made mine a bit longer, as I left out a lot of things I would have liked schools who looked into me to know. Here is a link to my video, though, if you want a point of reference. I watched several before making mine. Some of them were awesome, and some of them were downright terrible.
Another video that I would recommend making is a short teaching video. When I was debating between working with Korvia and WorknPlay Consulting agencies, I was given the opportunity to apply for a job where I would be teaching general elementary classes, but in English. One of the requirements to apply was to have a math/science teaching demo. I decided to go with Korvia, but to record a teaching demo anyway. I think it is good, though, because since I have no formal teaching experience it allowed me to show schools that I can prepare a lesson and carry it out with fun, enthusiasm, and games, as I learned from my teaching course. Here is a link to mine. And yes, it feels really goofy asking questions and responding to "answers" when no one else is in the room. It's a bit rushed, but I believe it gets the point across.
That's long enough for this post! I dare say... Next time I will compile a more simple list with links for other countries who need ESL teachers like Japan, China, and Thailand. Location is key! And every country offers slightly different perks.
Till next time!
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