Teaching In South Korea

ToSouth Korea is an incredibly popular destination for people teaching English as a second language. But why is this and conditions will a teacher expect to find when they arrive?

There are a number of compelling reasons why Korea is a great destination for ESL teachers. Korea has an abundance of teaching positions available to all levels of teachers. The only requirements to teach in Korea are that you have a degree in any subject and are a native English speaker. The majority of positions available are entry-level positions where no experience is required. There are jobs with Universities and state run middle and high schools that require more advanced qualifications and would be appealing to the more experienced and qualified teacher. All these types of job are in constant demand and finding the right job to fit your circumstances is not difficult.

The compensation and benefits package in Korea is a big attraction. After university many students are left with high levels of student loan debt, teaching in Korea offers a possible solution to this. The salary and benefits offered to teach in Korea make it easy to put aside large amounts of money (in my experience at least 50%) and yet not have to compromise your lifestyle. You also will have your return plane tickets paid, for so there is no cost to you to travel there and start teaching and return home when you are done. The average wage for a teacher in Korea of between $2000-$3000 gross per month with the pay rising the more experience and qualifications you have. From that you will have around 5% taken in income tax. Other than tax you have very few other expenses to worry about. The school pays for your accommodation although it is your responsibility to pay the utility bills and in most cases you will have to pay 50% of your medical insurance(normally around $50 per month). This will be a total deduction of around $150 to $200 per month. So as you can see you are left with a very large portion of your paycheck to do with as you please. Living costs such as food are not particularly high either, especially if you like Korean cuisine. On top of all this at the end of your contract you will receive one full months salary as a bonus. Some schools also offer a resigning bonus to teachers who sign another contract.

Korea geographically is only a short flight away from other east and central Asian destinations such as China, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia. It is very common to take a couple of months between teachingcontracts to travel these countries and really explore the continent. Teaching in Korea gives you the flexibility to take a longer break between contracts due to the demand for teachers.

Korea has a lot of benefits for teachers but there are also some pitfalls that have to be considered and avoided. Proper research needs to be done before leaving to teach both on the school you will be teaching, its location and also the Korean culture.

Your time spent working at the school or "Hogwan" as it is known will play a huge role on how happy you are and where most people's problems occur. What must be understood is that these "hogwans" are businesses and like all businesses some are more reputable than others are. Teachers can have problems with non-payment of wages, breaches of their contract in regards to hours, overtime payments, or living conditions. If the right steps where taken before accepting the position most of these issues could will be avoided. Before accepting a position it is a good idea to speak with one of the current western teachers preferably by phone that can alert you to any possible problems.

When it comes to culture it is very important to do your research about Korea. Korea culturally is vastly different to North America or Europe and research on this should be done before deciding to teach there. Many teachers will experience culture shock in Korea and some will not be able to deal with these differences. These differences can be more distinct dependant upon you location within Korea. If you intend on living in Seoul or other of the large metropolitan cities then the differences will not be so distinct due to the large foreign presence. In smaller cities and towns there could be little western influence meaning these destinations may not be for everyone.

Korea offers numerous benefits to teachers both monetarily and through opportunities provided with by job. The labour market for teachers in Korea also means getting the right job is easier than many other locations.

Teaching in Korea is an experience you will have that will stay with you for the rest of your life and is a great opportunity for anyone no matter what his or her situation. Read more Articles by this author visit Link

TEFL Jobs in Asia

With travel becoming cheaper and the world getting smaller, it might be tempting to think that there are no new experiences to be had. Well, we have news for you: this definitely isn't the case in Asia! It's one part of the world that has managed to keep the flame of its ancient traditions burning brightly, despite its gleaming, modern side. Its history, diversity and great respect for tradition are amongst the things that Asia is famous for. There's also an abundance of sights worth seeing: the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Sunkakuwan Bay, the Tubbataha Reef, Mt.Kinabalu and the industrial hubbub of Tokyo are just the tip of the iceberg!

Though it is a veritable feast for the eyes, Asia is much more than a tourist destination. With so many interesting things to see and experience it's no wonder that people flock to Asia, but you can still find areas untouched by the tourist boom.

Working in Asia will give you a completely different perspective, as you're not just going to lie on the beach (although you'll be forgiven for relaxing by the sea on your days off!). Rural areas are often less-visited and are also where English teachers are scarcest, so you'll see a way of life entirely removed from your own as well as some stunning scenery. In the major cities, living amongst the people you're teaching will give you a chance to try your hand at the local language as well as finding everything from the best street food, to the best place to buy a Kimono and the best place to hear traditional Sitar playing!

Culture

Not only does Asia have the largest market for English teachers, it's absolutely huge (breathe in...): Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen... phew!

With so many countries, it's no wonder that cultural diversity is one of the things Asia is so well known for! From riding an elephant in Sri Lanka, to fishing with the locals in Mongolia, sipping green tea in China and surfing the waves in Taiwan, everywhere is open to exploration!

Educational standard

Asia countries are famed for their advances in mathematics and medicine, hundreds of years before the West began to develop, and many countries in Asia are still very forward-thinking. Japan and China have experienced massive economic growth and education is considered a vitally important part of maintaining prosperity, with English language as an important part of both lower and higher levels of education. Countries such as South Korea are improving education and emphasising the importance of the English language and the use of modern technology. In fact, they were the first country to provide high speed internet access to primary, secondary and high schools!

Unforunately, some poorer areas haven't benefitted from the commercial success of the cities and when an education is costly it is all too often forgone. Kerala is the only Indian state to have achieved anywhere near full literacy in primary education, while Bihar struggles with less than half. Learning English is hugely beneficial in these poorer areas, but many have to rely on volunteer work.

Teaching opportunities

The most popular areas for English teaching are Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, China, South Korea and Vietnam. Increasing populations and expanding economies have created a high demand for the English language and the growing middle classes view education as essential for both children and adults alike, so you'll have a wide range of pupils! There's also a great variety of places to teach in, including primary schools, secondary schools, language schools and private schools.

With their increasing appeal to English teachers some countries, have tightened up entry requirements. Japan, Taiwan and Thailand are amongst those where it is now a visa requirement to have a degree if you want to teach English. If you're volunteering, it may not necessarily be an issue but one thing's for sure: any paid work requires a work or working holiday visa, so doing your research is worthwhile.

The Indian subcontinent offers less pay but lots of enthusiasm and appreciation for your hard work. Though paid opportunities can be limited to the more affluent areas, poorer countries have no less to offer culturally and the experience is rewarding enough in itself!

Facilities

Accommodation in Asia can be as varied as the climate, which ranges from glorious sunshine to chilly snow capped peaks. Wealthy countries have higher standards of accommodation which also reflects the cost of living. Japan is famously expensive but the placements are usually well paid: US$1000 per month on average. Homestays and shared accommodation are kinder to your budget and are more likely to be find when working in the South, where pay is less but so is the cost of living. When a meals costs as as little as 50p, there's not much room for complaint!

Chris Soames - Online TEFL courses with over 20,000 course graduates each year, international accreditation and certification recognised by schools worldwide. To Teach English abroad is the perfect opportunity for any English speaker to explore the world and immerse themselves in new cultures. Whether you're a trained teacher or a complete beginner, a TEFL qualification is your ticket for the journey of your life. Contacts: For interviews, images or comments contact: Chris Soames - Marketing & PR Email: chris@i-to-i.com http://www.onlinetefl.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Soames

Testimonies: Lessons learned from ESL teaching in South Korea

Korea is one of the most popular destinations for ESL/TEFL teachers, with many thousands arriving each year to work. The salaries offered are fairly good and the benefits package is excellent. The abundance and constant demand for teachers also mean it is a popular destination for first time teachers looking to start a career in ESL/TEFL teaching, and for those who are just taking a year or two out after university. This is what I did myself, after graduation taking a job teaching in Korea where I spent over four years. During that period I learnt many things about the positive and negative aspects of teaching in Korea, from my own experiences and those of friends and colleagues around me.

All in all I had a very positive and enjoyable experience and look back on those years fondly. When looking back in hindsight most of the major problems that most teachers face can be eliminated before even leaving for Korea. The serious problemsI found most people to encounter could be put into two categories work (school) and culture.

Your time spent working at the school or "Hogwan" as it is known will play a huge role on how happy you are and where most people's problems occur. What must be understood is that these "hogwans" are businesses and like all businesses some are more reputable than others. Teachers would have problems with non-payment of wages, breaches of their contract in regards to hours, overtime payments, or living conditions. If the right steps where taken before accepting the position most of these issues could have been avoided. Before accepting a position it is a good idea to speak with one of the current western teachers preferably by phone. If you are able to do this you should ask the following questions, What is it like to work at the school? What are the teaching shift patterns and the hours of work? (Many schools operate a split shift teaching schedule). Are you paid on time and how are you paid? Are contract terms and conditions honoured? This final question may sound rather redundant however in my experience many "hogwans" have English contracts only to let their teacher know what is expected of them and what they should expect. By all accounts contracts written in English seem to have dubious legal standing and act more as guides than required actions.

It is a good idea to get the school to send you pictures of the accommodation as the apartments provided can sometimes be barely livable. Generally the apartment will be a lot smaller than youare used to but this is the case for the majority of living accommodations in Korea so should not come as a shock. It also advisable to find out if you will be sharing an apartment with anyone and who they are. Be prepared to teach as soon as you arrive.

You will usually begin teaching classes a day or two after you arrive so it is advisable to have some activities and ideas for lessons prepared. Although not essential I also found it useful to have some form of teacher training. It gives you some knowledge of what to do and teaching that first class becomes less daunting.

When it comes to culture it is very important to do your research about Korea. Korea is vastly different to North America or Europe not only in the look of the country but how people act and behave. Many teachers will experience culture shock in Korea and some will not be able to deal with the differences. The differences are also more distinct dependant upon you location within Korea. If you intend on living in Seoul then the differences will not be so distinct due to the large foreign presence in the city. In smaller cities and towns there could be little western influence meaning these destinations may not be for everyone.

I would recommend going to teach in Korea to anyone however you must know what you are signing up for. Do your research and take your time in making a decision on your job and I am sure you will have a great time and avoid most of the problems you could encounter.

A teachers first experience of teaching English in Korea

Here is a brief video detailing a teachers first experiences of teaching English in Korea. It gives a good brief overview of the feelings and situations a new teacher will generally go through upon arriving in South Korea.

Seven Tips For ESL Classroom Management

If you are an ESL teacher who is having problems with classroom management, there are ways of taking back control and maintain order in your classroom again. There are methods to deal with a few troublemakers and approaches to dealing with an entire class which is out of control. First you need to assess why you're having ESL classroom management issues.

Let's take a look at why children might be misbehaving. Are the children bored? Are they tired of sitting in their desks? Do some of the children have behavioral issues such as ADD or ADHD? Some children might find learning English difficult so they end up misbehaving rather than admitting they do not understand. Perhaps they have not been praised enough and feel the teacher doesn't like them.

The most effective way to regain control of the ESL classroom is to be the boss. If you don't step up and take control the children most certainly will. There's a fine line between being friendly and kind and letting the children take control of the classroom. You really can be both the friendly helping hand and the boss. Ideally, you must take control of the class from the very first day you enter it. Unfortunately, many newly certified teachers don't realize this right away and are shocked that they've lost control of the group.

Ultimately, you must find your own personal style in teaching but there are many proven techniques and strategies for good classroom management. Of course, you must comply with the rules of the school you work for. Your school should always be your ally and not your foe.

The first key to ESL classroom management is your attitude toward the students. Students who respect and love their teacher will be more apt to behave in the classroom. Here's how to make that happen!

ESL Classroom Management Rule #1 - Are you trying to be hip and cool?

Do you want to be friends with your pupils? If you try to be the hip teacher who is a friend to all, more than likely the students will laugh at your expense the moment you are out of earshot. Be their mentor. Teach by example not only how to speak English but how to behave in general.

In class behave as a role-model for ideal classroom behaviour. The children will at least have the example to follow. If you cannot control your temper, why should they? If you find yourself barking at your pupils something is wrong!
ESL Classroom Management Rule #2 - Are you predictable?

I'll never forget Miss Bain. Oh a truly terrifying woman with spectacles and a cardigan who dished out detentions for real and whose name one only mentioned with dread. I only had her in the sixth form but her reputation proceeded her. In fact she was a nice old lady! She never raised her voice, she wasn't even bossy! I could not believe it actually. She just EXUDED the fact that we were there to learn and messing about was not tolerated. Full stop. Really an outstandingly simple formula.

Earn trust by being fair, consistent and firm. Establish rules from the very first day and do not bend. Lean more toward being overly strict in the beginning as it is harder to become strict if you've started out being lenient. If rules change on a day to day basis the students don't know what to expect and cannot trust you.

ESL Classroom Management Rule #3 - Are you trustworthy?

Oh yes there are teachers out there who lash out at pupils and put them down in a futile effort to feel important. When people put others down they are trying to elevate their own self-esteem. This systematically backfires as putting others down truly undermines ones sense of self-worth, though some people have such low self-esteem that a bit more self-degradation hardly notices!

Thirty one years ago a English teacher in France put me down in front of his class and I can still see and hear the scene today - that is how much it marked me at the time. He was scared of the fact that he had a native speaker in his class and was too stupid to use me to enhance the class.

Never belittle your students. Avoid losing control and yelling. Never call a student names, put them down, use sarcasm or embarrass them. They will never trust this kind of behavior. In addition in the worst case scenario you could put them off wanting to learn ANY subject, and not just your subject.

ESL Classroom Management Rule #4 - Show them you care

Take the time to ask questions about their lives. If you can talk with them, informally, outside of the classroom, such as walking from one class to another, you'll find an opportunity to get to know them. Your students will feel special if you take the time out to find out about them and who they are. It will be much harder for someone you've had a conversation with, on a personal level, to act up in the classroom.

Eye contact will help let your students know you are paying attention to them. Think about how they may be feeling. They might not want to take this class but have to. Put yourself in their shoes and try to come up with positive ways to see your students.

ESL Classroom Management Rule #5 - Move around

Come out from behind your desk! Take the time during a writing assignment to walk through the desks and stop for a moment or two at each student's desk. This is a good time to hand out praise and to ask your students how they are doing. Ask them if they have any questions about the work they are doing.

ESL Classroom Management Rule #6 - Onwards and Upwards!

Generously hand out praise and encouragement! Imagine how much good you can do in a person's life by giving them encouragement and praise. You can change a student's whole way of thinking about themselves and in turn, this changes how they view the world.

Think about how people are always telling kids what NOT to do. Some parents' entire dialogue with their children is negative. Don't fall into this trap. Remember, what you give out, you get back. Children who are given negatives often give negatives back. Children who are given positives will more than likely give back positives!

Reward good behavior. Ask for children who behave well to be your helper and thank them for their good behavior in front of the class. Having a student of the week will reinforce good behavior.

ESL Classroom Management Rule #7

Vary the way you carry out lesson plans. Don't always use the same technique. If you use varied activities, games and teaching methods, that appeal to different learning styles, chances are you'll reach each one of them in time!

By using these tips, you'll keep order in your room, your students will respect and trust you, you'll have an impact on their self-esteem and you'll teach them much more than just how to speak English.

About the author: Shelley Vernon, conscious of the vital role teachers can play in the lives of their pupils, promotes learning through encouragement and games. Receive free games and ideas on ESL Resources for children Make your job easy and fun teaching English to children through games, stories, songs, plays and skits. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_Vernon