Can I Teach English in Korea? - Level Up (Ep. 16)

[ZamandaShow]

Damn it. Why do I need to be from one of those countries? Seriously?

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@ZamandaShow Yeah, it really isn't fair at all. I think they require those countries to ensure teachers are native English speakers. But it really sucks for people like you that obviously know English and can use it very well.

[Smalls]

NOOOOOOOOOOO i left my dog in the car for 20 minutes and got a ticket for that. Damn dreams shattered.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@Smalls Hahaha! They are not THAT strict. :-) Teachers just need to have clean criminal records; traffic violations and stuff like that shouldn't disqualify you.

Thanks for watching!

[MrLevicrz]

I only have an AA degree right now but im 17 early college program almost there!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@MrLevicrz Awesome! Keep going and good luck!

Thank you for watching!

[TKOpuncher]

I hold a Bachelor's degree from a private university...will that effect my chances of getting a job in Korea?

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@TKOpuncher So long as your degree is from a university in one of the seven countries I mentioned, you should be qualified. Good luck! Thanks for watching!

[Sophistrylol]

Should I hide that I served in the military? I'm afraid it may hurt my chances due to political reasons.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@Sophistrylol As long as you have a clean record, I wouldn't worry too much about having served. I could be wrong, but I haven't heard of anyone being discriminated against for that reason. Good luck!

[MegaKuchikirukia]

OK, this is sorta disappointing, i was born in Norway and Ive lived in Tunisia for 18 years went to Norway on vacations i studied in college in Norway, can i still get a job in Korea?

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@MegaKuchikirukia Sorry, as far as I know, you must meet all of the requirements I mentioned in the video. I know it really isn't fair, but those are the rules. Thanks for watching and sorry again I couldn't give you better news.

[bendetwile2]

Hello,

I am an American Citizen who completed my high school education in America and my Bachelor is at an international College in Bangkok, Thailand. I have a TEFL and two years of teaching experience here in Thailand. Do you think immigration will accept that my bachelor degree from Bangkok?  Thanks.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@bendetwile2 Wow! It appears that you are very well qualified, but I don't think they will accept a degree from a non-English speaking country. That really isn't fair at all, especially for someone in your situation. If I were you, I'd send a formal question (just like you posted here) to a recruiter. They can give you a definite "yes" or "no" for sure. I've heard Korvia is a great recruiting agency. Contact them and give it a try! Thanks for watching!

[jpitcher332]

I was wondering if you know if there is any preferential selection for those individuals who have a Master's Degree over those who have only a Bachelor's. I have an M.B.A. and was curious as to if that would give me a leg up not only in getting hired, but in the pay rate I could expect to receive if employment was offered.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@jpitcher332 People with a Master's are generally qualified for somewhat better jobs. Many universities are requiring tenured professors these days, but some community colleges still hire teachers less qualified. Either way, it is something I would explore more deeply, as your degree could definitely expand your job prospects. A recruiter can provide a lot more information based on your specific situation. For that service, I've heard Korvia is the best. Check them out! Thanks for watching!

[gazza351]

Hi. Great vid. Do you know if they still hire people without Bachelors degree? I am a New Zealand native.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@gazza351 Sorry, but you must have a Bachelor's Degree to work as a teacher in Korea. Thank you for watching!

[gazza351]

@GreenEggsAndHamster I have seen with further research, it is in fact possible with TESOL. A bit more difficult, and slightly lower pay rate. Thanks.

[innoclemente]

Hello, Thank you for this video.

I am a Filipino from The Philippines.

I had an experience in teacher Koreans..

Can I work in Korea, though I am from The Philippines?

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@innoclemente Sorry, but no. You must be a citizen of one of the 7 countries I mentioned to be eligible. Thank you for watching and for the question!

[Helios89Zg]

Unless I marry and American lol and that's not really something you can just plan xD...

[Helios89Zg]

This is just stupid -.-, I will basically fulfill all the requirements very soon, except the native speaker thing... I even have an A2 diploma for Korean (for now hehe)... I live in Croatia, I did go to an elementary school and a gymnasium where part of the classes were held in English, but still, Croatia doesn't qualify as an English speaking country. Aren't they supposed to have exams for stuff like this? I mean, I could pass all the English exams in the world and still not be qualified -.-...

[1BSARoadRocket]

Hello, good video. I've got a few questions for you. Is there any particular reason to teach in Korea and not Japan? I've heard that as an American Korea is not as friendly of a place to live as Japan. Also what is the pay like, how many hours do you typically work per week, and what kind of housing assistance do you get?

Lastly is there any age limit imposed on teachers?

[TyInTrouble]

I went to school in an american school on a military base in Germany, do you think this might make the process more difficult?

[forgotmyusername2]

What if you dont have a University Degree, but you've completed a TEFL Course? would it still be easy to find an English Teaching Job in Korea?

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@forgotmyusername2 Sorry, but you must have a university degree to get a teaching job in Korea. Thanks for watching!

[dicksalad1122]

Hello Sir, thank you for the information, I just have a quick question:

I am interested in teaching in South Korea however I have a couple speeding tickets and an underage drinking on my 'record', do you think this will ban me from teaching in South Korea? thanks for the video!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@dicksalad1122 Sorry this reply is so late. Your comment got marked as spam, so I never saw it before.

The speeding tickets are okay, but the underage drinking ticket could disqualify you. I would check with a recruiter to make sure, but I've heard of people getting rejected for that charge before. Thanks for the question!

[jkhalberdier]

Thumbs up.... Thanks,

I am in the process now. I was wondering do any cell phones / plans work over there? jkhalberdier@gmail.com

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@jkhalberdier Sorry for the late reply. Your comment got marked as spam so I didn't see it before.

Some cell phone plans might work in Korea, but everyone I know just got a phone once they were in the country. It takes a little while because you need to have your Alien Registration Card first (which can take a month to get), but getting a phone after that is pretty easy with some help from a Korean. Thanks for watching and for the question!

[Omegalux]

This is just a simple thank you for making this video. I had already researched pretty much everything you said and I am working towards meeting the requirements (Qualification). However it is great help to hear your confirmation and advice. Thank you very much and I wish you the very best. Also looking forward to more videos. ~Jay.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@Omegalux Thanks so much! I hope everything goes well for you and that you have a great time in Korea!

[SoyLaBonBon]

Your video was informative. I thought I'd make mention of the fact that the FBI CBC actually goes to the Department of State, not the Department of Justice. Also, there are some states which will supposedly apostille a federal CBC, so there have been some who are able to trim a little time from the process by going that route after receiving their CBC.

I'm hoping to be in Iksan before the end of the month. I am very excited.

Cheers!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@SoyLaBonBon Thank you very much for correcting my mistake and providing the updated information! One of the things I like the most about YouTube is that it allows us to all learn together. I hope you have a great time here in Korea! Cheers!

[SoyLaBonBon]

@GreenEggsAndHamster YouTube has its moments. But it also has its share of egregious human nonsense. And I am DEFINITELY hoping to make the most of my time in Korea. Best.

[juddcreek2]

Do you ever correspond wth your fellow teachers in Japan? You might want to check out Siliconetrace, she puts on a pretty good show, just as you do, Thanks

[mziwewonga]

thanks for the VId man, how long how long have u been in Korea?

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@mziwewonga I was here for one year as a college student and now I've been teaching here for 9 months. Thanks for watching!

[jiffmartin]

Wow your apartment looks almost the same as my first apartment in Korea.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@jiffmartin Yeah, it's a pretty nice place. I'm happy with it. Thanks for watching!

[saya062309]

why seventh grade??? T.T

i moved to the US and they moved me from 7th to 8th

can a year really make the difference????

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@saya062309 Oh really? That sucks!!! As far as I know, they require grades 7 and up to be taught in English, but I'd send an inquiry to a recruiter anyway just to be sure. Wow, this reminds me of how much I hate rules like this. There is always exceptions that should be made. Perhaps, if you have American citizenship, they wouldn't ask you to prove your early education was in English (they didn't for me). I hope you can work in Korea!

[saya062309]

@GreenEggsAndHamster I recently got my citizenship, I have everything u listed in here (except for the 7th grade thing) but thanks for the informative video ^^

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@saya062309 That's great! Like I said, they might not ask you about that. They didn't ask me to prove me early education. I included that in the video because, while researching this video on the internet, I read that they might do that. I say, if you want to come to Korea, give it a shot!!! If you never try, you never know. :-)

[JapanObsessed10]

Theres something very calming about your voice

I love your videos.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@JapanObsessed10 Wow, what a nice compliment! Thank you. I really appreciate it!

[nojohnso]

If I'm from the U.S. and I have a degree from an international program (taught in English) outside of those 7 countries, will I still be eligible?

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@nojohnso Well, I'm sorry to say that, according to my research and experience, your degree has to be from an accredited university in one of those 7 countries. To me that seems unfair, especially since your program was taught in English, but I believe that is the rule.

You can always send an inquiry to a recruiter here to get a definite yes or no. Any of them will be up front with you about that. Thank you for the question and sorry again for the bad news.

[Nemesis093781]

Thank you for the video.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@Nemesis093781 Thank you for watching!!!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@elephantmaniac Hahaha! BusanKevin is my hero, too! Thanks so much! It's very flattering to be put in the same category with "the godfather" of vlogging in Asia! I really appreciate it!!!

[SunieLove]

a slight accent is ok????! omg thank god! that was the one thing I was most concerned about.

how much does the criminal record check cost?

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@SunieLove It looks like it is $18, at least for the FBI portion of it. There may be more hidden costs along the way at the police station or when the document is authenticated (I'm not sure because I didn't have to to this when I came here last year). Thanks for the question! Good luck coming to Korea!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@SunieLove Oh yeah, I just added the link to the FBI website about background checks in the description to this video. That should help you get started. :-)

[SunieLove]

@GreenEggsAndHamster Thanks so much for the help ^^

[Jovante007]

Appreciate the informative 'level ups', really looking forward to the next edition to see what the teaching realities are like. I'm in Canada, I don't think our crim checks are going to be as lengthly...but is there a 'do not exceed' time for that, or should I look at starting the paperwork for a crim check NOW, despite not having taken my TESL course yet or applying to anyplace yet...like, is it good to get this out of the way early, or do I need to do it when I apply?

[jadeCeladon]

@Jovante007

Criminal checks are good for 6 months after you get one completed and in paper form.

[Jovante007]

@jadeCeladon

Good to know, thanks a bunch!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@Jovante007 I see your one question has been already been answered (thanks jadeCeladon!!), but that is awesome you are planning to take a TESL course! Additional qualifications like that will probably help you land a much better job. If you only have a bachelor's and no teaching experience (like me) basically only hagwons will hire you, and that, as you will see, can sometimes be pretty bad. Thanks again for watching!

[destructicon500]

@Jovante007 Actually the RCMP-level (national) CRC can take up to 4 months, so it's best to do it ASAP. It lasts for 6 months once you get it done.

You don't need to have a job lined up to get the fingerprints for the national CRC.. but the police might give you a hard time. Just persist and say you need it for a national CRC to work abroad. If you're using a recruiter, then say you need it for [name of recruiter]

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@destructicon500 Wow, I didn't know the process was also as lengthy in Canada! That is great insight! Thanks for helping us all learn together!

[justinchaostm]

very informative video. i liked it ^__^

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@justinchaostm Great! Thanks for watching!

[SeoulSean]

A well informed video, I'm glad I didn't have to go through that process!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@SeoulSean Yes, the process was quite bothersome. It just seemed to go on and on. It would be way better to have a Korean wife like you do, you lucky guy! Thanks for watching!