Should you teach English in Korea? My opinion and experience.

[UltimaGravitas]

I apologize if my comments come off as nonsensical ramblings. I simply do not like it when we eschew good books (good books here are not merely ones that have interesting story; they are masterfully written, too.) so as to master a particular language quickly. It's bad enough that the people who are subjected under ESL/EFL courses don't read that often; now, we are under this situation.

[UltimaGravitas]

I am an Asian living in through and through Asian country but it saddens me that many of my fellow Asians, especially the younger ones, think that good English can be found in Twilight.

A few of my friends took up TESL course (Diploma Level) on the pretext of having read Twilight and Harry Potter. What's more, they truly think that books like Ulysses and Moby Dick are not good. Something is not right when Twilight is used as the determiner of good usage of the English language.

[UltimaGravitas]

English. I don't know, but I just have this sentiment that Asians generally aren't enthusiastic at learning English because of the status of the language as a colonial language. Well, the language of the once largest empire on Earth.

Teenagers and late-teenagers in Asia, as with teenagers around the world who are exposed to popular cultures, are obsessed with Twilight.

[MsQwerty09871]

Hey. I'm thinking of doing this too! It'll be an adventure, but the main reason is to pay of student debt. -It's hard to get work, atm. However, after teaching for a year abroad, how do you think future employers will view me?

[RobertCrayola]

@MsQwerty09871 I think a lot of employers like people who've done something like this.

[spacitydrummer4JC]

Did you do Peace Corps? 

[RobertCrayola]

@spacitydrummer4JC No.

[spacitydrummer4JC]

What program did you go through?

[en10]

Do you have to know HOW to speak korean ?

[RobertCrayola]

@en10 No, you don't need to know any Korean to get a job there.

[CraigBarduk]

Haha, your voice reminds me of my Dad's. He and I also have a tendency to speak at a low volume and mumble. He even taught English in China, and I have an inclination towards the subject too. I might teach abroad someday too, but I'm not sure. lmao sorry, had to mention it. I was lol'ing throughout the video because of this.

[RobertCrayola]

@CraigBarduk Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father. CraigBarduk, I AM YOUR FATHER.

Search your feelings, you know it to be true.

[audralizsmith]

very helpful, thank you for the help!

[Iwishonedayy]

Since you had no degree in teaching, was it easy to get the hang of teaching others in a classroom? And what is the average salary for ESL? I was told I could get 1.5million won for the job, but it feels a bit low.

[lancsno1]

also did you have any form of TEFL certificate before you went to Korea?

[lancsno1]

who did you apply through? which recruitment site

[hcw199]

hey great video, thanks for posting... just wondering when you were out there did you feel confident to speak to locals in korean or did u hope they spoke english? how many adults out there understand english? ;-)

[DreamOfFireFlies]

Is it hard to make friends there?

[chataupiano]

@stalinwasright I feel for you. I'm not a sex offender myself, but I understand pretty well what's wrong with the system right now as it pertains to sexual offenses. It's true that sex offenders are treated unfairly and are given a disproportionate amount of hate as if all the offenders can be homogeneously grouped together, which really comprises a very diverse set of offenses.

[RobertCrayola]

@stalinwasright Since a criminal background check is required to get a visa (with no record), I don't think you can.

[dylanluver93]

did u work with a book??

like a set system??

and were u there alone?

was it hard at first living alone and getting around korea along??

[RobertCrayola]

@dylanluver93 I used various materials. We sort of had a curriculum but I had free space to makes stuff up too.

I was not there alone. There were like 50 million other people there.

[misterchupps]

nice vid, one of the more succinct and intelligent Korea TEFL vlogs.

[writefromwithin]

I'm really considering teaching overseas and one of my best friends is teaching English in Shanghai through Marshall University's China program and so far he likes it but then again he loves Chinese and took several years of Chinese in college. I on the other hand have never had an interest in teaching until now because I can't find a job outside of retail with my Communications degree from WKU. I love cultures and grew up in DC. I've never taught a class before though. How is the training ?

[RobertCrayola]

@writefromwithin I didn't get any training, they just threw me in a classroom.

[writefromwithin]

@RobertCrayola

Yeah ? But everyone is pretty helpful right ? How does banking work there ? Another girl said you have to go through an Alien immigration program to get a card and then fingerprints from there. I'm not sure how it works over there. Busan sounds pretty awesome. What was your favorite place to visit outside of the town you stayed in ? Also, buying groceries etc are there a lot of differences ?? Also they have a lot of gyms etc right ? So I hear public schooling is the way to go ?

[RobertCrayola]

@writefromwithin Every schooling situation is different, but yeah, they're usually helpful and there are websites with teaching material, etc. I haven't lived in Busan so I probably shouldn't have endorsed it so wholeheartedly. A friend recently told me that the people are "rougher" there - whatever that means. Korea is a convenience culture and you should have no problem finding groceries, gyms, etc. A private academy could be better than public school - there's no perfect situation!

[writefromwithin]

I'm really considering teaching overseas and one of my best friends is teaching English in Shanghai through Marshall University's China program and so far he likes it but then again he loves Chinese and took several years of Chinese in college. I on the other hand have never had an interest in teaching until now because I can't find a job outside of retail with my Communications degree from WKU. I love cultures and grew up in DC. I've never taught a class before though. How is the training ?

[AhSaNL11]

how would you define a native English speaker? i am from Canada, but i was born here, I moved to Canada when I was 7 years old so I did most of my schooling in Canada from grade 3 to college, English is not my first language, so am i still considered a native English speaker?

[RobertCrayola]

@AhSaNL11 I don't know the requirements - I would just talk to a recruiter or school and see what they say. I'm guessing it depends on if you have an accent.

[RobertCrayola]

@userytl It's okay, I am always online and study every comment like they were great literature. Yes, you can teach longer. Most schools will renew at the end of your contract (unless you're a really horrible teacher, and sometimes even that won't slow you down). Or you could just go to a different school.

Appearance is definitely important to Koreans and blonde-haired blue-eyed types will find it easier, but don't let that deter you. I knew black teachers, Asian teachers etc. You'll find work.

[userytl]

@RobertCrayola Thank you for the quick answer!

[lesleyburt]

Concerning the E2 visa and travelling to other countries.... If you want to travel around to China, Japan, etc., do you need to get a re-entry visa, or...? How does that work?

[RobertCrayola]

@lesleyburt I didn't leave South Korea while I lived there, but i think you just have to apply for a re-entry visa once you're in SK for a small fee.

[2TheRage]

Have you been to Bucheon? If so, what's your opinion on it? I know it's near Seoul so does that mean they are pretty much the same?

[RobertCrayola]

@2TheRage I taught and lived in Bucheon for my year in Korea. It's about 40 minutes to Seoul on the train/subway. It has about the same level of crowded-ness, although Seoul's a little more touristy and has foreigner areas like Itaewon, and more things to do. I could go a week in Bucheon without seeing another foreigner. In general (unless you have a specific reason for wanting to be in Bucheon), if you're gonna be that close to Seoul I would recommend being in Seoul itself.

[SussenRose]

Can I ask which one you used? I am interested in south korea or japan, but I got nervous when I read about some stories where people were promised certain things that didn't come true. Were you satisfied overall with your recruiter? Also, were you able to meet other ex-pats to go out with? I'm pretty independent - only child etc etc- but would still like to go out once in a while with friends if possible. also, how the mass transit system there? safe?

[RobertCrayola]

@SussenRose It was a few years ago so I no longer have the recruiter's contact info. If you're worried about the situation, try to talk to other teachers at the school and get some honest answers from them. If you want to be around other foreigners, it's easier in a major city (Seoul or Busan). Also, I've heard less horror stories about public schools than private, but you can find good jobs at private schools too.

[SussenRose]

did you go through a recruiter?

[RobertCrayola]

@SussenRose Yes... I told her what area I wanted and approximately what I was looking for and she got back to me very quickly. Recruiters get a fat bonus for getting you over there.