Teaching English in Korea: a checklist
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008Teaching English as a Second Language in Korea.
If you choose to make Korea your home for the next year as an English teacher, you will have to jump through a series of hoops to get in the system. It isn’t as easy as it used to be (prior to March 2008). First and foremost, one would generally need an E-2 visa. A common exception to this rule is holders of F-4 visas. Those who qualify for an F-4 are of Korean heritage. Otherwise, this post is geared for prospective E-2 holders from America.
To be considered for any teaching position in Korea, you must first qualify under these terms:
- Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
- Hold a valid passport from either Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, or the USA
- English must be your first language
Here’s an overview for what one can expect teaching in Korea. Another first-hand experience story can be found here.
If there were a sort of checklist for getting ready to teach overseas, it would like a bit like this:
- Finish four year degree and obtain physical copy of diploma
- Make notarized copies of your diploma
- Research possible job positions and working conditions as they vary greatly
- Apply through a single, reputable recruiter
- Choose a job position offered to you either directly or posed online
- Go to local police station and complete a Criminal Background Check (CBC)
- Get CBC notarized
- Send notarized CBC results to secretary of state to obtain apostille on CBC
- Send apostilled CBC, notarized diploma, sealed transcripts, application to either recruiter or new employer in Korea
- Recruiter or new employer will send you visa issuance (certificate) number
- Contact local Korean consulate and setup application and interview
- New E-2 visa applicants must visit in person local consulate for short interview
- Arrive in Korea
- Move into new home
- Get acquainted with new employer
- Get set up to take a medical and drug check at local Korean hospital (within 90 days of arrival)
- Apply for Alien Registration card (ARC)
- Do a good job - you represent your country ^^
Although this list is not comprehensive, it does cover the majority of problems and/or questions one might have. If anyone can think of anything to add, please feel free to comment!
Common pitfalls:
- Don’t trust anyone who says you need anything other than a bachelor’s degree as bare minimum. AA (Associate degrees) do not qualify.
- Working conditions vary greatly and do not exactly correspond to how things are done back home
- If using multiple recruiters for a public school position (e.g. SMOE) your application will likely be thrown out. Those who hire for public teaching positions only want to see your application once
- Recruiting companies are free of charge on your end. The school that you choose pays them for their service
- Educate yourself on the common differences between 학원 (academies) 공립 학교 (public school), private, and university jobs
- Do not submit an online CBC check. Korea no longer accepts these. Get the CBC done in person. Local checks are fine. FBI checks not necessary, but also accepted (more expensive and take much longer).
- Do not get your CBC more than six (6) months ahead of hiring date as your CBC will be considered out of date. Some even recommend that it be completed as soon as 3 months prior to departure. Play it safe.
- CBC checks are a one time only deal for first time (and re-ups prior to March 2008 ) E-2 visa applicants.
- Get CBC check apostilled by secretary of state. There is an alternative method for validating CBC check from within Korea (sworn affidavit) but it is generally easier to do from home country.
- You must apply for E-2 in your home country. This cannot be done at an embassy in another country.
- Hold onto your ARC like it’s gold. This is your new traveling buddy. Take it everywhere you go and don’t lose it.
- If you quit less than six months into the job, you must leave the country. Your E-2 visa is tied to your job. Lose the job, lose your visa status.
- If you quit after six months into the job (obviously not advised) seek a new job ASAP. Apply for new visa with new job. Your ARC isn’t tied to your job, but it does reflect where you work. New job = need new visa. New visa = need new ARC.
- Do not take on private lessons. It is highly illegal and is grounds for deportation and/or heavy fines. As an E-2 holder, you can only teach at the place specified in your contract. F-2-1, F-4, and F-5-9 visa holders can teach privates lessons so long as they register with local Ministry of Education and obtain private teaching certificate
- Even if your recruiter accidentally (or intentionally) misleads you or gives you advice that conflicts with Korean Immigration, it doesn’t matter - Korean Immigration trumps anything said by anyone (other than the Labor Board which is a separate entity)
- Take your time, don’t be pressured into anything you are uncomfortable with, and ask plenty of questions. This is your decision to move to ROK, so be informed and be open to jumping through hoops.
- Have no fear - if you want to attend a Korean language school/university/학원, it doesn’t affect your visa status so study all you want
- Be prepared for a life changing experience.
For more information on living and teaching in South Korea check out Dave’s ESL Cafe forum. Topics aren’t always safe for work and validity of information varies but overall some good advice can be found here.
Otherwise, here’s a great link to get you started: E-2 Video Tutorial - quite comprehensive checklist and video with very practical advice. Make sure if you have any questions, check out this page first as it explains a lot of the nitty-gritty details often overlooked by many applicants. Furthermore, here is an excellently compiled FAQ list from ASK Now, Inc.
Thoughts?
Posted by Matthew in How Koreans Do It |
November 4th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Hi Matthew,
Great info, though one point worth editing- a THREE year bachelor degree from universities in the U.K. (where three years is the standard duration for a bachelor degree) is acceptable to teach in Korea. I am currently teaching at a public school in Korea with this, as is my wife and many of my friends from the U.K.
Thanks,
Jon Sumner
November 4th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Thanks for the correction Jon!
It’s a force of habit. Where I’m from “four year degree” and “bachelor’s degree” are interchangeable words - and they certainly don’t apply to folks like myself who are on the six year plan
Regardless, I edited the post to reflect the correct terminology.
Thanks for pointing that out and keep the suggestions/corrections/comments coming!
November 4th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Matthew - have you taught in Korea before? You sound experienced.
Maybe this is a little off-topic, but I just want to rant a little about how as a Singaporean, I obviously don’t qualify since I don’t hold a “valid” passport (UK, US, etc.), although English is my first language. We don’t have the “Queen’s english” nor the acceptable “Western accent”, even though in other aspects (grammar vocab whatever) we may be on par with our western friends. But we are still not considered native speakers.
Then when it comes to Chinese, it’s the same thing. We learn the language from young, use it in our families, in society etc. But we are not considered native speakers, with the desired/acceptable “Chinese/Beijing accent”.
So at times it’s a little frustrating - being caught in the middle - in a mish-mash of languages, like being jack of all trades, yet master of none (or at least not recognised as master of any).
November 4th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
wow what an interesting perspective Shan. I know you aren’t alone in your plight. Even some Canadians are denied due to their bachelor’s degrees originating from a French-language university - even though the classes and content were taught in English (let alone the guy is Canadian and speaks English)
I know some Filipinos that are in the same boat. Even though they clearly have full command of English, their passports are from a non-English language nation. Seems like an oversight, doesn’t it?
And no, I haven’t taught in Korea yet - although I’m hoping for a job this coming fall. Better buy some wetnaps Korea cause you’re about to have Matthew all over you!
November 4th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I really hope that by time I’ve finished my degree in 2013 (.. so far way, jesus christ), they haven’t made even more hoops to jump through!
But thanks for this, this was a lot of great info, all in one place.
Good luck getting the job in autumn, Matthew
November 5th, 2008 at 3:22 am
You _CAN_ use an AA degree to get some teaching jobs: it’s a new program and it’s through EPIK.
Details here:
http://www.teachkorea.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=4883&forum=2&post_id=5181
November 5th, 2008 at 7:06 am
I heard about this - this has trouble written all over it. It’s hard enough to find qualified, pedagogically trained English teachers in Korea and then EPIK springs this on…
While I understand the reason (high demand for English instruction) I personally feel that this is a step in the wrong direction. There are other ways to entice qualified teachers. Offering near equal-level positions for people who are even more far removed from educational backgrounds is not the way IMHO. However, Chris, you are right - EPIK is offering these positions.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I didn’t say I agreed with it, but I just wanted to point out that it does exist. It certainly is a step in the wrong direction.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Yeah as I understand it, it’s a fairly recent change in the qualifications. I wonder how many other areas will start implementing this?
What really shocks me is that these aren’t hagwon jobs - they’re public school jobs. yikes.
Come on Chris - you and me - we’ll do a candlelight vigil and hope Korea does the right thing. You bring the acoustic guitar and I’ll sing backup on “Some Say Love”
November 5th, 2008 at 10:47 am
It looks like you’re preparing to do something, Matthew
November 5th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Why should a person who hasn’t had the opportunity/finances to go to a University be barred from teaching English in a foreign country? Especially since it doesn’t matter at all what ones major was in? I know for a fact that a lot of college graduates are not especially more intelligent or trustworthy than those who might be a bit more humble in there upbringing.
I am not trying to start a fight, but doesn’t it seem a bit elitist to make such remarks?
November 6th, 2008 at 2:13 am
@John: It’s the Korean government’s way of filtering out dumb and irresponsible people. They are making the assumption that people with college degrees tend to behave with more maturity. It certainly isn’t bias-free, but I tend to agree with the general fact that the college experience makes a lot of people grow up. If you’re upset about the discrimination with E-2 visas, take a look at what you get for just having a Korean parent. Also, take a look at what some of the US and Canadian government visa policies are. It’s impossible to make a guideline that fits everyone, but it’s fair to say Korea has experienced (still experiencing) its fair share of dumb English teachers.
@Matthew: It’s a trial-and-error deal. They’ll figure it out someday… Hopefully..
November 6th, 2008 at 4:23 am
Chris: I am not at all upset about the bias. I can understand the reasoning behind the requirements, I was just making an observation of the comments is all.
As far as college making a person grow up, I tend to disagree completely on that, but we can respect each other opinions I am sure.
Case and point about the “dumb” English teachers.
Giving someone a piece of paper for their time and money doesn’t make them any smarter.
November 6th, 2008 at 6:29 am
I certainly agree that college doesn’t make a person grow up: a person makes a person grow up. College can just be a stimulus for that (”wake up call” maybe?). There are plenty of people that did not go to college (i.e. Bill Gates) that are very successful and excellent people. Different people need different experiences to make their desires into reality. College is just one mechanism to do that.
November 6th, 2008 at 10:44 am
John: thanks for your thoughts - I had not realized how my comments might have been interpreted. Let me clarify.
Going to college has nothing to with money and even less to do with maturity in this particular situation. Refocus on the point - qualifications. I wouldn’t trust a high school graduate to fix my car; I would rather trust a person who has gone through a technical training school in that field. There’s nothing wrong with the graduate it’s just that I want my car fixed. The same goes with teaching. Parents and students of any country deserve qualified teachers with pedagogical backgrounds. My comments aren’t about class; they are about qualifications.
Of course there are some people who hold seriously impressive degrees in the teaching profession and who also simply have no business being in front of children. These people do exist, but of course this happens in any profession. My point is that if Korea wants qualified teachers, why lower the minimal qualification requirements? This dragnet style of recruiting entices more of the under-qualified and less of the adequately qualified.
The fact remains that Korea is place where English instruction is in high demand but highly qualified teachers are in low supply. So, we make do. The same is true in America with the public school setting. Many school districts do a similar hiring practice - especially in bilingual instruction. If a native speaker (or someone in a related foreign language field) applies for a bilingual teaching job and the need is high enough, of course the district will hire that individual - knowing that the students deserve the best and at the moment - this is the best that they could do. It certainly doesn’t automatically mean that the applicant won’t be a good teacher, though. However, I think we can all see the merit in working in a profession in which you are most qualified for.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
re: Shan’s comments on not being able to teach in Korea due to being Singaporean:
I agree with you Shan that it’s a bit of a dumb system. I’m English so was able to pass the criteria set down for native English speakers, but I have a close friend from Singapore and her standard of English puts mine to shame, despite not being recognised by the Korean government as a “native speaker”. If she had applied for the same job as me and was from one of the “English speaking countries” (i.e. those regonised by the Korean education board) she’s have got the job!
One thing I’ll mention though is that in the small town in Korea where I work, there is a language college which has employed four Filipina teachers of English who teach classes and in return receive salary (I don’t know how much), accomodation (in a dormitory, unfortunately no furnished apartment) and Korean lessons. It’s certainly not as comfortable a contract as for the usual “overpaid under-worked Westerners” (my words) like myself, but it’s interesting that it does seem possible for nationalities which aren’t on the standard list to obtain English teaching positions here.
Just to point out another hole in the current system, South Africans are on the list of accepted nationalities. And a couple I have met speak English as their second language (Afrikaans being the first of course). Now I don’t want loads of angry South Africans moaning at me for saying this, but when I hear them speak (these two individuals, not every South African person) they make more mistakes in their English than Singaporean people I have met. But the Singaporeans aren’t allowed to apply for English teaching jobs in Korea. Go figure.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:42 am
I don’t disagree that a degree should be a qualification. But from what I have read about ESL teachers in Korea, and elsewhere I think their should be in place a mental evaluation of some sort, lol. It seems to take a very harsh toll on certain types of psyche. And therefore the minimum of a “four year” degree opens up the recruiting process to individuals who when put in a stressful type situation may not act in the most genuine of manners.
But then the job itself tends to attract a segment of nare-do-wells(sp). I am not saying there aren’t teachers who do a fabulous job and do earn their money.
I personally don’t think I would want to teach children English, I know I wouldn’t have the “right stuff”. I wouldn’t mind working overseas, but definitely not as a teacher.
November 10th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
If you think the teaching qualifications in Korea have really become strict, you should see Thailand. ALL teachers are now expected to take a Thai training class and those without an actual teaching degree ( Not TEFL) must take a year long teacher training course in Thailand. And this is for a job that pays less than $1000 a month in many cases.
http://blog.esldaily.org/2008/07/31/thailand–teacher-visa-soon-to-be-teacher-nightmare.aspx
November 11th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I couldn’t get the link to work but if what you say is on the level…yikes.
That’s a huge change. I was under the impression that Thailand was another one of the countries that has a big English language need to fill but yet not enough qualified teachers apply.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, I personally want to see Korea become more strict on university degree requirements for English teachers but Thailand is going one-up on us, aren’t they? Harsh…
EDIT: ah, here’s the link: http://blog.esldaily.org/2008/07/31/thailand–teacher-visa-soon-to-be-teacher-nightmare.aspx
November 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Oh man, this is definitley shaping up to be an un-fun process (heh, “un-fun”… but I’m a Canadian with a Bachelor’s degree, so who’s to question my English ability
). I was teaching in Korea during the time that the new regulations came into place, and was I ever glad that I had found my job before all the new hoops were set up. But now, I’m hoping to get another job (in the Korean public system, no less!), and I’m not looking forward to all the fees and legal processes and various indignities I’m to be subjected to.
I agree that the Korean government is in a tight spot: they need a lot of English teachers, and they want ones with certain key accents, and they want good, qualified people who will work hard and not molest their children (hey, is it a coincidence that all these new regulations came out after some Westerner who had taught in Korea for a few years was arrested in Thailand for pedophilia?). But, it’s hard to set objective standards to recruit such people. So, hence the arguably elitist decree that all applicants must hold a university degree.
Unfair, possibly and even probably, but it’s the easiest way to set criteria. I know non-native English speakers who speak better English than I do. I also had a co-worker (evidently with a bachelor’s degree) who admitted that he researched what the easiest courses at his school were on-line, so he could coast through university with a minimum of effort. This is also the young man who walked out of the room while his boss was giving a speech– and not because of an emergency, simply because he was bored and thought it was OK.
It’s an imperfect world we live in!
November 25th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Work of teaching in korea is useful and reasonable. Korea is very beautiful country. The environment of korea is very lowely. I want Teaching job in korea and sattle in korea.
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Hi there! This is great information but i do have questions. I haven’t applied for my passport yet but I am going to do that next week. Can I still go ahead and apply for jobs through a recruiter? At what point do you need to show them your passport? I probably won’t have the passport in hand until January. Also, I would like to apply for a position that starts March 1, 2009. Will I have enough time to get all my documents ready by then? Thanks!
December 4th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Great question Tammy!
Although your recruiter is probably a whole lot more qualified to answer this, I would assume at the visa issuance number part of the process is where you would need a valid passport (after CBC report sent but before consulate interview). However, so long as all steps eventually do get done, I have read countless stories of people who still got a job through nontraditional means but still through official channels. Legality of course is subjective in situations like this but that’s just my opinion.
Tangent aside, I would say that if you plan on getting the passport in January in time for a job that starts in March, that sounds like a totally reasonable time frame.
The best thing you could do to speed up the process on your end is 1) submit the CBC properly and 2) pick a position. I don’t know your qualifications so it’s hard to recommend a specific position, but a good general knowledge of contracts is vital. I would recommend that you (if not already) get familiar with common contracts and working conditions. Once you have become so well acquainted with typical job norms, you will become well-versed enough to know what is a scam and what is a decent position. Some job positions can be found here:
http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/teaching-jobs-in-korea-j.php
and here
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/
December 5th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
@daral: I hope to god you never teach there cause you’d make the rest of us look bad.
@tammy: Yes and no, when I was first looking for jobs in Korea a recruiter found me a job when I was only in the process of getting my passport. Then when I got it i used another recruiter who required that all the documents be ready before they found a position. I would trust a recruiter who was more demanding than one who didn’t care if you had your passport yet…seems a bit sketch. I’m going soon…let you know if I made the right choice.
And finally to that damn canadian girl who makes up words and thinks its ok……I approve
Likewise I hold a bachelors degree from a small, private, expensive and prestigious university in the Midwest, So whatever I say will go dammit! Hell I might even teach French and say its English and they’d better not question me! Just kidding….but seriously.
December 5th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Oh and one more thing, its expensive to get everything together to teach in Korea. Passport $100+
Bgd chk w/ appos $25+shipping
docs to Korea $75
transcripts (my school at least) 3 @ $10= $30
international drivers lic $25
shots $200
visa fee $45
overnight shipping of everything back and forth (req’d) $65
and most make you buy the $1000 ticket upfront and reimburse you when you get there
and don’t forget luggage, language cd’s (to learn Korean), money to live on till you get your first paycheck, and gadgets to record your memories