That's the big question isn't it? You've decided to come and now need to find the best school for you. There are basically two ways to find a job here. Contact a recruiter and let them do the work or try to contact schools yourself. The third option, I guess, is if you already have friends here and they help you get a job at their school or one that they know is hiring.
Let's look at the pros and cons of them and then you can decide which is right for you.
Job Searching on Your Own
That's the way we do it in the West, isn't it? We put on our best duds, pound the pavement and search for the perfect job. Of course, in this case, the pavement is virtual (unless you decide to fly several thousand kilometers and search in person) and the best jobs aren't easy to find. Some schools do recruit for themselves. They say the best ones do, but sadly also do the worst. They're the schools that either are large enough to have a recruiter, have gotten one of their staff to take on the additional work of trying to find a new teacher (often to replace themselves) or have such a bad reputation that no recruiter would touch them with a ten foot pole.
So, when looking on your own it's really important to find out as much imformation about the school as you can. Contacting former teachers at the school is a great idea but hard to do. Is a school going to give you a contact who didn't like the school? Doubtful! You can check Black Lists on various sites, but frankly I find most of the teachers who post there are whining over petty things, although again there are some who have legitimite complaints, but the whiners ruin it for me. You have to read the lists with a grain of salt.
The majority of schools in Korea, even the good ones, go through a recruiter and don't advertise privately. Frankly, either most don't how or are just too busy running their school to bother, but if you're not in a hurry then this might be the way to go. Atleast then if you get a bad school you can only blame yourself.
Recruiters
Recruiters rule the Job Boards and you'll find them bombarding them with ads for a gazillion schools. Like anything else, there are good recruiters and their are bad ones. Good recruiters never ask for fees from you, the school pays their fee, if they do don't deal with them. There are a million recruiters out there who a decent and don't charge a dime to you. They make enough money from the schools, trust me.
A good recruiter is easy to find. First, they should offer you more than one school as a choice. They should be quick to answer any questions, whether it is about the school or just general questions about what you need to know to live here. They should be on your side and look out for your interests. The best recruiters are ones who do follow up once you are placed at a school and can act as a go between if there is a disagreement between you and the owner.
Don't let a recruiter bully you into anything. Take your time and choose one that treats you as an individual and not just a big signing fee. Make sure that they answer any questions that you have to your satisfaction. Always ask to contact foreign teachers that are working or have worked (if any) for the school. (You should do this regardless of how you search for a job.) Make sure the recruiter knows what they are doing and get them to give you all the information you need to get your teaching visa, travel arrangements to your school and as much information as they can give you about where you will be living and the school you'll be working at. It's there job! If they don't, well move on to the next one (if you haven't submitted your stuff to multiple recruiters) and don't settle till you feel you have gotten one that truly is looking out for you.
Schools through Friends
This seems like the best way, doesn't it? Someone you know well recommends a school. Well, I had a very good friend do this for me and no complaints about him, but I only lasted a month with his school. Everybody is different and what might be good for them might not be your cup of tea. Of course, maybe my case was the exception and I'd like to think that generally this is probably one of the best ways to get your foot in the door. They know the school, hopefully, and are not just lonely and want some company (Misery loves company sort of thing). They can also help you adjust to your new setting and having someone familiar around might make the adjustment easier.
What's the best choice? Well, I have done them all, but these days I tend to use recruiters. I have a couple who treat me well and know what I am looking for in a school. They are fast, know their stuff and treat me well, so I go back every year that I am looking for a new school (Which is pretty much every year, but that's me, not them. What? I'm fussy and I like trying out different schools and living in different parts of Korea). What ever method you chose make sure you take your time and make the right choice. You're signing away a year of your life, so make sure that it will be an enjoyable and profitable one.
1. You need to be a native speaker (English as your first language) from the following countries: Canada, USA, Great Britain (Including Scotland, Wales and Ireland), Austrailia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
2. You need a 3 or 4 year degree in any subject from a unversity (online university degrees may not be accepted).
3. You need a valid Passport from the above mentioned countires (it should be valid for more than one year).
You'll also need a good resume and cover letter. A good picture is important as well. Appearnaces are important here (maybe more important than your resume), so make sure that you show your best side and smile.
That's it. If you have those you have the key to a career teaching ESL in Korea. If you don't, get them or don't quit your day job.
Age is also a factor in getting a job in a private school (public schools are much less picky on age and appearance, but that might change as time goes by). Most schools (and parents of the students) want young teachers. Also, due to Korean culture an owner might feel uncomfortable hiring a teacher older than himself due to the fact that he must show his elders respect and generally must defer to them (which is a great ace to play if you're having disagreements with them). Korea is an age hierarchial society to the point that if you have an adult class that can free talk, the younger participants will refuse to debate with their older classmates.
According to the Korean labor laws, employers aren't supposed to be able to discriminate based on looks and age, but there isn't much you can do about. Civil suits against employers aren't common here and some contracts even stipulate that an employee can't sue them over such issues (public schools especially).
Luckily, Korea is progressing and this is becoming less of an issue (age anyways) and there are many good schools who are just looking for good teachers, regardless of age or appearance.
To work legally in Korea, you have to have a contract with a Korean school, whether private or public, or a company. Read this contract carefully. Once you sign it you have committed yourself to working for this organisation for a full year. If you have any doubts about anything in the contract, don't be afraid to question your potential employer. If they can't or won't give you clarification, then: DON'T SIGN IT!
If you go to a good English teachers forums, you will read alot of gripes from teachers here who got a raw deal and many times it is because they didn't read the contract carefully.There are thousand of positions here and, whether you are a newbie or a veteran of ESL teaching in Korea, you have alot of choices of where you want to work. So, take your time and get the best deal for you.
On the next page, I'll look at the issue of contracts and talk about what are standard and what's not.
You generally need an E2 visa to legally teach English Conversation in Korea. There are other types allowed but this is the most common type of Visa used by the teachers here. Check out the Canadian Korean Consulate website to find out what you need and how to appy or if you are using a recruiter they will tell you exactly what you need to apply. You can find their website on my links page. Some schools may want you come to Korea first and then do a visa run to Japan. They often make you work without a visa for a short time before making the run.
This is ILLEGAL!!!
If you get caught working in Korea without a visa you will have to pay a big fine and will be deported from korea for life. A recruiter or school might tell you this is a rare occurance, but every year many teachers get caught and deported. The school gets a fine, which while it is often substancial, is really just a slap on the wrist. You lose a great oppurtunity to not only make a good living, but you now have a black mark on your record with the Canadian government, who could also make your life difficult. It's your call, but ask yourself, "Is it worth it?"
