Great Positions with Public and Private Schools in Korea!

Wanting to teach abroad is something I wanted to do for ages, ever since high school really, so after obtaining my TEFL certification I researched and found myself overwhelmed by concerns and questions about whether or not I could do it on my own.

Using Reach to Teach as my recruiter was a decision reached after months of research on numerous websites (including gooverseas.com) and a desire to end up in the best situation possible for moving thousands of miles from home and culture of the only kind that I knew. I had decided that I wanted to teach in EPIK South Korea and anywhere I looked I saw questionable things about recruiters or the general comment on how complicated the application for EPIK could be.

Fortunately, most of the message boards that discussed recruiters at the time always seemed to have positive remarks about Reach to Teach and its main South Korea recruiter, John Kellenberger. After steeling myself for the process and reading what Reach to Teach offered as a service prior to, during, and after applying and getting to where I was going I felt far more at ease going into it than anywhere else after seeing what was offered. Reach to Teach has definitely lived up to the hype in my mind thus far.

Working with Reach to Teach was so unique simply for the fact I had never approached a recruiter before but also because they are a small one that make you feel easily a part of something they care deeply about and have so much experience in.

For working with so many people at once they were always quick to return my emails of questions during the process (a little slower around the holidays but still always seemed to find time) and even set up a mock interview to prepare for the real thing with EPIK. Most importantly however, they gave me the support and confidence in being able to succeed in a process where I was already a bit behind in the application work. The whole thing is stressful enough without Reach to Teach being there to help you sort out everything in a professional and experienced manner, so really my gratitude toward them is incalculable.

What benefits do Korean private schools offer vs. public schools?

John: There are a number of important differences between public schools and the private schools Reach To Teach works with. First is the schedule: Public school jobs in Korea have morning/afternoon hours (typically from about to 8am-4pm) whereas private school jobs have an afternoon/ evening schedule (typically about 3pm-9pm).

Another significant difference is the number of foreign teachers per school. At a public school in Korea you will generally be the only foreign teacher at your school. However, private schools in Korea tend to have at least a few foreign teachers, while some locations have more than 10 foreign teachers! Most Reach To Teach teachers enjoy the support of having other foreign teachers around them. The school I originally taught at had five other foreign teachers and that made a big difference for me, support wise.

As far as benefits go, the packages are fairly similar across all schools in Korea. Public schools and private school jobs include a round trip flight, free housing and a settlement allowance. Good benefits all around! Teaching jobs in Korea tend to have better benefits than positions in other countries in Asia.

What is a typical day like for an English teacher in Korea?

John: The typical day for a teacher in Korea really depends on whether they are teaching in a public school or private school. Public school teachers work an morning/afternoon schedule, typically from about 8am-4pm, although this schedule may change depending on location and whether the teacher is participating in the EPIK, GEPIK or SMOE programs. Every teacher should be prepared to spend significant time each day preparing lesson plans. Always remember that your students have REALLY long days. Your goal should be to become a great teacher while also making their day a bit more interesting! We try and prepare each and every Reach To Teach teacher in Korea to care about their students and their work as a teacher. Doing a good job and making a difference in the lives of your students is rewarding!

Should teachers be worried about culture shock in Korea?

John: Any teacher planning to spend a year in a foreign country should be prepared to experience some elements of culture shock! Culture shock in Korea may be particularly intense: Korea is quite different than most western countries and the way people interact socially can be difficult to adjust to. At Reach To Teach, we always recommend that our teachers in Korea try to be as flexible and easy going as possible. Embrace the differences in Korea and immerse yourself in the culture as much as possible. Reach To Teach also sends each of our teachers special documents focused on culture shock, just in case. The above said, some teachers never experience any significant culture shock at all. Everyone’s personality is a bit different, of course, so your experience will be unique!

What is the standard of living like in Korea?

John: The standard of living in Korea is quite high and comparable with western countries. In fact, if you’re a recent graduate, you will almost certainly live a higher quality of life living in Korea for your first year out of school! The benefits are very good and Korea is a comfortable place in which to live. Koreans tend to be quite friendly to westerners and most teachers find it easy to meet new people and make friends. The food is my personal favorite! Korean food is delicious and there are a plethora of interesting culinary options. Korea is most famous for its delicious BBQ (which I love!), but the dumplings (Mandoo), Bibimbop and street food are all quite tasty. Overall, Korea offers teachers a great combination of interesting culture and comfortable lifestyle.

How does teaching in Korea compare to teaching in other countries in Asia?

John: There are a number of significant differences between teaching in Korea and other popular places in Asia. Whether these differences are pros or cons really depends on your perspective. Benefits in Korea tend to be significantly better than those of Japan, China and Taiwan (to name a few other popular destinations!). Korean children are generally well behaved, and the support provided at schools should be more professional and organized than in most other countries in Asia. Of course, every individual situation is different, but the above is generally true. Korea can also be an intense place in which to teach. There is a lot of pressure put on children by family members and Korean teachers. Our Reach To Teach teachers tell us this also means they feel the pressure at times.

The above is just a brief intro of the differences between teaching in Korea and other locations in Asia. Obviously, there is a lot more to discuss! If you have further questions, feel free to contact our friendly staff here at Reach To Teach.