 |
Does everyone should
a work visa? |
Top |
| |
Yes, it is necessary and important
for the employers to provide visa sponsorship to
their employees. The Korean Authority requires teachers
to have an educational working visa. This will enable
the teacher to be a legal resident in Korea during
the period of employment. An illegal resident will
result in heavy fines and deportation.
|
|
How can I have my original
diploma notarized? |
Top |
| |
To get a stamped copy of your university
degree, take your degree documents to the nearest
Korean Consulate, who will make a copy of your document
and put a stamp on it that says it is an official
copy of the original. There is a small fee involved
to make the notarization so you need to call the
Consulate to check the price and set up an appointment.
If you have to mail your documents to the Korean
Consulate you will need to include a check or money
order for the cost of the notarization together
with a self-addressed stamped envelop.
|
|
What is an E-2 Visa? |
Top |
| |
An E-2 visa is available to teachers
who meet the qualifications specified by the Ministry
of Justice to teach at a foreign language institute,
a public school, a university, and other private
organizations. An E-2 Visa allows a teacher to stay
in Korea for one year and comes with an option to
extend their stay if they are sponsored by an authorized
employer.
|
|
Why is my original degree
required? Why is a photocopied degree not sufficient? |
Top |
| |
The Korean Immigration Office has
been receiving doctored diplomas and because of
this the laws have become stricter. However, it
is acceptable to have your degree notarized by the
Korean Consulate. Often times immigration wants
to see your original diploma after you have arrived,
so it is wise to bring it with you anyway.
|
|
How long does it take
for me to be employed? |
Top |
| |
In most cases, an applicant can be
hired within 7 to 8 weeks upon receipt of the application.
The preparation period is a 3-4 weeks long before
your departure. A preparation period is needed for
a diploma confirmation, a telephone interview, a
visa processing and a flight scheduling. Upon the
notification of employment and while your work visa
is being processed, you need to make an arrangement
to travel to Korea as soon as the visa is approved.
In some cases, this time period can be much shorter
depending how quickly your visa is approved. Your
availability is important to the operation of each
school.
|
|
What is a Degree Confirmation? (Notarized degree certificate) |
Top |
| |
A Degree Confirmation is a proper documentation and your first step in acquiring a work visa. (The substitution for an original diploma certificate.) It is a photocopy of your original diploma, which has been stamped and verified by the Korean Consulate. It is necessary to prove that you have in fact earned a 4-year degree. The Korean Consulate has set down a Government policy, which states that all English teachers entering Korea must have a 3 or 4-year degree. The original diploma certificate must be sent to the Korean consulate as a proof of graduation. It can be mailed or hand carried to the Korean consulate. A degree confirmation is just as good as the original diploma certificate. With the degree confirmation in your application you will assure the employer that, if hired, you will be granted an educational working visa.
|
|
What if I have just graduated and not yet received my diploma certificate? |
Top |
| |
Most Korean Consulates will also accept an official letter from your Alma Mater, stating that you have graduated. This can be used in place of you original diploma. Contact the Korean Consulate, which handles your jurisdiction to confirm they will accept an official letter of graduation. This will prove you have graduated with a 4-year degree.
|
|
If I do not want to work, can I break the contract before the one-year term? |
Top |
| |
Yes, you can annul the contract by giving a minimum of a 2-month advance notice in writing. In the case of an Employer seeking annulment, reasonable and adequate grounds must be provided in order for the contract to be dissolved. In most cases, if you leave before the one-year contract, you are required to reimburse the airfare. In addition, you will be a difficult position to find another job within Korea since your visa is also cancelled with the contract.
|
|
Can I get a six-month contract? |
Top |
| |
A 6-month contract is rarely available. They will not provide a return air ticket and a severance pay, either.
|
|
What is the level of Korean Income Tax? |
Top |
| |
The tax rate in Korea is ranged from 3% to 5%, depending the level of your salary received. It will be automatically taken out of your salary on the payday.
|
|
How long are the classes? |
Top |
| |
Usually, the children class will run from 40 to 50 minutes. And the adult class will run 50 -60 minutes.
|
|
What are the working hours like? |
Top |
| |
Each institute has its own work schedule.
The basic working hours are as follows:
Children Class
Monday through Friday (Occasional Saturdays or Rotation
Schedules).
Kindergarten classes are conducted from 9:30 am-
1:30 pm.
Elementary classes are conducted from 3:00 pm -
8:30 pm.(Depending on the schools)
Adults Class
These positions are usually split shifts. Early
morning's and evening's classes are conducted from
6:30 am - 9:30 am and 6:30 pm- 9:30 pm. (a different
school will have a different duty schedule. )
There is no class on Saturdays, normally.Usually,
teachers are required to teach 95 to 120 hours a
month on average.
|
|
Does my school have computers and can I access the Internet easily? |
Top |
| |
Most schools and institutions have computers and they allow you access to a computer. Cities have "PC rooms" ( PC Bang so called ) on every street. You will never have problems accessing the Internet whether you are in a big city or a small town in the countryside.
|
|
I have a master degree in TESOL. Can I expect a higher salary? |
Top |
| |
Sure, you can negotiate for a higher salary based on your credentials and performance as well.
|
|
What English materials are available for me? |
Top |
| |
There will be a lot of materials if you belong to a larger language center. It is encouraged for you to bring your own teaching materials.
|
|
Is it difficult to teach without any previous experience? |
Top |
| |
Not at all. Every school provides textbooks and gives you a preparation time.
|
|
Is it possible for a teacher to have a private tutoring with other students privately or teaching in other schools? |
Top |
| |
No, it is not allowable and instructors are likely forced to leave the country due to such a practice.
|
|
How do I teach English if I can't speak Korean? |
Top |
| |
Your students prefer that you speak in English only. If you have a difficulty in communication, you will find that there is always a person who has a good English speaker around you. Please do not worry and enjoy your new life in Korea.
|
|
Is it difficult to adjust to Korean culture? |
Top |
| |
It is advisable for you to come to Korea with an open mind and an understanding that it is not home. We suggest that you read an introduction book about the Korean culture before heading for Korea. If you are flexible and adaptable, you will have no problems. It is also important for you to make new friends who will assist and advise you.
|
|
What are the living conditions like? How are the living quarters set up common kitchen, living area, etc with private sleeping room? |
Top |
| |
You could live in a nice new apartment with lots of hot water. All apartments have all necessary equipment to assure your comfort and enjoyable life in Korea.
|
|
Tell me what is Korean food like? |
Top |
| |
Korean food is basically made with various kinds of vegetables. They are healthy, but spicy. If you are a vegetarian(not an extreme vegetarian), you will love Korean food. Even though Korean food consists of various kinds of vegetables, you will have delicious meat as well. When you get to Korea, you should try Bullgogi, Galbi, Samgyubsal, Bibimbab, Doenjanggook, and so forth. These are what most foreigners love among Korean food.
|
|
What would be the easiest way to send my wages to my home in Canada? |
Top |
| |
You can send money home up to the amount you earn each month. Usually it is best for you to set up your own current account and send the money to Canada or the United States by a cable money called a telegraph transfer, which will take a couple of days to reach North America.
|
|
What is the cost of living in Korea compared that of Canada (Toronto, for example)? |
Top |
| |
The cost of living in Korea is generally much less than that of Canada or Unites States. Of course, things depend on how you spend your money. These are a lot of imported brands, which are very expensive. If you buy Korean brands, you will save a lot of money and enjoy quality products. Do as Romans do. If you follow this rule, you will enjoy a comfortable life in Korea. The cost of living varies from larger cities to smaller cities. You will find that the living cost in smaller cities is much cheaper compared with Seoul, the Korean capital city.
|
|
How much money should I bring to Korea? |
Top |
| |
Bring enough money to survive until you get your first pay, which is usually 4-6 weeks after your start. You may like to bring C$1,000 to C$3,000 or US$500 to US$2,000. Place your money into a current account in a commercial bank and convert your deposit into the Korean currency whenever you need. It is also advised for you to have some pocket money for small expenses such as lunch or taxi. You may like to exchange your money into Won upon your arrival in Seoul.
|
