10 Tips for Teaching in South Korea

Teaching ESL in South Korea may be popular, but that doesn't mean it's easy. Below are ten tips for anyone looking to teach in South Korea.

1. Take a TESL course beforehand

These courses are capital-S Strongly recommended. Even if teaching isn't part of your long-term career plan; even if you're more about the adventure of living abroad than the job itself. A TESL certificate course is only a few weeks long, and can even be done online.

You'll learn invaluable skills about teaching, lesson planning, and classroom management. Yes, it costs money, but the certification can put you in a higher pay bracket. Also, more and more schools are requiring TESL training from their applicants. A certificate will broaden your work options.

2. Start your language studies early

Try to start your Korean studies before getting on the plane. Even if you don't know have Korean friends to practice with, you can memorize some vocabulary or start learning the (very logical) Hangul alphabet. Use online resources or old-fashioned textbooks. Koreanclass101.com has comprehensive Newbie lessons, and it offers a 7-day free trial.

Why not just wait until you're immersed in all things Korean? For starters, your boss will be flattered and impressed if you offer a formal greeting in Korean. It shows respect, and an active interest in the culture. Once in Korea, it's amazing how far you can go with just the basic "yes," "no," and "thank you." Even a few polite phrases, memorized, can get you far socially.

3. Contact your predecessor

When offered a teaching job, ask to get in touch with the school's current English teacher. Your predecessor can give a fellow foreigner's perspective of the job and the work conditions. Private language schools can be quite hit-or-miss in terms of work conditions, and you want to make sure you're walking into a stable job. Often, you will also be inheriting your apartment from this person, so they can answer questions about living as well.

Remember, a lot of people who go to Korea are travellers first and teachers second. They many struggle with the job. Observations like "the students can be slow" or "the boss is really critical" may be a reflection of that person's performance, not the job itself.

4. Don't bring too much luggage

I knew a girl who brought six suitcases to Korea, stuffed with clothes. Her small studio apartment didn't have the storage space for all that luggage, and all the clothes and shoes they contained. Her excess luggage fees were also immense.

When you pack a year's worth of items, think minimalism. Don't forget that high-quality clothes, electronics and toiletries can all be bought in Korea, often for lower prices than what you're used to paying. You can even buy English books in Korea at whatthebook.com.

Remember to factor in your long-term plan when packing. You may want to travel after your contract, and six suitcases won't be good company when backpacking in Vietnam.

5. Eat adventurously

Food plays a key cultural role in Korea. Expect a lot of work dinners and social outings based around food, especially in your first few months. Keeping an open mind is key; new foods are a great aspect of travel, and local food is great source of pride for Koreans. Even strong flavours can grow on you. Most teachers I know pull a face when they first eat kimchi. Six months later, they're buying it in the market and eating it at home.

If you're a novice to chopsticks, practice often, and don't be shy about dropping your food. A curious eater who makes an effort is a lot more endearing to Koreans than a skeptic who pokes suspiciously at her meal.

6. Find a language exchange partner

A good language exchange partnership is a beautiful thing. It allows you to practice Korean in a focused way, and learn slang and local expressions. It can widen your social network. It can also help you hone your teaching skills.

To find a partner, simply put the word out there. Your friends may have Korean coworkers or acquaintances who are interested. You can also find a language partner at www.mylanguageexchange.com.

7. Get to know the education system

You ask your students to call you by your first name, but they may be uncomfortable doing so. You think a weekly debate would be a great speaking exercise, but your students might not have learned critical thinking skills. Korea's education system is different from the western model. Don't assume a good lesson plan from back home can be pulled off in a Korean classroom too.

Ask fellow teachers for their insights on Korean education. It will really help in understanding your students and planning good lessons.

Explore South Korea - Photo by Justin Ouellette

8. Explore!

It can be tempting to use your time in Korea as a springboard to other adventures. After all, exotic destinations like Japan and the Philippines are short plane rides away. If you spend your holidays jetting around Asia, though, you may miss the chance to explore Korea itself. That would be a shame, because it is one beautiful country.

Novice travellers can start with tourist favourites like Busan and Jeju-do. Korea has some great festivals too. Don't miss fireworks in Pohang, or Buddhist lanterns in Seoul.

9. Date wisely

Koreans may watch western rom-coms and speed-date, but their dating culture is far from Westernized.

Some examples:

• Koreans typically live with their parents well into adulthood, which can affect your relationship.
• The language barrier may lead to more miscommunications than you think.
• Public affection is a whole new ballgame; couples may wear matching T-shirts with pride, but wouldn't dream of getting too smoochy in a public place.

This isn't an attempt to discourage anyone from dating locally. Rather, we're encouraging travellers to be mindful of culture clash. I knew a couple who split up because the man, an American, was tired of his Korean girlfriend having to make curfew at the age of 25. What he saw as a weak will turned out to be a perfectly normal element of Korean family life. Pity.

10. Expect problems

Even if you research everything you can about Korea, even if you've been preparing for months, there will always be problems. It's just inevitable when you try to navigate a new culture. Sometimes a rule or taboo will strike you as ridiculous. Sometimes the language barrier will drive you crazy. Sometimes you won't understand the instructions on the electric toilet and you'll push the wrong button. The wrong button.

Resist the urge to gripe about Korea night after night at the expat bar. Resist the urge to cut your contract short and just go home. You can sulk a bit, yes, but try and understand the root of the conflict. The challenge is part of the adventure.