Elkist

Photos

View all my photos

Recent Blog Posts

Yes that's right I dived with Sharks this weekend :P

So i have wanted to try and catch up with all the exciting things i have done since i got to South Korea but i have realised that i am just terrible at making the time to write a blog. So rather then go back through all the things i have done i will just post a couple of photos of some of the more fun things.Now to more recent exploits, this weekend i took...

The first month flew by!

So its been 3 weeks odd and i still haven't updated this blog. Believe it or not i just havent had the time! So the first month here has absolutely rocketed by. Teaching has gone from piss poor to mediocre to some occasional great classes. And i am getting better at it week by week, a lot more comfortable now standing in front of a class load of kids then i was at the start....

View my blog

Recent Discussion in Elkist’s Groups

Group	Topic	Activity	Posts
Help! I’m Stuck on my TEFL Course!	Checkpoint 1: TEFL Basics	Yesterday	24
Brazil	Working in Brazil	May 21	7
Spain	Cost of living	May 20	6
Spain	Job Interview. HELP	May 13	1
Brazil	Teaching in Brazil	May 08	1

View my Groups

Profile Comments

Add Your Comment!

Thanks for the add.

Hey Ashley! Thanks for your comment, I'm really glad you're considering Brazil as an option for teaching! As for the tourist visa situation, I arrived here on a tourist visa and the school that I'm going to work with asked nothing about visas, only about qualifications and teaching experience.

But FYI, there's about a 5% chance of you getting a work visa here to teach, mostly cos of the cost and all the craziness you have to go through. As of this month I'm illegal and noone cares, it just makes it a bit harder to come back if you decide to leave since the officials will know you've been illegal. It's not like you're gonna get arrested or anything so it's all good. :) If you're prepared to do that, then great! But Brazil isn't for everyone unfortunately. ;)

Hope you're having a super day!

Hi Ash

They sorted out my apartment and told me my age group literally the day before I arrived in Korea. They're pretty laid back out here so don't panic too much. I was the same but have since learnt not to get in a stress about it lol

So public school, that's great! You're hours will likely be 8.30-9am until 4.30-5pm! Are you with the UMOE!? If you are you're likely to have high school students. I'd prepare some lesson plans now for your first few weeks (you're likely to only see them once a week so one lesson plan per week should be enough) do the first one on yourself, family, hometown etc they like to know about you - and it's easy to do follow on lessons, like you could then do about them, their family, hobbies, like & dislikes etc. I try to get at LEAST one game/activity in too. Check out waygook.org if you need some advice/help/inspiration! You'll get to meet a load of teachers in orientation too so at least you'll know people :)

Hi Ash, what horror stories have you been hearing???? I found (sort-of) a group of teachers in Busan on FB that you can join for more info on the area (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=204071634945&v=wall) i'm not sure if there's a better one than this but it'll at least get you started on making some friends!

Don't listen to whatever stories you may have heard anyway, not all schools are bad, sme of them may be a little run down but you just have to make it your own! I'm lucky in that my school's only been ope for 3 years so everything is quite new but I havent heard any complaints from any other teachers about there's. Don't worry about it!

Do you know what age group you're teaching? Is it public or private school?

Hi Ash, yeah the apartment is a lot nicer than I thought it was going to be. I've seen a few of the other teachers apartments in Ulsan and they're all pretty much the same. Some are slightly bigger than others due to layout but they all have the same rooms: kitchen, bathroom, bedroom/lounge and laundry room.

I was thinking I'd do a post on things to do before you get here actually because I would have had no idea what to expect once I landed if it hadn't been for my friend Mel who I met on here! I think it would help a lot of people's nerves! I'll try write something up tonight. What kind of things do you want to know?

Hi Jennifer just saw your videos and the apartment looks pretty good considering some of the horror stories i have heard :) I should be moving to Busan in February just waiting for NOA so ill be watching and reading your blogs with interest! Anyways hope alls going great and i would love to hear any suggestions for preparation i should do before i come over to Korea

Hmmm preparing...I would say eat as much cheese and as many roast dinners as you can. Sit on your sofa a lot (I really miss having a sofa) and enjoy your home fridge magically getting full once a week (if you live with your parents still). Completely and utterly soak up Christmas, as it is definately not big over here :( And lastly, eat as much dairy milk and haribo as you possibly can. Is it obvious what I miss??

So yeah, you've got a busy few weeks ahead of you!

Learning the language will definately be helpful, but really in terms of preparing I didn't do anything cos I came straight from China! When you get here things aren't too difficult to adjust to :)

hey mate it looks like i didn't get the job lol oh well back to the good old chalkboard again. damn, all that money i've spent doing up the documents and everything is a bit of a pisstake but i guess i've learnt my lesson...don't apply to korea hahahaha

good luck for the future mate, if you get to work in busan then you've got it made for ya!

just wondering if they e-mailed you or did you get a phone call from them?

WICKED MATE!!! whether i pass or not i'm glad for ya! did you get your first destination then mate?

mate i've just had my bloody interview. i think i messed it up. it doesn't help doing the interview when i've just woke up, damn man! have you heard from anyone since?

» All comments
» Comments RSS

My recent comments

: Elkist said: “Hi Lauren in can answer any questions you have :)...”
about Yes that's right I dived with Sharks this weekend :P (Post)

: Elkist said: “I just changed one of the lesson plans i did...”
about EPIK lesson plan! (Post)

: Elkist said: “Hey i am sorry it took me so long to...”
about Yes that's right I dived with Sharks this weekend :P (Post)

: Elkist said: “You can move it i stand just in front of...”
about created on: 05/14/12 (Photo)

: Elkist said: “haha its so funny because i said it exactly the...”
about created on: 05/14/12 (Photo)

Comments on my stuff

: Laurenlauren said: “Thanks for getting back to me! I have since booked...”
about Yes that's right I dived with Sharks this weekend :P (Post)

: Laurenlauren said: “Hi, I’m thinking about teaching in South Korea and I...”
about Yes that's right I dived with Sharks this weekend :P (Post)

: KStillwaggon said: “That sounds great I have to do it! I am...”
about Yes that's right I dived with Sharks this weekend :P (Post)

: heatherjo said: “I kind of love this! I could give up having...”
about created on: 05/14/12 (Photo)

: KatieKatie said: “I love that you met up with Jenn! Good for...”
about Yes that's right I dived with Sharks this weekend :P (Post)

: larrymurray said: “Whetting the appetite man, hope to be there before this...”
about Come TEFL with me...In South Korea! (Post)

: Hsiao said: “Thanks for the add. ”
about Elkist (User)

: sigma6 said: “but seriously, are you able to get a good hot...”
about created on: 05/14/12 (Photo)

: wanderlust22 said: “That's so strange! I've always felt weird about places with...”
about created on: 05/14/12 (Photo)

: mahalath said: “Haha! So many of the bathrooms are like this over...”
about created on: 05/14/12 (Photo)

: AlannahBoland said: “Oh woah! They really thought that one out! ”
about created on: 05/14/12 (Photo)

: sigma6 said: “how do you shower? you'd have to stand in the...”
about created on: 05/14/12 (Photo)

: wanderlust22 said: “Thanks!! Your reply has been super duper helpful and has...”
about The first month flew by! (Post)

: wanderlust22 said: “Hi, Just wanted to say your blog posts are really...”
about The first month flew by! (Post)

: ErinLeeds said: “We love that you go into detail! I'm sure this...”
about The first month flew by! (Post)

: Time2Travel said: “Aw thanks! It was my pleasure :D”
about Extremely late! (Post)

: Time2Travel said: “Yeah I've settled in fine! I will have been here...”
about Extremely late! (Post)

: Time2Travel said: “Hey!! I love this post! So nice to hear you're...”
about Extremely late! (Post)

: miyabell said: “Hey Ashley! Thanks for your comment, I'm really glad you're...”
about Elkist (User)

: sksoul said: “awesome!”
about Come TEFL with me...In South Korea! (Post)

: i-to-i said: “Good for you setting yourself challenges like eating on your...”
about Day 1 plus journey. (Post)

: roberts121 said: “Oh my days you went to Monkeybeach!!! Hahahaha that place...”
about Day 2-5 randomness! (Post)

: mahalath said: “Glad you made it and you're having fun! If you...”
about Day 2-5 randomness! (Post)

: AlannahBoland said: “Hey! I just had a read through your posts, the...”
about Update on my Korea preparation (Post)

: Time2Travel said: “Hi Ash They sorted out my apartment and told me...”
about Elkist (User)

: Time2Travel said: “Hi Ash, what horror stories have you been hearing???? I...”
about Elkist (User)

: Time2Travel said: “Hi Ash, yeah the apartment is a lot nicer than...”
about Elkist (User)

: roberts121 said: “p.s. I VOTE THIS ONE. haha”
about Come TEFL with me...In South Korea! (Post)

: roberts121 said: “It's like you've already been!”
about Come TEFL with me...In South Korea! (Post)

: amcurtin said: “Ya i am applying through epik. Looked through your blog...”
about Come TEFL with me...In South Korea! (Post)

: amcurtin said: “Hi Elkist! I have also applied for teaching English in...”
about Come TEFL with me...In South Korea! (Post)

: roberts121 said: “Hmmm preparing...I would say eat as much cheese and as...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “hey mate it looks like i didn't get the job...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “just wondering if they e-mailed you or did you get...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “WICKED MATE!!! whether i pass or not i'm glad for...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “mate i've just had my bloody interview. i think i messed...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “reh...that interview seems pretty tough to me mate. The fact...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “Hey Ash! good luck with the interview mate! hope it...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “i've applied for ulsan and deagu as part of my...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “hahaha my jaw dropped when i saw that e-mail at...”
about Elkist (User)

: FrancescaT said: “Thanks, good luck to you too! I'm doing my TEFL...”
about Elkist (User)

: FrancescaT said: “Hope you don't mind me adding you, saw your post...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “how you doing there matey! mate if we both get...”
about Elkist (User)

: Carky21 said: “Hello, yes I did indeed apply for the March intake...”
about Elkist (User)

: SheelaN said: “Hi, good luck with application materials and such for Korea!...”
about Elkist (User)

: SheelaN said: “Hi Ashley, you sound similar to me in terms of...”
about Elkist (User)

: majibade24 said: “Hi Ashley! How r u??? I see that your going...”
about Elkist (User)

: alancraig87 said: “http://www.kgcesl.com/ESL/teachers.htm?down=51.doc&file_name=51.doc&size=34304&board_name=Bdatafile/Notice2&PHPSESSID=5c808f659bd34e91d2a178c3ec9cbe90 I found this very VERY helpful :) it's a...”
about Elkist (User)

: alancraig87 said: “http://www.eslteacherrecruiter.com/visa-process/ Sounds like a lot of work from what I...”
about Elkist (User)

: alancraig87 said: “Hey how you doing Ashley. I've done 120 hours, with...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “How you doing mate! yeah i'm applying for the february...”
about Elkist (User)

: WanderingHeart said: “I finished Checkpoint 3 and took a break. I've started...”
about Elkist (User)

: WanderingHeart said: “Hey. Sorry for the long response. Yea. I work about...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “your telling me mate! It's not through Epik but i...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “i've applied for the october intake with footprints but i...”
about Elkist (User)

: rikkiluu said: “Hey you alright there mate! I'm from North London near...”
about Elkist (User)

: WanderingHeart said: “Ashley, How fast were you able to complete the 120...”
about Elkist (User)

: roberts121 said: “Hey!! Yeah its like 18 pages long isn't it??!! Plus...”
about Elkist (User)

: Carky21 said: “I survived really well on my salary in Japan. I...”
about Elkist (User)

: wendy88 said: “As far as I know, I don't think they contact...”
about Elkist (User)

: wendy88 said: “Hey Ashley! For the letters of recommendation, I read that...”
about Elkist (User)

: Carky21 said: “Thanks for the welcome! I studided Japanese as an elective...”
about Elkist (User)

: PDixon said: “hi, you left a comment asking about holidays in japan......”
about Elkist (User)

: roberts121 said: “Hey!!! I decided to stay another year and save up...”
about Elkist (User)

: wendy88 said: “Congrats Elkist! Best wishes wherever you decide to go :)”
about FINALLY FINISHED! :) (Post)

: Pauly said: “well done mate. It has to be Thailand!! Good luck...”
about FINALLY FINISHED! :) (Post)

: Dean1980 said: “cheers thank you... where and what do you plan on...”
about Elkist (User)

: Belle4212 said: “Hip hip hooray....Well done on completion....Its like a pleasant relief.......”
about FINALLY FINISHED! :) (Post)

: Dean1980 said: “I have experience working in education but I feel the...”
about Elkist (User)

: Dean1980 said: “Thanks for your reply. Would you recommend taking the extra...”
about Elkist (User)

: Belle4212 said: “There is no greater feeling than submitting all your hard...”
about Elkist (User)

: Belle4212 said: “Hiya, Finsihed Checkpoint Four this morning and just turned laptop...”
about Elkist (User)

: roberts121 said: “Hey! Well, personally I think EPIK is the way forward....”
about Elkist (User)

Welcome! Log in or Sign Up!

My Details

Dashboard

Stats

About Me

My Friends (34)

SEE ALL