Hello everyone,
I started a 140 combined TEFL course earlier this week and would love to go and teach in South Korea.
I have done a bit of research and found that it is extremely hard as most schools only accept people who have an E2 visa, who is only issued to people holding a passport from an English speaking country.
Big problem for me as I have a Belgian passport even though my English is fluent (have been living in Ireland for 2.5 years and I use English on a daily basis in and out of work).
I am really set on going to South Korea (Seoul to be more specific) and even though it won't be easy I do believe I will be able to make it if I really persist. If there is a will, there is a way!
Does anyone have some advice, contacts, similar experience whatsoever? Please share or contact me if you do.
Thanks,
Lino
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The EPIK program doesn't accept non-native speakers. There are a lot of options if you are a native speaker, but not so many if you aren't. Also, GEPIK is the program that covers Seoul, and that has suffered major cuts this year.
You could always try Taiwan as another country to go to. Taipei is very nice and one of the easiest cities to get around (I didn't know the language AT ALL when I went). If you have a BA in English/Education/Linguistics/etc. you could try to teach here through the EPIK program. However, they have recently changed their rules so EVERYONE has to send in a lesson plan. You also cannot choose WHERE you will be placed anymore. You can check metro or provincial. I was placed in a provincial area but I am liking it. I'm not a huge fan of Seoul if I had to live and teach there. There are way too many foreigners there (not that it is terrible) but stories I've heard seems to make Seoul a hardened city. Anyways, you can always try to apply, it only hurts your bank acct slightly. The next intake is in August...so you might want to apply for the Spring 2013 intake. (Which I would reccommend since you start the lessons with the students instead of coming in half-way.) Lots of luck. Also, if you can change your passport to Ireland you might want to do that...or pop the question to your gf if she's Irish. :] GL!
I'm pretty sure Thai is also tonal. Good luck though!
Seems I will need to do my homework on China and Thailand, thanks for your advice!
I'll look in Thailand first. The country speaks more to me than China and learning the local language seems a tiny bit easier compared to the tonal Chinese language :)
I honestly have no idea. I think that China would be easier than Thailand as the demand there is pretty high, but I don't know for certain. What you're looking for in China is a Z-visa. There seems to be encouraging stuff being said on forums about getting them as a non-native speaker.
Mahalath,
Thank you very much for your comments. Like you said, it does seem near impossible for me to teach in South Korea. And I do not think the girlfriend would like the idea of me marrying a Korean :)
China and Thailand would be my second choices, but seen the hardships I will consider teaching English in these countries instead (just had my mind set on South Korea). Would you know if it would be possible for me to teach English in China or Thailand as a non native speaker?
I think that there are only four ways that you could possibly get in to teach English. The first is to get a job as a professor. Now, unfortunately Seoul has the best universities in the country in it (and Korea has good universities). Without considerable experience and excellent qualifications there is no way you'd be accepted over a native speaker who has experience teaching English to South Koreans already (ie, a foreigner who's been here for 3-5 years, probably spending some of that time teaching in another university). Seoul is the place to be (although I personally like living outside it) and it is therefore more competitive however you are applying.
The second is by going through the TALK program. These guys seem to have more luck getting E2 visas for people. However, it is nearly all schools in the countryside and certainly not schools in Seoul. You would be living elsewhere, but Korea does have great public transport. Going to Seoul isn't that hard. It is less hours for less pay (you still get more than enough to live comfortably) though.
The third is International Schools. You will need a teaching certificate from your home country and a couple of years experience. Again, I suspect Seoul would be a little competitive, but I don't know.
The fourth is marrying a Korean. You can get an F visa which will allow you to teach out here if your spouse is Korean. You can also teach privates and make a lot of money. You could also marry and change your nationality.
I'm sorry, all of these are hard and will take you several years to achieve. It says on your profile that you'd be happy to go to China or Thailand. Is there any reason you've ruled these out?
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