| 1. Teaching Positions |
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| Elementary & Secondary Schools: |
| Ministry of Education has drawn up a plan regarding English teachers. Public schools are scheduled to employ 2,850 English native speaking teachers. Currently, 221 native speaking teachers are employed. |
| Advantages: |
Long-term vacation (about two months) |
| Disadvantages: |
Big-class (about 40 students per class) |
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| Universities: |
| There are 194 universities and 158 colleges in Korea. Most of them operate language institutes and offer an English language major. Therefore, native English speaking professors and ESL instructors are needed. Depending on the position, different educational background changes the salary and teaching positions within universities. Generally, MA degree is required for the lecturer. Those with PhD can receive a better position. |
| Advantages: |
Relatively long-term vacation |
| Disadvantages: |
Limited quota |
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Some lecturers do additional job such as editorial supervision and teaching at an English program for children. |
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| Companies & Organizations: |
| Some big companies operate their own training centers for employees and have English classes. In some cases English as a Second Language(ESL) programs are run by outside private language institutes. Due to a high salary and the good working environment, the competition for this job is high. |
| Advantages: |
Less working hours than private language institute |
| Disadvantages: |
Sometimes the teacher must work for several companies. |
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| Private Language Institute |
| In Korea private language institutes employ most ESL teachers. Students vary from pre-school children to adults. Generally, 2~6 foreign teachers work for an institute. |
| Advantages: |
Small class size (7~15 students per class) |
| Disadvantages: |
It is difficult to distinguish good from bad because of case by case situation. |
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| 2. Teaching Level |
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| Pre-School & Elementary School Students: |
| By playing games and having everyday conversations, teachers need to make students interested in English. |
| Timetable range: |
10:00 AM ~ 7:00PM |
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| Middle School & High School Students: |
| Conversation and basic grammar, teachers help students speak English with confidence. |
| Timetable range: |
2:00PM ~ 9:00PM |
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| University Students & Adults: |
| They have good reading and grammar skills. However, their conversation skills are poor. Teaching focus is generally on topic conversation and theme discussion. |
| Timetable range: |
6:00AM ~ 10:30AM, 6:00 PM ~ 9:30PM |
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| 3. Teacher's Status |
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| Teacher's General Status in Korea: |
| Teachers are generally treated with great respect in Korea. |
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| The Status of Foreigners in Korea: |
| Korean society makes a great distinction between friends, business colleagues and outsiders. However, with the landing of many foreign firms, the development of internet and the learning English boom walls between Koreans and foreigners are being removed rapidly. |
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| ESL Teachers in Korea: |
| ESL Teachers are treated as teachers not foreigners. If you present a mature and respectful manner toward students, you can also get a respectful social status. And living in Korea will bring you a good and interesting experience. |
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