Anybody learning Korean? Or, does anybody want to? I've been studying it, and I've written a new blog post called "How to Learn Koran in 3 Easy Steps."
Anybody want to come discuss the best way to learn Korean?
http://www.liveinasiablog.com/2011/10/how-to-learn-korean-in-3-easy-steps/
Cheers,
Ryan http://amplify.com/u/a1g815
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Some people have great experiences teaching in Korea. Others have an absolutely terrible time. Which way it goes for you depends very much on how you plan your stay overseas. This article is going to give you a 3-step plan to ensure that you have a wonderful stay in Korea
1. Choose a City
Many English teachers live far away from the bright lights of Seoul or Buson. Many think it's great. Many others can't stand it. Almost all, though, have done the same thing. They have simply followed the advice of their recruiter (who needed to place someone out in a rural area). This is a bad idea. Why? Mostly because some people simply can't handle living outside of Seoul or Buson. Others can't stand to be in these cities! Teachers sent out to rural areas often site the lack of Western goods as a major headache.
Learn How to Speak Korean in 3 Easy Steps
New teachers in Seoul often feel like they've never left home, which they find rather disappointing. Stop and think for a moment. Do you need to be in a big city where all the comforts of home are available? Or do you want to live where it's quiet, peaceful and authentically Korean? Neither living arrangement is necessarily best, but they are certainly very different. So, ensure that your teaching in Korea experience is a good one. Do this by making sure that your recruiter finds you a job in a place you'll enjoy living.
2. Get a Suitable Working Environment
Teaching jobs in Korea vary widely. For example, it has been mandated by law that every public school in Korea must have a native-speaking English teacher, which means there are lots of these public school jobs available. These are good jobs that offer security and a decent wage. Working in a school is typically a 9 to 5 affair. Private English language tutoring facilities are also popular. These Hagwon jobs usually have easier schedules and higher salaries. They're not perfect, though. Many teachers report being cheated or mistreated by hagwon owners.
Get a FREE 6-day Korean Course
You can also find English teaching jobs in some of Korea's biggest corporations, like Samsung. You can teach kindergarten students, adults, and everything in between. Choose wisely. Can you cope with a classroom full of rowdy elementary school students? I'd fail miserably because I'm not so great with young kids. How about you? What position with you excel in? Children? corporate executives? Public schools? Private schools? Choose a position you don't enjoy, and you'll be miserable the entire time you're in Korea, and that's not what you want!
3. Back to School
Getting properly trained
to teach is important. Here is why. First, the flailing economies of the West are driving thousands of young, college-educated people to Korea to teach English. You need to be at least as qualified as them. Having a TEFL certificate may make the difference between getting the job you want and losing out to someone more qualified.
In addition, what you learn is very useful. Being an English speaker does not make you an effective teacher. In the past, nobody cared. Those days are gone, and now you'll be forced to show measurable results. Also, a little confidence boost goes a long way, and being certified will certainly make you feel better on that difficult first day of class.
1. Choose a City
Many English teachers live far away from the bright lights of Seoul or Buson. Many think it's great. Many others can't stand it. Almost all, though, have done the same thing. They have simply followed the advice of their recruiter (who needed to place someone out in a rural area). This is a bad idea. Why? Mostly because some people simply can't handle living outside of Seoul or Buson. Others can't stand to be in these cities! Teachers sent out to rural areas often site the lack of Western goods as a major headache.
Learn How to Speak Korean in 3 Easy Steps
New teachers in Seoul often feel like they've never left home, which they find rather disappointing. Stop and think for a moment. Do you need to be in a big city where all the comforts of home are available? Or do you want to live where it's quiet, peaceful and authentically Korean? Neither living arrangement is necessarily best, but they are certainly very different. So, ensure that your teaching in Korea experience is a good one. Do this by making sure that your recruiter finds you a job in a place you'll enjoy living.
2. Get a Suitable Working Environment
Teaching jobs in Korea vary widely. For example, it has been mandated by law that every public school in Korea must have a native-speaking English teacher, which means there are lots of these public school jobs available. These are good jobs that offer security and a decent wage. Working in a school is typically a 9 to 5 affair. Private English language tutoring facilities are also popular. These Hagwon jobs usually have easier schedules and higher salaries. They're not perfect, though. Many teachers report being cheated or mistreated by hagwon owners.
Get a FREE 6-day Korean Course
You can also find English teaching jobs in some of Korea's biggest corporations, like Samsung. You can teach kindergarten students, adults, and everything in between. Choose wisely. Can you cope with a classroom full of rowdy elementary school students? I'd fail miserably because I'm not so great with young kids. How about you? What position with you excel in? Children? corporate executives? Public schools? Private schools? Choose a position you don't enjoy, and you'll be miserable the entire time you're in Korea, and that's not what you want!
3. Back to School
Getting properly trained
In addition, what you learn is very useful. Being an English speaker does not make you an effective teacher. In the past, nobody cared. Those days are gone, and now you'll be forced to show measurable results. Also, a little confidence boost goes a long way, and being certified will certainly make you feel better on that difficult first day of class.
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