Three Interesting Facts You Might Experience While Teaching English in Korea

1. Three Interesting Facts You Might Experience While Teaching English in Korea If you are from countries like United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa, and searching English teaching jobs in Korea, then you would be happy to hear that you can teach English in Korea. Let’s find out 3 interesting facts you might experience while teaching English in Korea. Free Time Teachers tend to have a lot of free time compared to other workers. Teachers work a traditional “9-to- 5”, rare for the typical Korean laborer. In Korean society, there is an expectation to work overtime with no additional pay. It is getting better, but few jobs let employees leave on time. One of the best benefits of public schools is those wonderful 26 vacation days. Almost a month of vacation doesn’t seem too bad. Use this time to do whatever. Hang out, plan trips, take classes. It’s really up to you.

2. Rent-free Housing Another great perk of teaching English in South Korea is school-provided housing. The school provides each teacher with an apartment, usually a studio. Married couples that apply together also can live in the same house. It comes RENT-FREE. This is incredible for saving money. It can be a hit or miss with the quality of the space, but if it is truly problematic, it is worth talking with your co-teacher to see if a change can be made. Work Culture Schools are one of the few workplaces where one can maintain a good work-life balance. The co- workers and students will be generally friendly, but there are issues centered around time management. There is a standard in Korea for moving in a rush. This pace is useful in a restaurant because food arrives almost immediately; however, it causes problems in the workplace. Decisions feel last-minute. Classes get canceled, moved around, or sudden assignments pop up with no notice. Being a foreign teacher means always being the last to know, even if it directly affects your work. It can be stressful, so maintaining flexibility and being proactive in learning the schedule is key to handling these situations before they arise. I’m saying these things with the hope that those who decide to pursue teaching abroad fully understand that this isn’t a dream job, at least not for everyone. I feel that I was luckier than most. I got my preferred location, in Seoul, at a great school with wonderful co-workers and students. I’m grateful for the experience Korea gave me. The relationships I forged and the experiences I had transformed me as a person. My language skills and understanding of Korean culture improved immensely. But the more time I spent in Korea, the more I could recognize the social issues specific to Korean society, how they affected the education system, and the role I played in it. Ultimately, it’s up to you. Some people find this is their niche: they love watching the students grow and designing lessons for them and plan to make it their career. For others, it feels like a moment in time. I would say YES, for all the reasons, both positive and negative. I came to understand another culture and myself on a much deeper level than I thought possible. My public speaking skills improved. I discovered new passions and became confident in my abilities. It is not a job to take lightly. There is no perfect place to work. But if you are looking to discover more about the world and yourself, I highly recommend giving it a thought.