SOUTH KOREA
South Korea is a small, very modern and high-tech country located across the South China Sea from Japan, and is one of the best places to teach English in East Asia thanks to superb natural attractions and excellent teaching salaries and packages. Experience the ancient history and traditions that co-exist comfortably with the current culture of technological and industrial progress in South Korea.
It is also known for beautiful mountain ranges that invite hiking in summer and skiing in winter, cherry orchards, Buddhist temples, beautiful beaches and islands and a unique chilli-based cuisine.
The many cities in South Korean offer all Western conveniences as well as uniquely Korean entertainment centres called ‘bangs’ (rooms) for playing computer games, watching DVDs and singing Karaoke. Temples throughout South Korea also offer opportunities to participate in Temple life and learn martial arts – and most teaching appointments offer plenty of time to do it.
Teaching in Korea is an amazing opportunity in so many different ways! Not only will you gain international teaching experience, but you will also enjoy a new cultural diversity, chance to learn, Korean, make new friends and the possibility of further travel in Asia.
My experience as an English teacher here in Korea has lived up to expectations and beyond. Everyone here has been extremely welcoming and friendly, especially being placed in a more rural environment I thought I would be isolated and struggle with the language barrier. However, this has not been the case and I have been able to pick up reading the Korean alphabet quite quickly and actually being in rural Korea has been a motivating factor to want to learn to speak the language more.
Having completed the 120 Hour Course with TEFL Graduate I have been able to put use what I have learnt in a more dynamic and practical way. The course was easy to navigate and the modules were clear, concise and straight forward, which made the course more enjoyable. I also enjoyed the fact that you could complete the course at your own pace and around your own schedule, making it flexible and the support team were quick to respond to any queries I had throughout the course.
Lastly, my experience with Korean Horizons from start to finish was highly useful. Alistair, in particular, was very helpful and supportive in resolving any issues I had and managed to successfully get me to Korea in time for the EPIK orientation, despite receiving my visa a day before I flew out! The process of applying for an EPIK position was lengthy and at times stressful, however Alistair was quick to respond to my emails, eased any concerns I had and helped me successfully prepare for my interview.
Also, the Korean Horizons Facebook group was useful and provided a sense of a community and support system for other foreign teachers to share their concerns and offer advice to anyone who needed it. It was also especially useful to receive expectations and various experiences from foreign teachers who had already taught in Korea.
Overall, I would highly recommend this course to anyone thinking of becoming an English teacher abroad, as it’s an opportunity of a lifetime!
I taught in Chanthaburi, Thailand for the final term of the school year. I was teaching for a total of 5 months.Chanthaburi is a beautiful, undiscovered town. It is very wealthy and quite big, only 4 hours on the bus from Bangkok, 2 hours from Pattaya and a short trip from the beautiful islands of Koh Chang, Koh Kud and Koh Samet. I instantly fell in love with the location and my weekends were filled with trips away, adventures to the surrounding waterfalls and short motorbike journeys to the beautiful beaches of Chanthanuri Provence.
The town has everything you need – a few great gyms, a Tesco Lotus, a beautiful lake, a park and a shopping centre. The food is also the cheapest and the best that I have found through my travels in Thailand!I was extremely excited to start my first teaching job after completing my TEFL online with TEFL Graduate. The whole process was very easy – TEFL Graduate contacted me immediately after I finished the course, they assisted me in finding an agency and getting placed in a school. Before I left home, I was reassured in knowing that I had someone looking after me and that I was guaranteed a job upon my arrival.
Echo English was the name of the agency that I worked for. Kerry (the founder) is 100% trustworthy and cares a lot about her teachers. They are very good at communicating, organising visas and always pay on time. From my first induction with them in Bangkok, I met the whole team and felt instantly at ease.
When I arrived in Chanthaburi, the lady in charge of the English Program at Anubanchanthaburi (the school that I taught at), picked me up and brought me to a hotel for the night with another new teacher. Over the weekend before the beginning of school, she brought us to look at some apartments and made sure that we were comfortable in where we were living. Although the accommodation was not paid for by the school, it was very affordable and I was happy with my small studio apartment.
I was shown around the school the following day, introduced to the teachers, my questions were answered and my nerves were taken care of. Everyone was so lovely, I knew that it was going to be a great experience.
I was the “P2” classroom native language teacher to a class of 27 students between the ages of 7 and 8. They had half their lessons in Thai, and half in English. I taught them approximately 19 hours a week, I became extremely close to the kids and it was very tough saying goodbye.The subjects I taught were English, Science, Health and Maths. I followed the school’s curriculum and planned my own lessons (which I handed in to the English coordinator). I had a Thai assistant who helped with translating to the kids when needed. She was always around and also helped discipline the kids when they were acting up (this was very rare!). I shared my classroom with their Thai teacher who taught the other half of the lessons. Although she did not speak much English, we respected each other’s teaching methods and got along well – she would always bring me bananas!
I was at school from 7:30 – 4:30 Monday to Friday. When I wasn’t teaching, I was on gate duty or I sat at the back of the classroom writing lesson plans, playing with the kids, listening to music and planning my next travels.
I feel very lucky to have been a part of such a great community. There were 14 other English teachers in my school and we all became very close.
The only reason I did not stay longer is that I have a terrible case of “itchy feet” and wanted to leave on a high. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to experience the Thai culture. I still keep in touch with my students and would love to go back to visit one day! Here is a photo of me with my students. :)
I am teaching in Tiantongyuan, Beijing, China. The city has lots to do and a huge X pat community, there is always something fun going on with lots of other foreigners.
It’s my first time teaching English but I have 5 years experience of teaching Physical Education. The students are wonderful and an absolute pleasure to teach, and the Chinese teaching assistants are very helpful in and out of class.
After experience China and talking to other teachers, I am very happy with the hours I work for the salary I receive.
I have had a great time so far working at First leap and I have been promoted to the mentor of my center while being asked to attend a boot camp for a further promotion.
Since the idea of moving to Japan and teaching entered my mind and then the process I took to make this idea a reality, TEFL has been an indispensable supporter. After completing my master TEFL course, TEFL graduate aided me greatly in seeking work in Japan and after a period Yokoso Japan also became involved. With both groups help I was successful and found myself in contact with a school in the Kansai area of Japan. Once I was accepted, Yokoso Japan was a fantastic help in applying for my visa. They offered advice and support the whole way. Even after moving and settling down to my new life, TEFL graduate and Yokoso Japan maintained regular contact and support.
My time at the school was enjoyable and I truly loved my moments with the students. Colleagues were understanding and helpful in making feel relaxed and sought to make my life as easy a transition as possible. The school was the first school I’ve ever taught at abroad and the experience has been positive. Kobe and Osaka the two closest cities to me were amazing, both offering different experiences. Osaka being a high tech, fashionable night city and Kobe being a beautiful, scenic city with lots of great food and shopping malls. I met fantastic people all over Kansai and the people were all ways friendly and welcoming to me.
Overall, I believe the process of following this at first, small thought and making it this wonderful experience may never have happened without TEFL graduate helping me along the way. I am highly grateful of their support and brilliant staff.
Having my current experience drawing to an end I’m excited at the next prospect TEFL has to offer me as I look to my future.
I look forward to my next adventure!
I decided to make some big changes in my life. I wanted an adventure and the experience with TEFL graduate has not disappointed! Also the transition was very easy thanks to the ongoing support you need for your trip. Carlos was on hand to answer any questions and helped mediate with the teaching agency based in Bangkok. The Media Kids agency have been brilliant and everything from curriculum and accommodation was organised for me. All I had to do was get on that plane and the rest was taken care of. I’ve been here one month and it’s an epic experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. My advice is go for it!!! :)
I had a big decision to make the day I turned 29. Am I going to have a 9-5 job for the rest of my life, working from paycheck to paycheck or am I going to be brave, take a big chance and work abroad. I chose the latter! I came across TEFL Graduate while browsing for TEFL courses online, I registered, paid and within no time I was assigned with a tutor and a lot of help. I finished my 150 hour course in 2 weeks’ time and immediately had a response from Carlos (the recruiter). I never thought finding a job abroad could be so easy. Carlos send me a lot of options, and I could basically choose where I wanted to teach English as a foreign language. As my best friend and I were traveling together, TEFL Graduate was so helpful that they found a way for us to work together in the same city and in real close proximity to each other. After every interview or milestone Carlos was checking in to see how we were doing – he still is checking in!
I would recommend TEFL Graduate for anyone old or young who is bored with their lifestyle and would like to travel and explore different cities and cultures. Being a TEFL foreign teacher in Chengdu, China has financial and personal perks! AND I LOVE IT!
My experience with TEFL Graduate so far has been great. Soon after I finished the TEFL course, Carlos contacted me to help me get started with my TEFL journey. I always knew I wanted to teach in Thailand so I tried applying to some schools myself online but for some reason I got no response. I sent my CV and other details to Carlos and he got me set up with interviews with three different companies in Thailand in no time. I accepted my job with Sine Education within less than two weeks. I was delighted with the service and couldn’t thank Carlos enough!
So far, I am loving my new life in Thailand. The company who hired me, Sine Education, hire English teachers for schools all over Thailand. I teach at one of the biggest schools in Thailand which has nearly 6000 students. Most of my classes are very large with nearly 50 students in every class, which can sometimes be tiring, but mostly rewarding. I teach 20 lessons a week and my students are all so sweet and lively. The Thai teachers are all very welcoming too and helped us get settled in.
I was nervous about moving to Bangkok but it is very different from what I thought it would be like. There is always a great atmosphere in the city, the Thai people are some of the nicest people you will meet and the food is amazing! All in all, I would highly recommend Bangkok as a location for teaching English.
Teaching in Thailand has been an amazing experience so far. I am not only getting the opportunity to teach English to some amazing kids, but I am learning so much about the incredible culture of Thailand. Working with Carlos from TEFL Graduate allowed me this experience by setting up interviews with agencies. Even after getting a job, he checked in to ensure my experience was as enjoyable as possible. Carlos has really done a great job at eliminating the stress associated with finding jobs in another country. A weight is lifted off of my shoulders knowing that if I ever need a new placement in Thailand or another country, Carlos and TEFL Graduate will be there to guide me along the way.
In 2016 I completed my M.A. course in Medieval Literature from Aberystwyth University in Wales. Afterward returning home to the United States, I realised that I wasn’t ready to be done travelling. My goal is to be a teacher. Teaching English overseas was a logical next step. I completed a 150-hour TEFL/TESOL certification course online, and was at a bit of a loss after completing it. Fortunately, I found TEFL Graduate and was assigned to work with their recruiter Carlos. It’s been an absolutely fabulous experience. I accidentally filled out a form for Thailand. When Carlos called, I admitted that I thought I had filled out a form for South Korea. He very quickly gave me more than enough information for South Korea and put me in touch with several recruiters both with the private and public schools. It’s always having options.
Even though I worked with local recruiters, Carlos always checked in after each interview. Once I accepted a position in Daegu, South Korea, Carlos not only checked in with me as I prepared to leave, but he also checked in to make I transitioned well in my new home. It’s wonderful having a company that not helps you find the people who help you get a job, but also takes responsibility that everything is safe and as it should be. I look forward to working with TEFL Graduate again when I plan the next chapter in my teaching career.