The Ultimate Explorer Jane : TheWorknPlay

The Ultimate Explorer

Jane

Hello, my name is Jane. I have lived in Korea for 10 years now and I am here to give you the inside story of life as it is. Tips on how to correctly navigate through culture and some survival skills especially to newcomers.

Posts (2)

All The Korean Journey (1) Recruitment process (3) E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (7) Covid and Quarantine updates (2) ESL Education (3)

Entry restrictions for South Africans lifted.

by Jane

Covid and Quarantine updates (2/2)

Entry restrictions for South Africans lifted.

As of February 4th, the Korean government lifted all the entry restrictions for some countries, including South Africa. South African Nationals entering Korea with a long-term visa, will undergo the following process. Submit a PCR test: Tested 48 hours before traveling. Domestic test: PCR Testing upon arrival. Quarantine: If you have accommodations, then you can quarantine in your residence for 7 days. However, people traveling on a short-term visa will have to quarantine in a government facility at their own cost. Once you are in Korea, some of the main domestic measures are as follows, regardless of the vaccination status: 1. Compulsory facemask in indoor and outdoor public areas 2. Gatherings are limited to 6 people max. 3. Most facilities operate until 9:00 pm, including restaurants. 4. Any event has a limit of 50 people.

by Jane

The Korean Journey (1/1)

Things to Know Before Moving to Korea

Things to Know Before Moving to Korea Known for K-Pop and K-Food, South Korea is a hub of bustling life. You can explore different parts of the Korean lifestyle. Recently, more and more expats have been moving to Korea, which means you won’t be alone. Living in Korea will be an exciting adventure and also broaden your perception of different cultures. Developed and modern, Korea has high living standards and a reasonable cost of living. 1. Language Even if you don’t speak Korean, you can survive in Korea. Many Koreans can understand English even if they don’t speak it. With the increasing number of foreigners visiting Korea, more and more Koreans have begun to learn foreign languages such as English, Chinese, and Japanese. Most of the signs (and menus) in Korea are in English, which means you can find your way around easily. Tourist sites also have guides that can speak English, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. 2. Safety South Korea is actually a very safe place to live with CCTV cameras everywhere and a no-gun policy implemented. Let’s say you go to a restaurant or cafe; you can leave your things at a table and not be afraid that your things will be stolen! At night, the streets are well-lit and you can find people in restaurants and pubs or strolling around town. Korea’s so safe, you can walk around outside after midnight without fear. I mean I go to convenient stores at 2 or 3 am when I can’t sleep. 3. Food I am pretty sure everyone knows Kimchi by now. Right? Kimchi is a side dish you will find in almost all the meals in Korea. While Korea offers a variety of meat, pork and chicken are the most popular. One of the most popular dishes in Korea is samgyupsal, which is grilled pork belly and is traditionally eaten with side dishes, lettuce, and rice. You may also know this dish as Korean-BBQ. There are a lot of restaurants with foreign cuisines as well. So, you won’t feel left out if you haven’t adapted to Korean food. 4. Public Transportation The small country of South Korea is connected by an intricate system of busses, subways, and trains. Seoul has some of the best transportation which makes traveling fast and efficient. Traveling from one place to another is also affordable, with subway fares starting at 1,250 KRW, which is around $1 USD Bus transportation is another efficient way to travel. With a variety of town busses, intercity busses, highway busses, and airport limousine busses, you can get around Korea easily. Korea also has dedicated bus-only lanes that allow you to get anywhere even during rush hour. If you’re traveling from Seoul to Busan at the other end of the peninsula, riding the bullet train only takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. Bullet trains are not only quiet but also comfortable and run often throughout the day. Korea’s public transportation is constantly expanding and improving with new subway lines expected to open over the next few years. 5. Shopping Korea is well-known for cosmetics and clothes. Almost every street corner has some type of beauty store which sells everything from skincare to snacks. Unfortunately, clothing in Korea is typically one-size-fits-all, but some stores do sell a variety of sizes, such as H&M and Zara. Shoes in larger sizes are hard to find, but you can find some online. Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Dongdaemun are some of the hot shopping locations and you can find clothes for around $10 USD. Underground shopping centers are also great places to find bargains for around $5 USD. 6. Lifestyle The Korean lifestyle is fast-paced and never slows down. The work culture in Korea is completely different compared to other countries. One of my favorite work cultures in Korea is the staff diners. (Hoesik), the tradition of eating and drinking after work is not uncommon and many workers eat and drink with their bosses and return home late. University students also enjoy drinking in the evenings, and if you live in a college town, you will see many hanging out in pubs and bars. Understanding the Korean culture will help you better understand the people. People make up a culture and you have a chance to learn a little about what it’s like to live in someone else’s shoes. As long as you’re open and positive, you will have the best adventure of your life in South Korea!

ESL teachers' most common interview questions.

by Jane

Recruitment process (3/3)

ESL teachers' most common interview questions.

ESL teachers' most common interview questions. This interview usually has three parts, basic, career, and in-depth educational questions. While teaching English to other language speakers, you interact with a diverse range of students. This interview allows you to talk about your unique teaching techniques which you think are useful to students. The interviewer is also able to evaluate if you are suitable for their students. ESL Interviews are conducted on skype or zoom. If needed, in-person interviews are conducted for instructors already residing in Korea. (Covid-19 terms and conditions apply) Here are some of the commonly asked questions. Employer to Instructor Basic questions Career questions In-depth educational questions -Tell me a little about yourself -What do you like about being a teacher? -What are your strengths and weaknesses? -Why Korea? Is there a specific reason you want to teach in Korea? -What interests you about our school? -What do you like to do when you are not working? -What qualities do you have that will help you teach at our school? -What are your teaching techniques? -How would you motivate students? -How do you handle demanding parents? -What are your professional goals? -Do you have a mentor o someone you look up to? -How do you relieve your stress? -How do you handle negative responses from students? -What do you think are the advantages of knowing a different language? -What are our expectations for living and working in Korea? -What are your salary expectations? -How would your past colleagues describe your teaching methodology? -Why did you choose ESL education? -What kind of students do you think you could work with the most efficiently? -Have you ever taught in another non-native country? -What do you consider as your biggest teaching achievement? -What aspects of your teaching have changed with experience? -Which other languages are you fluent in apart from English? -Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years? -It can be challenging learning a new curriculum in a new country, how will you adapt and cope with these changes? -How would your approach with a 1:1 student differ from that of a group? -How would you go about establishing the needs and objectives of a student? -How do you think you can manage a class with students who don’t speak English well or at all? -Give an example of your most challenging student and how you handled the situation. -What factors would you consider in lesson planning? (e.g., topic, level of students, strengths of students -How is teaching online different from teaching in a classroom? -Have you ever been in a situation where students question stumped you? How did you handle that? -How do you feel about having another teacher in class while teaching? -Would you be comfortable in performing additional day duties like substituting? -Have you ever had an in-class emergency? How did you respond to that? -What do you believe is the hardest thing to teach? -How would you rate your ESL lesson planning abilities? -Have you ever disagreed with the higher management? Explain -How technology efficient are you? -What do you do to ensure you are understood in class? Instructor to Employer -What kind of resources are available to help in lesson planning? -Are there senior members/mentors to guide new teachers? -Apart from teaching, are there any additional duties I might have? -How many English levels are there in your school? -Is there any procedure for students to move up or down a level? -If there is no set curriculum, what kind of teaching preparation is expected? -Is class preparation part of the working hours or not? -Are there any professional development or internal growth opportunities? -What is a typical day like for a teacher in your institute? -How is the culture between teachers at the school? -Are there opportunities for professional and social interaction among colleagues? -What types of technology do you have/use in your classrooms? -What type of anti-bullying measures are you taking at your school? -What are some of the inevitable challenges one is expected to face at your school?

by Jane

Recruitment process (2/3)

How to film Self-Introduction Videos

How to film Self-Introduction Videos While filming a short intro video may seem time-consuming, if you follow this guide closely, this video should help schools want to hire you. The first impression is the most important! Therefore, your video is a crucial part of getting hired in Korea. The introduction video should be around 2~3 minutes long and must be submitted as a link or as a .wav, .mp4, or .mov file. Setting Up Your Appearance Keep things professional in business casual clothing with no visible tattoos or facial piercings and make sure your hair is neat and uncovered. Video Presentation Shoot your video in front of a neutral background (like a wall or bookshelf) and stabilize your camera (or phone) in a safe place 2-3 feet (60 cm) away from you. Do not hold your phone. Make sure that there’s enough lighting to clearly see your face and that the mic can pick up your voice clearly. Try to film the video in ONE take. Speaking Look directly into the camera and practice what you’d like to say before shooting to make sure you meet the video time requirements. Do not read from a piece of paper! Speak loudly, clearly, and confidently. Be animated and speak enthusiastically in a friendly way. Caution: Try not to use “um” or “ah” when speaking and don’t speak too formally. Putting it All Together When reviewing applicant videos, school directors focus on how you present yourself. Smiling and acting energetic will help them picture you working with their students and increase your chances of being hired. What to Talk About As you are applying for an English teaching position, directors want to hear what you sound like in English. 1. Introduce yourself, including your background and education 2. Why you want to be an English teacher in Korea 3. Why you’d make a great teacher 4. Your experience teaching, tutoring, and/or experience with children Note: If you don’t have any experience with teaching, talk about the work experience you do have and how those skills apply to teaching. Do not start out by saying, “I do not have teaching experience . . .” 5. An interesting fact about yourself that makes you stand out. My Checklist The video is stabilized and not shaky My face can be seen well and the lighting is good I am smiling and speaking clearly without many “ums” or “ahs” I am speaking at a good pace; not too fast or too slow The audio is clear and in sync with the video Unless specified the video should be at least 2~3 minutes long.

by Jane

Recruitment process (1/3)

An ESL interview guide

ESL self-introduction Video submission Nowadays, when you apply to a language company, you may be asked to introduce yourself through a self-recorded video. This recording, which usually runs for not more than two minutes, is a quicker way of showcasing your qualifications, skills, and even your personality to your potential employer. These videos help you stand out among a multitude of teacher applications. Take note that some companies will not require an intro video from you during the application process. However, you may still need to make one for your teacher profile when you begin teaching. Why is an introduction video important? It makes it possible for recruiters and students to know a new teacher in person before the beginning of a course. With this, the most effective and quickest way to give an idea of who you are and how you teach is through an intro video. When it comes to screening applicants, an intro video is a real-time saver. Instead of conducting interviews, many companies these days simply review candidates’ intro videos. This, in turn, hastens the hiring process and could get you started teaching sooner. Meanwhile, an intro video is a great way to spark the intrigue of your future students or their parents and make them feel connected with you, whether it's for your class activities, your fun teaching background, or even just your amazing personality! It is also through the intro video that you can give a good first impression without pressure (absence of the interviewer). The employers can also check your English proficiency like pronunciations.

by Jane

E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (7/7)

ESL teachers change of residency status

(D-4, D-2, D-10) to E-2 If you are currently on a D-2 (student visa) or a D-10 (job-seeking visa) you can prepare the necessary documents and visit the immigration office. However, you are not eligible if you have stayed abroad for more than 3 months on a D-series visa. How to apply (Visitation Only) 1. Qualifications (All ①, ②, ③ requirements must be met) A person who is legally holding a D-4 (language training), D-2 (student visa) or a D-10 (job-seeking visa) A person who meets all E-2 visa qualifications A holder of a concluded and signed contract by the employer and representatives of the institution. Required documents Application form Passport and foreigner residency card Employment contract Degree or career certificates Documents related to the establishment of the facility (business registration, academy establishment certificate, real estate registration, etc.) A criminal record Physical health examination (sealed) Application fee Fee (130,000won) Duration Information provided to the applicant upon visitation Attached find the general application form

by Jane

E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (6/7)

ESL teachers change of workplace

If you are currently on an E-2 visa and want to change your workplace after finding a new job. You must report the change of workplace and residency to the immigration office within 15 days. Reservation for visiting can be done at https://www.hikorea.go.kr/resv/ResvIntroR.pt How to apply (Visitation Only) 1. Target A person who has completed the employment contract and want to change company due to company closure or change of employer A person who has quit or retired due to personal reasons and has obtained a letter of release from the original employer. Note: regardless of qualifications, a person who quits or is fired due to personal reasons cannot change a visa WITHOUT a letter of release 2. Procedure Submit a basic ‘change of workplace application form’ and a prescribed document with reasons for the change within 15 days. Since a change of workplace sticker or seal has to be stamped on your passport, this procedure CANNOT be done online. Required documents Application form, Passport, Foreigner residency card Employment contract (original and copy) Business license Letter of release from the previous employer Documents related to the establishment of the facility Letter of release is exempted for the person who has completed a contract. However, if the change is due to the closure of a company, a document with proof of arrears or wages can replace the letter of release. If the remaining period of stay is shorter than the new contracts period + 1 month, you have to apply for ‘permission to extend the period of stay. Additional documents might be required for evaluation. Income taxation document Application fee Free Duration Information provided to the applicant upon visitation Attached find the general application form

by Jane

E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (5/7)

ELS teachers extension of stay in Korea

Extension of stay in Korea If the instructor wants to renew a contract with the company, they must apply for ‘permission to extend the period of stay.’ The application must be before the foreigner registration card expiry date. Please keep in mind that the issuance duration is about 2~3 weeks. How to apply (Online/Visitation) Extension of stay application can be done online or by visitation. In the case of online applications, Instructors can apply after signing up as a member in HiKorea. 1) E-Application: https://www.hikorea.go.kr/cvlappl/CvlapplStep1.pt#this ① Process: Apply> Pay service charge> Receive> Processing 2) Reserving an appointment: https://www.hikorea.go.kr/resv/ResvIntroR.pt ① Process: Reserve an appointment >Visit the immigration office or its branch office at the reserved date> Apply> Receive> Process 3) Process time: varies depending on the application method, evaluation necessity, or the number of applications submitted. Required documents Application form Passport and foreigner residency card Original and copy of employment contract Documents related to the establishment of the facility Business registration certificate Academy establishment certificate (for applicable persons) Earned income taxation document Documents with proof of residence (e.g., house contract) Current status of students and syllabus. Application fee Online: 50,000won Visit: 60,000won Duration Online: 10 days ~ 2 months (approx.) Visit: Information provided to the applicant upon visitation Attached find the general application form

by Jane

E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (4/7)

Registration of ESL teachers in Korea

Registration of ESL teachers in Korea Instructors must register for foreign residency within 90 days of arrival. Failure to do so, the visa will be automatically canceled. Only through the issuance of residency cards can foreigners have the right to work and access other conveniences. A foreigner residency card is required for registration of health insurance, phone number, bank accounts, and other necessities like the internet. How to apply (Visitation Only) Online visit reservation (HiKorea) https://www.hikorea.go.kr/resv/ResvIntroR.pt visit the immigration offices under their jurisdiction on the reserved date. Current status of immigration under the jurisdiction Required documents. Application form (Attachment No.34), Passport, Passport photo (1) Business license Physical health examination (sealed) Proof of residence (house contract) Other residence qualification documents Application fee 30,000won (cash only) Duration 2 ~ 3 weeks (approx.) Residency card delivery service. Instructors can either pick up the residency card at the immigration or use delivery services at a fee. (Currently preferred due to high spread of covid-19) How to use service Request for delivery service during application. Pay at the atm machine in the office and submit a payment receipt. Delivery fee 4,000 won Duration Within a day after mailing (next day if mailed at later hours) Attacched find the general application form

by Jane

E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (3/7)

E-2 Medical check

E2 Medical Check Physical health extermination is required for foreign residency registration and registration with the office of education. Therefore, it should be conducted as soon as possible after arrival and completion of the quarantine period. This examination can only be performed at the Ministry of Justice designated hospital. Any other hospital results will be rejected by the immigration, and you will be subjected to a re-examination. Please confirm with the hospital you wish to visit in advance. Please confirm the hospital’s Submission documents and schedule in advance to avoid any setbacks. Ministry of Justice designated hospitals 2021 How to get a health check-up Visit any Ministry of Justice designated hospital Request a physical examination for E-2 Visa. Required documents Passport 3 passport photos Examination fee 70,000~ 130,000 won (for more than 2 copies additional of 1,000~5,000 won per copy) Duration 3 ~7 days Precautions: 1. Examinations results must include a general physical examination and BPE Test (drug test) 2. check if you need a reservation before visiting. 3. At least 3 copies of the examination results are required. (Immigration office, Office of Education, Employer.) 4. Examination results must be requested and submitted sealed. Unsealed results will be rejected automatically. 5. Other preparations NO food intake at least 8 hours before the examination (recommended just drink water) Attached find an E-2medical check form

by Jane

E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (2/7)

E-2 Visa issuance Process

E-2 Visa issuance process Like any other country in the world, you must obtain a visa to enter and stay in Korea. It is therefore, Importance to understand the documents and procedures necessary for visa issuance. If you have all your, prepared; it will take about 1~2months. (Might be longer due to delays caused by covid-19) How to apply Visa issuance number With the documents sent by the applicant, the employer will apply for a visa issuance number at the immigration office in Korea. The applicant will visit the Korean Embassy in their country to complete the visa application. Required documents ① Resume ② Passport copy ③ Passport photos (3pieces) ④ Employment contract (3copies) ⑤ Certificate of education background. Choose one of the following (copy of degree certificate, certificate of degree acquisition, and certificate of graduation containing proof of degree acquisition) *Confirmation of Apostille or consular confirmation for the diplomatic mission abroad. *In the case of a domestic degree, un-apostilled copies of degree certificates are allowed. *Exemption for previous publicly verified documents. ⑥ Apostilled criminal background record. issued within 6 months. (Must include record from across the country) *Confirmation of Apostille or consular confirmation for the diplomatic mission abroad. * Must be issued within 6 months. *Exemption for previous publicly verified documents. (Only if you re-apply within 3 months of departure. If the date of entry exceeds 3 months, you have to submit a new record.) Names of major national criminal certificates and issuing agencies. The U.S.A - FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation): identity history summary check/criminal record (FBI-approved channeler, state) must include criminal history across all the states. *Apostille Agency: Canada – RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police): a national repository of a criminal record. *Apostille Agency: Korean consulate or embassy England – Home office police: criminal records bureau, disclosure Scotland, access Northern Ireland, ACPO criminal record office: basic disclosure, ACPO criminal records office authentic document. *Apostille Agency: foreign & commonwealth office (FCO) Australia – AFP (Australia federal police): standard disclosure, national police certificate *Apostille agency: department of foreign affairs and trade South Africa – (South African police service): clearance certificate *Apostille Agency: department of international relations and cooperation (DIRCO) Ireland – national police of the Republic of Ireland: police certificate *Apostille Agency: department of foreign affairs New Zealand – Ministry of justice: criminal record *Apostille Agency: department of internal affairs. ⑦ Self-Health certificate. Example of a self-health certificate Application fee: The domestic fees are covered by the employer Duration: 1~2 months (approx.) Visa issuance eligible countries The United States of America Canada England Ireland Australia New Zealand South Africa Attached find an E-2 self health statement

by Jane

E-2 Visa for ESL teachers (1/7)

What is an E-2 Visa

What is an E-2 VISA? E-2 visas are issued to foreigners who meet the qualifications set by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea. With an E-2 visa, you can offer foreign language guidance to foreign language academies, elementary schools, educational institutes, affiliated language research centers, broadcasting centers, and corporate language training. 1. Conversation guidance concept This refers to teaching how to communicate with each other at foreign language centers, corporate, and other educational institutes. Teaching a specific subject, literature, or translation does not qualify as a conversation guidance activity. (e.g., teaching English at an international school is not classified under conversation guidance activity 2. Place of work Foreign language academies, Elementary schools, educational institutes, Affiliated language research centers, Broadcasting Companies, Corporates, and other Organizations. These institutes must have language training permission from the government. 3. Length of stay The maximum length of stay is 2 years + 1month at a time. Qualifications and requirements for native instructors. The following are qualifications for instructors who can offer conversation training guidance. 1. Foreign language academies. A citizen from a native speaking language who has obtained a bachelor’s degree or has an equal or higher educational background. In the case of English. A citizen from the U.S.A, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, and South Africa. Graduates for a Korean university who have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher are accepted if they graduated from high school or vocational college from a country with the native language. 2. Ministry of education (middle, elementary and high school) ① Native English assistant teacher -A citizen of a native-speaking country who has obtained a bachelor’s degree from the country of origin. -For English; U.S.A, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, and South Africa. ② English assistant teacher under the Korea-India agreement (CEPA) -A citizen from India who has obtained a bachelor’s degree or has an equal or higher education and a teaching certificate. (English major) ③ Overseas English volunteer scholarship student (TaLK) -A citizen of a native English-speaking country. -A person who has completed university for at least 2 years, (in the case of British people 1 year) in the country of origin or graduated from a junior college or higher. -Alternatively, a person who has received formal education in the relevant foreign language (English) and has completed at least 2 years at a domestic university or graduated from a junior college or higher. 3. Spouses of professionals and non-English speaking international students Spouses of E-1 ~ E-7 (E-6-2 NOT included) and international students (limited to Master of Science and engineering, Ph.D. or higher) who holds TESOL qualifications and a bachelor’s degree or higher. TESOL is a training course that qualifies teachers from a non-native country to teach in non-English speaking countries. 4. Other qualifications documents Certificate of education background. Choose one of the following (copy of degree certificate, certificate of degree acquisition, and certificate of graduation containing degree acquisition facts) Apostille criminal background record issued within 6 months. (Must include records from across the country) Clean self-health check. See native instructor visa documents.