Teaching English in Korea - Fiona's Story
Fiona was a teacher here in the UK who was really desperate for a change of scene. After a TEFL England course, she headed to South Korea for the sunshine and stress-free life she was craving.
So, there I was, with six years of London supply teaching under my belt. Without going into too much detail, I had reached a point where I could barely find the energy to walk to the shop to buy milk, never mind walk for miles in the gorgeous terrain that is the UK, never mind getting on my bike and riding along the Thames just after a snowfall, never mind just having the wherewithal to smile. My usual nature is that of a typical go-getter, so I was, to say the least a little under the weather! In could be that the weather did, indeed, have something to do with my then state of mind - constant rain, grey sky and darkness by 4pm was a typical day.
So, I decided that I did not want to teach any more. But, then I realised that that was what I did , and had been doing for almost 20 years of my life. Then, how to teach, but without all the stress of well, the gumph that goes with teaching? I began to dream of teaching 'easy' lessons then spending the rest of the day drowsy and sleeping on a nice, warm beach. So, on went the computer and google, and in went 'teach, beach, Far East' (because the sun always seems to shine there!).
To cut a long, long story short, in which I found that there is the possibly of a lot of scams and nonsense, I eventually found a place called EPIK, which, quite simply, stands for English Programme in Korea. Within a couple of months, during which I somehow managed to get myself out of my cosy warm bed in the morning to battle with the London fog and wetness to get myself to whatever job I had for the day, I was hired to work at a school in Korea. It was not the easiest of processes, as I had to get forms notarised and apostilled, and had to get first hand letters from past employees with regard to my work ethics. However, I had a feeling all along that this was what my body and mind needed.
Pretty soon, I was on a plane bound for Hong Kong! Next stop was Busan, Korea, where myself and about 400 other EPIKERS were given a 10 day orientation into the lifestyle, culture and norms of Korean society. We learnt to eat with chopsticks, work with money called Won, which comes in 1000's of units - like 1000W is the approximate equivalent of 50p! - oh, and get used to eating rice with all three meals (yes, including breakfast) per day. We were also introduced to the typical foodstuffs - a marvellous array of ingredients so natural and wholesome that I fear I shall never want to eat a burger again!
So many of the Western teachers here lose an amazing number of pounds in the first three months - the men, especially, notice a plummet in their waistlines. This can only be due to the array of seaweed (it is delicious), kim-chi (fermented cabbage which is scrumptious) and other succulent delicacies, including live octopus and even cooked dog, if you are that way inclined.
However, let me not get waylaid by the food. The teaching is what brings in the dong (such a good salary, with free food (school lunches) and free accommodation thrown in) and the teaching is what it is supposedly about. I had completed a TEFL course in London and the tips and things I learnt in that one weekend were absolutely sufficient for teaching over here. OK, I do have a teaching degree as well, but the TEFL course added a lot more fun ideas and easy ways to get the subject matter across. Remembering that I was burnt out, this would be just great. The standard of English is surprisingly low here, and many adults are not able to speak or understand it at all (yes, I have learnt to speak some Korean, or hangual, as it is known) so the actual demands on the English teacher are not high. I really spend most of my time just repeating key phrases or playing a game where they are 'forced' to use English in order to win. As there are more than 1000 pupils in my school, I have not learnt any of their names, and while it might sound unbelievable, it has been quite liberating, not having to know and remember the small stuff - just play and learn and move on. It's great! I have noticed that the days move along so quickly, that one has either just had a weekend, or one is about to experience the next one.
And that is the crux of everything - the time off! My weekends are so full now, I hardly know what to do first, Everything is so cheap, not only compared to the West, but also compared to the amount we earn. So, I have been para-gliding, abseiling, river-rafting, mountain climbing - you name it, I am there. Also, with so many foreign teachers out here, there is a huge opportunity to make friends and explore places together. Just this weekend, for instance, my friends and I met up on Saturday, at 6.30 am to hike one of the many mountains in my area. We hiked for nine hours and were pretty done in by the time we finished. But, refreshed by a restaurant meal of fish and soup, which cost $7, we then went to a sauna house, where we lay in the hot springs, easing the muscles that we had used that day, got our feet cleaned by fish (yes, I kid you not - they are tiny fish that eat the dead cells on your toes), and then had a body massage - all for $17. The next day, we did more of the same (sauna, massage, steam room)and then attended a Thanksgiving meal and service at a local International Church. Although most of the area is Buddhist, there are many opportunities for Christians to get together and pursue their religion, too.
I could go on and on, exclaiming about the fortuitous move it was for me to come out here. I did not know what I was letting myself in for. I did not know what to expect or not to expect. All I know is, I came here with an open mind and have not regretted my decision to become an ESL teacher in the Far East. As my year's contract is coming to an end, many people are asking me: What next? Well, with the money I have managed to save, I am exploring the Far East for a few months, then having a look at Australia and Nepal, before making my way back West to catch up with family via the Trans-Siberian rail. Thereafter? Well, we shall see what we shall see, but the likelihood is that I will continue with ESL tuition, as it is a completely different ball game to the stressed, paper-worked and no work-life balance that I experienced prior to this wonderful adventure!
If you are thinking about teaching in a foreign land, don't think - just act! You will not regret it.
Inspired by Fiona's story?
Book your TEFL course now and start on your very own adventure
http://www.teflengland.co.uk/blog.asp?blogid=172 16 May 2012
tenpintolan | Darren Tolan | Travel Blog
www.travelblog.org
The travel blog of Darren Tolan, adventures around the world... 10 May 2012
Recommend A Friend | TEFL England
www.teflengland.co.uk
Refer a friend to TEFL England - you get £20 of Amazon vouchers, they get money off an accredited TEFL course! 9 May 2012
Ben in Zaragosa
www.teflwales.co.uk
Ben has gone from working in a call centre in Wales to teaching English in Zaragosa after taking his TEFL Wales course. Why not change your life too? 9 May 2012
TEFL in Japan - Paperwork & Documentation
www.teflengland.co.uk
To teach English in Japan, you'll need a degree and a working Visa. Find out how to apply here. 4 May 2012
TEFL in Japan - Paperwork & Documentation | Tefl England Blog
www.teflengland.co.uk
Our latest blog entry - If you want to teach English in Japan, you'll need a degree and a working Visa. Find out how to apply here. 3 May 2012