Objective

I am seeking an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teaching position at a Korean public school, or at a private school or "hagwon."

Brief Background

In 2007, I returned to teaching after working for many years in information technology. I worked for several hagwon in Ilsan, Gyeonggi, Korea, from September, 2007, until August, 2009. I returned to the U.S. in September to attend to some personal business and see my family, but I knew that I wanted to return to teaching in Korea, so, as of January, 2010, I have returned to Korea.

I have found over the last two years that my favorite age group for teaching is elementary-level students. Their bright outlook and dynamism always leaves me feeling very content about my job at the end of the day. At my last hagwon, I was teaching speaking skills using materials designed to prepare for the iBT (internet-based TOEFL) speaking section for my most advanced students, but with most of my students we focused on North American-style classroom debating skills and general classroom speech-giving and presentation skills.

Contract Requirements

I am open to discussion about salary and benefits, but as an absolute minimum would outline the following (most of these are quite standard in E2 visa contracts in Korea, I believe):

  • 1 year contract
  • 1.9 million / month
  • 50% National Health
  • small "office-tel" type studio apartment or adequate housing allowance (along with assistance in finding apartment, if latter)
  • 1 month's pay severance bonus on completion
  • no more than 25 in-class hours per week (this requirement is the only one that may be difficult or controversial, but I find that with more than this, it is very hard to be a high-quality teacher, because the time required to prepare lesson-plans and correct student work thoroughly for so many classes becomes onerous)

Location

I will be happy to work at any location in South Korea! I love Ilsan and enjoyed my two years there, and Seoul is a great city. However, I think that I would also love to learn more about other parts of Korea, and there is no reason why I should stay in Seoul, necessarily. So currently I'm most interested in working outside of Seoul, maybe in a town or small city.

Personal Data

In the United States, it is not only uncommon to provide the following information to employers, but in fact it is often illegal for them to ask (at least until after a contract is signed). However, I understand that Korea has a distinct culture and that this information is not only expected but basically required.

  • Marital Status: Single (widowed - my wife passed away in 2000).
  • Children: 1 step-son, age 22. I have no dependants.
  • Age: 44 by Western calendar (45 by Korean reckoning).

Documentation Available and "On-hand"

  • Original B.A. diploma (University of Minnesota)
  • Original M.A. diploma (University of Pennsylvania)
  • 4 sealed copies of undergraduate transcript
  • 4 sealed copies of graduate transcript
  • Passport
  • Photocopy of expired (previously issued) alien card
  • Apostille Criminal Background Check (Minneapolis Police Department)
  • Record of Health Checkup (with drug test, HIV test, etc., from Ajou University Hospital

Why Korea?

At some point a few years ago, I became fascinated with Korean language and culture. I have a background in linguistics, and the Korean language is both fascinating to me but also intensely challenging. I have decided that I welcome this challenge, and although it may take a very long time, I plan to stay in Korea until I feel I have reached some degree of competency with the Korean Language. That is one of the reasons why I choose Korea instead of some other location to pursue my teaching career. But the teaching work is more important than the language study, which is perhaps why, after two years in Korea, I'm still struggling with the language at a fairly low level - it is often hard to find time and opportunities to study and practice effectively.