Everything You Need to Prepare for Teaching in Korea

South Korea has quickly become one of Asia's premier destinations for teaching English abroad. Whether you choose to work at a public school or a hagwon, Korea offers an excellent package for foreign teachers. Enticed by the generous vacation, free apartment, benefits, and monthly salary, it can be easy to forget the reality of your new situation: adjusting to life in a foreign country is not always easy.
In fact, it can be really hard. First, there's the language. Hangul, the Korean alphabet, is notoriously easy to read and write, but speaking and listening can be a real challenge. Then, there are the cultural differences. Remembering to take off your shoes indoors, bow in greeting, and to give items with two hands is overwhelming at first. Now throw in the job itself - whether or not you're an experienced teacher, facing a classroom full of new faces (and unfamiliar names) can be daunting.
But none of this cancels out the rewards of teaching in Korea. Yes, it's challenging, but it's worth it. Fortunately, the Internet has come to your rescue; there is a wealth of online resources available to teachers in Korea.

Logistics

When you're fresh off the plane, Korea can be overwhelming. You are now expected to function independently in a country that operates in a different language and culture. The key here is to research beforehand to better prep yourself for what to expect. Here are a few websites to help you first navigate.

• Just Landed: A comprehensive resource for new arrivals to Korea, covering visas, health, money, and more.
• The Arrival Store: Helps teachers settle in by selling items that can be difficult to obtain as a foreigner.
• EPIK website: The official website for the English Program in Korea.
• National Pension Office: Teachers from certain countries can claim back their pension contributions.
• Korean Law Blog: Legal advice from a New York attorney, the only non-Korean to have been employed by the Constitutional Court of Korea.
• Korea.net: The official website of the Republic of Korea.

Teaching Materials

Thousands of teachers in Korea have pooled resources online, so with a little research, you'll never find yourself stuck! Before departing for your trip, it is advised to have a little teaching experience under your belt. Sure, it may seem easy to stand in front of 6 year olds and entertain them for a few hours, but it is important you know your strengths as a teacher, the challenges you WILL face (and how to kick 'em in the boot), and what types of material/activities you find most effective. Here are a few good places to start.

• Waygook.org: A one-stop-shop for English teachers. You can find lessons by topic, grade level, or textbook, as well as forums on culture, life in Korea, legal questions, local meet-ups, and items for sale.
• Starfall: Great for kids who are just learning the alphabet, with interactive games and printable worksheets.
• KPop Dance Tutorials: A step-by-step breakdown of popular K-Pop dances.
• Puzzlemaker: Design your own crosswords, word searches, and more.
• Using English.com: Lesson plans, teaching materials, online quizzes, and an English grammar glossary.
• Bogglesworld: Worksheets, songs, lesson plans, and job boards for teaching ESL.
• Barry Fun English: Interactive online games like Battleship and Hangman.
• MES English: The classic website for downloading printable materials.
• Prezi: An alternative to power point presentations.
• Ultimate Camp Resource: A compilation of outdoor games and activities popular with camps, broken down by group size and type of game.

Travel in Korea

Korea's public transportation is excellent, affordable, and punctual, but can book out early, especially around holidays. Those who are opting to teach in a more remote destination can still find ways to take advantage of public transportation. If you are hoping to do a little exploring in your free time, feel free to pack your bags, grab your passport, and consult these websites.

• Korail: Schedules and online ticketing for Korea's railway.
• Seoul Subway Map: A map of the subway system for the capital city.
• Busan Subway Map: A map of Busan's subway system.
• Official Korea Tourism Organization: An overview on Korea's most enticing destinations & how to get there.
• Jeju Air: Specializes in flights from mainland Korea to Jeju Island. Flights sell out fast.
• Eastar Jet: A budget airline servicing nearby destinations like Tokyo and Bangkok.

Learning Korean and Local News

Making an attempt at speaking Korean will put you in good stead with your students and co-workers, and it will make your life immeasurably easier. Further, when living in Korea, it helps to keep up to date with what's happening in Korea.

• Talk To Me In Korean: An excellent way to learn the basics and progress into fluency through podcasts, worksheets, and video lessons.
• Korean Class 101: Another language website full of learning resources. Registration is required.
• Sogang University: Starts with introductory Korean and builds to an intermediate level.
• Yonhap News: News stories from a Korean media agency covering North and South Korea.
• The ChosunIlbo: The English edition of the Chosun Ilbo newspaper.
• The Korea Herald: The online version of Korea's leading English newspaper.

Shopping and Eating

There might be times when you're craving a little taste of home. Whether that's root beer, taco seasoning, or the latest bestseller, it can be hard to find in Korea. These websites make it easier, and they'll even deliver to your doorstep within days. (Besides, one of the quickest ways to get to know Korea is to know its food!).

• GMarket: This online marketplace is a gateway to anything and everything you might want delivered, from foreign food to clothing to furniture.
• Costco Korea: Wholesaler Costco's online website; good for foreign food.
• What the Book?: Seoul's English-language bookstore delivers new and used books nation-wide.
• Zen Kimchi: Offers food tours of Korea. See the blog for mouthwatering DIY recipes, both Korean and foreign.
• Home Brew Korea: Beer in Korea is...not that good. So a group of beer-loving expats brew their own, and host seasonal beer festivals in Seoul.

Blogs on Teaching in Korea

The best way to learn about Korea (besides experiencing it yourself) is by reading firsthand accounts from other English teachers. These are excellent blogs run by current and former teachers in Korea, covering travel, lifestyle, language, and teaching.

• EatYourKimchi: Married Canadians Simon and Martina have lived in Korea since 2008, and specialize in YouTube videos chronicling their experiences.
• Waegook Tom: Tom is an Englishman who has been teaching at hagwons in Korea since 2009.
• Farsickness Blog: Amanda is a US expat teaching at a hagwon.
• Wanderlust Project: Sheryll is a middle school teacher in Yongin.
• Expat Kerri: Kerri spent four years teaching in Korea, most recently at university level. She taught herself Korean and runs a popular series of YouTube videos.
• KikinitinKorea: A hilarious tumblr account that is a must-see for teachers in Korea.
• The Marmot's Hole: A blog where people come to talk about Korea, run by 10-year resident and US expat Robert.
• Kiss My Kimchi: This blog gives advice so teachers can 'survive and thrive' in Korea.