Like Free Stuff? Get Some Now!

I'm holding a contest where I'm giving away three of my Ebooks for free. The contest ends in 8 days, so get those entries in now. The best part about it is that if you use your custom link and someone enters the contest because of you, you'll get three more entries!

You'll have your choice of one of the following books:

The Wealthy English Teacher (personal finance for English teachers abroad)

How to Get a University Job in South Korea

How to Thrive in South Korea: 97 Tips for Expats

ESL Speaking Activities for Kids

ESL Speaking Activities for Teenagers and Adults.

Use this link to register now

Knowing Korean: an advantage when applying for university jobs in Korea?

Another great question from an audience member at my recent presentation at the Kotesol national conference on the topic of How to Get a University Job in South Korea.

They were wondering whether or not knowing Korean would give them an advantage when applying for university jobs. My short answer is that it's basically a neutral. While it may give you a slight advantage in some cases, the university is hiring your for your English ability, not your Korean one and the reality is that you can function very well in this job without even being able to read Hangeul, much less speak it. 

Here's a short video I made about the topic:

Kotesol National Conference 2015

The Kotesol national conference 2015 is coming up soon on May 30th in Seoul. 

I'll be presenting on the very academic topic of,"How to Get a University Job in South Korea" at 1:00 in the giant auditorium, Gemma Hall. I hate the lecture style of presentation so please sit near the front and talk to me so my presentation can be more interactive, okay? I'm kind of nervous. Thanks. 

My Upcoming Kotesol Presentations

A quick note for readers of this blog in Korea. I'll be giving a couple presentations at upcoming Kotesol conferences.

1. May 16th-Busan Chapter Kotesol Meeting. "How to Teach Speaking." 5 tips and 5 activities for all levels and ages of students. If you miss it, don't worry...all the stuff is from my upcoming book about ESL Speaking which I'm giving away for free to everyone who signs up for my mailing list. But, of course I promise interactive, informative and fun in person so it'll be better to just come on Saturday!

2. May 30th-Seoul Kotesol National Conference. This is the second biggest English teaching event in Korea (behind the International conference). "How to Get a University Job in South Korea." If you miss this one, you can get the book: How to Get a University Job in South Korea. But, of course in person is better because you can ask questions and get some more immediate feedback for your jobs in Korea related questions.

University Jobs in Korea: In-Person Visits?

I answer the question of whether or not in-person visit to university campuses in Korea if you're looking for a job is an effective use of time, or not.

University Jobs in Korea Facebook page: like it for all sorts of job-finding goodness.

Resume to Apply for Korean University Jobs

A short video about a mistake that people often make when applying for university jobs in South Korea: a too complicated resume.

For all the details about getting a university job in Korea, including a resume template check out this book on Amazon:

How to Get a University Job in South Korea: The English Teaching Job of Your Dreams

Will the Celta help you get a University Job in Korea?

All the details about whether of not the Cambridge Celta English teaching certification will help you get a university job, or not in this short video:

Even more details about the Celta and Delta as they relate to university jobs in South Korea can be found in the book:
How to Get a University Job in South Korea: The English Teaching Job of Your Dreams

Do you Need to Speak Korean to work at a University in South Korea?

A common question I get from readers is whether or not you need to speak Korean in order to work at a Korean university. Watch this short video to find out the answer.

And of course, don't forget to sign up for my mailing list if you haven't already. More than 40 ESL games and activities, lesson plans, news of my upcoming projects and a whole lot more.

ESL Speaking Games and Activities

ESL Speaking Games and Activities

Inspired by the success of my first two books, How to Get a University Job in South Korea: The English Teaching Job of Your Dreamsand The Wealthy English Teacher: Teach, Travel, and Secure Your Financial Future, I've started work on a third one about ESL Speaking Games and Activities.

It'll contain around 50 of my go-to games and activities that I use in my own classes and I've tried to include lots of good stuff for teachers who teach young kids as well (I got my start way back in the day teaching kindy, so I know how it is!). I also have a few sample lesson plans for intermediate-advanced level adult conversation classes and some general teaching tips to keep in mind when you're teaching ESL Speaking.

If you want to get 40 ESL games and activities for all skills, delivered straight to your inbox, as well as be the first to know when I finish my latest book, sign up here:

Email Address

   

Reader Question: I look Very Young- What Should I do?

Young Looking-Korean University Job?

A reader question from someone who is a young looking 32 year old. He wants to know if he should attempt to look older through things like facial hair or fake glasses in order to get a job at a Korean university.

My answer: no. If you're 32 years old, I wouldn't worry about it. If you were in your 20's and had this same problem, then I'd recommend taking some action. The ideal age for a Korean university to hire someone is late 20's to late 40's, and I have a feeling that even with this looking young situation, you'd probably fit into that range.

Of course, for even more advice on how to get that prime university job in South Korea, check out:
How to Get a University Job in South Korea: The English Teaching Job of Your Dreams

Resume to Apply for Korean University Jobs

Resumes for University Jobs in South Korea

 A reader question about resumes for applying for university jobs in South Korea:

"Regarding a resume - In your book's sample resume you didn't include an 'Objective' section.  Should I omit this?  Or personalize it for each uni I'm applying to?"

Readers: I have indeed included a sample resume template in my book,  How to Get a University Job in South Korea: The English Teaching Job of Your Dreamsso check that out if you're looking for a uni job in South Korea. I think you'll find it helpful.

But, onwards to the question. I didn't include an "objective" section because all the most current stuff I read about resumes said not to include it and that's it's kind of old-style.

I think the whole thing is pretty ridiculous anyway, especially for an ESL teacher-like isn't your objective to get a job at a South Korean university (or company XYZ)? Anything that you put besides that would basically just be a lie. I guess you could say something like, "I want to help students learn English." But, doesn't everyone who teaches ESL?  It's just so obvious and fake and ridiculous that I refuse to put it in on my resume.

Reviews of The Wealthy English Teacher

The Wealthy English Teacher

Thanks to everyone who has checked out my second book, The Wealthy English Teacher: Teach, Travel, and Secure Your Financial Futureover on Amazon in both digital and print formats.

So far, the reviews have been very positive. Here they are:

Alex (on Goodreads): "I didn’t expect this book to be so well-written. The author really knows what she is talking about and speaks from personal experience. She doesn't promise to make you rich or to get rich quickly, but rather gives you tons of advice to secure your financial future for the long run. This book is very detailed with excellent financial advice. Her passion really shows through in this book."

Neil (on Amazon): "This book provides sound advice for expat teachers (or any profession actually) to get their financials in order from the other side of the world. It provides an easy to follow step-by-step plan for even the most financial illiterate to find success with. My only criticism is that it it seems too easy work! It's a steal for only $3. I wish I had read this book many many years ago."

Sharon (on Amazon): "Jackie takes you step-by-step through how to become well-off by TEFLing. Too often people think that TEFL teachers barely scrape by. While this may be true for some, Jackie shows us how we can travel the world teaching English and save money in the process.

She breaks down the different types of jobs and compares salary vs hours worked and explains why accepting a lower paying job might actually be better for you in the long run. Choosing where to go comes next. While many people might want to go to Europe, the money simply isn't there.

Becoming rich can seem like a daunting task, but she teaches you how to do things slowly, starting with an emergency fund, then building up to $10,000. She also teaches you about the basics, like never spending more than you make and to pay off debt.

She has put together a variety of sample portfolio options for Americans and non-Americans that can help you get started. She also encourages you to do your own research and has a number of websites she recommends you take a look at. She tells you how to choose stocks and what you should invest in. Investing can be scary, but Jackie easily breaks it down so that you can understand.

Jackie discusses passive income streams as well. There are so many options available and recommends a handful of them and tells you how to get started. She also brings up insurance, travel, and taxes and gives tips about each of these.

I'd highly recommend this book for any TEFL teacher. It's full of useful info that will help you make the most of your life as a TEFL teacher, enjoy your job, and not have to worry about retiring."

University Job in Korea with only a BA

University Jobs Korea with a Masters Degree

A reader question from Jennifer:

"I am currently looking for uni jobs that do not require a masters.  Do you know of any groups on Facebook I could get notifications? Thank you so much!"

My answer:

If you haven't already read my book, check out How to Get a University Job in South Korea: The English Teaching Job of Your Dreamsfor advice on what to do if you don't have a masters degree but want to work at a uni. It's going to be tough, but not impossible especially if you're working on a masters or are willing to work at a "unigwon."

But, to answer your question. I don't think there are any Facebook groups, or any other kind of site for that matter which is dedicated solely to uni jobs in Korea for those without masters degrees. You could join my Facebook group, Foreign Teachers in Korean Universities where jobs occasionally get posted. I'm sure you look there already, but check out Dave's ESL Cafe Korean job board. You'll have to wade through lots of junk but there are a few nuggets of gold. Finally, I recommend Profs Abroad. It is a paid site, but you'll be able to get access to all the uni jobs in Korea, even the hard to find ones on school websites very easily in one place.

Question: How to get a university job and how to have fun in Korea

University Job in South Korea

Free: 40 Classroom Tried and Tested ESL Games and Activities

Email Address

This is a question from a member of my Facebook group, Foreign Teachers in Korean Universities, which you should join if you teach at a Korean uni, or want to at some point in the future.

"Will someone please advise me on the best ways to get a job teaching at a university in Korea and the best ways to have fun with expats once there? Besides teaching I love writing, movies, books, board games, biking, hiking and camping."

As for the first part about how to get a job teaching at a university in Korea, you should check out How to Get a University Job in South Korea: The English Teaching Job of Your Dreams. Almost all of the feedback on it has been extremely positive and I think you'll pick up at least a few useful tips (and probably a lot more!).  The book's website, universityjobkorea.com has some excerpts from the book as well as some of my guest posts on other sites if you want to try before you buy.

As for the second question about having fun in Korea: you'll find it far easier to meet people and make friends than you would back home. People are always coming and going so people are pretty open to newbies.  If you live in a big city like Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, Daegu or Daejeon, there will be a multitude of expat groups on Facebook for just about any hobby or interest that you could possibly imagine. I would caution against living in the countryside if you are coming to Korea alone and like to have an active social life since it can be extremely isolating and lonely to be the only foreigner in the vicinity.  

Possible Reasons why you can't get a University Job in Korea

University Jobs South Korea

A negative review over on Amazon about someone who my book,  How to Get a University Job in South Korea: The English Teaching Job of Your Dreamsdidn't help. It's really hard to give specific advice in a general kind of "how-to" book.

Anyway, I'd like to respond with some possible reasons why people wouldn't be able to get a uni job in a year, although I have no idea what is going wrong with this specific person without more information from him (I welcome him to comment).  Here's his review:

"Ok, but need more detail. I want to know what I'm doing wrong when trying to get a university job. I have been trying for about a year with no luck. This book does nothing to help solve my problem."

Top 10 Reasons Why you can't Get the Korean University Job you want.

1. Education It's really hard to get a university job in South Korea without a Masters degree these days. A few years ago, you could slip by with a BA degree, but times are changing and requirements are far higher these days.

2. Experience It's not easy to get a university job with only a year or two of teaching experience, even if you have a Masters degree. Places may also be reluctant to hire you if you have never taught adults.

3. Age If you are either younger (less than 30) or older (more than 50) than the ideal, it can be really tough for you to even get interviews, no matter how well-qualified you are.

4. Gender and Country of Origin North America females are generally preferred and if you don't fit into either of those categories, you might be overlooked in favor of someone who is both of those things.

5. Appearance As I mention in the book numerous times, appearance truly is everything in Korea. If you are anything but well-dressed and groomed and reasonably attractive, it can be quite difficult for you to get a job.  You have to put a picture on the resume and hope that the university likes what they see. Obvious physical defects and not being white are often huge strikes against you. Or, maybe you don't present that well at an interview due to things like B.O., facial hair, weight or ill-fitting clothes.

6. Lack of Knowledge about Teaching If you make it to the interview stage, but keep failing it may be because it is obvious that you have no idea about teaching. Almost all interviewers will ask at least one question about teaching methodology to sort out the amateurs from the professionals in the classroom. Consider this carefully and buff up on your English language teaching knowledge if necessary by taking a class such as the Celta.

7. Lack of Networking If you are not getting interviews, it is perhaps because you don't know someone on the inside. Many of the top jobs are never advertised publicly and are instead filled through word of mouth, through friends of current foreign teachers. If you are reclusive or not a cool person and just don't know that many people in Korea, you will have a hard time finding a university job.

8. Lack of Professional Development See #6. This can really set apart the "real" teachers from the "amateurs."

9. Non-Professional Application Package If you are not getting interviews, consider your package carefully. I offer a wealth of advice in How to Get a University Job in South Korea: The English Teaching Job of Your Dreams on this topic.

10. Not Applying to Enough Jobs In the book, I talk about what to do if you are not a top candidate and have a few strikes against you such as your country of origin, lack of experience or age. I suggest applying to ANY and ALL university jobs in South Korea. Treat it like your full-time job and get obsessed with it. You need to apply for at least 50+ jobs in order to get a few interviews and eventually jobs offers. Maybe you are a less than ideal candidate but you are being too picky and only applying to the very top jobs that even someone well-qualified would have a hard time competing for.

A couple years out in the countryside working at a job with a high number of teaching hours, less than full vacation, or low pay will help you tremendously in competing for the best jobs in the future.

A negative review on Amazon: my response

University Job in South Korea

It has been pointed out in the first and only negative review over on Amazon that I've been really down on Korea as an English teaching destination lately while at the same time trying to sell my book, How to Get a University Job in South Korea: The English Teaching Job of Your Dreamsand also while making my own exit strategy. I do realize that it's kind of a mixed message, but life is full of grey, and black and white quite rarely exists in my world.

I'd like to respond publicly to the review because it seems "Ted Walker" reads this blog. And Ted, if you'd like to comment and let me know specifically which sections are particularly disagreeable in the book, I'll take it into consideration for when I update the book in a few months.

Let me start by saying that the situation in Korea is complicated and funding for English and education in general seems to change as often as the seasons. I feel like I've seen it happen numerous times during the past 10 years. Just because the current administration is serious about shutting down Korean universities doesn't mean that the next one will be too.  Nobody, probably not even the presidents at the top unis in the country can accurately predict what the landscape will look like in 5 years from now. I think it's unlikely that there will be more university jobs for English teachers in the future, but who can really say for sure.

Secondly, I'm leaving Korea for other reasons besides the reduced number of uni jobs that will likely happen in the next few years.  I've been here a decade and it's time to go home and change careers while I'm still young enough, along with spending more time with a niece who is growing up and parents and aunts and uncles who are getting older. 

Thirdly, uni jobs will still remain the prime job that they are now, in the future.  I just think qualifications to get them will be higher, but I think I'm pretty clear about this in the book by saying that it will be extremely difficult for those not in the "top-tier" of candidates to compete for jobs in Seoul, for example. If you can get the job (and I think the book will help you do that), you'll likely be pretty happy doing it for a number of years as I was (and still am).

Fourthly, yes...I do make money online through writing books and blogging and a few other ventures.  Lots of people do that and plenty of English teachers have left teaching and now make their living online. I think it's quite impressive and I wish I were as funny, creative, informative, helpful, tech-savvy, and motivated as they are.

Finally, I do not think the information in my book is outdated.  It was only written three months ago. I have been working at Korean universities for almost 10 years and certainly know the ins and outs of how the system works.  I, myself have been through 2 rounds of applications and interviews and I have also helped numerous friends through the process as well.
   

How to Get a University Job in South Korea: on Sale for 1 week only!

Starting tomorrow, you'll be able to get How to Get a University Job in South Korea: The English Teaching Job of Your Dreamsfor just $1.99 (reduced from $3.49) but the sale lasts for one week only.

If you're looking for a uni job teaching English in South Korea, this is your go-to book and there truly is nothing else out there that contains all this information in one place. People like it so far: only 5 star reviews over on Amazon. 

In somewhat related news, check out the newly updated book's website, University Jobs Korea for some resources that will be helpful to any job-seekers. Let me know if you have any questions or requests for posts; I'm always happy to help and will answer them within a day or two on this blog.

Top 5 Tips for Newbies to Teaching in Korean Universities

It's that time of year again as the new semester starts in a week or so. Even though I've been doing it for years, I still get a little bit nervous. But, it's nothing like it was before my first semester teaching at a university. Instead of feeling a bit nervous, it was a feeling more akin to terror. Anyway, nothing I can say is going to make you feel less nervous, but here are a few tips to help you.

Top 5 Tips for Newbies to Teaching at Korean Universities:

1. Lower your expectations, particularly for freshman English classes. First year of university is a time of rest between high school hell and mandatory army hell for the boys, so they just want to have fun, enjoy their freedom and perhaps find a girlfriend.

2. Simple is best. You may have plenty of fabulous ideas for how you're going to have the raddest classes ever but always remember that simple is best. Your students are probably going to be lower level than you would expect them to be. 

3. You can't fight the system. Things like passing seniors who never show up to class and/or fail every single assignment and test will seem ridiculous to you. Get over that and the quicker the better. You are a lone foreigner and nobody actually cares what you think about the Korean university system.

4. Be fair and care. You don't need to be the funniest, or the coolest, or the most handsome teacher in order to be popular. It is actually easier than that. Just be fair and treat all students the same and also show them that you care. Remember their names, talk to them outside of class, be a decent human being in case of a problem of some kind. Never use the power that you have to your advantage but instead be humble.

5. Fly under the radar. Build yourself a reputation as a stellar teacher but also work on being the person who never has any negative interactions, with anybody. NEVER complain to the admin about anything and try to ask for as minimal amount of their help as possible. I make it my goal to always fly under the radar and only have positive interactions with the powers that be.

Maybe you're wondering how you could get this rad job?  Let me tell you how for the low price of $3.49:

Do you want to be a Wealthy English Teacher?

Most people find their way to Korea to pay off some debts, save a bit of money and have some adventures while doing it. And it is indeed a fabulous place to do all those things. But, can you become rich teaching ESL as a career, in Korea or in other countries? Yes!  I think it really is possible for just about anyone with a bit of frugal living, wise investing and by avoiding a few common financial mistakes.

So, the happy news for you, my readers is that I have another book coming out, "The Wealthy English Teacher: A Beginner's Guide to Becoming Rich." It is in the final editing stages now so you should be able to find it on Amazon in a couple of weeks and I promise that the price will indeed be right...around $4 or so.

Here's the website, The Wealthy English Teacher where you can get an overview of the book contents. Check out the links on the top menu bar too: plenty of goodness to whet your appetite for becoming fabulously rich.

Korean University Jobs are not what they once were

Then and Now

Anyone who has been in a Korea for a few years (or a decade in my case) has seen the decline of the ESL industry as a whole. 10 years ago, anyone with a pulse could get a hagwon (private institute job), public school jobs were plentiful and uni jobs were being handed out like candy to those with just a Bachelor's degree and perhaps a year of experience at a public school or hagwon.

These days, even hagwon jobs seem to be pretty scarce and it seems to be a race to the bottom for the lowest salary and weakest job positions. There are just too many decently-qualified people looking for work. Public schools have been bleeding jobs for the past 3 or 4 years, with almost all middle and high-schools cutting their native English speaker positions. And of course unis-even those with a Master's degree and a few years of non-uni experience are sometimes not getting jobs.

Anecdotally, I have three friends here in Busan who've lost their jobs recently and while they've found other positions, it certainly was not without a struggle and they were competing against other quite well-qualified applicants for okay positions.

Free: 40 Classroom Tried and Tested ESL Games and Activities

Email Address
 

 
The Glory Days are Done

What am I saying? The happy days of Korea as a prime ESL teaching destination are indeed over, much the way things went with Japan, just a few years later in the case of Korea. Only the most qualified (someone like me! Ha! Masters+Celta+Delta+years of uni experience) will get those prime uni jobs with low teaching hours, motivated students, high pay and full vacations while everyone else will be left fighting for the okay or crappy stuff. Salaries and benefits like free plane tickets and housing will keep decreasing.

My Plan

I, myself have planned my exit strategy that involves going back to Canada and changing careers because I think the writing is on the wall. I would suggest that those who are making longer-term plans, thinking that Korea is going to be a winner for English teachers should perhaps reconsider. Another country like Vietnam? Upgrading qualifications and getting into teacher training? Changing careers?  There are plenty of fish in the sea so why place your bets on the one flopping around on the dry-land?