Teaching English in South Korea. An experience of one teacher.

I teach English to elementary, middle school, and adult levels in a small city called Miryang in South Korea.  The hours are usually from 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon until around 8:30 in the evening.  Classes are not that difficult as the students are well-behaved for the most part.  I would bring English books from my own country if I were coming here for the first time.  Also I would bring magazines and English games to help in my classes.  There is not much here in that respect.  They provide books, mostly simple workbooks with limited vocabulary and grammar.  The bookstores carry very little English books or novels if you want to read for pleasure.  If possible, bring some with you or have a friend that can mail books to you periodically. Concerning safety issues, Korea is relatively safe.  The crime rate is low.  When you arrive you are given a comfortable room that has a bed, television, refrigerator, sink and a propane stove to cook on.  A bathroom is attached and a washing machine is available to wash your clothes.  There is no dryer.  People here hang their clothes on a portable rack.  A regular toilet (one that you sit on is provided).  Some Koreans use a squat toilet and don't have a shower booth in the old fashioned bathroom, but on the wall is a heating unit and a spray nozzle for taking a hot shower.  The floor has a drain for allowing water to escape.  Stock up on deodorant as the stores do not sell it here that much and it is expensive.  Otherwise, all your toiletry items like toilet paper, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, etc. are available. Transportation is good here.  Trains connect most cities.  Within each city there is usually a good bus system and taxis.  Taxis are cheap, about $2.00 to take you anywhere in the city.  As far as trains go, there are two types; the regular Korail (cheaper) and the new faster KTX (expensive).  The restaurants are not that expensive either.  Korean food is delicious.  They have a few meat dishes like pork which they eat with lots of vegetables such as kimchi (cabbage, I believe), rice, and fish.  There are American restaurants like TGIF and The Outback Steak House in larger cities as well as fast food restaurants like McDonald's, KFC, and Burger King. Once you arrive your hogwan or school, the director will help you settle in.  You can find a bank to open an account.  They use Won as the main currency here.  $10 U.S. equals W10,000 Won.  Medical insurance is also provided for you.  You pay half and the school pays half.  They take it out every couple of months out of your paycheck.  Medicine is not expensive.  I have diabetes and my medicine only costs $5 a month.  In America it was $100.  The first year you have to adjust for culture shock and getting used to the fact that not everyone speaks English.  It can be a lonely time.  So many teachers here communicate on Facebook, a website where they meet, chat and make plans to meet.  It is a good way to make friends while here.  There are many sights to see such as Buddhist temples, museums, sporting events like soccer, and musical concert events.  Some cities hold festivals each year in honor of their ancestors or for a good growing season for crops.  On weekends you can travel to cities throughout Korea and explore the culture.  Bring a camera.  A good idea is to pick up a map when you arrive at the airport in Seoul.  That is the only place you can obtain a man in English.  All the others are in Korean. For me it has been a wonderful and enlightening experience.  The people are friendly and kind.  The food is good and the weather nice.  In the northern part of the country like in Seoul it can snow.  The southern part is warmer.  Many people go to JeJu island for vacations here.  It is located near the southern tip of South Korea.  With the economies around the world being unstable and jobs getting harder to find, maybe working in South Korea is an option for you at the present time. Take a chance and come here to teach for a year or more.  You will be glad you did.  I have no regrets.Jay Adams