Reading through the information in our Teacher's Lounge should answer most of your questions about living and working in Korea . Below are some of the most commonly asked questions.

1. Do I need TESOL training or previous teaching experience?
Neither TESOL training nor teaching experience is not a requirement for most teaching positions within Korea . Having this extra training and experience is a bonus and can help you to get a better position and an increase in pay. It can also make your teaching experience more rewarding.

2. What are the qualifications or requirements needed to teach in South Korea ?
The only requirements are that you are a native English speaker and have a 4-year university degree from a recognized university.

3. Can I apply with my partner or friend?
Global can try to find schools accepting partners or friends, but we cannot make a guarantee. In most cases it is not a problem, although you may have to be more flexible about the job and location.

4. Do I need to have an interview?
Selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. If you are living in or near Vancouver , the interview will be in person at our downtown office. If you are living in another part of Canada or the U.S. , we can conduct the interview by phone.

5. How long does it take to process my application?
If you pass the interview stage and are accepted for a teaching position, the application process usually takes about one month. To speed up the process, get copies of your transcripts as soon as possible (depending on the university, this can be a lengthy process). Once we have found a school for you, you need to prepare your documents to get your E-2 work visa.

6. How long are contracts? Can I get a job for a few months?
Standard contracts last one year and can be extended if you want to continue working. In some cases, we can find positions for shorter contracts; however, the same salary and benefits do not apply.

7. Can I choose the job I want?
We will do our best to find a position that you are completely satisfied with. We get hundreds of positions sent to us, so we can look for something that is right for you; however depending on the time of year and available positions, we cannot guarantee to meet all of your expectations.

8. If the school offers housing, will I be sharing with other teachers?
Accommodation perks differ from school to school. For instance: many Korean placements include a single furnished apartment (studio). But, in some cases, if shared accommodation is provided it will be shared with other foreign teachers. In this case, you will have your own room, but will share common areas such as the kitchen, living room, bathroom, and laundry facilities.

9. What if I don't like my job or my roommates?
Like in your own country, we can't guarantee that you will get along with everyone in your school or apartment. Part of the experience of living and working in another country is to become more accepting and tolerant of people. In my experience, most teachers get along really well and become lifelong friends. They are the ones that help each other throughout their time in Korea .

10. How much does your service cost?
Our service is completely FREE for teachers. We help you before, during, and after your contract to ensure your stay in Korea will be a rewarding and memorable experience.

11. Do I have to pay taxes in Korea ?
Yes, but the taxes in Korea are much lower than in Canada or the U.S. Depending on your salary, your taxes with be deducted from your pay every month and equals between 4-7% of your pay.

12. Do I need to bring any money with me?
I recommend bringing money to get you started. You don't need much (between $700-$1000 is more than enough). Just enough to survive until you receive your first pay cheque. Some schools will give an advance on your pay to help you get started; however, this is not the responsibility of the school to do this. Better to bring your own just to be safe.

13. Can I teach privates or in another school?
By law, teaching privates in Korea is not permitted. Private teaching is in demand, so it is up to you if you want to take that risk. Also, your visa permits you to work in your school and your school only. Your school has to pay a lot of money to get you to Korea , so they don't like it when you work at another school.

14. What if I don't speak Korean?
Knowledge of Korean is not a requirement and ESL schools have an English-only policy in the classroom. To make your experience in Korea more rewarding and satisfying, I do recommend learning some basic greetings and expressions. Learning to read Korean doesn't take long and can make your life a little bit easier (in restaurants or stations).