ESL Teacher Lynzie : TheWorknPlay

ESL Teacher

Lynzie

Hi my name is Lynzie. I am an ESL teacher at an English Academy in Samseong area. Lets get to know and share what it is like teaching and living in Korea.

Posts : ESL Education (2)

All News and Current Hot Issues (1) ESL Education (3)

by Lynzie

ESL Education (3/3)

How to land the Best ESL Job Abroad

How to land the Best ESL Job Abroad Can I increase my chances at getting the best ESL job abroad? Yes, you can. How, you ask? Here are a few ways that you can make a great first impression! 1. Get TESOL/TEFL Certified Being TESOL/TEFL certified opens doors to many countries around the world. While some teaching positions do not require TESOL/TEFL certification, being qualified offers many more opportunities. Understanding the basics of teaching English and classroom management can help you be better prepared to teach abroad. 2. Proofread Your Resume and Cover Letter As an ESL teacher, spelling and grammar mistakes may cost you a job! Have a family member or a friend proofread your resume and cover letter. Also, make sure to use clear and legible fonts to increase readability. If you have experience teaching children or adults, be sure to include it in your resume to increase the chances of landing an interview. Sometimes, a short self-introduction video can help you stand out from other applicants. As the competition is quite high, nothing will set you apart better than a great introduction video. Learn more about how to film a short introduction video here. 3. Gain Real Teaching Experience If you live in a college town, there are opportunities for you to teach ESL to foreign students or guitar to your friends. Volunteering to teach or tutor in your local community also offers a great way for you to practice and learn from real-life experiences. Maybe you can start an art class in your own home! 4. Prepare for Your Interview Make sure that you make a note of the scheduled interview time and show up! Make sure that you have the correct contact information and that everything is working properly before your big interview. No matter who your interview is scheduled with, whether it be a recruiter or the actual school, be there! Before your interview, make a list of the questions you want to ask about the school and work life. Preparing for your ESL job interview abroad helps you know the right questions to ask before taking the job and making the big move across the world. You’re interviewing them, just like they’re interviewing you. 5. Research and Negotiate Researching the job field in your target country will help you better understand what questions to ask. Different countries also have laws pertaining to foreign workers and you can see whether you qualify for any benefits. If you have questions about a position, don’t be afraid to ask! If statements in a contract are unclear, you can ask for clarification or request that edits be made. These are just a few things you can do to stand out in the English teaching market and can help you secure a great teaching position abroad. Don’t be afraid to interview with several schools to see which one best fits you and your lifestyle!

by Lynzie

ESL Education (2/3)

ESL Teacher Resources

ESL Teacher Resources Classrooms are different and to be better prepared, ask your employer what resources will be in the classroom. Is there a computer? Is there a whiteboard? Is there a projector? These things can help you as you begin your teaching journey. A good question to ask your employer is whether there is a budget for classroom materials and supplies. You may end up budgeting your own personal resources to buy markers, tape, or construction paper. While most countries offer basic office supplies, taking your own resources that are harder to find abroad will make sure your classes are fun and engaged. Here are some resources that are harder to find abroad, so you may want to bring them over with you instead: 1. Flash Cards As an English teacher, alphabet flashcards can be a great resource to encourage young learners to match letters, sounds, and words. Simple activities such as rearranging the alphabet, making short words, or matching capital and lowercase letters together engages children and offers a variety of game possibilities. Flashcards are not common in other countries, so if you don't bring flashcards with you, you may have to print and laminate sets later on. 2. Card Games I found that my advanced English level students loved to play Apples to Apples and they enjoyed being able to choose the winning word. As they paired nouns with adjectives, they learned new words. Card games that can be played for a short period of time and involve learning English is a great way to encourage learners to participate actively in class. Although card games may not quite fit into your bag, you can find versions of the game online to print and laminate. Here are some other resources that you can purchase once you’ve arrived in the country: 1. Small Whiteboard/Chalkboard Each student can practice writing answers on a small whiteboard or chalkboard. Dividing the class into two teams, the teacher could have one person from each team compete to say the word that the teacher wrote on the board first. 2. Folders Folders are important for all teachers to stay organized and keep up with homework assignments that need to be graded. Keeping all of your papers organized will help save a headache later. 3. Alphabet Magnets Inherited from previous teachers, my alphabet magnets were a great resource for competition as the children raced against each other to spell words correctly. 4. Dice If you are playing a point-based game, dice can help the students wrack up points to win and compete. I created several games in PowerPoint that required the students to work together to earn a certain number of points to receive stamps for our hagwon’s reward program. 5. USB Drive Being able to store all of your documents and files in one place is great for ESL teachers. USB drives are small and portable. You never know when you may need to save information! 6. Stamps and Stickers Cute stamps can be found almost anywhere! Not only can stamps be used for homework but also for points. At the end of each class, each teacher at my academy would reward the students with stamps, with which the children could exchange for prizes. What child doesn’t love stickers to stick on their face? These resources can help you stand out and help you become a great ESL teacher for your students! With a little imagination and creativity, you can turn a boring class into a simulating and exciting learning environment.

Living with an ESL teacher salary in Korea

by Lynzie

ESL Education (1/3)

Living with an ESL teacher salary in Korea

Living with an ESL teacher salary in Korea With all the benefits awarded depending on the contract, teachers can save approx. $1,000 per month. Let’s do a little breakdown including expenditure. Keep in mind every country will be different due to differences in taxation. Example: Jane/ American/ Single/ Entry level. Salary and taxes: in Korean Won Category Deductubles Monthly Annual Income 2.000.000 24.000.000 Tax 200.000 2.400.000 National pension 90.000 1.080.000 Health insurance 69.000 838.800 Total 359.000 4.318.800 Income after tax 1.640.100 19.681.200 Severance pay 2.000.000 Return lump sum 2.160.000 Total 23.841.200 Monthly expenditure: This might vary depending on your activities. Income after tax 1.640.100 19.681.200 Utilities 100.000 1.200.000 Movies 10.000 120.000 Travel 50.000 600.000 Take out/eating out 200.000 100.000 Snacks/coffee 100.000 1.200.000 Groceries 200.000 2.400.000 Transportation 50.000 600.000 Total 660.000 7.920.000 Total savings 980.000 11.071.200 How to become an ESL teacher in Korea. Qualifications and requirements for ESL Instructors There are basic qualifications for teaching English in Korea and specific qualifications depending on the institute. The basic qualifications align with Korean Government’s basic requirements to acquire an E-2 visa. Qualifications: A citizen of the 7 English-speaking countries (U.S.A, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, and South Africa. Holds a Bachelors’ degree from an accredited university. Apostille national-level criminal record. (Issued within 6 months) Clean self-health check/drug test.