Seoul Survivors

New Seoul Podcast

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 23:36:12 GMT

http://www.seoulpodcast.com/

In case you haven't checked it out, Seoul Survivors' cohosts Joe and Jennifer have continued the podcast here:

http://www.seoulpodcast.com/

Joe's done an amazing job and has really shown how a podcast about Korea/Seoul should be done. Music, interviews, yet with all the snark.

Seoul Survivors Survive!

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:57:09 GMT

http://www.seoulpodcast.com/

Book mark the above and check back in a few weeks. Jennifer and Joe should be continuing in some fashion.

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #59

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:29:29 GMT

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1) Introduction

Snack of the week

3) Engrish Tshirt Finds

Super junior of heavy metal Lee Juno

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXcFC_8hvrs

Pride of Cajun

The Bridge of G2

Crazy Jesus guy new look

Peaked hat shaped

Big Flavor Mickey

I hate café

4) In the news

Huh arrested for libel.

Pork brawl

4) Korean Kids do the Darndest things

Dungeon and Fighter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmtI_5flSuw&feature=related

4) Freaky foreigner

Ah this was the yacht rock guy's ad:

I want to get married again. I'm divorced with no kids, homeowner, honest, monogamous, responsible and already retired. If you are 20 to 50 and want to marry an American man, perhaps start our family and are willing to relocate at your own expense then we need to talk. I am VERY serious and know what I want in life. If you don't speak English very well I have no problems with that. Just be honest with me and in no time you'll realize what a great man I am and you'll fall deeply in love with me as I hope to do with you. NO I will NOT go there to bring you here. Only respond if you arte willing to come here.

Financial Aid - 36
Reply to: pers-549917661@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-01-25, 12:18AM KT
Money slave available. Help with rent, phone, car and emergency expenses. No strings.
DaVinci36

need a woman nicer than me - 29
Reply to: pers-542202916@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-01-18, 2:31AM KT
I am an eloquent writer, and I have a clean and polished demeanor. My zodiacs are accurate, earth horse and cancer. I'm competitive for money and I care about my friends.
I don't anyones mold and most jerks think I'm a jerk. I'm attracted to women with sexy walks, smells and voices.
I need someone who wants to see me on top.

YOU WANNA COME HERE
Reply to: pers-535420492@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-01-11, 5:52PM KT
I am an american male living in the US if your looking to come to the states and need help with matters contat me with a pic and any information about and how i can help

Information for Greedy Women... - 31
Reply to: pers-530058529@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-01-06, 9:04PM KT
In regards to the posting below seeking greedy women, be advised that you will NOT actually be paid for your services but that it is only for fun. For the sake of preserving the ambience of the ransom/kiddnapping scenario, I will not inform you of this at the time and will ademently deny any claims of there not being any money involved.

Looking for Internet Bride to move to USA and start family - 42
Reply to: pers-530589601@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-01-08, 5:20AM KT
ASAP....
help me and I can help you...
seeking others who want to relocate here as well for a fee. I can provide the ceremony, place to live etc until she gets on her own... respond with a photo and information about your desire to coem to USA and stay here. I will help you with whatever your finacial needs are and bring you much happiness in a country where theres alot of work and fun things to do like shopping, clubbing, and outdoors stuff.

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #58

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:25:31 GMT

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #57

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:22:45 GMT

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #56

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:06:52 GMT

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #55

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:05:05 GMT

3) Engrish Tshirt Finds

Foot stools

Effel tower

Princess Lounge

Phone card explained?

C3P0 phone:

R2D2 phone:

Outside desk

Know Your Konglish

4) Freaky Foreigner

http://www.geocities.com/mhrehbach/akoreanstory.html

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #54

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:05:01 GMT

Joe of Zenkimchi fame appears.

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1) Introductions

2) Main Topic

Joe's video of a woman hiking in a miniskirt

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #53

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:40:18 GMT

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #53

Best and worse.

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1) Introductions

Snack of the week.

2) Main Topic

Worst Korean movies:

My boyfriend is type B
Welcome to Dongmakgol

3) Engrish Tshirt Finds

Where do you like your big dumps?

Star Wars coffee

Musket Challenge

Coming soon but what? What?

4) Korean kids do the darndest things

Meat eating rabbits

5) Job Opportunity of the Week

New visa rules may force some to return home
English teachers to be required to furnish their criminal record
December 03, 2007
Spurred by the arrest on child molestation charges of a Canadian who taught here, the Justice Ministry has announced that starting in less than two weeks foreigners who teach English will be required to provide their criminal record and undergo a medical checkup to renew or receive a visa.
In many cases, the new requirements will force English teachers to return to their home country to get the criminal record check. Many embassies here have already announced they cannot or will not conduct such a service.
In addition, even if the applicant submits a criminal record, it may not be accurate.
In the United States, for example, criminal records are compiled and maintained on the local, state and federal levels. Therefore, a person could commit a crime in one area, then move to another area. The criminal record check from the second area would not reveal the crime in the first area.
The changes have frustrated English teachers, who point out that only a few of them have committed crimes. Some have suggested the new rules could lead to a shortfall in the number of teachers here.
“I don’t have any problem with the changed regulations, if the ministry arranges the procedures with the embassies here so that we could follow the regulations more timely and efficiently,” said Frances Lucas Murray, an English teacher from Australia. “Otherwise, there could be a shortage of foreign language teachers.”
In addition, people who are found to have committed a felony, have drugs in their system, a dangerous infectious disease, such as HIV, or a drug or alcohol addiction will have their visa canceled, the Justice Ministry said in a release.
To clear up some of the confusion about the new regulations, which will take effect Dec. 15, the Justice Ministry and language schools in Seoul plan to hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss the changes in detail.
The Justice Ministry announced the rules in October, not long after the arrest of an alleged pedophile, Christopher Paul Neil, who taught English in Korea for a total of about four years, as well as in other countries. Neil is not charged with committing any crimes in Korea.
The new rules here will also require new applicants for an English teaching visa, called an E-2 visa, to undergo an interview at the Korean consulate closest to the town in which they live, the Justice Ministry announced.
English teachers are required to leave the country for their annual visa renewal. According to a press release the ministry issued on Friday, people who hold an E-2 visa will still be able to apply for the renewal at Korean consulates in a nearby third country, such as Japan or China.
Kim Soo-nam, deputy director at the Justice Ministry’s Korean Immigration Service, said the ministry would accept a criminal history report issued by foreign embassies here for the applicant.
However, Kim added that so far, none of the embassies here have agreed to provide the service.
“The U.S. Embassy said it will not provide the service, as has the Canadian Embassy,” Kim said.
Indeed, the U.S. Embassy confirmed in a recent newsletter to its citizens that “the U.S. Embassy cannot provide a background check or fingerprinting service, and we cannot verify the authenticity of background checks or diplomas.”
Kim said a criminal record check could be obtained from a local police department in the United States. How-ever, such a list would only contain crimes on the local level that were committed in that area.
Any federal or state crimes, along with crimes committed outside of that area, would not show up on such a record check.
“The principle is that the applicant should go back to his or her country and get a report from the police there,” Kim said.
Angela Trott, consul at the British Embassy in Seoul, also said at Friday’s Seoul Town Meeting: “We have been receiving questions from people who plan to come to Korea. They are concerned and confused about the new visa regulations. But we have not been briefed by the Justice Ministry.”
Frances Lucas Murray, the English teacher from Australia, said he is going home on vacation in January and plans to get the criminal background check while he’s there. His E-2 visa with the Chungcheongnamdo Seocheon Office of Education expires in March of next year.
According to the new rules, however, any teacher hired by the Education Ministry who is already employed can skip the criminal record check, according to the release. That would apply to Murray, which is something he said he didn’t know. He said it could take him up to six weeks to get the record.
At least one foreign language school said it welcomes the new rules, as they may help improve the reputation of English teachers, which gets hurt based on just a handful of highly publicized incidents.
“We welcome the changed regulations,” said Yoon Ji-young, head of the instructor support team at Pagoda Academy Inc., a private language school in Seoul. “But we are still unsure about some of the procedures involved in conforming to the regulations.”
Teachers have complained about the additional expense of traveling home to get the police check, when in the past a short trip to Japan or Hong Kong was enough for a visa renewal.
In Canada, a person can get fingerprinted here and then send them back to get their criminal record, according to the Web site of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
“Although it will take several more weeks to hire teachers under the changed regulations, I think the new regulations will help screen out unqualified teachers,” Yoon said.
With regard to the medical check, an applicant will be required to submit a self-completed form indicating his or her medical history.
Once arriving here, according to the release, the applicants need to go through a mandatory health check, including blood and drug tests, at a clinic or hospital designated by each school or education office.

6) Out

Future guests

http://www.zenkimchi.com/

New technomart

New Starcity

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #51

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 09:48:39 GMT

The little differences.

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1) Introductions

Snack of the week.

Soju juice box:

3) Engrish Tshirt Finds

Boor

Too drunk to fuck t revisted

Kolache (and "craft donuts") is (are) here!

Seattle teriyaki, Toronto bagels, LA tofu, California sushi

Know your konglish

4) Korean kids do the darndest things

5) Job Opportunity of the Week

Teach in Korea! - Junggye, Kangdong, Suji, Pyeongchon
Posted By: JLS (Jeong Sang Language School) <jlsnt_recruit@gojls.com>
Date: Tuesday, 13 November 2007, at 6:48 a.m.
Please don't forget to write down desirable Branch
- Junggye Branch (Starting from Jan. 2008)
- Kangdong Branch (Starting from Mid. Jan. 2008)
- Suji Branch (Starting from Mid. Jan. 2008)
- Pyeongchon Branch (Starting from Jan. 2008)
JLS (Jeong Sang Language School) of Seoul, Korea, is seeking experienced and qualified English teachers. If you want a rewarding job working with children at a respectable institute, look no further. We have several teaching positions opening up in the near future, at prestigious schools in many areas around Seoul.
Candidates must possess a 4-year University degree (English or Education major is preferred, but not essential) and ideally would have a minimum of 1 year of teaching, ESL teaching, child-care, or related experience. Favored candidates will have previous experience living in Korea. Preference will be given to those holding TESOL certificates. Preference will also be given to those who are already in Seoul/Korea and who will be available for a personal interview. Applicants from outside of Korea are encouraged to apply, but may be asked to provide a letter of reference in lieu of a face-to-face interview.
About JLS:
JLS has over ten years of history. As of September, we will have ten schools throughout the Seoul area, as well as an ESL college in Vancouver, Canada. Unlike most multi-location institutes in Korea, JLS is not a franchise. We do not sell out our name to independent owners, but rather operate all of our campuses through our central office in Gangnam, maintaining a consistant and uniform level of quality and excellence at all our locations. We use texts from a variety of respected EFL/ESL publishers as well as texts and materials from CyberJLS, our own publishing company and audio department. Teachers are provided ongoing support for teaching their classes to ensure both satisfaction and enjoyment in their work. We are seeking dependable, motivated teachers who enjoy working with teens and children and who would like to work for a professional, reliable, and reputable language institute. (Note: we do NOT have pre-school/Kindergarten age classes).
JLS has a great reputation with students and teachers alike. There are currently over 28 Native Teachers at our schools and many of them have been with us for two or three years. We even have a few teachers who have been with us for five years. This attests to our strong commitment to our teaching staff and to the excellent working conditions at JLS schools. We would be happy to provide current teachers e- mail addresses for you to contact.
About the Job:
JLS Provides...
1. A fully furnished apartment in the vicinity of the school. You'll have the place to yourself (no room- mates).
2. A salary of 2.3 million won per month for the first year with JLS. One month severance-pay will be awarded upon successful completion of a one-year contract
3. One-week summer and One-week winter holidays (approx. end of July and Xmas to New Years) plus all Korean national holidays (approx. 15 per year).
4. The teacher is responsible for arranging their own air ticket to Korea. 1.2 million won will be given to the teacher, paid on their first paycheck, to cover the cost of the flight. The teacher will keep any remaining money. Upon completion of the final contract, JLS will also pay 1.2 million won on their last pay check for airfare from Seoul to any location in which the instructor desires. Applicants who are already in Seoul, and need to travel to another country to get their visa re-stamped, will be provided 1.2 million won to do so.
5. Monday-Friday classes.
6. 50% Health Care premium will be covered by JLS.
7. Full use of computers, to use the internet, do research, prepare for classes, etc.
8. An orientation session to help you adapt to life in Korea, as well as continued support throughout the year.
9. A maximum of 30 teaching hours per week.
10. JLS will provide 4.5% pension for all teachers. Pension is paid when the teacher leaves Korea.
Application Information:
Please send us (via fax or email) your resume AND a cover letter outlining your experience in the field, your reasons for wishing to work for JLS, and the earliest possible date which you would be available to work. Please also be sure to CLEARLY LIST which of our requirements you meet in your cover letter. Please also include a current photo of yourself.
All correspondence should be addressed to:
Jin Choi
Jeong Sang Foreign Language Institute
994-4 Daechi - dong, Kangnam - gu,
Seoul, Korea 135-280
E-mail: jlsnt_recruit @ gojls.com
Fax : 82-2-563-1757
Tel : 82-2-566-3262
(Please phone between 10am-7pm Korean Time)
Website: http://gojls.com/recruit/e_notice.asp

6) Out

Ginger

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #50

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:54:33 GMT

Weird holidays in Korea. Normal holidays but weird ideas.

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1) Introductions

Snack of the week.

2) Main Topic

Dano

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dano_(Korean)

3) Engrish Tshirt Finds

I love dog do

Comedy of best

Clean eggs

Crab Cream Pizza

Pineapple corn cream pizza

Kiss me I'm Crookyn

Healthy Lady

Know your konglish (decaffeinated):

Unforzen meat

4) In the news

Good mother on the 50,000 won bill

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/071106/odds/odd_money_mother_dc

Wedding videos

The arrival (to the tune of Moon River)

http://video.naver.com/2007110513223184942

Hootchie dancers: what a lovely way to say that I love you

http://video.naver.com/2007110514052920724

Bride's revenge, her friend does the bootie dance:

http://video.naver.com/2007110513441605518

5) Job Opportunity of the Week

Crap job

Amazing Winter Camp Opportunities at 3 or 4-Week Camps. Call Danny Huh Now Tel.1-905-641-2288
Posted By: Marco Polo Korea <visa@korea.org.au>
Date: Wednesday, 7 November 2007, at 11:04 a.m.
Marco Polo Korea is offering amazing winter job opportunities to Canadian and Australian school teachers or new university graduates this winter 2008. There are 45 winter camp jobs available at the reputable university camp in Yongin and Jochiwon in South Korea.
45 winter camp jobs available at the 3 residential ESL winter camps
Teach ESL with fun activities to elementary students aged 9 to 14
Approximately 47 to 48 teaching hours per week
Prepaid return airfare, accommodations and meals provided
Salary of C$1,100 for 4 weeks and C$650 for 2 weeks
Orientation and job training to all teachers for 2 days
Medical insurance, airport pickup and local transportation
Well established curriculums and supporting materials available
The above is provisional information as plans are not materialized yet. Preference goes to school teachers but new graduates also welcome as long as he or she is a native English speaker with a BA/BS Degree. Please apply in confidence by email with a complete set of documents: a resume, a digital picture of yourself, a copy of passport and a referral letter from your principal
Major Responsibilities
Perform teaching duties about 47-48 hours a week
Attend staff meeting every morning
Involved in all activities and events in afternoon and weekend
Attend orientation and training sessions
Prepare teaching materials beforehand
Comply with the company's policies and regulations
Surrender the returning ticket at the airport for safety reason and company policy
Reimburse all the payment in case of returning without fulfilling the duty
Pay a cancellation penalty for withdrawing decision after buying tickets
Pay $100 for permanent membership fee to Marco Polo Korea
A Marcopolo returning teacher does not pay this $100 fee.
Procedure
Apply with required documents
Initial telephone interview
Face-to- face interview with pre-selected candidates
Sign contract with successful candidates
Reconfirm successful candidates
Book flight and amend returning flight schedule
Apply C4 Visa, the temporary teaching permit
Participate in Marco Polo reception
Employment Visa
The teacher should secure a C4 visa for temporary employment from the Korean consulate in Canada or Australia. It normally takes 5 business days after applying.
The teacher is required to bring original degree or certified copy of degree ( a bachelor or master degree), passport, a copy of passport, 1 passport-sized photograph, filled application and C$39 or A$45 of application fee.
Marco Polo will assist you with required documents such as employment agreement, business registration, corporation certification, education facility license, camp program, invitation letter and the visa application form.
Korean Consulate General in Toronto
555 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON M4V 2J7
Tel. 416-920-3809
Korean Consulate General in Sydney ( www.mofat.go.kr/sydney)
St. James Centre, Level 13,
111 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel. (02)-9210-0200
Korean Embassy in the Commonwealth of Australia
113 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla ACT 2600, Australia Tel. (02) 6270-4100 Fax No. (02) 6273-4839, Email: visa@korea.org.au
Travel Arrangement
Marco Polo will book airline and buy air tickets as soon as possible
The teacher is allowed to extend trip within Korea or extend to other countries
Please call the Travel Agent if you would like to change your returning date
Please contact with Ms. Shawna Park, Hana Travel and Tours for amendment or extension with Tel. 416-730-0101, Fax.416-730-8201 and her email address of hana7300101@hotmail.com , 53 Spring Garden Ave. #202, North York, ON M2N 3G1
Please contact with Mr. Lee or Jenny Lee of Koryo Travel for amendment or extension with Tel.(02)-9747-4343, Cell 0410-448-757, Fax..(02) 9747-4522 and his email address of koryotravel@naver.com 1/2 The Boulevarde, Strathfield, NSW 2135
Flight Schedule ( 4-Week Jochiwon Camp)
Leave Canada for Korea
Toronto--Chicago
19:11 Jan 2 UA 1115—20:13 Jan 2
Chicago--Incheon
01:00 Jan 3 OZ 0235—06:00 Jan 4
Return Canada from Korea
Incheon--Chicago
19:15 Feb 4 OZ 0236—17:00 Feb 4
Chicago-Toronto
21:00 Feb 4 UA 1112—23:32 Feb 4
There are 3 flights by Asiana Airlines, which has a mileage sharing partnership with Air Canada between Incheon and Chicago. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from Chicago for Incheon and every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from Incheon for Chicago.
Marco Polo Korea
Recruit ESL teachers for camp companies, private schools, the Korean Government
Attract international students for long or short-term placement
Develop educational projects with school boards in ON, BC and NSW
Organize seasonal ESL language camps in BC and Ontario
Operate the Niagara Education Centre ( NEC) in St. Catharines, ON
Operate the Marco Polo Sydney Office in Sydney, Australia
Key person in 3 state governments -- N. Ireland and two Korean government
Melbourne Information Seminar
Time and Date:
06:00pm, Wednesday ,November 7, 2006
Venue: Oaks On Collins Hotel, 480 Collins Street, VIC 3000
Tel. 03-8610-6444
Please call Terry/Lorraine, the Melbourne Coordinators, Tel.03-5983-1464 or 0418-995-559 to confirm your participation..
Toronto Job Interview
Time and Date:
01:00-3:00 pm, Saturday,November 10, 2006
Venue: Coffee Shop, Sheraton Hotel, 600 Highway 7, Richimond Hill, ON L4B 1B2
Please call Danny Huh first to set up an interview Tel. 1-905-881-2121
Please call Danny Huh, President of Marco Polo Korea, Tel. 905-641-2288 or Cell 289-241-7677 to slot your interview time. A successful candidate should bring a C$ 100 check for the Marcopolo service fee payable to Marco Polo Korea and fill out the Check List.
Contact Persons
Danny Huh, CEO danny@marcopolokorea.com www.marcopolokorea.com
Marco Polo Korea ( Head Office )
14 Chessington Street, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3J3
Tel. 1-905-641-2288 ( office ) or 1-289-241-7677 ( cellular phone )
Lorraine/Terry Green, Melbourne Coordinators
greent@alphalink.com.au
Tel.03-5983-1464 or Cell 0418-995-559
Country Information
The World Cup hosted in 2002 and The World Summer Olympics in 1988
A key player in the world’s economy as the 10th largest trading nation
The world leader in terms of shipbuilding, semiconductor and mobile phone
Per Capital GDP US$20,000 and 48 million people of population
A stable, dynamic and affluent country

6) Out

Butt pad undies:

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #49

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:01:08 GMT

Things you can now buy in Korea.

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1) Introductions

Snack of the week

2) Main Topic

Oh you can get that here now. Things you can buy in Korea you couldn't before.

Big breakfast:

Patchouli:

Instant mashed potatoes:

More mustards these days:

And horseradish goop:

3) Engrish Tshirt Finds

I'm on Sexican time

Bootie boots

Ketchup fear:

Mash:

Sweat Potato

Assorted Fungus

4) Korean kids do the darndest things/B>

Funny kid answers:

5) Job Opportunity of the Week

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2007/11/137_13370.html

6) Out

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #48

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:07:40 GMT

Rosa's trip to the country side.

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1) Introductions

Snack of the week.

3) Engrish Tshirt Finds

Nice moo dari, shame about the face

Nursing home

Monkey Wax

I am a plastic bag, photo rapher

Julius: a tenderness became a myth

Know your Konglish

5) Job Opportunity of the Week

http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com

Instructors wanted! English Town in Bundang (near Seoul)—6 month contract, 2.16-2.5 million won/month. (Dec 1, Jan 1, Feb 1 start dates) Interested in EFL curriculum with environmental and social just
Posted By: Seongnam English Town/Educhosun <snet.coordinator@gmail.com>
Date: Tuesday, 9 October 2007, at 10:48 a.m.
** We are now accepting applications for Dec 1st, January 1st and February 1st. Couples and pairs of friends are welcome to apply. Please indicate your preferred start-date in your cover letter. **
Seongnam English Town (SNET) is a joint project between the Seongnam city government and the private educational company Educhosun. We currently have 21 foreign and 8 Korean instructors working with a foreign program coordinator, a foreign head teacher and a Korean administrative staff. SNET classrooms are all situational English rooms where students learn in a less-structured, fun environment. Situation rooms here include: Cooking class, Science Lab, Global Connections, Animation World, The Outer Limits, World Festival, Homestay and more. This is not a ‘hagwon’ but rather is an educational institution that is a fun place to learn and teach. SNET is located in a mountainous, natural area in Bundang. Bundang is essentially a suburb of Seoul and there are many great shops and restaurants available. There is also a subway/bus stop to Seoul in Bundang (Seohyeon Station) (30 min. walk or 10 min. bike/taxi ride from SNET). It takes about 30 minutes into Seoul on the highway express bus; close enough to enjoy Seoul but far enough away to breathe clean air!
We are constantly in the process of refining and enhancing the curriculum at SNET, with a particular focus on integrating environmental, human rights, and global citizenship themes into student learning. We are particularly interested in bringing in Instructors who have an affinity for and experience with these themes.
Job Description:
*40 hours per week, from 8:45-5:20, including about four 1-hour blocks for planning and 1 ? hour lunch break
*all Instructors work 5 consecutive days on monthly rotating shifts (Mon-Fri or Tues-Sat)
*Instructors work two evening events per week when on T-S shift
*Camp setting: 200-280 6th graders stay overnight Mon-Sat a.m. for regular weekly programme (12-15 kids per class)
*Saturday programme (twice monthly) is open to anyone from community: adults, kids, corporate-sponsored groups etc.
*special two-week camp programmes will be taught by Instructors during summer and winter break
*free on-site SHARED accommodation provided with internet access, TV, stereo, private bathroom (in same building as student rooms, but kids have no access to our floor.)
*Instructors have use of a laptop computer for duration of contract
*meals will be provided on working days
*tofu, veggies and other meal supplements are available for vegetarians in cafeteria
* return airfare is provided
*one week paid holiday per six months, plus lunar new year and/or Chusok harvest festival, if those holidays fall within the duration of the contract
*salary range commensurate with experience: from 2.16 million – 2.5 million won per month (take a look at www.xe.com/ucc for today’s exchange rate)
*health insurance and pension premiums paid 50/50 employee/employer as stipulated by Korean law
Requirements for Instructors: (salary 2.16--2.5 million won a month)
*minimum: Bachelor’s degree and camp/teaching/tutoring/ESL-EFL experience
*graduate education, degree in education or TEFL diploma an asset
*positive attitude and flexibility; must work well as a team and be respectful of others
*ability to live in and adapt to a foreign culture and working environment essential—community-oriented individuals do best in our working/living situation
*camp experience, drama, music, creative skills an asset
*social justice/environmental/human rights orientation an asset
*background in environmental education, global citizenship education, peace education, human rights education, gender and education, anti-racism education etc. an asset
*must have a passport valid for more than six months, access to undergraduate transcripts, and must be able to pass a criminal record check as well as secure a Korean working visa
Interested parties please send your CV/resume and a cover letter to the attention of Angela Lytle at snet.coordinator@gmail.com.
We are happy to put you in touch with current employees, and if you are in Korea you are more than welcome to come and visit us directly. We also send photos of the site to prospective employees and are happy to answer all of your questions.
If you have any interesting skills that you might share with students and/or other teachers, such as musical/artistic skills, drama, yoga training etc. please indicate that in your application as well. (Right now some teachers lead yoga classes for other staff in the evenings, which has been wonderful!) We are open to applicants currently residing in Korea, and we welcome a diversity of ethnicities on our team—in fact, we seek to cultivate diversity of all kinds with an aim to make this an incredible learning environment for both students and staff! We are also happy to hire qualified couples and pairs of friends. Korean immigration policy limits us to hiring instructors from only the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, UK and Ireland, but within those restrictions we’d like to represent as many nationalities as possible. We are interested in having a very open and transparent process for hiring, as we want instructors to be happy and to be a good fit for our educational project. We will be happy to provide you with additional information about SNET and our educational vision for this project. Only candidates chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #47

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:17:40 GMT

Bias.

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1) Introductions

Snack of the week

2) Main Topic

Your own biases you need to over come

Wiki has a nice list of biases:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases

It got me thinking what kind of biases are common among ESL/expat types.

1) Comparing the best of your country to the worst of Korea

2) Attributing to malice what can be explained by incompetence or lack of planning

3) Pricing bias

4) Your kids have adult motives

5) That Korean is about to do something weird to me

6) It can't be better here and Koreans are silly to think so

7) It isn't always about me

8) The youth of this nation is insane

3) Engrish Tshirt Finds

Korean red wine

The truck is gone

Most recent photo (Sept 21, 2007)

All that remains:

Homey restaurant

Flanel coffee

Soju band

4) In the News

Roh given a third world treatment:

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200710/200710040015.html

5) Job Opportunity of the Week

More email on EPIK

The EPIK Kids are Alright Inbox

I am glad to hear that I am not the only EPIK Kid that listens to Seoul Survivors. Everyone I run into here doesnt listen to podcasts... We will have to work on that.

Things have been continuing to be going good here. I finally got out of that love motel and into a pretty nice apartment. Generally it has been aparent that my school wants me here and wants me to like my experience here.

It was really great to hear about another EPIK Teacher experience on your last show. I have had quite a different experience than Jay when it comes to Co-Teaching and my classes. I have recieved no guidance in regards to what to do in class. When I asked what they wanted, the response was that my colleagues think that by merely seeing me, my students will be motivated to learn English by something other than the business end of a "love stick". Imagine if I actually touched the students like a faith healer? Instant fluency!!! Other than a couple of them ending each lesson in grammar with "Oh, thats like this sentence in the Bible..." I have been getting along with all of them. Of course the fact that I am the only other single male in basically a school full of female teachers that are convinced that a single male is likely to eat nothing other than instant noodle, when he is not fishing dinner out of the garbage bin behind the Galbi Mart next door that is...

Fortunately the plentiful and dire warnings that I got from your show and the seminars that they gave us at orientation more than prepared me. One of the reasons that this works for me (other than the fact that the expectations are so low...) is that unlike Jay, I have complete freedom in the classroom. Most of my co-teachers are more than happy to sit back and just go with it. They translate when needed and some of them I work more hand in hand with to get through a lesson, But the bottom line is that I have the chance to get away from the book and do exercises (games) and otherwise force them to actually use English. So far this seems to be working as they see my class as a break from what would have otherwise been a full week of wrote (sp?) learning.

I am also unsually lucky (comparing myself to others that I have talked to) in that 7 of the 10 Korean English teachers that I work with actually speak English at a respectable level. Nonetheless I have carved a nice niche for myself at my schools as an expert with the corisponding god-like powers. I recieved a piece of advice before I left that it was best that you think of yourself as the English Expert despite being surrounded by colleagues that could probably write a better acedemic paper in English than you. One should do this especially if you are working with Koreans that have not worked with other Native English Speakers, becuase this is indeed exactly how they view you. So far this has been working for me, especially after I started teaching a Korean English Teachers training course.

I would like to state that I agree with all the reasons that Jay listed as good reasons to go with EPIK, of course like everything else in Korea... Result may vary. I do have a theory about why I think my classes are better than the two of you had me expecting. First, we get the students earlier in the day before they are burnt out from a full day of school and an endless barage of hagwons. Second, many of the kids that you teach have maybe already had classes with a foriegner before so it is less exciting (I think). A portion of my students at one of my schools are on welfare and dont even have the opportunity to go to a hagwon where they might meet foriegner teachers.

In the brochuere for EPIK back home, their slogan is "You Best Bet for Teaching in Korea". I agree with that slogan, even though it unnessicarily points out that coming to teach in Korea is really just a crap shoot with Banana Milk and scary ajummas.

Finally, for the most part my co-workers like thier jobs. Being a public school teacher in Korea is a desirable job, it is also difficult to get because of a civil servant examine that they all need to pass. So any given public school teacher really wanted that job. They also have a lot of job security, vacation, and they, from what I can tell, are more involved with thier students lives than some of thier parents. For example if the students get into trouble with the police, the police contact thier homeroom teachers rather than thier parents. Just some thoughts and observations that I wondered if the two (three?) of you had any comments.

Again I apologize for the length of this email. I hope the two of you are well, and should you choose to put any of this on the air I would like to give a shout out to any of the EPIK Kids that might be listening!

Regards,
JD

PS- For the record Pohang is a city of 500,000 and home to the second largest steel producer in the world.

PSS- I second the veto on "lungbutter" ...it hurts my soul.

PSSS- I think I know "Jay" could you pass on to him that I am JD from Chicago and my email?

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #46

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:36:04 GMT

Expensive and cheap things in Korea.

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1) Introductions

Snack of the week

2) Main Topic

Price of cheese:

3) Engrish Tshirt Finds

Juno Hair

Mr Mong

Hang poster

Car mirrors:

Crazy Jesus guys:

4) Korean Kids

Demon girl

5) Job Opportunity of the Week

More email on EPIK

First off, let me say that I really enjoy your podcast. Listening to it in the weeks before I came to Korea really got me excited about living here. I just wanted to expound a little on the email you read last week concerning the EPIK program.

*We did stay at Korea University for orientation, just their branch campus in Jochiwon, which is in fact a small town of only about 30,000. We were fed for free and housed in dorms for a week while given information from veteran english teachers as well as Korean teachers on what to expect in the classroom.

*EPIK does place teachers in large cities. Before 2002, however, public schools had no mandate to place native teachers in schools, so usually public schools who did request teachers were in rural areas where there were no hagwons. Now, EPIK teachers are placed in every city in Korea besides Seoul. Seoul has its own program for placing native English teachers, SMOE (Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education). Teachers I was with during orientation were placed in Incheon, Daegu, Busan, Ulsan, and other places. Of course, there are still plenty of teachers who do not get placed in large cities, but you can request to be placed near or in one. Just like you said though, you don't really have a choice about which city you go to.

*The 11 month contract thing must have ended awhile back, because none of the EPIK vets mentioned it during orientation and all our contracts are definitely 12 month.

Lastly, I just wanted to say that I've really enjoyed being a public school teacher, much more than I think I would have teaching at a hagwon. It depends on what you want, though. I have a lot of friends here in Ulsan that teach at hagwons, and they seem happy with their jobs. Since that's your area of expertise, I'll let you wax poetic about them :) Here are just a few reasons why I chose to go the public school route.

1. Government job, so automatically guaranteed to get paid on time, not have insurance/pension/tax issues with shady hagwon owners.

2. Morning work hours. My hours are 9-5, in which I only teach 4 or 5 classes a day. Of course, many people would list that as a downside, but coming from teaching in the US, I'm used to working during the day and having my afternoons/evenings free. I also don't mind staying at school when I'm not teaching. I just go online and play games, read message boards, listen to podcasts, etc. :) Some hagwon teachers say they'd hate this though, so to each their own.

3. Structured curriculum. I have a little freedom to do things in class, but for the most part, each one of my classes is scripted out for me. A little dialogue, a little freeform conversation, and a little pronunciation. I teach right out of the textbook, which means no planning!

4. Co-teacher. I have a co-teacher who is in the classroom with me that helps with translation and general crowd control. This is identical to English teachers in Japan. Again, this is something that some hagwon teachers say they'd hate, but personally, coming from teaching in the states and being responsible for everything, I'm more than content to sit back and let my coo-teacher handle the discipline (usually with her big stick :) ).

Anyway, I know that this email is a bit long-winded, so feel free to use as much or as little as you'd like on your podcast. I just want to make sure no one is scared away from a public school teaching job based on outdated information.

Your podcast is awesome. Keep up the great work.

J in Ulsan

p.s. The Japanese English teaching program is called JET.

p.p.s.s. Please don't say "lung butter" anymore. That makes me physically ill. Please just say "phlegm." Please. :)

6) Out

Jongno immi:

Canadian vs US exchange:

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #45

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 08:11:27 GMT

Rosa's rose colored glasses.

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1) Introductions

Snack of the week

3) Engrish Tshirt Finds

Teable Seaons

Well being donuts?

E matcha

Enjoy your magic day

I love malling

Know your Konglish:

Couple rings

Fat Albert Pub

Update:

Free mouthwash:

Seoul Survivors: Podcast #44

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 10:18:12 GMT

How to cut costs in Korea.

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1) Introductions

Snack of the week: Kid-o crackers

2) Main Topic

Pinching a dime. How to save money in Seoul. Tips tips tips.

Fill up your water bottle:

Never buy an umbrella again:

Lotion at the Westin bathroom:

3) Engrish Tshirt Finds

My boyfriend is out of town (tow?)

Have a juicy day, dumbass

But maybe I'm stupid

Stop your cheap imitations

Get closed

Helicopter

Weapons

Meat Oven

Weird language exchange ad

4) Korean Kids Do the Darndest Things

Yoot Nori, vision impaired version:

5) Job Opportunity of the Week

Dear Seoul Survivors,

This is JD. I have been listening to your podcast since six months ago when I knew that I would be teaching English in Korea. I have to say that Seoul Survivors is my favorite podcast. I have learn so much from your show. I went through Footprints recruiting and I knew I made the right choice when you featured one of their job postings as a job of the week and had nothing bad to say about them (quite an endorsement from my favorite smart asses!)

Although your experiences in Korea paint a picture of life in Seoul that is not entirely accurate in regards to the rest of Korea, your "horror stories" and warnings helped me be aware enough to find a good position. I am currently working with the Korean Government in their English Program In Korea (EPIK) program.

I do have one bone to pick with you because one week before I left (only 2 weeks ago, but it feels like months ago) you discussed the prospect of teaching English in Korea for the public schools. You guys had almost nothing nice to say about it and through me into a panic.

Despite this I went ahead with my decision and found myself in the week long orientation at Korea University in a small town that I still can not remember. I expected an orientation that consisted of "hey, what is your lesson plan for tomorrow". In contrast I was rewarded with support and a number of seminars that were of vital importance to a potential Native English Speaker such as myself. Most importantly, not only were we fed quite well in the campus' cafeteria (lets not forget what is important) but we where also given t-shirts, umbrellas (with the EPIK logo), and electric converters.

Add to this that we are placed in schools that are grateful to have us, as they have specifically applied to have us and the money from the provincial government that is required to met our contracts. While someone with as much experience as yourselves would probably be taking a pay cut, someone such as myself that has no business teaching English to anyone besides my cat is getting the best that I can hope for. Basically I can say it is a relief to be working for a public school that does not have the same obsession with profit that hagwons do.

Finally I would like to point out there are some amazing things that are going on in the public schools that are providing powerful opportunities for students to learn English that would not normally have the opportunity.

That being said,(and because this part is made of the stuff that makes your show great) there are the same shenanigans going on here that go on in your average hagwon in Seoul. I am working in Pohang. I only found out where I was teaching only after I boarded the bus on my way to my to my Provincial Capital. Then it turned out that the city that I was told that I would be teaching in had nothing to do with the city that I am currently in.

To add to my authentic Korean experience, my school didn't find out that I was coming there to teach until two day before I arrive. That being the case, it should come as no surprise that I am currently staying in a hotel. In the interest of academic integrity I should point out that I am in fact staying in a love hotel.

Other than that I can say that it seems that I am working with quality people that have been bending over backwards for me in trying to find me an apartment over the last couple of days. Also I have not paid for a meal since arriving. I apologies for the length of this email.

6) Out

No walking on the left on subways.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=48720
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/include/print.asp?newsIdx=9879

Sticker thingy: