English Newspapers, News, and Blogs in Korea about Korea

 News

Photo:  Jermaister

Need your news fix in English on stuff about Korea?

Here’s what I read and/or in my RSS Reader:

Korea Herald – http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ – Hands down one of the best newspapers in Korea on Korea.

Korea Times – http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/index.asp – Also another good newspaper in Korea on Korea

Ohmynews – http://english.ohmynews.com/ -Citizen journalism

Republic of Korea’s Official Website – http://www.korea.net/ – They have frequent contests and its a very attractive site.

Others:

Chosun Ilbo – http://english.chosun.com/ – Sites too simple… I don’t like reading it.

Donga Ilbo – http://english.donga.com/ – Sites ugly

Invest Korea – http://www.investkorea.org/ – Investment news… beyond my level of interest.

Joonang Daily – http://joongangdaily.joins.com/ - Not enough content

Korea Post – http://www.koreapost.com/ – Sites ugly

Korea Travel Times – http://www.koreatraveltimes.com/ – Travel Information for English speakers in Korea

Seoulites – http://webzine.seoul.go.kr/ – Webzine that’s updated quarterly

Seoul Metropolitan Government – http://english.seoul.go.kr/ – Updated Weekly

Seoul Times – http://www.theseoultimes.com/ – Haven’t really checked this one out

However I feel that blogs are probably one of the fastest ways to get information quickly:

The Daily Kimchi -Random Daily Korean News

Korea Beat – Translates Korean news articles into English

Korean Law Blog – News about Korean law changes

Marmot’s Hole – It’s a good general news about Korea

Pop Seoul – Pop news about Korean Celebrities

Zen Kimchi -  Random Korean News

Am I missing anything? Please feel free to share yours here.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Teaching Tips from a Korean High School Student

Korean High School StudentKorean students are required to learn English for one main reason: to be prepared for the International environment. By that I mean the student should be able to communicate with another person in English. In order to fulfill such goal, nothing is more important than being able to think and process in English.
For a student to think in English, they must be in an English atmosphere. Although sending a student to a country where English is spoken as a first language is ideal, in Korea, the best method could be providing an environment like the English speaking country. For example, students would be provided with an instructor(s) speaking English (as their native language).
Now, all the instructor has to do is communicate with the students. The instructor and students could:

  • watch a movie with students and discuss about the movie,
  • talk about issues today,
  • act in a play together,
  • or even play games like Mafia.

What the instructor is doing is training the students to process in English by getting them into the English atmosphere and culture. Although this may take time for students to adjust to, the more time spent doing things in English, the more the student would get used to thinking in English.As for homework students could be assigned activities to increase their reading, listening, and speaking skills. Of course, these should all be to train students to think in English. In the case of reading, students may choose any book they want, and have a discussion with the instructor about the book. For listening and speaking, they could listening to songs in English and try to follow along (singing songs along with the music actually helps students gain accurate pronunciation).

Finally, practice, practice, and more practice is required. I mentioned before, because students cannot be physically put into an English speaking environment for twenty four hours each day, practice is essential to at least be close to that environment. In addition, smaller classes or individual classes would be ideal so that one student can be exposed to the environment and culture for a longer period of time.

With an environment of English, and long and intense practice, eventually students would be able to think in English. They would not have to go through the English-Korea, Korean-English translation process. By thinking in English they would be prepared for the International environment.

Popularity: 2% [?]

VISA RULES FOR FOREIGN INSTRUCTORS

Here is new information for all of the American English Teachers in Korea.

1. VISA RULES FOR FOREIGN INSTRUCTORS
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The Korean Ministry of Justice announced that as of December 15, 2007, foreigners will have to submit medical and criminal background checks when applying for a visa to become a foreign language teacher in South Korea.  The U.S. Embassy cannot provide a background check or fingerprinting service, and we cannot notarize, certify, or verify the authenticity of background checks or diplomas.

As we understand the new requirements, E-2 visa applicants who are U.S. citizens can obtain the necessary criminal background check either by submitting their fingerprints to the FBI or by applying for a local police check where they last resided in the U.S.  Procedures for obtaining criminal background checks in the U.S. are explained on our website at http://www.asktheconsul.org/E2ec07.htm.  Local police stations in the Republic of Korea are able to take fingerprints that can be sent to the FBI for a background check.  U.S. Embassies are, unfortunately, prohibited from taking fingerprints for these purposes.

Regrettably, the Korea Immigration Service (KIS) has placed incorrect information on its website concerning services U.S. embassies can and cannot perform.  As of this writing the “New Release: Mandatory Requirements of Criminal Background Check and Health Certificate” on the KIS website contains incorrect information about the length of time it can take to get a criminal records check in the U.S. and also states erroneously that the U.S. Embassy can notarize or certify background checks.  We have asked that the incorrect information be removed from the KIS website and we regret any inconvenience or misunderstanding that has resulted from their explanation of our services.

As we receive updated information on the Korean visa requirements, we will post it on our website.  The U.S. Embassy website will also continue to be the best source of information about the services that we are able to provide under U.S. law and regulation.  If you have further questions, we suggest that you contact the office responsible for the new requirements, the Korea Immigration Service, Border Control Division, at 500-9116, 500-9117, or 500-9118, or consult their website at http://seoul.immigration.go.kr/HP/IMM80/index.do or the Ministry of Justice website (in Korean only) at
http://moj.korea.kr/moj/jsp/moj1_branch.jsp?_action=news_view&_property=p_sec_1&_id=155250149.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Highest Paid ESL Jobs Around the World

Teaching Kimchi dot Com has provided a rough idea of how much money you can make teaching English around the world. Of course this chart doesn’t take into account standards of living or each individual specialized program please just take this as a rough estimate on what you can be making teaching ESL or EFL. These salaries are much different than the average teacher salary you’d find in America.

Country Monthly Salary (USD) Insurance Flight Housing Severance
Dubai $3,200-5,000 No Yearly Return Airfare Free and Furnished No
Taiwan $3,000-4,000 Depends on program No Free not furnished No
Korea $2,000-2,300 Depends on your salary Roundtrip Furnished Apt. One month salary after contract
Japan $2,000 Depends on program Roundtrip Depends on program Extended holidays
Thailand $800-1,000 Depends on program Roundtrip Depends on program Depends on school
Russia $900 No Roundtrip Free and furnished No
China $400-550 No Depends on length Free and furnished One month salary
Vietnam $370 Depends Depends on length Free local food No

Sources:

Popularity: 16% [?]

Can I teach in Korea with just a TEFL or TESOL Certificate?

In order to better serve our readers we do our best to answer all questions. Please, send us your questions here.

Hello, I need to know precisely what are the prerequisites for teaching at this, or any other establishment in Korea. Is a TEFL certificate adequate? I do not have a university degree, so this would preclude me from teaching if that is a requirement.

Our response:

At the least, you need a Bachelor’s degree of any field or higher and English should be your first language. Unfortunately, a TEFL or TESOL certificate alone is not adequate.

The Korean government is cracking down on fraudulent English teachers. Its a shame a few have to ruin it for all of the legitimate people. If you have a legitimate degree it is best to apply sooner, rather than later.

Best of luck!

Popularity: 1% [?]