tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69162171352347280012024-02-19T23:06:59.559-08:00ESLoutletOur adventures living, traveling and teaching ESL in South Korea!ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-58462565099636996802010-12-26T20:22:00.000-08:002010-12-26T20:36:47.143-08:00Chinese Enamelware Factory - Cloisonne (Great Wall of China)<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-yPz7dthSws?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-yPz7dthSws?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This Enamelware Factory was part of our tour of the Great Wall of China. On the way to the wall, our tour guide dropped us off at this factory. There we were shown how enamelware is made from start to finish. After the tour of the factory, we were lead straight to the showroom, where it was clear that they wanted us to spend our money. (They seem to assume that just because you're a foreigner, you have lots of money to spend. Unfortunately for them we were traveling on a pretty tight budget.)<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Great Wall was obviously what we went to see, but this enamelware factory was also interesting. These types of supplementary stops seem to be quite common for Great Wall tours. Just be careful, and don't spend too much money for something that you don't really need...</span></span><br /></p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-5523492265376277062010-12-26T20:05:00.000-08:002010-12-26T20:22:36.434-08:00Chinese Jade Factory (Great Wall of China Tour)<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v8xBAmLZ3KE?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v8xBAmLZ3KE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The Great Wall of China is a must if you travel to China. An interesting aspect of most tours, are the other places that they take you along the way. On the way to the wall, the tour guide will stop at some kind of factory, give you a tour, and then drop you off in the showroom in hope that you'll buy something. The Great Wall tour guides and factory owners seem have to reached some kind of mutually beneficial agreement.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">While it's obvious that the supplemental stops are nothing more than a ploy to get you to spend money, they can be interesting and informative. In this case, our tour guide took us to a jade factory, where they make jewelry, and all kinds of other ornamental items from this beautiful green stone. They show you how the items are made, explain all the aspects of the process, and then lead you directly to the showroom where they tempt you with all things jade.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">While the Great Wall is definitely the highlight, the places they take you along the way are an important part of the experience. Just be careful, and don't get sucked in to buying a heavy (expensive) piece of jade that you don't really need, or want. Just look around and have a good time.<br /></span></span></p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-31609412056164278372010-10-05T11:03:00.000-07:002010-10-05T15:03:06.111-07:00Paris Baguette<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LhN6ZDGbeNw?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LhN6ZDGbeNw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><p>Paris Baguette is everywhere in Korea! I really don't know how so many of them can possibly stay open because, for one thing, Korean people do not generally eat a lot of bread, sweets, and deserts, and for another thing, there are just so many.</p><p>Korean people do, however, purchase a lot of cakes from Paris Baguette on special occasions like birthdays, weddings, and things of that nature. I remember at one of my birthday parties, I ended up with something like 3 or 4 cakes from Paris Baguette, (and they're not what I would consider cheap either... it's a very nice gift, if you want to think about it in those terms).</p><p>It's interesting to note that most of the nicer apartments will have ovens in them, but good luck finding a cake mix at the store. They simply don't use their ovens, for anything other than a convenient place to store pots and pans. Most Korean food is boiled or fried, so there's really no need to have an oven anyway. So when the necessity for a cake arises, they all run to Paris Baguette. Luckily there's one on every corner, so you're never too far away.<br /></p><p>I remember, the day after we arrived in Korea, Paris Baguette was the only semi-recognizable food outlet around. So we walked in that morning and bought some sweet bread, some peanut butter, and some jelly to sustain us until we could find somewhere to buy food. It wasn't much, but it kept us from starving to death. For that reason alone, there will always be a special place in my heart Paris Baguette.<br /></p><p>Some Paris Baguettes actually have a cafe section, where you can sit down and order a sandwich or soup. Others stick to only the basics: cakes and bread. Either way, if it's your birthday in Korea, and you have any friends at all, you can expect to receive at least one cake from this somewhat-out-of-place Korean bakery.</p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-64984956360945092272010-07-04T23:38:00.000-07:002010-07-04T23:56:54.285-07:00Do I have to speak Korean in order to teach English in Korea<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/acd3iT-sOOU&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/acd3iT-sOOU&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><p></p>A very common question is, "Do I have to speak Korean in order to teach English in Korea." The answer is: That's not the right question to ask. The question you should ask is, "Do I have to speak English in order to live in Korea. Answering that question will help you determine how much Korean, if any, you should learn.<br /><br />As far as the job goes, you do not need to know Korean in order to teach English. Of course, it doesn't hurt. In fact, it can be quite helpful at times, "like when your students have no idea what you're talking about and you just want to convey a simple message". But it is not necessary by any means.<br /><br />The real question has to do with what you want to do outside the classroom. If you live in Korea, then there is a certain amount of interaction with non-English-speaking-Korean-folk that will be unavoidable. Take, for example, ordering food at McDonald's (or ordering food just about anywhere for that matter), or trying to find the toilet paper at E Mart, or trying to pay your bills at the bank. In Korea, despite the governments best efforts and intentions, people speak Korean. So unless you're really good with body language, a little bit of Korean will take you a long way, and make you life a lot easier, and more enjoyable.<br /><br />For example, it's a lot easier (and more polite) to say, "이것 주세요," when you're order food than it is to just point hope that the waiter gets the message. In the taxi is another place where knowing a little of Korean will really save the day. Because good luck finding a taxi driver who knows how to say anything other than "hello," "left," "right," and "straight". And most of them probably couldn't even get that far. So it's not like you have to learn how to "speak Korean". Just a few key words and phrases can help a whole lot. <br /><br />A great place to start is <a href="http://survivalphrases.com/">survivalphrases.com</a>. You can download free podcasts, as well as other useful info about not only Korean, but a wide variety of languages. Another great resource is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/busyatomdotcom">youtube.com/busyatomdotcom</a>. He makes great videos about learning basic Korean.<br /><br />Learning Korean is actually a lot of fun, and it can earn you a lot of respect at work if you let people know what you're doing. It can also make you life more enjoyable and easier outside of work. It's also a great way to make friends and meet new people. So give it a try!ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-49910489599802997732010-07-04T23:31:00.000-07:002010-07-04T23:36:32.894-07:00Springtime in Korea - Royal Azelia Flowers<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yNzMVOas9fI&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yNzMVOas9fI&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><p><br /><br />Springtime is the best time to visit Korea, for several reasons. First of all, the temperature is moderate, and the humidity doesn't get bad until July and August.<br /><br />One of the best things about Korea in springtime, however, are the flowers. Especially the royal Azelias. They come out right at the end of cherry blossom season, and can be found everywhere. There is a Korean saying, that when you see the Royal Azelias appear, the cherry blossoms will soon disappear. That's the way it goes...ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-67649924240871467842010-07-04T23:29:00.000-07:002010-07-04T23:30:29.987-07:00Biking the Han River - Seoul - part 1<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/apFld-j_wJE&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/apFld-j_wJE&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><p>Part 1 of my series on biking the Han River in Seoul, Korea.<br /><br /></p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-43032302768457353072010-07-04T23:22:00.000-07:002010-07-04T23:29:06.138-07:00Biking the Han River - Seoul<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EY_3-LACk4I&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EY_3-LACk4I&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_River_%28Korea%29">Han River</a> flows through the middle of Seoul, and is an excellent place to ride bicycles. It is fed by dozens of smaller streams, which are also great for bike riding. All along both sides of the river, the city has built a huge narrow park, with everything from swimming pools to inline skate tracks.</p><p>Not only is it a very enjoyable and scenic place to bike, because of it's central location and great access to the subway system it is also a very practical and easy way to get around the city.</p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-37884619633073863192010-07-04T20:59:00.001-07:002010-07-04T21:10:22.269-07:00Biking the Tancheon Stream - South Korea<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RpyQGjcdV-4&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RpyQGjcdV-4&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tancheon">Tancheon</a> is a stream that begins in Yongin-si, south of Seoul, and runs north through Bundang for nearly 36 km, until it empties into the Han River near <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamsil_Station">Jamsil Station</a>. It provides residents of Yongin and the surrounding neighborhoods with excellent bike access into Seoul, as well as a nice place to escape the city and enjoy nature for a bit. The Tancheon is easily accessible from nearly all of the subway stations along the Bundang subway line.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-10012885316776267132010-06-16T21:56:00.000-07:002010-07-04T20:57:17.949-07:00<p><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KkCU66ZUvoI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KkCU66ZUvoI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></p><p>Sam-gyeop-sal, is a staple pork dish in Korea.<br /></p><p>Sam (삼) means "three"</p><p>Gyeop (겹) means "layers"</p><p>Sal (살) means "flesh"</p><p>So, sam gyeop sal actually means, "three layers of flesh". In English, it is usually called "fresh side," which is basically just thickly sliced, uncured bacon. So it's not the most healthy food in the Korean diet, but it is one of the most delicious. It's generally cooked on a grill in the center of the table, and eaten with lettuce, red pepper paste, kimchi, garlic, and wide variety of other side dishes.</p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-33381677327343810742010-06-16T20:56:00.000-07:002010-06-16T21:00:05.904-07:00<p><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vHFJWLBIFuc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vHFJWLBIFuc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></p><p>Kimbop is easy to make, it's cheap to buy, and it's delicious to eat. It's what Korean people eat for lunch, instead of a sandwich.<br /></p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-26897119383606200502010-04-12T03:36:00.000-07:002010-04-12T04:21:41.785-07:00Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0oMqyv7l07rai5WfIhvHgjUg379mehqz6asupWODw2oZf67ebo1KvmOjqidMzZg5dcvcAG9PY7d-IOerj4zpuS31GkOKPtzZjJPhsKEKGSjnNQebzfB-RuK4SnS1bngm9hAl_2cVK-Nm/s1600/Jin+Hea+Cherry+Blossom+Festival+175.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0oMqyv7l07rai5WfIhvHgjUg379mehqz6asupWODw2oZf67ebo1KvmOjqidMzZg5dcvcAG9PY7d-IOerj4zpuS31GkOKPtzZjJPhsKEKGSjnNQebzfB-RuK4SnS1bngm9hAl_2cVK-Nm/s400/Jin+Hea+Cherry+Blossom+Festival+175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459200140003711426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival takes place every year, in southern Korea, where the weather is a little warmer and the blossoms come out sooner than they do in Seoul. There are a wide variety of events that take place over several days, and people come from all over to experience the first signs of spring on the Korean peninsula.<br /><br />Jinhae city is very close to Busan, which is also a popular place to visit.</span><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ILItuwbo4OY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ILItuwbo4OY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><p></p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-17883565276757870702010-03-01T21:58:00.000-08:002010-03-01T22:19:30.765-08:00Korean driver's license vs. international driver's licenseeI wanted to be able to drive in Korea, but I didn't know much about the difference between a Korean driver's license, and an international driver's license. After doing quite a bit of research, the Korean driver's license looked like the better option for two main reasons.<br /><br />First of all, if you have a valid license from another country and you know how to drive a car, then getting a license in Korea is not that difficult. First they test your eyes to make sure you can see. Then they give you a physical test, which consists of putting your arms straight out in front of you and doing one squat. The cost is around $15 or less. It's really not that difficult. The hardest part was the written test, which was just a bunch a multiple choice questions about car safety and very basic Korean road signs. You'll need to know what a "no parking" sign looks like in Korean (which is funny because those signs are generally not observed anyway), as well as a few others. But it's really not that big of a deal. The most difficult part of the test was trying to decipher the poor English translation. Even despite the translation, I passed it on the first try, without studying at all, other than generally familiarizing myself with the road signs around town.<br /><br />The second reason I chose to get a Korean driver's license is because it seems to be extremely versatile. It lasts for a long time without expiring, and there are some 44 other countries that recognize it as a legitimate driver's license. So basically, with a Korean driver's license, you can drive just about anywhere in the world. It also serves as a handy form of identification that all Koreans are familiar with.<br /><br />Admittedly, the only driving that we've really in Korea is on Jeju Island, where the roads are nice and wide, there isn't much traffic, and parking is plentiful. Driving through the center of Seoul might a little more courage. You'll have to be on the lookout for the crazy scooter deliverymen, the people who park in the center of the road, and the taxi drivers who will do anything to get you to your destination in 8 minutes or less (including drive on the sidewalks). But if you're going to drive in Korea, you're going to want to get out of the city anyway, and see some of the more rural areas that are only accessible by car. With a driver's license, you can visit some of the real gems or Korea where ty.he crowds are minimal and the scenery is beautiful. That's where you'll want to be. In other words, you don't get a driver's license in order to drive through Seoul. You get a driver's license in order to get out of Seoul, and see the countryside.<br /><p><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CkPp2p0Siqw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CkPp2p0Siqw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-84880639713972217352010-01-25T18:55:00.000-08:002010-01-25T19:23:18.066-08:00Snowboading in Korea<span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB6pojBRfLVDXNvp7D6tXlIaNR-dqjrGVJylY6x-JMO2pZFdI50ofon2Tu0DdyampKjXdym62x_Ue4p60XEJBvl9oAPX3FoOzR101RSW_RL_9N_fjpZCSCyV-0Hn-jecpK43GXFvEOtpO/s1600-h/snowboarding+079.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB6pojBRfLVDXNvp7D6tXlIaNR-dqjrGVJylY6x-JMO2pZFdI50ofon2Tu0DdyampKjXdym62x_Ue4p60XEJBvl9oAPX3FoOzR101RSW_RL_9N_fjpZCSCyV-0Hn-jecpK43GXFvEOtpO/s400/snowboarding+079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430880276503213138" border="0" /></a></span><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />The artificial snow and short runs at <a target="blank" href="http://pineresort.com/pine/index.htm">Yangji Pine Resort</a> in Korea were so much fun! It was awesome! We went on a Monday, and although there were more people there than I expected, the lines and crowds weren't bad at all. And even the snow was a pleasant surprise. It was mostly artificial, but nice and soft. Granted... it wasn't Park City, Utah or Sun Valley, Idaho... but for what it is, it's not bad.</span></p><p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />The cost wasn't too bad either... about the equivalent of $60 for a lift ticket, board and boots, and snow pants rental. We did go, however, on a special sale day, so I believe that it's generally a little more expensive than that. The website is in English, and actually has a lot of helpful info about the resort.<br /><br />I haven't been to any other resorts in Korea, but I've heard that the resorts in eastern Korea are much larger and have better snow. Pine Resort has advantages, however. It's less expensive, for one. And, it's much closer to Seoul and the surrounding area. There are also free shuttle buses that you can catch at various subway stations that will take you straight to the resort.<br /><br />We went with several of our Korean friends, which is recommended. Not only can they speak Korean and negotiate the rental agreements and things of that nature, but it's also just fun to watch them in action on the slopes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdmERyOqx9egMqpOcbhrKQQpBJJANCfzo6owsrBSDxPBGcDW164ZIXb50AEpbyrQRncDg-A1eEzy3IkBicQnDyi2c6ihbRwapQ84ItEVrbPRLgtB_hCkpf8OlEalD6ePEzaFsg2eQqg85/s1600-h/snowboarding+071.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 600px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdmERyOqx9egMqpOcbhrKQQpBJJANCfzo6owsrBSDxPBGcDW164ZIXb50AEpbyrQRncDg-A1eEzy3IkBicQnDyi2c6ihbRwapQ84ItEVrbPRLgtB_hCkpf8OlEalD6ePEzaFsg2eQqg85/s400/snowboarding+071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430881231898498002" border="0" /></a></span></p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-74507074975302293122010-01-15T22:35:00.000-08:002010-01-15T23:01:16.950-08:00Do your research before coming to a foreign country to teach English...<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H5Lae01Ef4c&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H5Lae01Ef4c&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><p>I think that one of the biggest mistakes that people make when they come to a foreign country to teach English, is that they do not do enough research. Many new teachers sign the first contract that comes their way, without investigating the school, or the terms of the contract. Then they're really surprised when things don't work out the way that they had in mind. I am not suggesting that research and investigation can eliminate every surprise, or that thoroughly looking into the school beforehand will ensure a positive work experience. I'm simply suggestions that a lot of problems and surprises can be avoided by learning as much as you can in advance.</p><p>But the school and the contract are not the only things that you should be concerned about. You might also want to look into weather patterns that exist in the area you want to teach. For example, some parts of China get extremely cold in the winter, while other parts are nearly tropical all year round. Some parts of Korea are colder than others. Does it rain a lot in Vietnam? If it does, and you hate the rain, you might want to take that into consideration. </p><p>Food is another issue that often goes overlooked. In Korea, for example, you can find just about any kind of western food your heart desires. You may pay a lot more for it than you're used to, however. And you might have to search for a long time in order to find just the thing you're looking for. And what about when your co-workers want to take you out to dinner? Are you prepared to eat what they are eating? What kinds of foods are most popular in Indonesia? If you're planning on coming to Korea, have you ever tried kimchi? You might want to give it a whirl before committing yourself to living in kimchi capitol of the world for 12 months.</p><p>Language is another big issue. Everyone you talk to will tell you that you don't have to speak Korean in order to teach English in Korea. And they're telling you the truth. What they're not telling you, however, is that if you live in Korea, then you live in Korea, and you have to figure out how to do everything from ordering food to finding a bathroom. If you can learn a few basic greetings and useful questions before you come, I guarantee that your experience will be much more enjoyable. You can teach English all day long without speaking a word Korea, but when you step outside the walls of your school, you're not in Kansas any more, Toto...</p><p>To learn just a few basic phrases that will greatly improve your quality of life, I recommend visiting <a href="http://survivalphrases.com/">survivalphrases.com</a>. They have free podcasts and short lessons in many different languages. I used it before I came to Korea, and it worked awesome. I'm now a big fan. There are also lots of resources on youtube, as well as at <a href="http://esloutlet.com/learnenglish.php">esloutlet.com</a> (which is updated on a regular basis, by the way).</p><p>There are hundreds of things that you might want to research that I haven't mentioned. A few of them might include, but are not limited to: What is the exchange rate? (VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION) or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENzTNkBkLVs">What's the difference between a public school and a private school?</a> or What kind of medical care / insurance is offered? or What is the cost of living? or Will my apartment be furnished or unfurnished? Answering questions like these will help prepare you for the exciting journey that awaits you as a teacher of English abroad!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-1325713409314884862010-01-12T17:53:00.000-08:002010-01-15T23:02:57.665-08:00Spicy Korean Chicken - Dak Galbi<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B12FqeQFGDk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B12FqeQFGDk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><p><br /><br />The other night we wet out with some of our friends to eat Dak Galbi... a kind of spicy Korean Chicken, with cabbage and chewy rice cake. We enjoy it a lot. For more information about it, visit <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dak_galbi">the Wikipedia article on it</a>, or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8gNe4SBdGg">check out this youtube video</a>.<br /><br />After you eat most of the chicken and cabbage, they throw some rice in the pan and mix is all together.</p>ESL Outlethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05535969637784515826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6916217135234728001.post-27026235866286064612010-01-08T22:53:00.000-08:002010-01-12T18:08:02.962-08:00Recommended Reading<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PDnCfEll5Ws&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PDnCfEll5Ws&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><p>This book was recommended to me by my Korean friend, who told me that it was used as a textbook in one of his English conversation classes. He gave me a copy, and to be honest, I couldn't put it down. It was really easy to read, but fascinating and entertaining at the same time. I feel like it helped me gain a lot better understanding of Korean culture and society. Anyone who is interested in Korea, or who is thinking about coming here to work, should read this book.<br /><br />There is another aspect of this book, however, which should not be overlooked. Like my friend said, it makes excellent classroom material. If you are teaching about Korea to English students, this book is an excellent recourse because it presents the information in a way that is thought provoking, yet easy to understand. If you are teaching ESL to Korean students, they will undoubtedly be not only interested, but also passionate about the material that is presented.<br /><br />Without reservation, this book gets the ESLoutlet seal of approval...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0