Shane is presently teaching near Seoul, South Korea (Since the summer of 2005).

Barb .M. - Moncton, NB, Canada

Coming to Korea to teach ESL is often an impulsive decision, or a default plan to settle up with the student loan office. For better or worse, it is an adventure every step off the tarmac— especially if it's your first time in a foreign country. I should stress foreign; Korea seems like Bizarro World for the first few frenetic days or weeks, but as you settle, you'll come to find a very open and friendly country with many helpful and generous people. That said, there are horror stories— if you ever browsed ESL forums or talked to friends who had a bad ride— of dishonest bosses and chaotic rug-rats in a land where nothing makes sense. 

There are lots of shady people and establishments that need teachers just like the good places do, and your best remedy against this is to sign on with a good recruiting team, and that means Canada-ESL.com.   

From my first contact with them, they were nothing but helpful, informative and genuinely concerned with finding me a good job in Korea. I've been here over 3 months now, and I have a kind, respectful boss and a flexible curriculum. 

Teaching is probably the hardest job in the world to do well. Everyday I'm here confirms that, and it's important to rationalize in your mind before you make the decision to do it for an entire year in a country with a whole new dynamic. Children can be a joy one minute and a nightmare the next, so make sure you feel equipped for dealing with them everyday. It is both exhausting and rewarding, but not necessarily in equal measure. 

There are many perks to teaching in Korea. The rent-free living compliments a respectable income. The food is great, and your money can go a long way. You can use your vacation time to explore all the countries just a stone's throw away. Public transportation is excellent, and people are always willing to help a lost traveler. That said, be prepared for challenging work, and a significant culture shock. But if you're looking for a change of pace, and a challenging experience, then I strongly suggest you get in touch with the Canada-ESL.com team, to get off on the right foot.
- Sam Worthington

(First one from Sam)
"My first impression after touching down was the urban sprawl from the airport, and as I've found having a few trips into the cities, it goes from everywhere to everywhere. Just imagining the drive from Mahone Bay to Halifax airport, vs. Incheon airport to Siheung City, is a very potent comparison. One might be tempted to say there's no green space in Korea, but however long the shopping complexes drag or the apartment buildings rise, there are still these lush looking green mountains that pop up between the ugly cityscapes.

Weekending in Seoul opened my eyes to just how much there is here to buy! The consumer culture is really mindblowing. Every subway stop is a mall/open bazaar, and even when you climb the stairs to leave there are tables upon tables of ties, belts, and bootleg DVDs. Every shop is really two, since it has loads of goods for sale in the street in front of them.

It's been a strange adjustment so far, but it's been fine. My boss is a very accomodating one and the school is small and low key. I sort of hit the ground running in terms of the teaching aspect which is a bit confusing/frustrating having a book put into your hands and no time to prepare, but I don't think anyone's expecting miracles, just exposure to the language.

The food is great as I keep having to tell bewildered Koreans who don't seem to understand that I like spicy food and like trying new things.

All in all, it's been an interesting week and a half, certainly the longest in my life. I'm enjoying the Korean culture and observing customs, but it also very much helps me appreciate home, and where I came from. I think it takes some time as an expat to truly appreciate being Canadian."