My Completed Criminal Background Check

Easily my most searched for and visited page is my walk through of how to get a FBI criminal background check to teach English in South Korea.  I posted that on October 25th and applied myself that week to get my own FBI background check so I could renew my contract this year.  South Korea then changed their enforcement policy and said everyone who was already here in Korea teaching did not need their background check to renew in 2011.  I lost motivation and took my sweet time mailing it to the state department.  I finally got the completed deal with the state apostille seal last week.

Lots of people want to know what it looks like, so here's mine (with my name blacked out).  I have a clean record and you will notice on both the CBC and the State Letter there is an embossed seal in the paper.  You need both of these for it to be official.

and

Ask a Waygook - What Songs Can You Sing at a Noraebang?

Noraebang (노래방) is the Korean equivalent to Japanese karaoke.  However, unlike western style karaoke, where people get up on stage and often sing in front of strangers at a bar on a Tuesday night, Koreans rent small (or sometimes large) rooms for private singing sessions amongst friends and coworkers.  It can be fun, but you will get caught off guard the first time you go in one.  Half drunk Koreans will insist you choose a song and sing something, and many westerners have never tried karaoke prior to coming to Korea.

Westerners coming to Korea want to know "What songs are available?"  A Korean noraebang machine's selection of English songs is more extensive than you might think with some machines having thousands of English songs to choose from.  I was surprised myself by some of the most obscure listings.  To make this easy, I just took a picture with my camera of every page in the provided song book.  Flipping through the book while in the noraebang room can be flustering, so click on each picture to make it larger (then maybe even right click save as) and go ahead and look through what English songs are available in Korea.  You can go to youtube and find a karaoke version to practice of nearly every song they have.  I recommend choosing and practicing five.  Practice at home, then the next time Koreans suggest noraebang that night you will be prepared.

Spring 2011 EPIK Sample Contract

This is a sample contract that public school teachers with EPIK will be signing for the March 2011 school year.  If you are looking to work in a South Korean public school, you will probably sign a contract either identical or about 95% the same as this.

You can learn more and check the pay scales on EPIK's website, http://www.epik.go.kr/

CONTRACT FOR March 2010 ENGLISH PROGRAM IN KOREA(EPIK)

This Contract of Employment (hereinafter referred to as “Contract”) is made by and entered into between the Superintendent of _______________________ Metropolitan/Provincial Office of Education, (hereinafter referred to as “Employer”), and the Guest English Teacher (Name) ________________________________ (hereinafter referred to as “Employee”) a citizen of _______________________ .

- Term of Employment : A one-year period from February 26, 2010 to February 25, 2011

- 고용등급 및 월급여 - Pay level and Salary

□ 1 등급/ 한화 _____________원 □ 1 level/ ___________ Korean Won per month

□ 2+등급/ 한화 _____________원 □ 2+ level/ ___________ Korean Won per month

□ 2 등급/ 한화 _____________원 □ 2 level/ ___________ Korean Won per month

□ 3 등급/ 한화 _____________원 □ 3 level/ ___________ Korean Won per month

Article 1 (Purpose)

This contract sets forth the terms and conditions of employment for the Guest English Teacher’s participation in the English Program in Korea.

Article 2 (Pay Level) 

① The Employee shall be hired pursuant to this Contract with the Pay Level set forth at the beginning of this contract.

② The Pay Level set forth at the beginning of this Contract will be contingent upon provision of all the necessary documentational proof of qualifications and experience required by the Employer to be eligible for said Pay Level.

③ Any new qualifications obtained after the beginning of the Term of Employment will not subsequently change the Pay Level during the Term of Employment; the Pay Level will remain that agreed to at the beginning of the Term of Employment.

Article 3 (Duties) 

The Employee shall perform the following duties in the educational institutions of the undersigned Office of Education for the period indicated above:

① Assist Korean teachers with their English class(es) and/or jointly conduct English class(es) with Korean teachers, and/or lead extracurricular activities or English camps;

② Prepare teaching materials and lesson plans for English class(es);

③ Assist with the development and creation of teaching materials related to English language education;

④ Assist with activities related to English language education and other extracurricular activities such as but not limited to editing or creating English documents, judging contests, conducting teacher training, working at English camps, etc.;

⑤ Conduct English conversational class(es)/course(s) for Korean teachers and students; and

⑥ Perform other duties as designated by the Employer including various English programs during the school vacation period.

Article 4 (Supervision) 

The Employee shall carry out the duties set forth in the foregoing Article 3 pursuant to and under specific instruction and supervision of the Supervisor of the Work Place designated by Employer.

Article 5 (Term of Employment) 

① The Term of Employment shall be the period set forth at the beginning of this Contract.

② If the Employee, for whatever reason, is unable to begin work on the date specified herein, the Contract shall be rewritten to indicate the new one year Term of Employment. The Contract will only take effect on the day the Employee is able to begin work and the Term of Employment shall be a one-year period beginning from that day forth.

③ This Term of Employment is not and shall not be considered a continuation of any previous Term of Employment with a different Office of Education. Hence, the Employer shall hire the GET as a new employee.

Article 6 (Resignation) 

① The Employee shall perform the duties set forth under Article 3 hereof during the Term of Employment set forth under Article 5 hereof.

② This contract is binding unless the Employee gives thirty (30) days written notice of termination (stating a planned date of resignation and reason(s) therefore) to the principal of the Employee's main school as well as the Superintendent of the Office of Education.

③ Failure of the Employee to give thirty (30) days written notice of termination to the main school Principal and the Superintendent of the Office of Education shall be reported to the Korean Immigration Service and shall affect the Employee's ability to freely enter the Republic of Korea in the future.

④ In the case of the Employee's resignation his/her visa shall be cancelled.

Article 7 (Work Place) 

① The Employee shall work at any location(s) designated by the Employer. The location(s) designated by the Employer may include but are not limited to schools, Office of Education, training centers, or any other educational institutes located in the jurisdiction of the undersigned Office of Education.

② The Employer may designate multiple locations for the Employee to work.

③ The Employer may designate the Employee to work at the Office of Education, training centers or other educational institutes during the school vacation period. In this case, the Employee shall not claim for any additional pay if the hours of work fall under the regular Work Hours stated in Article 8.

Article 8 (Work Hours) 

① The Employee shall work eight (8) hours per day for five (5) calendar days per week from Monday to Friday and shall not work on Saturdays, Sundays and any national holidays of the Republic of Korea. However, temporary English programs run by the Employer (e.g., English camp) may occur outside the Work Hours specified in this clause and on weekends. In this case, the Employer shall pay according to Article 8, clause ③ and ④.

② The Work Hours of the Employee may follow the normal work schedule of civil servants of the Korean Government; however, such Work Hours may be adjusted by the Employer as he/she deems appropriate within the bounds set forth in Article 8, Clause ①.

③ Actual class instruction hours of the Employee shall not exceed twenty-two (22) hours per week. If, however, the Employee's actual weekly class instruction hours exceed twenty-two (22) hours due to supplementary class instruction, the Employee shall be entitled to a supplementary class instruction pay of 20,000 won per hour.

④ The Employer may require the Employee to work non-instructional overtime hours in addition to normal Work Hours. In this case, the Employee shall be entitled to supplementary overtime pay of 6,000 won per hour.

⑤ If the Employee agrees to teach instructional hours that occur outside the Work Hours specified in Article 8, clause ① and that total more than 22 hours per week, the Employer shall pay according to Article 8, clause ③. If the Employee agrees to teach instructional hours that occur outside the Work Hours specified in Article 8, clause ① but that total less than 22 hours per week, the Employer shall have the authority to determine the appropriate supplementary overtime pay.

Article 9 (Salary) 

① The Employee shall be paid the amount set forth at the beginning of this Contract. However, the Korean income tax, residence tax, medical insurance premium, the national pension contribution, and any other tax or deduction mandated by the various levels of government shall be deducted each month from the Employee's salary.

② The Employee's salary shall be paid on the 25th of the month. If the 25th of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a national holiday, the salary shall be paid on the immediately preceding business day.

③ If the Employee has not worked all of the normal working days in a month, for whatever reason (such as sick leave, unpaid leave, etc.), the Employee's salary for that month shall be prorated for the corresponding number of days worked.

④ If the Employee should be absent from work, for whatever reason, without having obtained prior approval from the Employer, the Employee's salary for that month shall be prorated according to the corresponding number of unauthorized absent days.

⑤ The Employee shall not claim against the Employer any compensation and/or payment other than those provided for in this Contract.

Article 10 (Renewal) 

① The Term of Employment stated in Article 5 hereof may be renewed by the mutual written agreement of the Employer and the Employee provided that the renewal Term of Employment shall not exceed one (1) year.

② In the case of renewal of this Contract pursuant to the foregoing clause ①, the Employee shall be given two weeks paid leave which shall take place during the last two (2) calendar weeks prior to the end date specified under Article 5 hereof until the day immediately preceding the commencement of the renewed term. This two-week leave will be counted as part of the contract term, and, accordingly, salary will be paid as normal for these two weeks.

③ The Employer shall provide the Employee with a Contract Renewal Allowance of 2,000,000 Korean Won (KRW) within one month of the beginning of the new Term of Employment. In the case of Contract Renewal (and the payment of the subsequent Renewal Allowance), the GET shall not receive an Exit Allowance for the completion of the current Term of Employment nor shall the GET receive an Entrance Allowance for the renewal Term of Employment.

④ In case of the termination of the Renewal Contract within the first six (6) months, regardless of course or ground therefore, the Employee shall immediately pay back to the Employer 700,000 Korean Won (KRW) of the 2,000,000 Korean Won (KRW) Renewal Allowance.

Article 11 (Entrance Allowance/Exit Allowance) 

① Upon beginning the Term of Employment, the Employee shall receive a 1,300,000 Korean Won (KRW) Entrance Allowance. The Entrance Allowance is not offered to Employees who are renewing their contract. For the first six (6) months of the Term of Employment, the Entrance Allowance of 1,300,000 Korean Won (KRW) shall be considered a loan to support the Employee's entrance into Korea. If the Employee receives a medical examination administered by EPIK, the cost of the medical examination shall be deducted from the 1,300,000 Korean Won (KRW) Entrance Allowance.

② In case of the termination of this Contract within the first six (6) months, regardless of course or ground therefore, the Employee shall immediately pay back to the Employer the aforementioned loan. Failure of the Employee to pay back the aforementioned loan shall be reported to the Korean Immigration Service and shall affect the Employee's ability to freely enter the Republic of Korea in the future. If the Employee successfully completes more than six (6) months of the Term of Employment from the date of commencement, the obligation of the Employee to pay back the Entrance Allowance loan shall be waived by the Employer.

③ If the Employee successfully completes his/her duties set forth in this contract for the full Term of Employment specified herein, the Employee shall be entitled to an Exit allowance of 1,300,000 Korean Won (KRW) within one month of successful completion of the Term of Employment.

Article 12 (Housing) 

① The Employer shall provide the Employee with a single housing chosen by the Employer. Housing selected by the Employer may be a leased house, a studio-type room, an apartment, or other form of lodging deemed sufficient by the Employer. Any and all fees, charges, costs, taxes, expenses, etc. incurred in using the housing shall be borne by the Employee. Such fees may include but are not limited to hydro, gas and water utilities as well as internet and phone service as well as a maintenance fee from the landlord.

② The Employer may choose to provide temporary housing for the Employee until appropriate permanent housing can be obtained for the Employee.

③ If the Employee wants housing allowance in lieu of the single housing set forth in the foregoing ①, the Employer shall provide the Employee with 400,000 Korean Won (KRW) per month as a rent subsidy. In this case, the Employee shall notify the Employer of his/her decision to choose housing allowance before the commencement of this Contract.

④ The decision to choose the Provided Housing or the Housing Allowance shall be made prior to the beginning of the Term of Employment contained herein and, once decided, shall not be subsequently changed during the Term of Employment. Any and all costs incurred by the Employee as a result of changing Housing during the Term of Employment shall be borne by the Employee.

⑤ If the Employer provides housing to the Employee, the Employer shall provide the following appliances and furniture: a bed, table and chair, a closet, a range, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and a TV set. The Employee shall not request or demand any other appliances or furniture than those stipulated herein.

⑥ If the Employee uses the housing provided by the Employer, the Employee shall leave the housing on the day after the final day of the contract.

⑦ If the Employee uses the housing provided by the Employer, the Employee shall leave the housing in the same condition as when it was first occupied and the Employee shall be liable for any damage to the building and appliances occurring during the period occupied by the Employee.

⑧ The Employer shall provide couples housing only to married couples jointly employed by the Employer. If the couple holds different last names, they must prove their marital status with a marriage certificate or other relevant documentation.

Article 13 (Benefits) 

① The Employee shall be entitled to a one time Settlement Allowance of 300,000 Korean Won (KRW), when he/she first begins the contract. This Settlement Allowance will not be granted in the case of a Contract Renewal.

② On behalf of the Employee, the Employer shall provide half of the Employee's medical insurance premium pursuant to the National Medical Insurance Act of Korea. In the case of dependents of the Employee (spouse and/or children) living with him or her in Korea, the Employer shall also provide and pay the medical insurance premium for the Employee's dependents.

③ In the case that the Employees is working in a remote area (as designated by the undersigned Office of Education), the Employee may be eligible for a Rural Allowance of 100,000 Korean Won (KRW) per month. Designations for rural and non-rural areas are determined individually by the undersigned Office of Education.

④ In the case that the Employee is working at more than one school, the Employee shall receive a Multiple Schools Allowance of 100,000 Korean Won (KRW) for two schools or 150,000 Korean Won (KRW) for three or more schools per month.

⑤ Employees, with the exception of Canadians and Irish, shall be eligible for exemption from paying Korean income tax during the period of the first two years of Korean employment if they provide the following documents to the Employer before the first payment of salary:

1) "Residence Certificate" issued by the relevant authority of the Employee's resident country 2) “an Application for Tax Exemption" on non-resident's Korean source income provided under the Korean Tax Treaty. If the Employee has already worked more than two years in Korea, he/she shall not be eligible for tax exemption.

⑥ The Employer, on behalf of the Employee, shall provide half of the national pension plan deduction (approximately 4.5% of salary) pursuant to the National Pension Corporation Act of Korea. American, Australian or Canadian Employees are eligible for a pension distribution refund if they submit the required documents to the Korean National Pension Corporation when they leave Korea after the completion of their Contract.

⑦ The Employee shall be entitled to severance pay according to the standard formula set out by the Ministry of Labor (equivalent to approximately one month's salary), upon successful completion of the duties set out under Article 3 hereof for the entire Term of Employment set out at the beginning of the Contract.

⑧ The Employer may provide a special allowance to an employee who has made a great contribution to the Employer and/or who is determined to work at a special institute by the Employer.

Article 14 (Paid Leave) 

① The Employee shall be entitled to a vacation period of a total of eighteen (18) working days during the Term of the Employment set forth under Article 5 hereof. If the Employees works in a school, the Employee shall have vacation for eight (8) working days during the summer recess and ten (10) working days during the winter recess respectively; If the Employee works in a training center, the Employee shall have their vacation outside the normal training session times. If the requested vacation period interferes with the smooth operation of the programming of the school or institute, the Employer and the Employee shall negotiate an alternate vacation date(s).

② The Employee shall apply for and obtain the Employer's consent to take any paid leave a minimum of fifteen (15) calendar days in advance of the requested date of leave.

③ The Employee shall note the difference between school vacation and Paid Vacation days; the Employee is expected to fulfill normal working duties during the school vacation period unless the Employee has received prior approval for Paid Vacation or Unpaid Leave during the school vacation period.

④ Regardless of the number of days over which the Paid Leave falls, eight (8) accumulated hours of Paid Leave shall be counted as one day. This includes tardiness, early leave, other absences during the work day and/or half-days of Paid Leave. A total of less than eight (8) hours will not be counted.

Article 15 (Sick Leave) 

① The Employee shall be entitled to a paid Sick Leave in the case of any illness or injury which prevents the Employee from performing the duties herein only with the express consent of the Employer. The Employee shall notify the Employer of any absence due to sickness within one (1) hour of the beginning of the Employee's duties.

② The Employee's paid Sick Leave during the Term of Employment shall not exceed eleven (11) working days. Regardless of whether the sick-leave days are consecutive or individual, the Employee shall not require a doctor's note for the first three (3) days of sick leave taken during the Term of Employment. However, a practicing doctor's medical report shall be required for any sick-leave periods taken above the three-day threshold, whether these days are consecutive or individual. The time period of the sick leave must not exceed the period advised by the physician's report. Letters from a physician must be submitted to the Employer on the first day that the Employee returns to the work place.

③ If the Employee requires a Sick Leave of more than eleven (11) working days during the Term of Employment, any working days beyond the 11-day limit will be unpaid.

④ The total number of days of Sick Leave (both paid and unpaid) used by the Employee and the reasons for taking Sick Leave will be included in the Employee's Personnel Record Card, which shall be utilized by the Employer to evaluate the Employee's conduct and determine the Employee's contract renewal.

Article 16 (Special Leave) 

① The Employee may take a paid Special Leave for a number of days as set forth below for each of the following events stated herein only with the express consent of the Employer:

1. Seven (7) calendar days for the Employee's marriage.

2. Seven (7) calendar days for the death of an Employee's parent or spouse; five (5) calendar days for the death of an Employee's child.

3. In case of a female Employee, ninety (90) calendar days shall be granted for a maternity leave. In the case of maternity leave, only the first 60 days shall be paid leave; the last 30 days shall be unpaid leave.

Article 17 (Codes of Conduct) 

① The Employee shall not behave in any manner which may damage or tarnish the reputation of the teaching profession in general or of the EPIK program and the undersigned Employer in particular.

②The Employee shall observe and comply with any codes of conduct and dress applicable to Korean teachers.

③ The Employee shall not engage in any other employment (including any part-time, private or self-employment, or online instruction) during the Term of Employment set forth under Article 5 hereof.

④ The Employee shall not be involved in any activity which could cause harm to the students or be of detriment to the reputation of the school.

⑤ Employees must not disclose any confidential information about their co-workers, school or program that they have acquired during their term of employment.

Article 18 (Termination of the Contract) 

① The Employer may legally terminate or cancel this Contract upon occurrence of any one or more of the following events:

1. The Employee violates the laws of the Republic of Korea.

2. The Employee works in Korea without holding the required valid visa.

3. The Employee fails to perform or unsatisfactorily performs any of the duties stipulated in this contract. The Employer shall provide formal written notice of unsatisfactory performance to the Employee. Three or more written notices shall be considered sufficient grounds for Termination of the Contract.

4. The Employee engages in any other employment (including any part-time, private or self-employment, or online instruction) during the Term of Employment set forth under Article 5 herein.

5. The Employee fails to perform his/her duties for more than five working days without receiving prior consent from the Employer.

6. Any of the information provided in the Employee's application is neither true nor accurate.

7. It is determined that the Employee is prevented from or incapable of performing the duties set forth under Article 3 hereof for any medical reason, whether it is physical or psychological in nature, including chronic ailments such as diabetes Mellitus, high blood pressure, chronic liver disease, tuberculosis, neurologic disorder, substance or alcohol addiction, etc.

a. If requested to take a physical and/or psychological examination by the Employer, the Employee must make themselves available within two (2) working days for the medical examination.

b. The Employee must complete a medical examination (HIV, Drug etc) in Korea for the purpose of working in Korean public schools and educational institutions. If requested by the Employer, the Employee must submit the results to the Employer immediately.

8. The total number of days of sick leave (both paid and unpaid) used by the Employee pursuant to Article 15 hereof exceeds thirty (30) days.

② In the event of termination of this Contract pursuant to any of the provisions set forth in the foregoing clause ①, the Employer shall pay the Employee a prorated salary for the final month of work based on the number of days actually worked by the Employee.

③ In the event of termination of this Contract pursuant to any of the provisions set forth in the foregoing clause ①, the Employee shall immediately refund the loan to the Employer pursuant to Article 11①.

④ In such event, the Employer will not pay the Employee the Exit Allowance. The Employee's visa will subsequently be cancelled.

Article 19 (Completion of Mandatory Orientation and Training) 

① The Employee shall complete all training deemed necessary by EPIK and/or the undersigned Office of Education. This includes but is not limited to an orientation held before the beginning of the Term of Employment and/or in-service training during the Term of Employment.

② The Employee will not be entitled to compensation for any portion of the mandatory orientation which falls outside the Term of Employment as stipulated under Article 5.

③ The Employee shall participate in any training program(s) upon request of the Employer.

Article 20 (Indemnification) 

The Employee hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Employer against any and all liability, claims, suits, losses, costs and legal fees caused by, arising out of or resulting from any negligent, intentional or illegal act of the Employee during the Term of Employment under this Contract.

Article 21 (Consent to Limited Release of Information) 

The Employee grants his/her consent that the information in the Employee's application form and/or Personnel Record Card may be used for the purpose of statistical data collected by the Employer and/or the Korean government, for his/her contract renewal with his/her current Employer or his/her new application to other provinces.

Article 22 (Governing Law, Language and Venue) 

① The terms of this Contract and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be construed, interpreted and determined in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Korea.

② The Governing language of the Contract shall be Korean. The English translation of this Contract is offered for the purpose of convenience only.

③ If a dispute or disagreement should arise in connection with or out of this Contract, the parties hereto shall first try to resolve it in accordance with the principle of good faith. If the parties fail to mutually resolve such disputes or disagreements or come to amicable settlements, their disputes or disagreements shall be resolved by arbitration in Seoul, Korea in accordance with the

Commercial Arbitration Rules of the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board.

④ Matters not explicitly stated in the Contract shall be determined by the Employer by taking the

Employee's concerns into consideration.

Article 23 (Signature) 

In witness whereof, the parties hereto sign the Contract in triplicate on the date entered below with each party retaining one copy and submitting the third copy for the Employee's visa application.

서명일 (Dated): 2010. . .

고용자 (Employer's signature)

_______________________________________

성명 (Name)

직책 (Position):

피고용자 (Employee's signature)

_______________________________________

성명 (Name)

Ask a Waygook - Renewal Vacation Time

Hi there,

I am planning to renew my contract to teach with EPIK in South Korea and I have a question about the time requirements for leaving the country. As I understand it, we get two weeks of vacation so we can leave the country, but looking at my school's calendar, spring break is barely two weeks -- graduation is Feb. 15th and the first day of the new school year is March 2nd.

Are we supposed to be out of the country for an entire two weeks or is the required time less than that?

Thanks for your help!

-- 

Angela

Hey Angela,

If you are renewing your contract with EPIK this March, then you should have signed this exact same contract that I posted:

http://www.thewaygookeffect.com/2010/09/ask-waygook-sample-net-contract.html

First, you should know that you already are allowed ten working days vacation to be used sometime during the winter recess at your school. That is in Article 14, Section 1 and that vacation time is separate from any kind of renewal vacation time.

① The Employee shall be entitled to a vacation period of a total of eighteen (18) working days during the Term of the Employment set forth under Article 5 hereof. If the Employees works in a school, the Employee shall have vacation for eight (8) working days during the summer recess and ten (10) working days during the winter recess respectively;

You have to plan these regular vacation days with your school at a time of both your convenience.  Christmas and Lunar New Year's are already holidays and should not count twice.  Also note that these ten days are "working days" and do not include Saturdays and Sundays.  Korean schools sometimes get this confused and do not immediately understand the difference.  Koreans work Saturdays themselves.

Article 10, Section 2 states that when you renew, the last two calendar weeks of your contract period shall be paid leave. 

② In the case of renewal of this Contract pursuant to the foregoing clause ①, the Employee shall be given two (2) calendar weeks paid leave which shall take place during the nearest school vacation to the first day of the renewal contract with the condition of the days not conflicting with the school schedule.

It however also says that it shall not conflict with the school schedule.  This appears to be impossible if you have classes through the 15th of February.

You should have a copy of your contract.  Your contract period is from Feb 26, 2010 to Feb 25, 2011.  Ideally, you should have your two weeks renewal vacation period from Feb 12th through Feb 25th. 

If your school or your coteacher is unfamiliar with your contract, then you will need to bring in your copy and politely ask them about this.  Students are already finished with their finals by this time, and these weeks in February are not the most productive classes of the year. Your school really should not object to letting you go the 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th.

You also do not need to leave the country.  You get this vacation time regardless of what you do.  You can go back to your home country if you want.  You can also take a vacation to anywhere in the world if you like, but nothing states you have to leave Korea.  

If they ask you, I highly recommend telling them that you are thinking about going home and you need that time off to be confirmed so you can possibly buy a plane ticket (even if you really are not planning to).  If you say you are not leaving Korea or planning a vacation to some other country, they most likely will delay making a decision about letting you go those days as long as possible for no discernible reason.  This is just the Korean way.  Administrators and principals do the exact same thing to Korean teachers as well, so do not feel discriminated against.

Once they give you the green light for those two weeks they will have you sign something.  It is not official until you sign something, so do not buy tickets anywhere until you have the paper with your principal's signature.  After this time, you can then change your mind and do whatever you want.  If they ask why you are not going home, you can just say that it would have been too expensive.  They will not argue with that.

Enjoy your vacation time and prepare for your second year!

Good Luck!
The Waygook

FBI Background Check Walk Through For E-2 Visa Holders

*** Update *** - As of March 2011, I have my completed FBI Background check and you can follow the link to see what it looks like.

E-2 visa applicants from The United States who want to either start teaching in South Korea as of January 1st, 2011, or currently teach in South Korea and want to renew their contract after this date, must submit an FBI criminal background check to Korean immigration.

The reason for this change in policy is obvious.  Example, if an American lives in the State of California their whole life, commits numerous crimes, maybe even serves time in jail, then moves to any another state, they then have a clean criminal background check in that new state.  Up until now, Korea has been accepting criminal background checks from any state, regardless of how long a person has lived in that state.

I actually have heard about several past E-2 visa holders (gone now) who have had criminal backgrounds in one state that would have kept them from teaching in South Korea, and they simply moved to another state, waited a month to establish residency, then applied to work in South Korea with their new state's criminal background check.  Nobody in Korean immigration could have possibly known they committed crimes in the United States and were able to teach here by way of this loophole.

The downside of FBI criminal checks is that they do not include everything.  Any time you are fingerprinted after being arrested, it is supposed to show up in your FBI background check.  However, state and local authorities have some discretionary authority on what to report to the FBI.  Likewise, the FBI might get a report and choose not to include it for whatever reason.  Then, there is also just the gauntlet of paperwork involved and stuff slips through the cracks and does not make it on.  Whatever...

If you have ever been fingerprinted for anything ever in your life, the only way to know what is on your FBI background check is to ask for a copy and see for yourself.  There is a process to dispute what is on there if you feel like a mistake has been made.

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BEFORE STARTING:

This process takes between three and four months.  Do not underestimate it because it could end up costing you your job if you do not get it done.  No other English speaking countries have a process that takes this long to get an equivalent national background check.  Additionally, numerous things could go wrong in this process causing further delays.  Americans are put at an extreme disability in applying to teach in South Korea from now on.

STEP 1:

If you are living in the United States now, then simply go to a local police station and request to be fingerprinted.  Let them know it is because you need to apply for a FBI criminal background check to work abroad.  They should be able to help you no problem.

If you are living in South Korea right now because you want to stay another year, then you need to make it to a local Korean police station to be fingerprinted.  You need find a Korean police station that has a CSI crime lab.  It looks like this.  The bigger the station, the more likely they will have one.  You can ask a Korean to help you call around to learn where they have CSI departments.  Going with a Korean is preferable, but you can also just go on your own with a written note.  I suggest trying to get time off work during the day to go get this done.

Before you go...

1) The website with the information on requesting a criminal background check is here. (LINK)  Read it.

2) Fill out and print off the application form. (LINK)

3) Print off five copies of the standard fingerprint form (FD-258) and fill each of them out.  Printed on a color printer is preferable.  (LINK)  You should get a full set of prints on three of them to mail in, but if the officer or you makes a mistake, it is good to have two extra blanks to start over if needed.  You need to send in three in the event the FBI rejects one because of smudging and wants a new one.
4) Print one copy of an example of a completed fingerprint card.  (LINK)  The officer who took my prints had never used an FBI print card before and really appreciated the example I brought him.
5) Fill out and print off the credit card payment form.  (LINK)  They do not accept personal checks.
6) Bring with you to the station your passport and alien registration card.  You actually should not need to provide them, but they will want to see them to confirm your identity and make a copy for record keeping purposes.

STEP 2:

You need to write a cover letter for your application form to the FBI.  On it, you are going to need to add several important things.

1) Include any kind of contact information you have.  Your e-mail, your phone number, your mailing address and possibly a mailing address in the United States or a person and contact number in the United States if they need to contact someone about the processing.
2) Include a request to the FBI asking them to use their official seal for the document and have a division officer sign it..  You can say something like this:

"Please include with the background check a FBI seal and signature from a Division Officer.  The purpose of this document is to be sent next to the US State Department for a Federal Apostille."

Mail your cover letter, your application form, the three copies of your finger prints, and your credit card payment form to the following address:

FBI CJIS Division – Record Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

The FBI contact number for the FBI Office in West Virginia is 304-625-5590 if you have any questions.

STEP 3:

Once you have received your FBI criminal background check with official signature and seal.  You then must mail it in to the Office of Authentications for the US Department of State.  (LINK)

Part 1:

Effective as of March 1st, 2012, the US Department of State has altered their paper work process in the Office of Authentications. Before, there was just a regular PDF to download, print off, fill out, and then mail in.

That has changed and now "copies of the DS-4194 form are not permissible!" The new instructions for filling out the form to get an Apostille Seal placed on your FBI background check are as follows:

1) - Download form DS-4194 using this link (HERE)
2) - Install Cerenade Visual Reader Application (HERE)
3) - Open Cerenade Visual Reader Application
4) - From within Cerenade Visual Reader Application open DS-4194.FAR
5) - Complete the entire form for the finalized barcode to appear

For more information on this form and program click (HERE)

Part 2:

1) Include a personal check or money order for the processing fee made out to "The US State Department".  They do not accept credit cards.  The amount you owe can be found in the estimate cost section of the form.

2) Include the FBI background check and be certain that the signature and seal of the agency is present.

On the notes and special instructions, be certain to mention you need a Federal Apostille for this document for the purpose of obtaining a work visa in South Korea.  It is important that they know which country wants this and why they want it.

The State Department explicitly says this:

Please include a cover-letter ( see example) with your name, telephone number, address and email address. Please indicate the name of the country where the document will be used. We suggest using a self-addressed stamped envelope for faster return of your documents. Documents received without a return envelope and postage will be returned through the State Department regular mail, which can result in a 2-3 week delay. You can use Fed/Ex, UPS, and express mail services for faster receipt/return of your documents. However, you must enclose a prepaid airbill and envelope.

Mail to:

U.S. Department of State
Authentications Office
518 23rd Street NW SA-1
Columbia Plaza
Washington, DC 20520

 STEP 4:

Bring this document with you to the immigration office when you renew, or else supply it to your recruiter when you apply.  Congrats!

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Can I Bring My Video Games to South Korea?

Someone asked if they can bring their XBOX 360 to South Korea and I also own and play an XBOX 360 and I did some google searches and failed to find a website with a clear guide to this problem.  I managed to figure it out with by experimentation after I arrived in Korea.  So, I will try and do my best to pass on what I have learned.

I came to Korea with my XBOX 360.  I did so with out knowing how electronics outside of North America differ.  I currently have with me a variety of electronics made in (or rather made for) the United States: a Gateway laptop, a WD external hardrive, a Nikon camera, a Nokia cell phone, and a Sony mp3 player.  All of these electronics have worked fine when I just use a common prong adapter.  However, certain electronics cannot be used anywhere in the world.  Video games systems are one of these unfortunate exceptions.  So if you have a Microsoft XBOX 360, Sony Playstation 3, or Nintendo Wii, this applies to you if you want to bring your consoles to South Korea.

Ask a Waygook - What to Pack for a Year in South Korea

I have been contacted by a couple people who have taken a job to teach English in South Korea over the last several months and have asked me what I think they should consider buying or packing for their move.  I have compiled this list from several different sources including facebook groups, recruiter websites, and other blogs.  These are my recommendations of special items to bring.

To begin, this post is assuming that you have already successfully gone through the hiring process and have your work visa and plane ticket to come over here.  Congratulations, you are a rock star and your life will never be the same!

Ask a Waygook - Top Ten Reasons to Teach in South Korea

Numerous people have contacted me through e-mail and asked me something to the effect of why did I choose to come to South Korea over other ESL teaching destinations.  In the future I will just send this list I have made to anyone who contacts me about this.

This is purely what I think.  I am sure that I am missing many other great reasons, but this is I feel a solid list why I think South Korea should be the top ESL teaching destination in the world.

I am also not a recruiter.  I am not trying to sell anyone on anything for a commission. This is all the truth as I belief it to be so.  It also should go without saying that before you consider teaching abroad you should enjoy working with children and be interested in adapting to a foreign culture.

Ask a Waygook - Salary and Cost of Living of an English Teacher in South Korea?

Many people who have contacted me have asked me about my salary and my ability to save money while teaching English in South Korea.  This post should hopefully help readers better understand what the salary and benefits of being in English teacher in South Korea would be like.

First, the salary and benefits of working in South Korea of course subtly vary from position to position between public schools, private schools, after-school academies, and universities.  I posted a sample contract for the English Program in Korea (EPIK).  Anyone can read that to see exactly what they would be signing.  The contracts for G-EPIK and SMOE are also nearly the same as EPIK.  This covers probably around half of all the native English speaking teachers in South Korea (somewhere around 10,000 teachers?).

Ask a Waygook - Sample NET Contract

Nobody asked yet, but I thought it might be useful to post a copy of a typical contract that a native English speaker would sign to live and work in South Korea.  Private academy contracts of course vary from school to school, but this contract is for the Fall 2010 EPIK program and nearly every public school native English speaking teacher in the country has a contract almost identical to this.

FYI: the contracts that are signed are both in English and Korean, but I have not posted the Korean portions of the contract because I figured nobody reading this would be able to read it.  E-mail me for whatever reason if you actually want the Korean text of the contract.

Ask a Waygook - Tips for New Teachers?

Waygook,

Today is the first day of school for me and I was wondering if you have any advice for a new ESL teacher starting in Korea.

Thanks, John

To begin, if you are a native English teacher like me, there is a wide range of situations you could be in.  I can only go off of personal experience for me as a public school teacher, but much can carry over to native English speakers working in hagwons or private academies.

Here is my list of tips for new people just starting:

Patience the First Week -- 

Congratulations, you have the job!  You are probably going to be eager to get started right away, so you may feel confused when you are told to just sit at your desk and do nothing the first week.  In most public schools, subject teachers do not teach classes the first week and in many cases do not even have their own teaching schedules yet.  If they give you no information about what you will be doing, it is because they have none to give you.  Bring entertainment to fill your free time at work the first week.

Check Your Schedule --

Once you have a schedule, look at it.  Seriously, if something looks questionable or ridiculous, say something immediately.  My first semester I was too timid to give my input or ask questions about my schedule.  I later found out that the coworker who made my schedule would have just changed whatever I wanted if I bothered to ask to her politely.  Do not be afraid to ask for things.  This might be seen as rude if a Korean teacher did it, but your Korean coteachers will give you a lot of freedom if they think you will be more comfortable and effective teaching their students.

Passwords and Combinations --

There was a lock combination on the office door I shared with four other teachers and passwords on all the computers.  I sat around waiting the first couple weeks for someone to tell me what they were and nobody ever did.  Eventually one of them realized I did not know them.  She then asked why I never bothered to ask anyone what they were. I then asked her why nobody bothered to tell me what they were.  We just blankly stared at each other.  You will have some of these moments at your school.  JUST ASK!

Good First Impressions --

This is an obvious one.  Try and make a good first impression on everyone, but the most important person at your school that you need to make a good first impression on is probably your vice-principal.  At least in elementary schools, they usually handle all the laborious administrative paperwork and annoying formalities.  If you ever get a toothache and want to leave work early to see a dentist, make sure this person likes you.  Your life will be easier.

Learn Names --

I am not talking about your students.  I have six hundred or so, that is impossible.  I mean your Korean coworkers.  If you think their names are difficult to remember and pronounce on the first day, guess what, they are still going to be difficult for you to remember and pronounce in six months.  Except you will look like an idiot in six months standing next them awkwardly without saying their name because you need their attention for something.  As soon as you meet a new person you might be seeing on a regular basis, write down their name in English and find a way to memorize them.

First Class --

There are lots of theories and ideas about what to do your first class like setting the tone, making rules, commanding respect, bla, bla, bla.  I am of the philosophy that if you just stay calm, be confident, and remain flexible, the kids will respond positively.  My first week I had a quick powerpoint presentation of my family, where I was from, and what my hobbies were.  I then spent the rest of the time playing a question and guessing game.  How old am I? (they guess and I would say higher or lower) How tall am I in cm?  How much do I weigh in kg?  What is my favorite food?  What is my favorite color?  What is my favorite sport?  What is my favorite animal?  This is a great activity because they learn about you and get to basically review almost all the English they know. 

Money --

Watch what you spend your first month here. Your settlement allowance might not be deposited until after your first week of teaching and do not expect to get your flight reimbursement until the end of your first month when you also get your first month's pay anyways.  Delay unnecessary purchases for your apartment and stay simple until you finish your first month.

Do Not Stop Eating --

If you do not think you can eat the school lunches, then bring snacks and food to school with you.  If your coteacher takes you out to have raw fish and you only eat the rice, then go home and make sure you eat something you like.  Do not stop eating.  Find Korean foods and foreign friendly restaurants you like in your city and try and maintain a healthy, normal diet.  Living in a new country and starting a new job will be stressful.  Try and eat well and get some rest.

Learn Bus Routes --

Find a bus map and then go on an adventure.  Do not let all the scary Korean words and hundreds of routes on the map scare you off.  The bus system here is cheap, efficient, and (depending on the driver) exciting!  Find the nearest bus stop to you on a map and figure out where the major bus lines go.  You might find a useful shopping center or a new favorite restaurant.  Do not just decide you will take a taxi every time you leave your house.  This will save you money and give you more freedom and independence in the city.

Scout Your Neighborhood --

I still have not fully explored my neighborhood (because I am a hypocrite).  I feel like once every week or so I say “Dammit, I never saw that was there before.  Why did I not know about this place?”  I keep finding stores in my own neighborhood (like an autobank, a Han’s Deli, a kimbap shop, a teacher supplies store, a dollar store, a printer place).  It is easy to ignore what you see on the streets because there are so many annoying, colorful banners everywhere with large bold face Korean print.  Be conscious to try and spot places of use to you close to your home.  Your life will be easier.

Befriend Your Landlord or Landlady -- 

Meet whoever runs your building and ask them to adopt you.  If you just stand there and look pathetic enough, they will take you in.  My landlady took one look at me and then insisted on being my adopted Korean mother.  My life has been significantly easier as a result of this.  She introduced to me all the neighbors.  She takes me shopping. She buys and makes me dinner occasionally.  She helps me organize and pay all my monthly bills.  She has showed me how to use my Korean appliances and has fixed stuff in my apartment.  She helped me set up my internet and straightened out problems with my phone company.  She helped me figure out how to do international and internet banking.  Unlike your Korean coteachers, your landlord or landlady probably has a lot of free time on their hands and there is the convenience of them living in your building.  My landlady does not even speak English.  Do not be deterred by the language barrier.  It is easier to communicate in basic gestures and stuff written on paper than you would think.

Be Fearless of Koreans --

You do not know the language.  You probably will not learn the language to any level of mastery or comfort in the near future.  Many Koreans have had contact with and experience with foreigners who cannot speak Korean.  Be unapologetic about not knowing the language and I say just fake it until you make it.  Do not be afraid to eat somewhere, or shop somewhere, or visit somewhere just because you do not know the language.  Wherever you go and whatever you do, just be polite and respectful and Koreans will give you excellent service.

Just Go With It --

This is probably the best advice you will get in life.  Your experience here will be flawed.  You will have "i-hate-korea" days.  You will meet rude Koreans.  You will feel like other native teachers will have better neighborhoods, better apartments, better coteachers, or better schedules.  You will have bad students.  You will at times feel jerked around or disrespected at work.  Koreans may try and hit you with their cars.  Do not let the little things here sour the whole experience.  Living here is a fantastic opportunity and working in the Korean education system is a valued and respected job in Korea.  Stay humble and be grateful.

Realize You Are A Dumb Waygook --

We are not from this country.  We are not of this culture.  Few other countries around the world know and understand Korea even a little bit.  Be humble.  Be modest.  Be respectful.  And do not be afraid to ask questions!  The vast majority of Koreans want us here and want to share themselves with us.  So open up! 

If anyone has anything else to add, please comment!