Product Description

Korea Calling is a convenient guide for potential English teachers in South Korea. Separated in three sections: 1)Getting a Job 2) Teaching English to Koreans; and 3) Surviving Korean Culture, the book is easy to use and very thorough. The Teaching section itself is a "greatest hits" of teaching ideas for the classroom, time-tested methods for teaching English to the Korean Market.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #227576 in Books
• Published on: 1996-11
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 174 pages

Customer Reviews

English trumps Esperanto...
as the "universal" language, with immense benefits to its native speakers. Few countries on earth are as focused on having their citizens learn the language of the world as Korea. Currently the Korean government is undertaking a massive recruitment guide for teachers, so that the Korean families are not split up, as many mothers are now taking their children to a native English speaking country to learn the language. This is an essential guide for anyone considering the wonderful opportunity of a foreign experience while performing a useful social function.

The guide was written 13 years ago, so certain information is certainly out of date. Regrettably, Woodpecker Press does not appear to have a website, which could provide updates to these portions. Fortunately the Internet is much more prevalent than in 1996, so the reader would need to go to the relevant sites to obtain current information on visas, exchange rates, accommodations, and prices. These portions are only 10 % of the book.

The core of the book - the actual methods for teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) remains valid today. There is an "overview", the basics, which is written specifically for Korea, and does emphasize, for example, the greater importance of appearances in that culture. (Read: No nose rings!) Then there are separate chapters on teaching children and adults. One of the real strengths of each chapter is specific curriculum ideas for each category, for example, making a magazine, and keeping a diary for the kids, and cooking and the cultural differences of "ugly American" / "ugly Korean" for adults. There is also another portion on teacher essentials, which is a suggested list of items to bring with you.

There is also a chapter on Korean culture, and the actual aspects of living in the country, injudiciously entitled "Surviving Korea" as though it were Antarctica. Title aside, the information is most useful. In addition, there is a pertinent section is the 10 best things about Korea, and the 10 worse, which gives tangible examples of the actual differences between the cultures.

Finally, although the books suggests going there on a tourist visa, and checking out the particular circumstances of employment first, our daughter did go through an agency, and with the changes in 13 years, and increased emphasis on improved English language training, hopefully she will not be disappointed in Kwang-ju

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the best book I have yet to read about living/teaching in Korea. It has prepared me for my trip to Korea. I was amazed about everything the authors had to say. Having read this book has prepared me and therefore I know what to expect when I get there.

I would recommend this book to anyone who plans to travel to Korea to teach or may be as a tourist.

A must have for English Teachers
This book is great for the person that is considering moving to Korea to teach English. It helps you determine that maybe you aren't completely insane by wanting to move to a completely foreign culture half way around the globe.