English Magazines in Korea

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Various Free local English magazines in Korea.

These English magazines in Korea, provide information on the following topics:

– Things to do, Korea’s Treasures (Places to go), Events, Comprehensive Guides, Interviews and so much more!!

 

Groove Korea 

More expats turn to Groove Korea than any other publication in the country for our news analysis and extensive community, music, sports, travel and food coverage.
Groove Korea is the country’s most-read English publication, including the three daily newspapers. 

This is their online issue for November 2013:

 

Seoul Magazine

Seoul Selection is a Seoul-based book and magazine publisher. They publish SEOUL, a monthly English language magazine that provides a wealth of information for foreigners traveling and living in Seoul.

With in-depth reporting on culture and living, foreigners’ perspectives on living in Korea, an overview of Seoul events and cultural news, SEOUL magazine is an indispensable resource for those who want an insider’s viewpoint of Seoul life.

An online edition of November 2013:

 

Busan Haps

They claim:

“It’s for you. The reader. The Writer. The Photographer. And the people typing weird things in Google.”

Busan Haps Magazine is a bi-monthly print magazine featuring stories of people from all walks of life in Busan, covering news and trends in lifestyle, society and more.

If this is for you, you can find the issue of Fall 2013 here:

 

10 Magazine is more than just a magazine. In its many forms, it’s the #1 resource in Korea for expats and tourists who are desperate for information on where to go and what to do in this country.

Find their Facebook page here:

 

PIK

PIK is an online photography magazine featuring contemporary photography from established and emerging photographers living in Korea.

PIK publishes in-depth exhibitions, tips, reviews, and interviews and care- fully curated imagery, with the goal of helping to showcase lesser known but significant photographers, and bring their originality, creativity and style to a wider audience.

Find below the link to their second issue, November 2013:

 

 

Can you advise on any other English magazines in Korea worth reading?

Let us know!

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

Hagwon vs Public School

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Hagwon vs Public School

So, you’ve decided that you want to teach English in Korea. Now you need to decide: hagwon vs public school?

We will try to help you by providing the details you need to make an informed decision.

 

Hagwon: 

  • Several foreigners will be working with you
  • Typical working hours are afternoons through the evening (1pm – 9pm, or something like that)
  • Ages: Elementary and Middle school
  • Curriculum: It depends on the school, but it is usually pretty structured
  • Training: You might receive short orientation when you first arrive
  • Size of classes: 10-15
  • Paid vacation: 10 days, and you might get some National Holidays
  • Salary is set according to the teacher’s experience and education
  • Round-trip Airfare
  • Health insurance will be split 50/50 with your employer
  • A studio style apartment that might be partially furnished – housing allowance provided if needed
  • Severance bonus upon completion of your contract
  • Hiring Season: throughout the year

Public Schools:

  • You will likely be the only foreigner in the whole school
  • Ages: Elementary, Middle, High school
  • Typical working hours: daytime (8:30am – 4:30pm)
  • Curriculum: Government provided. Youwill need to supplement the lessons with your own material though
  • Training: 3 day orientation provided
  • Size of classes: 30+
  • Paid vacation: 15 days, as well as National Holidays
  • Salary is entry-level (2.1 mil won/month) if you’re a 1st year teacher
  • Round-trip Airfare
  • Health insurance – split 50/50 with your employer
  • Studio style apartment, partially furnished – housing allowance provided if needed
  • Severance bonus with the completion of your contract
  • Hiring Season: February/March and August/September

 

For more information, find below two more in-depth articles:  

– Types of Teaching positions in South Korea

– Hagwons vs Public Schools

 

 

Advantages and disadvantages of teaching abroad

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Looking to move abroad soon? Living and working overseas as an English teacher will be challenging. One thing you can always count on: we will provide you with honest and upfront information so that you can make well-informed decisions.  Find below the advantages and disadvantages of teaching abroad (specifically in China and Korea):

Advantages (Pro’s):

  • East Asia is currently recognized as one of the best places to teach abroad internationally
  • Have a job set up before you leave home
  • Great Salary, Low Cost of Living… save a lot of money, pay off loans, etc!
  • Free (or discounted) housing provided with contract (utilities excluded)
  • Renewal bonus or severance pay upon completion of contract
  • Paid vacation days
  • Korea: 50% Medical insurance and Pension
  • An extensive public transportation system (Subway / Bus / Train / Flight)
  • Travel opportunities: It’s cheap and easy to visit other Asian countries!
  • An opportunity to absorb a new culture, meet new people, and continue writing a great story
  • Life is easy! A cliché, yet so true.

Additional Information: Why teach abroad

 

Disadvantages (Cons):

  • You may be the only foreigner at your school
  • You will experience culture shock for the first few months
  • You have to sign at least a one year contract
  • Students are cute, but they are just normal kids… you’ll want to pull out your hair at times…
  • East Asian philosophies of education are very different than they are in the Western world
  • You will get stared at. Relentlessly.
  • Pressure from parents – they want their kids to learn English!

Additional Information: Let’s be Frank

English_Pong_01_2013

 

Feel free to send us an email for more detailed answers at [email protected]

Life in the countryside

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Live in the countryside: Eumseong

This is a town with no Lotte Mart or E-mart, no subways or shopping mall, and definitely no Dunkin’ Donuts.  It was rare to see a new foreigner, and there wasn’t the same “bustling nightlife” as you find in bigger Korean cities. Live in the countryside was a little bit different than life in the city.

 

 

Eumseong is best known for being the birthplace of Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General.

 

One of the things I miss most about the countryside is the bus ride to Seoul. It was the one time where I could totally switch off and let my mind wander.

 

I loved how close I was to authentic Korean culture. The friends I made then are friends I will have forever! Now, I live in Seoul. I have more access to Western amenities and expat friendships.

 

My Korea was a lot smaller back then. I love Seoul, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the quiet town of Eumseong.

 

Life in the Countryside of Korea was an amazing experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Whether it is the city or the country, make the best of what you have! You’ll miss it the most when it’s gone.