Discover the World of African Dance

Discover the World of African Dance Learn to Master these African Dance Moves ChaptersWhy Learn African Dance Steps?What Are the Different Types of African Dance?Learn African Dance Moves at a Dance SchoolAfrican Dance Classes at Dance AssociationsTake Private Lessons in African DanceFed up with traditional Zumba classes online, floor barre workouts and tap dance lessons? Why not try African dance with a qualified and experienced dance teacher?African dances are well known for being both energetic and technical!Thanks to a recent surge in popularity, African dance is now accessible for all dancing levels, from beginners to experts and everything in between. Dance in twos, in a large group or solo: there is something for everyone!Read our advice to learn to dance as if you're in Africa!Ace Dance Music in BirminghamMovema in Liverpool and BristolDsantos Dance UK  in South LondonDance House in GlasgowDance Classes in Bangor, North WalesDU Dance in Belfast, Northern IrelandUnfortunately, national dance schools do not offer African dance training, focusing primar ily on contemporary, classical and modern jazz dance classes.Nevertheless, more  independent dance schools offer specific lessons in African dance: so be on the lookout in your city!In school or in an association, from African dance to Irish dance, there is something for everyone.African Dance Classes at Dance AssociationsTo learn to dance in a friendly atmosphere, nothing like classes at a dance association!Some associations even organise trips to African countries. Why not show off your dancing talents abroad! Source: Visual HuntDance associations offer dance classes for educational purposes to promote values such as self-acceptance, respect and community. Most members of African dance associations make long-lasting friendships during these lessons.Classes in associations are therefore a wonderful way to discover African culture while enjoying dance lessons at reasonable prices. Indeed, associations are suited to all budgets and the price is adapted to your personal situation. For example, students, young people or job seekers can benefit from discounted rates for dance classes.Go ahead and register with a dance association today!Most of the time, you just have to fill out a registration form with your personal information, indicating your preferred style of dance. Associations should offer trial classes so that students can be confident in their learning.In some cases, associations ask for a medical certificate to prove you're fit to dance. As African dances are particularly demanding, it's important to be in good shape before starting classes!Want to try out another world dance? Immerse yourself in the world of Indian dance.Take Private Lessons in African DanceTo improve your dance technique, why not hire an African dance teacher just for you?With private African dance lessons, you'll be mistaken for a native in no time. Source: PixabayIn just a few clicks, beginners or experts in dance can find their perfect teacher to help them with warm-ups and improve their understanding of African dance. Furthermore, students don't have to have any old teacher: here, it is the pupil alone who chooses their teacher according to their experience and specialities.At Superprof, the average price of a one-hour African dance lesson is less than £30!An African dance class is usually held in a professional dance studio so that students can learn in the best conditions. More than 92% of our teachers offer their first hour of lessons for free: what more motivation do you need to give dancing a go?Getting a private teacher has many advantages:Regular follow-up for the student,Competitive rates,The opportunity to learn several styles of African dance,Your own choice of teacher,A negotiable price,The flexibility to take dance classes online,Learn dance exercises you can do yourself,African dance lessons for all levels, etc.Some African dance  students opt for group classes, with friends or family. In addition to being more economically friendly, this method of teaching is much more enjoyable and allows you to share your passion for dance with your loved ones!So, embark on a new adventure and become a pro in African dancing?From African to country dancing to Spanish dance lessons as well as online  Zumba classes, Superprof has you covered.

What is it Like to Attend University of Denver

What is it Like to Attend University of Denver The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Nadine is currently a sophomore at University of Denver majoring in Spanish and Communications. She specializes infirstgrade throughninthgrade Math tutoring, as well as English tutoringand Spanish tutoring. Check out what she had to say about University of Denver: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Nadine:The University of Denver campus is quite small, so transportation never seems to be an issue. I personally longboard around campus, and many of my friends bike, but you can get from one side of campus to the other with a 15-minute walk. Students are given free RTD passes, which enable us to use any form of city transportation (i.e. buses and the light rail), but it is honestly unnecessary unless you are living very far from campus. University of Denver is located on the outskirts of the city. It is a very safe campus, but a 15-minute light rail ride can take you right into the heart of Denver. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Nadine:The professors and advisers I have had so far have been very available. If you email with a question, they will undoubtedly respond within 24 hours. If you are looking to meet during hours outside of their normal office hours, they are more than willing to work with you and to find a time that suits you both. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Nadine:Although I currently live off-campus, I thoroughly enjoyed my dorm experience. I lived in a Living and Learning Community, which anyone is able to apply for, and that is where I met the majority of my friends here at University of Denver. Living in the dorms is a great way to socialize with new people, but there are also plenty of clubs and organizations that one can become involved withI have also made a large amount of friends through my club involvements. There are two main dining halls, which serve a variety of food, as well as a few other places to each at, such as Subway or the late-night pub. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Nadine:University of Denvers Daniels College of Business is by far the most represented and supported here; many students come here specifically to study Business. However, I am currently double-majoring in Spanish and Communications. I chose these two majors because I am genuinely interested in them, and I know that I will choose a more specific subject related to teaching when I get my Masters degree. Although the main focus is Business, University of Denver supports all majors, and it even has an opportunity where you can create your own. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Nadine:Because I was very involved in clubs, club sports, and my Living and Learning Community, it was very easy to meet new people and make new friends. I would say that as long as you are willing to put in the effort to try new things, you will be successful in finding compatible friends. About 20% of students at University of Denver are involved in Greek life. I have many friends who enjoy it, but I personally decided not to be a part of it, and I have never felt my social life has suffered because of that choice. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Nadine:Although I have limited experience with the Career Center, the few times that I have visited were very helpful. The counselor I met with provided me with advice on applying to certain internships, and she goes out of her way to inform me of company opportunities that I may be interested in. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Nadine:I spend a lot of time in our library, which was built about two years ago. The library is beautiful and very spacious. There are multiple floors with varying silence levels. During midterms and finals, the library becomes much more crowded than usual, but there is never a problem finding a quiet place to study and get work done. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Nadine:We are very fortunate to have Denver very close to our campus. It is a very unique and spacious city with a lot of opportunities. Some choose to go downtown for various reasons, but there are many choices around the general campus in terms of restaurants, bars, etc. If there is something you are looking for that is not near University of Denver, I am sure you will be able to find it with a quick ride on the light rail. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Nadine:The undergraduate population at University of Denver is around 5,500, which I believe is the perfect size. It is small enough where you are always running into someone you know, but also large enough where you are always meeting new people too. I have been very pleased with my class sizes so far. My largest class, which was a general science class, had about 60 students, and my smallest class had about 8. This year, my largest class has been about 25 students. I am very happy with the class sizes here. It was a large factor in picking University of Denver for my undergraduate education. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Nadine:For my Freshman Seminar Class, I took a course called Revolutions and Revolutionaries in Latin America, which I very much enjoyed. The professor was absolutely wonderful, and I learned a tremendous amount. One day in the spring, I was with a friend throwing a Frisbee around before our biology class, and my professor and his friend saw us and joined in. We played for about 15 minutes together, discussing random current events and joking around. I do not believe that at many schools I could have a close connection with a professor like this. I believe that the professors genuinely enjoy what they teach here, and it makes it much more enjoyable to be a student when the professor is passionate about what he or she is here for. Check out Nadines tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

What are your principles A listening exercise

What are your principles A listening exercise What are you principles? How do they affect decisions you make at work? We hear  of large corporations and governmental corruption so often that I wonder: What happened to these peoples principles? When did they stop caring?Would you not take a job based on your principles? Would you stand up to your boss based on your principles? Where do you draw the line?Listen to Morgan Freeman discuss losing  job opportunities based on his principles, then see if you can answer the questions.Answer the questions below in comments, and well respond.1. How often did Morgan Freeman go to the movies?2. What observation does he make about disaster movies from this period?3. Why didnt he get much work in the early 80s?4. ______ to say, I didnt get that job.5. How did he feel about the movie Glory? Why?6. What does he need in his acting roles?7. What type of roles or movies does he refuse to take part in?Tell us  about corruption in your country. What causes corruption? Do you have a solution?

Teacher Tip When to Refer Students for Tutoring Help

Teacher Tip When to Refer Students for Tutoring Help Teacher Tip: When to Refer Students for Tutoring Help When a student is having difficulty in school, intervening sooner than later can make a world of difference. Here are a few signs that a student may need one-to-one, personalized tutoring: The student is just getting by. Some struggling students fly under the radar because theyre not failing and theyre not overly troublesome, yet they frequently miss important concepts and have a hard time keeping up. Students like this are often slow to finish work and constantly seem overwhelmed. The student has become despondent or angry. If the student is unusually moody or unhappyon top of being disengaged in classit may be time to investigate whats going on. This is especially concerning if the student previously had an optimistic disposition. The student is highly disorganized. No student is perfect when it comes to keeping things neat and orderly, but if you have a student whose disorganization interferes with learning on a regular basis, some targeted attention to study skills improvement could help. The student just doesnt care. Often, students who are apathetic about school feel that they are past the point of help. Their self-esteem has taken a nose dive, and their school problems seem insurmountable. The student who fails despite lots of studying. If the student who seems to complete homework and participates during class performs poorly on tests and quizzes, it could be that the student is struggling to understand concepts independently. The student who doesnt complete assignments. Clearly, a student who stops doing homework or reading assignments altogether may have grown apathetic due to repeated struggles to understand what you are teaching. If you have a student who is showing one or more of these signs, call Huntington at 1-800-CAN LEARN. Well share more with you about our supplemental education services and how best to help your student.

Errors and Mistakes in Language Learning A Field Guide

Errors and Mistakes in Language Learning A Field Guide Errors and Mistakes in Language Learning: A Field Guide You never see them coming.They get you LOLing and even ROFLing.Lets face facts: sometimes messing up is the highlight of your day.While some language mistakes are funny, if your goal is fluency, youll have to work hard to cut out mistakes and errors. Thats because errors in language learning  can have some serious consequences.Language acquisition  comes with a lot of laughs, but that doesnt mean its all fun and games.Linguists, psychologists and language teachers have studied language acquisition extensively, so if this is a topic that interests you, you might want to sample the abundant literature on the topic.For instance,  Second Language Acquisition by Wolfgang Klein discusses the process of learning another language.  Errors in Language Learning and Use by Carl James focuses more squarely on the role errors can play in language education.For now, though, lets dive in head-first with a basic primer in common mistakes and errors you might encounter on your learning journey. Why Its Important to Be Aware of Common Errors and MistakesFirst, its important to be aware of typical errors and mistakes in order to avoid falling into common issues. For instance, if you know that many language learners avoid difficult constructs, you can try to prevent this error by putting extra effort into studying the most difficult concepts, like the subjunctive mode.Think of errors and mistakes as potholes in the road to language learning. If you spot them up ahead, you can swerve. If not, youre in for a rough ride.Plus, being aware of common errors and mistakes will  remind you that youre not alone when you stumble upon them. Language learners can be pretty hard on themselves. When you encounter a roadblock, it can be easy to feel defeated.Knowing that a lot of learners encounter these problems will help you remember that it happens to nearly everyone. Even people who have  learned multiple languages  have likely stumbled into mistakes and errors at some point.Errors and Mist akes in Language Learning: A Field GuideColloquially, we might use mistakes and errors interchangeably, but in linguistics, theyre two distinct concepts.Mistakes entail failing to apply the rules consistently. This means you know the rule, you just dont always follow it. People often make mistakes in their native languages, too.Between errors and mistakes, errors are the more threatening adversary. Theyre a result of lack of proper knowledge.Lets look at mistakes first.Common Mistakes in Language LearningFailing to use proper verb tensesWhen conjugating verbs in a foreign language, students might stick with simpler verb tenses than are necessary since theyre more familiar. This usually means using the infinitive or simple present tense. For instance, students learning English might slip up and say I am sick even if the want to indicate that it has been ongoing, which would be better captured with I have been sick.Since important information such as time frames and conditionality can be conveyed through verb tenses, its important to use the right tense for your intended meaning. Completing verb exercises and using a wide array of verb tenses through speaking and writing practice will pay off in droves.Misusing vocabularyMany students often misuse vocabulary. You  memorize words  and chances are you really do know what they mean, but if youre speaking or writing quickly, you might sometimes slip up and misuse a word or forget it altogether.For instance, even when you know that the Spanish word embarazada means pregnant, you could slip up and try to use it to mean embarrassed.  Luckily, practice makes perfect. The more often you use the words youve learned, the less likely youll misuse them.Subject/verb agreementDepending on what language youre learning, there will be different verb endings to go along with different subjects. Ensuring that your subject and verb agree will help clarify which subject goes with which verb.For instance, a student learning English mi ght say they eats. However, learners may struggle with this due to lack of practice. The more writing and speaking practice you have, the less likely youll struggle with subject/verb agreement.Gender agreementMany languages have gendered nouns and adjectives. Since this is something that English lacks, students may find it a little tricky. To avoid mistakes with gender agreement, its important to make gender an important part of your word study. Another valuable trick is to pay attention to gender patterns.Often times, words of a particular gender will share a similar ending. For instance, someone studying Russian might not remember if ?????? is masculine or feminine. However, if theyve studied that the -???? ending is masculine, theyre less likely to slip up. Over time, studying endings will make it easy to identify the gender of a word without having to consciously think about it.Common Errors in Language LearningSecond Language Learning Errors Their Types, Causes, and Treatment b y Hanna Y. Touchie identifies several of these common errors in language learning. For additional details on their causes and treatment, you might consider referring back to this helpful study.Applying rules from your native language (also known as L1 interference or language transfer)Its widely accepted  that language students take some elements of their first language and apply it to their second. While the exact nature of the transfer varies between languages, it may often include grammatical rules.Its only natural. Since youre more familiar with your native language, it can be easy to transfer rules from one to the other.What can you do to prevent it? Sadly, the verdict is out on this. Researchers continue to study L1 interference/language transfer looking for a solution.Inaccurate or incomplete educationWhether its from faulty teaching or simply not learning enough, a flawed education can result in errors.To avoid this, be sure to use quality resources and/or seek a well-prepar ed teacher. To ensure you have sufficient education, you can continue taking courses or using other learning materials until you reach your desired level of proficiency.If youre studying a language yourself, you might consider an online language teacher to help fill in the gaps or clarify certain concepts.AvoidanceAvoidance occurs when a language structure is particularly difficult. For instance, native Chinese and Japanese speakers often avoid relative clauses when speaking English.Ironically, avoiding difficult structures is self perpetuatingâ€"they wont get easier if you dont practice themâ€"so try to use the most appropriate structures possible even if they require extra effort. Set a timer and plan on spending 15 minutes a day studying this topic. Soon youll find that it isnt as overwhelming as you once thought.SimplificationSimplification is similar to avoidance in that it often stems from a structure being to difficult. Learners use a simpler form in place of complex structur es because they dont quite get it.For instance, some learners may consistently use simpler verb tenses in place of more challenging tenses. While using a wrong verb form can also be a mistake (when a learner has the knowledge, but fails to implement the rules correctly), consistently choosing simpler verb forms is an error of simplification.OvergeneralizationOvergeneralization occurs when a learner incorrectly applies a rule to a situation in which that rule does not apply.  One study  indicated that this may be more common in elementary students than intermediate students.For instance, if a Spanish student conjugated the present tense  yo (I)  form of  estar  (to be) as  esto, this would be an error of overgeneralization. While a similar conjugation would work for most verbs,  estar  is irregular and doesnt follow standard rules.To avoid overgeneralization, it helps to pay particular attention to exceptions to rules, such as irregular verbs.HypercorrectionHypercorrection (also call ed induced errors) occurs when students have been over corrected, ironically pushing them to make new errors.For instance, since many Spanish words begin with  es, you may hear some Spanish speakers begin English-language words with a similar sound. For instance,  especial. However, native Spanish speakers who are diligently studying English may go to the extreme to avoid this, hypercorrecting by avoiding  es even when English words call for it. For instance, they may say sential instead of essential.FossilizationLike fossils, fossilization errors occur when something has been around for a long time. In this case, fossilization refers to how errors that have been repeated over and over can become fossilized, and therefore hard to get rid of.Remember: Language learning builds on itself, so starting out with a strong foundation is important.False concepts hypothesizedFalse concepts hypothesized refers to errors that stem when learners make incorrect assumptions about their target lang uage. Because they believe these assumptions are correct, errors will consistently occur.For instance,  one example  would be a student learning English who thinks is is necessary to indicate present tense. Therefore, he/she might say She is read book.Obviously, avoiding assumptions is helpful, but having a teacher or tutor who can correct you before these habits become ingrained is also useful.Remember, dont take yourself too seriously, but keep an eye out for these mistakes and errors on your path to fluency! And One More ThingSo now you know what not to do in learning a language, but what should you do?Authentic media like the kind on FluentU helps you avoid and train yourself out of common errors and mistakes over time, since it gives you important context you cant ignore along with the language.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that natives  speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, including movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse Screen.FluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive Transcripts You can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.

An International Look at the Denver Debate

An International Look at the Denver Debate Photo from Facebook.com by University of Denver Some time passed and my flatmates came back. Not much had happened excitement-wise on my screen, so I lowered the volume and invited them to come in and talk while I watched. Of course, in the U.S., we always say that its rude to discuss religion and politics in social settings, but what Ive found here is that within minutes of finding out that youre American, the English want to know your opinion on the election. Its best to have your answer prepared to be discussed at length. Two of my British flatmates and two of my American flatmates sat with me that night and what I noticed most was that not only did the Brits know far more about the election and the politics of America, but they  cared more. They nearly fell out of their chairs, mouths agape, when one of the Americans told us that she didnt plan on voting in this election because she simply didnt really have any sort of opinion on who won. From there, we began a debate of our own on why or why not one should vote in an election. While a few jokes were tossed around about escaping Britain for freedom, the main point of discussion came down to the fact that though we have the right to vote, there seems to be no good candidate to vote for. In England, Obama is seen as an extremely smooth and cool president, and thanks to Romneys gaffe during the London Olympics, hes not at all well-received here. However, it seems to me that because Englands own politics are a bit in shambles right now, they see the American struggles as merely a bump in the road; in short, they think Obama is doing well enough.  In that way, theyre right. He is doing well enough, but not great, and thats the problem that most Americans have with him. I will be honest and tell you that I chose to have this discussion over watching the end of the debate. I felt that it was more important to get the global perspective on things rather than watch two grown men have a pissing match, repeating their meagre platforms that will probably never become more than that. I have heard that Romney won this debate, that Obama seemed careless and unprepared, but it all means nothing because unless they create truly moving points to sway the opinions of voters, rather than focusing on bashing one another. No one will care unless they give them a reason to, except maybe the Brits, but remember, they cant vote.

How much can you earn and save teaching English in South Korea

How much can you earn and save teaching English in South Korea South Korea is one of the best countries to teach English and save money in. This is due to the cheap cost of living, relatively high salaries and benefits offered to international teachers. Although it’s not the highest salary in the ESL teaching market, it’s one of the easiest countries to save money in due to the low setup cost, and the fact that flights, housing, healthcare and bonuses are thrown into the mix. Most teachers that journey to Korea walk away from the experience debt free and with savings. The salary and benefits play an important role in why so many teachers flock to Korea every year. But, there are a bajillion other reasons to take the plunge: from Kimchi to KPOP, there’s no end to the amount of Korean culture becoming mainstream and curiosity about the peninsula is growing. There isn’t a foodie worth their salt that hasn’t waxed lyrical about Korea’s fermented dishes or a beauty-addict worth their lip gloss that hasn’t tried Korea’s snail-mucus skin care (way less gross than it sounds!). Couple a growing global cultural curiosity about South Korea with the awesome salaries and potential savings on offer for ESL teachers and you’ve basically got a country that’s a magnet for teachers of all experience levels. We’ll save the historical intrigue, next-level scenery, and sheer charm of Korean culture for another day. For now, consider this your comprehensive guide to salary and finances as an ESL teacher in South Korea. Just tell me how much an ESL teacher makes in South Korea already A quick google will reveal that ESL teachers in South Korea will make anywhere from $1,600 - 2,000 USD a month. Most salaries will fall in this range, but as with all things quickly googled, this information barely skims the surface of how much you will earn and save in South Korea. The REAL average salary for English teachers in South Korea ?? Average salaries vary depending on your experience, qualifications and the type of institution you’ll be teaching at. There are three main types of positions for ESL teachers in South Korea: public schools, private schools and colleges/universities. The following table gives an overview of what salary and benefits you can expect at the low, mid and high salary ranges for each of the three main categories. Salary and benefits for English teachers in South Korea Low range in USD/month Mid range in USD/month High range in USD/month Public Schools (e.g. EPIK, JLP, GEPIK) Salary $1,600 $2,000 $2,400 Benefits Housing 50% health care Return flights End-of-year bonus (i.e. one month’s salary) Settlement allowance (approx. $300) 20 days paid vacation Pension plan (refundable) Housing 50% health care Return flights End-of-year bonus (i.e. one month’s salary Settlement allowance (approx. $300) 20 days paid vacation Pension plan (refundable) Housing 50% health care Return flights End-of-year bonus (i.e. one month’s salary Settlement allowance (approx. $300) 20 days paid vacation Pension plan (refundable) Private Schools (aka Hagwons) Salary $1,600 $1,800 $2,000 Benefits Housing Return flights Housing Return flights Housing Return flights Universities Salary $2,000 $2,500 $3,000 Benefits Generous housing stipend/housing Up to eight weeks paid vacation days 50% health care Pension plan Generous housing stipend/housing Up to eight weeks paid vacation days 50% health care Pension plan Generous housing stipend/housing Up to eight weeks paid vacation days 50% health care Pension plan Private vs. public schools in Korea: why the difference in salary? Private schools used to pay much higher wages for ESL teachers, but in recent years, public schools have closed the gap, adding a bunch of benefits to their contracts to make them more attractive to native English speaking teachers. Generally speaking, public schools are a safer bet, teachers have less overall issues with things like end-of-year bonuses, getting deposits back and flights reimbursed. They also offer better hours and holidays. Some private schools offer a similar standard of living, but teachers would be advised to go through a recruitment company and research a private school thoroughly before flying across the world. There’s really no need to take the risk on a school you’re not sure about when there are plenty of schools with excellent reputations recruiting ESL teachers. ? Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. ? Looking to maximize your saving potential? Don’t overlook teaching in rural Korea. Many of the really rural schools don’t have enough funding (or students) to justify the expense of their own native English speaker. But they still value the experience. Smaller schools sometimes pay bigger schools to borrow their English teacher one day a week (referred to as a travel school), or to get a few hours with the native speaker online. The public school schedule isn’t high on hours (it can be anywhere from 9-22 hours a week, depending on your school). What this means is that you might get a position that ships you out to another school and gives you bonus pay for the inconvenience. Other schools will offer extra pay if you teach an hour or two online to nearby rural schools during your office hours. None of this is set in stone, but it’s worth considering a rural area if you’re determined to save a lot of money or have student debt. Rural areas have less English teachers so you usually get all sorts of bonuses and add-ons for the inconvenience of being stretched across multiple schools. If you’re worried about being stuck on the side of a Korean mountain, don’t be. Some rural locations have 30,000 residents! The towns are far from the remote villages you might have in mind. Public transport is second to none, and it’s worth noting that Korea is small. You’re never far from the nearest city. What are the the initial costs of getting set up to teach in South Korea? Korea is attractive to many graduates because it has a relatively low set-up cost. Within a month of landing, teachers will usually have their flights reimbursed as well as a settlement bonus to help them buy a few additional things for the apartment. Most apartments come equipped with what teachers need, but the bonus can be used to splash out on new bed sheets or buy a flashy blender. Many teachers pocket this money as savings as it’s the equivalent of about $300 USD. However, it’s important to note that you will have to shell out for flights (they will be reimbursed) and have enough money to last you the first month. Once you get through that first month you’ll get all the money back but it’s worth taking into consideration. What’s the deal with health insurance for English teachers in South Korea? Not only is healthcare super cheap in South Korea, but most public schools will offer a subsidized health care package. This means that if you do need to visit the hospital you won’t need to panic. Travel insurance can be pretty pricey if you’re going to live abroad for a year, so knowing that there’s healthcare lined up, means you don’t have to worry beyond getting travel insurance to cover you until the Korean health care package kicks in. What about pensions for ESL teachers in South Korea? Chances are that a pension isn’t high on your list of priorities right now, especially if you’re saving to pay off student debt or trying to save some money. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore this benefit when considering where to teach in South Korea. Teachers from Canada and the US can claim back whatever they’ve paid into their pension at the end of their contracts. Side gigs to boost your English teaching salary in Korea Can I make extra money by private tutoring on the side in South Korea? The easy answer is yes! South Korea is a highly competitive place for students and some parents will stop at nothing to get their students the best education possible. English is one of three core subjects in schools (excellent grades in Korean, math and English are required to get into any good university), so this means there are plenty of parents willing to hire foreign teachers as private tutors. The better answer is no! Although ESL teachers can pick up extra money by privately tutoring local students, this cash-in-hand process is actually in violation of visa stipulations. If you’re already under contract at a school, it’s a good idea to stick to the contract you’ve signed. The bonuses, paid flights and health insurance will far outweigh the benefits of risking it all for a sneaky extra $100 bucks a week through private tutoring. Instead, why not try: Teaching at a South Korean summer camp What many teachers don’t realize about teaching in South Korea is that once you’re there you may find other opportunities to supplement your income. When considering these opportunities make sure they come through official channels, as you don’t want to violate your visa. For example, programs like EPIK (one of the best teach abroad programs out there) and JLP will often pull from the pool of teachers already in the country to staff their English summer camps. These camps also attract some temporary contract teachers, but are largely staffed by people who work full time in one of Korea’s public schools. Read this:Everything you need to know about applying (and getting hired) for the EPIK program Hagwons will also run their own summer camps, but it may already be considered part of your initial contract. With public schools, anything outside of your main school hours (offered by the school board rather than your school) will be considered additional and will come with travel expenses and the equivalent of about $500 USD for a week of camp teaching. This can be a nice bonus at the end of term if you can get it. It’s also a nice way to meet other teachers and new students. How much can I save teaching English in South Korea? There’s no hard-and-fast number for this because everyone is different. Some teachers will spend lavishly on cosmetics and travel while others will operate on a tight budget. Teachers can easily save the equivalent of $10,000 USD while traveling and singing the nights away in Korea’s crazy Karaoke booths. Careful spenders can pocket as much as $17,000 USD. And the stingiest souls will save even more. You can enjoy an amazing lifestyle on very little in South Korea, but if you’re interested in saving or paying off a loan, you might want to make a budget and stick to it. It can be tempting to spend multiple weekends perusing the shopping districts of Seoul or jetting off to nearby Japan. But if you’ve got big plans for your salary, you should be a little careful. There are lots of inexpensive things to do. Most teachers manage to save or pay off a decent chunk of money while still enjoying all that being in Korea has to offer. If you’re interested in saving a LOT (and who isn’t), try to take most of your excursions in-country: hike the endless Korean mountains and eat mostly Korean food. The only things that are really expensive in Korea are imported goods. If you can get down with the bibimbap - you’ll be all set to make bank. How much is it actually possible to saveper monthteaching in South Korea? A lot of teachers manage to put aside between $700 - 1,000 USD per month. There are teachers that save a lot more and teachers that save considerably less, but teachers can live comfortably and still manage to save that much. Average cost of living in South Korea (based on Seoul - the most expensive city) Alright, so we could go blue in the face explaining how cheap Korea is. Rather than that, we’ll just give you a quick glimpse at some of the prices you can expect to find. This is the cost of living in South Korea at its most expensive (and some areas are considerably cheaper - hello rural towns!) Utilities Average cost in USD Basic (electricity, heating, air con, water, garbage) $160 Cell phone $60 per month for a contract $20/30 per month on some prepaid options Food Drink McDonald’s meal $5 Meal in a Korean restaurant (inexpensive) $6-7 Meal in a Korean restaurant (mid-range) $10-15 Cappuccino (regular) $4 Okay, so how easy is it to get a job teaching English in South Korea? Qualifying for teaching jobs in South Korea isn’t difficult. All you really need is a TEFL certificate and a bachelor’s degree. It’s possible to shop around for private positions or part-time gigs that won’t need both qualifications, but generally, most teachers will have these minimum requirements. Read this:Teaching English in Korea: What are the requirements? Korea rewards both experience and qualifications. The more teaching you do and the more qualifications you have, the more you’ll get paid. Some of the highest wages go to teachers that have built rewarding careers in Korea. Which makes Korea attractive to ESL teachers looking to build careers. Ready to make bank teaching in Korea? Great! If you’re interested in working as an ESL teacher in South Korea, then your best bet is to apply to teach at a public school through EPIK.If you’re not sure what you want and would like to see a range of opportunities, then take a look at the teaching jobs in South Korea on Teach Away and get your application in, stat! Fighting! (Koreans say something that sounds an awful lot like fighting (huwaiting!) when they cheer each other on… if you blurt out ‘fighting’ with a big grin, they will assume that’s what you mean!)