Case studies: English teacher in South Korea: Grace Finney

Grace recently completed a classroom-based module as part of her TESOL training with Cheshire Language Academy and now teaches in South Korea...

I am currently employed as an English teacher in South Korea, working in a government school alongside Korean teachers. I was recruited through EPIK, which is really ideal for first time teachers abroad as it's all made easy for you.

On arrival in Korea you are met and taken to a university for the first week where you meet all the other English teachers and, therefore, when you're sent to your school, you have a base of friends to rely on for support or to socialise with. The lectures were also really informative regarding teaching style and life in Korea.

With regard to my TESOL training, the most useful part was 20-hour classroom based sessions where we got to practise teaching and also observing ESOL classes, which you are able to do at Cheshire Language Academy. Understanding classroom management is very important and it was definitely worth working with and learning alongside experienced practitioners so you can really imagine what it's going to be like handling a class.

The tutors at Cheshire Language Academy provided me with some invaluable advice and guidance on what to expect when teaching children in a foreign classroom from their own experience of working abroad. I'd definitely recommend it as you can't get this knowledge from an online course.

Also, Cheshire Language Academy has close links with the overseas recruitment agency I found my job through and they can put you in contact with them on completion of the course.

Life in South Korea is fantastic and I'm having a great time and being paid. I have been teaching in South Korea now for two months and would definitely recommend taking a classroom-based course to prepare you for working as an English teacher abroad. Good luck!