Korea Calling: The Essential Handbook for Teaching English and Living in South Korea (Paperback)

~ Allegra J. Specht (Author), Jay W. Freeborne (Author) "Perhaps, you are a recent college graduate eager to pay off your student loans..." (more)
Key Phrases: work visa, foreign teachers, tourist visa, Green Line, Korea Herald, The Teacher's Essentials (more...)

Editorial Reviews

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

• Paperback: 174 pages
• Publisher: Woodpecker Press; 1 edition (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966096908
• ISBN-13: 978-0966096903
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,795 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #3 in	Books > Travel > Asia > South Korea
  #45 in	Books > Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > English as a Foreign Language > English Language Teaching

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for EFL teachers, July 25, 2005

By	Robert Worthington "RRW" (Ottawa, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a punchy, well-written overview of teaching English in Korea. I bought it while I was in Korea, and it would have been even more helpful if I had read it before going there.

It contains a very practical introduction to Korean culture and the EFL teaching environment. Some of the information is somewhat dated, though apparently one reviewer did not realize this, believing that the exchange rate calculations were reversed. In fact, that information regarding exchange rates and pay scales was most likely accurate at the time the book was written. In any event, I think the section on teaching activities alone makes the book a great value. Overall, I say it is an essential addition to a Korea-bound EFL teacher's toolbox.

I also agree with the assessment of Bob "the Man" that some peoples' misadventures regarding not getting paid, etc., are the exception rather than the norm.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars M Jo hates Korea, not the book, July 22, 2005

By	Bob "the Man" (California) - See all my reviews

I thought Korea was great, and enjoyed my year there. I was surprised to see the review, and then checked out other Korea books and the same person said the same things about Korea. Sure, bad things happened to people I know, but they were the exception. I doubt M Jo read the book.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exchange rates? Korea Calling is a great guide for ESL Inst, March 5, 2005

By	Todd O. Picton "sirtoddo" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I recommend this book on occasion when I talk to anyone who is thinking about travelling overseas to teach English as a Second Language. Particularly if they are thinking about visiting Korea to do this kind of work. That is exactly what this book is designed for. Korea Calling is a great guide for the English Teacher wanting to work in Korea, although it was written some years ago, it still contains all the information germaine to anyone considering such an endeavor. The previous reviewer who read an EXCERPT online, and faults a ten year old book for inaccuracy(?!?) in exchange rates may be missing the point. This book is not a travel guide, and it is not about currency exchange. Some people will use what little imagination they have to complain about others. I recommend this book specifically for the purpose it was intended for.