Cool Link: Teachers and Families

This website has info for preschool to grade 12. While there is a membership option, there is still lots of free info on the site. Teachers and Families has monthly features and reading themes.

They also have nursery rhymes, activities, and letters and numbers for preschoolers. For K-12 they have study sites, word wonders, and recommended books. There's also a special section for parents such as those who have gifted children or children with special needs as well as some general parenting tips. 



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Quick Tip: Grammar Game

This week's tip comes from Jabeen Mahmood who is teaching in Japan. 

Something that I like playing with my adult students who are learning all their tenses and grammar is that on the board we write a story together. I tell them that they have to use a certain number of adjectives, verbs, adverbs etc.  If they get stuck, I give them a hint: "OK, you need an adverb here, or you need an article"

I will ask them to choose a genre and imagine the story, then as the story progresses use more adjectives and conjunctions to develop the story.  The more the students play the better they get and the more they enjoy. I find it's a great help in improving their grammar and vocabulary and it's a fun.  We usually play this at the end of the lesson for about 10-15 minutes.

Another game I play with my high school students is similar to the above game but I write a few words on the board first.  So I'll write a noun, a verb and another noun on the board and then ask the students to complete the sentence, using an article, verb etc.

Here are some more more games to use in class that you might be interested in.

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Cool Link: Education World

Education World is awesome.  While not specifically geared towards TEFL they still have great material for TEFL, other languages, and subject teachers. If you're teaching subject courses, then you'll be able to find a lot at Education World. Ditto goes for those teaching in international schools.


They've got info about professional development, help for administrators, lesson plans, info for teachers, worksheets, and lots more. You could easily spend a couple hours looking through all the resources they have.

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Cool Link: Teach Children ESL

If you're one of the many teachers who works with children, you'll love this site. Teach Children ESL has worksheets, flashcards, games, songs, and a mixed lot section. All free! They also have links to other useful websites geared towards teaching children English. So if you're teaching kids, be sure to check out Teach Children ESL.


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Hot Topic: The Cambridge Monopoly

Cambridge has given us a variety of exams for students, such as the FCE and CAE as well as courses for teachers, such as the celta and delta. However, they seem to have a bit of a monopoly over TEFL and also seem to favour their own teachers.

Take the celta, anyone can enroll in one month intensive course. However, the Delta is more difficult since many of the centres require you to be a teacher at one of their institutes in order to enroll in the two month intensive version.

Sure, there's the distance delta, which can be done in modules, but it requires a lot more organising and you might have to pay for a local tutor (but they don't have to be a native speaker) as well.

What do you think?
Does Cambridge have too much of a monopoly over TEFL?  Do you have a celta or a delta?

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ESL Educators Blog Carnival: July 2011, Culture

The topic of July's ESL Educators Blog Carnival is culture. You can read what teachers think on Ted's TEFL Newbie.

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Quick Tip: Ask for Feedback

As teachers it's pretty easy for us to start thinking that we know it all. Although there are some employers that observe teachers or have students give teacher evaluations at the end of a course, it's not enough. I know it can be hard for you and your students but you should try to ask for feedback each class or at least once a week.

It doesn't have to be a big deal. Simply asking students if they liked the lesson or not is a good start.You can have them say their favourite and least favourite part of the lesson. It's hard to listen to this, but it's constructive criticism, it'll make learning English fun, and it'll make you a better teacher.

Many students are afraid to tell a teacher what they didn't like. You could help them by making it anonymous. You need to explain to them that feedback will help both you and them. A couple minutes before the end of class, you could leave the room and ask them to write two things they liked about the class and two things they didn't like about the class. Remind them not to put their names on the papers. Have one student collect the papers and stick them in an envelope. They can even seal the envelope if they want. Then finish the class.

When you get back home or to your office you can read what they wrote. It's awkward and can be hard to hear students say that they didn't like something you did, especially if you spent a lot of time planning that activity. However, by doing this, you will change the way you teach for the better. Your classes will become more student centred and ultimately better for both you and your students.

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Cool Link: Boggle's World

Boggle's World has been a long time favourite among TEFL teachers. You can find just about everything you need here from teaching English to kids to adults.

They have jobs, worksheets, songs, verbs, writing, the alphabet, Science English, Business English, English for Adults, articles about teaching, lesson plans, holiday worksheet, and flashcards.

The lesson plans and worksheets are fantastic and are organised by topics, such as giving directions or writing. The new phonic worksheets are great if you're teaching kids.

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Hot Topic: Online Degrees

Updated 17 June 2014

I remember seeing adverts in my dad's comic books from the 60s for correspondent courses to get high school diplomas. They said that more job opportunities would open up if you had a high school diploma and doing it through the mail would allow you to continue to concentrate on your family and current job.

Times have changed and most people have their high school diploma. Others have their bachelor's degree as well. Now people are turning to online education (aka: distance degrees) for their masters degree. The US Department of Education has recently released a study that shows that students who study online perform better.

It only makes sense. Tuition back in the 60s pales to what costs are nowadays and few people can afford to take a year or two off just to study. They'd not only lose income, but also a couple years of work experience. In addition, the internet has made things much easier than they were before.

People have used the internet to communicate, learn another language, and get information, so why not use it to study? You can can chat, participate in discussions, use Blackboard software, watch videos, listen to podcasts, and may be able to watch live lectures.

Few people are on the fence when it comes to online education. Some schools have blended learning degrees, where most of it is done online, but you meet once or twice a year on campus as well. Usually people are strongly in favour of it, or strongly against it.  Below you can find reasons for both.

For
Those in favour of distance education have a couple things to say. First, they say that it's more difficult to study this way and thus makes you a better student. Second, they say being able to work and study at the same time allows you to put theory into practice right away. Lastly, they say it allows them to interact with people all over the world in a variety of teaching situations and therefore allows them to broaden their perspectives.

Against
Those against distance education think much differently. First, they say that there are too many degree mills out there willing to give you a degree if you pay for it. Second, they say that traditional in-class lectures work much better than those online. Lastly, they think that distance education providers are lowering their standards and accepting just about anyone, even those who don't know English very well.

Conclusion
There are pros and cons to online education.  One con is that not all employers will accept online degrees.  The Middle East is a perfect example.  The Ministry of Education (K-12) doesn't, but the Ministry of Higher Education does.  It's also up to the employer.  Even if the Ministry of Higher Education accepts it, it doesn't mean that all universities have to accept online degrees.  However, the strongest pro is that it can be done anywhere in the world and you don't have to take time off work to do so.


What do you think?
Are online degrees good or bad?  Do you have one?  Would you get a masters online?

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Korean F2-S (F2-7), F2-99, and F5A Visas

Updated 6 April 2016

I highly suggest you join F Visa Help on Facebook. Many members there have gone through the process of getting their own F visas.

Here is a document with all the F2-7, F2-99, and F5-A options. Here is the F2-7 English version and the F2-7 Korean version. 

F2 and F5 visas are fantastic because they aren't tied to your employer. However, your employer may still prohibit you from working elsewhere even if you have an F visa. Traditionally these visas were only available to those married to Koreans. However, now there are 3 ways to get an F2 and an F5 even if you're not married to a Korean.

Hi Korea has a sojourn guide for foreigners. It's over 300 pages long. If you go to Hi Korea and then click on the visa/sojourn guide on the top right you can see it.


F2-S aka F2-7 
This is the points visa which they keep making harder and harder to get. Supposedly in December 2015 they will be easing the requirements. But for now, in order to apply you have to have had your E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, or E7 Visa for at least one year and to get 80 points out of 120. Here is the F2-S English version and the F2-S Korean version. Here is a guide with part 1, part 2, and part 3.

Your dependents will get an F2-3 visa. See this thread for more info. You should also check immigration's website, which says 본 인, 배우자 및 그 미성년 자녀에게 거주자격(F-2)을 부여하여 기존의 체류자격에 관계없이 자유로운 취업활동이 보장되며, 1회 부여 체류기간의 상한이 3년으로 확대됩니다. It states that you, your spouse, and your dependent children will all get F-2s.  

The KIIP (Korean Immigration and Immigration Programme) has two parts: Korean Language and Korean Culture. In order to go directly into the Culture Programme you need to have about TOPIK level 4 or get 90 out of 100 points on the pre-test. There are 6 levels: level 0 to level 5. Level 0-4 is the language part and level 5 is the culture part. Level 0 is 15 hours. Levels 1-4 are 100 hours each and last 10 weeks. Level 5 is 50 hours and lasts 5 weeks. This means that the whole KIIP programme takes 1.5 years. You might be able to attend the online course if you qualify.

If you've done volunteer work in Korea, you’ll need a 봉사활동인증서 /a 봉사활동확인서 in order to prove it.

Old info, no longer valid: You can find a chart at Korea 4 Expats and info at Dave's ESL Cafe. It seems to be getting harder and harder, look at what pacificman (a D-8 visa holder) went through.

F2-99 or F5-A
The former (F2-99) is a long-term sojourner (Visit Hi Korea, this post and this post on Dave's.) Welshguy got this visa in January 2011. If you get the F2-99 your dependents should be able to get an F2 as well. You should apply for their visa at the same time that you apply for yours. If you apply afterwards they may not be able to get the F2. 

The latter (F5-A) is permanent residency. Also check Hi Korea and Dave's ESL Cafe. Supposedly you need fewer documents if you apply for the F5-A, but it is harder to get. Most people try to get the F2-99 first. If you have an E1 it's easier to go straight to the F5-A than if you have an E2. Some immigration officers ask for all of these documents, others only ask for some. If you have an F5, your dependents can definitely get the F2.

• You'll need to be on the same visa for 5 years (i.e. no visa runs) as an E1-E5, E7 visa. You can change visa types, ie changing from an E2 to an E1 as long as you don't have a visa run. If you spend more than 3 months at a time out of Korea it won't count towards the 5 years.
• You need to write a 4 page essay (it should be 4 pages when translated into Korean) on how you contributed to Korea in the past, how you'll contribute to Korea in the future, and why you want the visa. Get it translated into Korean. 
• Proof of residency. You can show your lease or get a document from your gu office. You might also have to have your lease verified by the gu office. 
• Tax forms to prove you pay taxes in Korea. Supposedly, you can only get the tax forms that you need in May from the tax office.
• Criminal background check from your home country. If you've recently submitted one, you might not need one. ie, get one anyways just in case.  
• Criminal background check from Korea.
• Korean: you must have at least TOPIK level 2. Good news is that they're dumbing down the TOPIK. If you've been here on the same visa for 10+ years they usually waive this requirement. If you complete the entire KIIP program you don't have to take the TOPIK. I also know of people who have been given the F2-99 with TOPIK level 1. It's certainly worth a shot to apply, especially if you have been here longer than 5 years and have more than the minimum monetary requirement.
• Income: you must have at least 30 million in the bank / down on an apartment OR make at least 26 million a year legally. This amount changes annually as it's the GNI of Korea. You must have documents to prove this. The bank will issue you a special document called 예금/신탁잔액증명서. It costs 2,000 won and you can't make any transactions for the day. The gu will give you a document if your money is down on your apartment. Your school will give you an income certificate if you're showing your salary, 원천징수영수증.
• Proof of employment, 재직 증명서, for past and present jobs. 
• Copy of your contract.
• If you have an E1 visa, supposedly there is no income requirement, but they do require you to get a reference letter from your university president. Allegedly. If you can't get one, try for the visa anyways. Most admin offices have a stamp with his signature on it, so it's not as hard as you'd think it would be to get.
• Any diplomas, certificates, or degrees that you have you should bring.  Master’s degrees, TEFL certificates, Korean language certificates, etc would work. People have said this helps.
• Application form and fee.  
• Passport, ARC, and photo.
• No longer required as of July 2012: A Korean has to sponsor you by filling out 신원보증서.  The higher up they are (ex. doctor, lawyer, government official, CEO, professor, administrator, etc) the better is it. Some immigration officers may still require you to have this!

F5-A due to Korean Degree
Kimmi is actually easing visa requirements. Here's the article about getting permanent residency if you have graduated from a Korean university.

• Application form #34 and fee.  
• Passport, ARC, and photo
• Letter of Guarantee from a Korean national stating they will be responsible for you if you get into legal trouble and cannot pay (downloadable on immigration's website)
• Housing contract 
• Last year's tax statement from the NTS as proof of salary (you need to make around 25 million to qualify)
• Business registration certificate from current employer 
• Korean university degree
• Proof of employment, 재직 증명서
• You need to have lived in Korea for at least 3 consecutive years 

Changing from an F2-S or F2-99 to an F5-A
It takes about 4-6 months to get an F5-A visa and you can't leave the country while your application is in process. You will also need a new criminal background check from your home country.

Option 1: Wait 2-3 years and apply. I've been told that some places will accept you after 2 years. I know of one person who applied after 18 months.

Option 2: You can apply for the F5 immediately after you get the F2-99 (but not the F2-7) if you fulfill two requirements.

• Prove that you legally earn double what an average Korean does (i.e., the Gross National Income (GNI). Some people say you only need to earn what the GNI is. In 2014 it became 26 million won. Kimmi cannot refuse your application, which costs about 230,000 won. (You used to need three times the GNI.) You'll need an income certificate from your employer,
  원천징수영수증.
• Pass TOPIK level 2. (You used to need TOPIK level 5.) Good news is that they're dumbing down the TOPIK.

On immigration's English website it has the old information. However, the Korean version has the new information. You can see the Korean version through Welshguy’s post.



Lawyers
You might also want to consider getting a lawyer. A friend of mine also recommended this one: Union TNC, Seoul, Jongro-gu, kyong eun dong, SK Building, 1st floor, Office 113. (Its by Anguk Station).Tel: 02-318-5274; Email:uniontnc@gmail.com

Your Opinion 
What do you think about TEFLing in Korea?


Also published at Chris in South Korea.

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New TEFL Tips Design

TEFL Tips is finally a dot com! The new address is www.tefl-tips.com Be sure to update your bookmarks!

About TEFL Tips
TEFL Tips is designed to help ESL and EFL newbies and olbies alike. Whether you teach ESL, EFL, EAP, ESP, the 4 skills, exam prep, Business English, young learners, teenagers, or adults, you'll find tons of info to help you out. Here's an example of what can be found at TEFL Tips:

• How to write a fantastic CV
• Tips to help you ace your next interview
• How to get a masters degree online
• The best TEFL jobs in the world: a list of over 300 jobs in 45+ countries
• Europe for non-EU citizens: how to live, work, and study in the EU
• FAQ to teaching in Latin America:info about 15 Latin American countries
• What's the best country to teach in?: popular TEFL countries around the world

Weekly Posts: If you have an idea for a Hot Topic, Cool Link, Quick Tip, or Job Site email me and be sure to let me know your name and website (if you have one).

• A Hot Topic in teaching
• A Cool Link to a neat website (published twice a week)
• A Quick Tip to help you become a better teacher
• A Job Site that tells you the best places to look for TESL and TEFL jobs

Monthly Posts

• 1st week: An ESL, EFL, or general teaching article about TEFL Basics, Career Advancement, Classroom Tips, Money Matters, or Where to go
• 2nd week: Poll Results from last month's poll
• 2nd week: The ESL EFL Roadshow
• 3rd week: The ESL Educators Blog Carnival

New Design
I've been working on TEFL Tips for the past couple of weeks trying to get it more organised and easier to navigate. Here are the 10 changes I've made.


1. EBOOKS: They're at the top of the page.

2. PAGES: They're at the top of the site and organised by subject.

• About: It has an introduction to TEFL Tips. There's also contact information on this page.  Whether you have questions, comments, or suggestions for articles or posts, are interested in being a guest blogger, or want advertising rates, feel free to contact me.
• TEFL Basics: Heaps of information for those starting out, such as taking a TEFL course and writing a CV.
• Career: Information for those wanting to make a career out of teaching, such as getting masters degree and finding university jobs.
• Classroom: Tips for the classroom, such as teaching the 4 skills and classroom management.
• Money: How to make extra money, such as teaching private students and negotiating your contract.
• Where to go: Information about TEFLing around the world..
• ebooks: How to teach the 4 skills, grammar, young learners, and a guide to Peru.

3. POLL: On the left side there's a monthly poll about teaching.  The results will be published every 7th of each month.

4. SHARE BUTTONS: Facebook, Reddit, Tweet, and other share buttons can be found at the top and bottom of each post. 

5. TAGS: They're on the left and should help you find exactly what you're looking for.

6. SUGGESTED ARTICLES: At the bottom of each post is a list of 5 articles that might interest you.

7. MORE ARTICLES: There will be weekly Hot Topics, Cool Links, and Quick Tips. There will also be 3 special articles each month.  There will be a main article coming out the 1st of every month. Poll results will be published on the 7th. On the 21st there will be a link to the ESL Carnival, which is a monthly compilation of 7 articles by 7 different authors all about topics related to teaching. 

8. EASIER TO READ: From 3 columns to 2 columns. And a "Read more" link at the bottom of each post to help you skim down the blog and find the articles that interest you.  You can also find a search function in the left column.

9. FEWER ADVERTS: Many adverts have been taken down and the ones left up are ones that I personally believe have something good to offer.

10. UPDATED POSTS: Many old posts have been updated to ensure that you have the lastest info.

Hope you enjoy the new look!
Sharon

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Teaching English to Young Learners ebook

Teaching English to Young Learners can very rewarding. Most teachers love teaching the young children because they learn so fast. They're like little sponges.

If you're going to teach young learners, then you need to know how to teach them. From lesson plans and activities to dealing with discipline problems, this ebook has it all.

Here’s what’s on offer:

• Heaps of lessons and activities
• Advice for teaching young learners
• How age impacts language learning
• How boys and girls learn and behave differently
• How to work with not against students.
• Behavior Management – Made Easy!
• Assessing your young learners' skills and what to do about it
• How to work cooperatively and positively with parents, school administrators and co-teachers

Best of All . . .

• Lots of lesson plans and activities with suggested changes for different age groups
• Popular songs and games that are easy for kids to learn

Plus . . .

• THREE PAGES of links to resources where you can download FREE young learner resources, lessons, activities, games and much more.

How much is it?
Only US$9.95. So what are you waiting for? Get Teaching English to Young Learners today!

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Becoming a TEFL Examiner

This post has been moved here.

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