TaLK: Teach English on Korean Government Scholarship
Sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and affiliated with the National Institute for International Education Development, the TaLK program offers a wonderful and rewarding opportunity for students from English-speaking countries. Participating students will be given the prospect to explore the rich, vibrant culture and dynamism of Korea, while at the same time offering their knowledge of English to Korean provincial areas where exposure to the English language is not taken for granted.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Introduction
The 'TaLK(Teach and Learn in Korea)' program is inviting four hundred individuals to teach English to students and to experience and learn about Korean culture. Sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, 'TaLK' will sponsor individuals interested in gaining personal and professional enrichment through teaching and learning in Korea. The program is open to citizens of countries where English is the national language (Special consideration will be given to individuals of Korean ethnicity).
Participants will receive Korean government scholarships and teach English in after-school classes of Korean elementary schools while enjoying cultural programs during their leisure time. Recipients will be placed at schools in rural areas in need of greater exposure to English and teach the language by forming one-to-one working partnerships with Korean university volunteers. A candidate should have a desire to work with children and possess flexibility with regard to working in a shared classroom setting.
TaLK scholars can be divided mainly into two groups; one is TaLK scholars who are selected by the Korean Embassy/Consulate General, and the other is exchange students who are invited based on the mutual agreements between their home universities and their partner universities in Korea. The last important group of participants in TaLK are Korean university volunteers who are selected by the Provincial Office of Education to assist TaLK scholars in classrooms as well as to help them adapt to life in Korea.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of a country where the primary language is English.
(Australia, Canada, New Zealand, U.K., U.S.A., Ireland, and South Africa)
* Ethnic Koreans with legal residencies in the above countries are eligible also.
- Have completed two or more years of education at an accredited college or university.
* Ethnic Koreans who are in the 1st or 2nd year of college/university are eligible also.
* University graduates and graduate school students are eligible also..
- Be mentally and physically capable of performing the specified responsibilities and duties.
- Have the ability and willingness to adapt to Korean life style and culture.
- Be able to communicate in English fluently with clear and distinct pronunciation.
- Meet the criteria of eligibility for E2 (work) visa set forth by the Korean Immigration Authority.
* Overseas Koreans: F-4, Spouse of Korean national: F-2 * Preference will be given to the following candidates;
- are majoring in education, English or subjects related to Korea
- have excellent school records including command of English
- have been taught in English-language schools from junior high school (7th grade) and have lived abroad for minimum of 8 years.
Special Instructions
- Any male with Korean citizenship who has not fulfilled his military duty or received an official waiver must choose the six-month-contract term.
- After arriving in Korea, you must undergo a medical check-up at a designated hospital, and if the test results determine that you have serious disease(s) which are infectious or may keep you from performing your duties, your scholarship will be cancelled and you must return to your home country at your own expense. (e.g. drug addiction, AIDS)
- A TaLK scholar is not allowed to get involved in any other job (including a part-time job) except working as a scholar.
Duties
The duties of the TaLK scholarship recipients are carried out under the guidance of the supervisor designated by the Provincial Office of Education (POE).
- Working for the designated elementary school in Korea
- Teaching English in after-school classes* : 15 hours per week
*by forming one-to-one working partnerships with a Korean student teacher.
- Participating in the activities organized by the school, the POE, or the community
Place of Work
The POE will decide placements. Participants will work at elementary schools within the POE.
Contract Term & Other Conditions
The contract terms are for the duration of either 6-months or one-year, starting August 2008.
1. August, 2008 - January, 2009 (six months)
2. August, 2008 - July, 2009 (one year)
Application deadline: June 15, 2008
Application procedure: http://talk.mest.go.kr/main.jsp?idx=010601
Tel: 82-2-3668-1399
talkkorea@gmail.com
http://talk.mest.go.kr/index.jsp
Sponsor(s): Korean Ministry of Education, National Institute for International Education Development
