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TaLK (Teach & Learn in Korea) Invitation

The TaLK (Teach & Learn in Korea) program is inviting adventurous global leaders to teach English to students and to experience and learn about Korean culture. Due Dates: April 20, 2009 (early applications), June 10, 2009 (late applications)

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. We are seeking approximately 250 TaLK scholars and will consider up to 40 applicants on the waiting list.

1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Participants will receive Korean government scholarships and teach English in after-school classes of Korean elementary schools while enjoying cultural programs during their free time. Recipients will be placed at schools in rural areas in need of greater exposure to English and teach the language by forming one-on-one working relationships with Korean university student volunteers. Candidates should have a desire to work with children, have a service-centered mind, a willingness to work in rural areas, and have consideration for others with a positive attitude.

2. ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must:

  • Be a citizen of a country where the national language is English. (i.e. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, U.K., U.S.A., Ireland, and South Africa).
    *Koreans with legal residencies are eligible also.
  • Have completed two or more years of education at an accredited university, or graduated from an accredited college in the countries aforementioned.
    *Koreans who are in their 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 lifestyle and culture.
  • Be able to communicate in English fluently with clear and distinct pronunciation.
    ※Preference will be given to the following candidates; - have or will have a degree in education, English or subjects related to Korea. - have excellent school records including good command of English. - have completed primary and secondary education in the countries aforementioned.
    ※ Instructions for applicants - Any male with Korean citizenship who has not fulfilled his military duty or received an official waiver must choose the six months 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 (e.g. drug addiction, AIDS), your scholarship will be cancelled and you must return to your home country at your own expense
  • TaLK scholars are not permitted to have additional employment (including a part-time job) except working as a TaLK scholar.
  • Meet the criteria of eligibility for E-2(Foreign Language Instructor), F-4(Overseas Koreans), or F-2(Spouse of Korean national) visa set forth by the Korean Immigration Authority.

3. DUTIES

The duties of the TaLK scholarship recipients are carried out under the guidance of the supervisor designated by Provincial Office of Education (hereinafter "POE").
Duties include :

  • Working for the designated elementary schools in rural areas in Korea
  • Teaching English in after-school classes* : 15 hours per week
    *This is after receiving theories and practices concerning English teaching methodology and classroom management at the four-week preparatory orientation. TaLK scholars may form a co-teaching arrangement with a Korean university student volunteer or with the class teacher. TaLK scholars are recommended to participate in the activities organized by the school, the POE, and the community

4. WORK CONTRACT TERM AND PLACE OF

A: Contract term The contract terms are for the duration of either 6-months or one-year, starting February 2009.
        ① February, 2009 – July, 2009 (six months)
        ② February, 2009 – January, 2010 (one year)

  • TaLK scholars will teach 15 hours per week from Monday to Friday (e.g. 5 days a week) and are not required to work on Saturdays, Sundays, or national holidays of the Republic of Korea.

B: Place of work

  • The POE will decide placements. Participants will work at elementary schools within the POE.
  • Rejection of placement may result in disqualification from the program.

5. BENEFITS

A. Monthly allowance : 1,500,000 KRW (approximately, 1,300 USD)

  • Payment of monthly allowance begins in March 2009. * During the preparatory orientation in February, board & lodging is provided instead of monthly  allowance.

B. Accommodation :

  •  The POE will decide the type of accommodation for each scholar.
    ※ Possible accommodation: a dormitory, an apartment, or a studio-type room, or a home-stay
  • If a scholar does not wish the POE to provide accommodation, he/she will also be given monthly housing settlement (400,000KRW) instead.
    ※ Any and all fees, charges, costs, taxes, expenses, etc. incurred from the accommodation provided, shall be borne by scholarship recipients.

C. Round-trip airfare

  • A one-way economy class airfare of the most direct one-way flight available from the international airport nearest your place of residence to Incheon Airport and a return air ticket at the completion of your contract term entitlement
  •  If your scholarship is cancelled during the contract term, a return air ticket will not be provided.
  • Transportation from Incheon Airport to the orientation venue will be arranged.

D. Health insurance cover

  • POE will cover your health insurance with its contracted agency.
  • Method of use : TaLK scholars must pay for their medical treatment on their own, and then receive reimbursement one week or two after submitting reimbursement application and original receipt.

E. One-off settlement allowance

  •   300,000KRW will be given soon after being placed in the designated school.

F. Opportunities to participate in cultural programs

  • A variety of programs to experience Korean culture will be offered under the supervision of the POE during the weekends and in scholar's available free time.

G. Korean language acquisition

  •   Opportunities to learn Korean will be offered (e.g. lessons organized by the POE, on-line lessons on the Internet, conversations with the Korean university student partner, etc.).

H. Distinction & personal enrichment

  •   As a Korean Government Scholar, you will distinguish yourself as an individual with a unique and profound interest in teaching while enhancing your personal and professional com- petence.
  • After a successful completion of your contract term, you will be awarded "A Korean Government Scholarship Certificate."

I. Other benefits

  • Preparatory Orientation is held for four weeks upon arrival to Korea and before being placed in schools. Examples of workshops to attend: teaching & learning methodology, understanding Korean lifestyle and culture, theories and practices for classroom management.
  • Paid Leave :
    ① Six-month contract: total of 7 working days
    ② One-year contract: total of 14 working days
  • Sick Leave :
    ① Six-month contract: total of 3 working days
    ② One-year contract: total of 7 working days
  • Buddy system:
    - A Korean university student who is designated as your partner will help you adjust to Korean life:
    • by providing helpful advice upon your request.
    • by joining you in your cultural field trips as well as in your after-school classes.

6. APPLICATION

A. Required documents

  • All applicants are required to submit the following documents by November 28, 2008:

① A completed application form A (one passport size photo must be included along with applicant's signature at the bottom of the form)
       ※ A print-out of your on-line application from the TaLK website (www.talk.go.kr)
② A completed application form B - a personal medical assessment & a personal essay
       ※ A prescribed form is available on the TaLK website (www.talk.go.kr)
       ※ There is a 1,000 word limit on a personal essay.
③ A photo file
       ※ Preferably a passport-sized identification photo in .GIF or .JPG format
④ A lesson plan (for a 40 minute English class)
       ※ A prescribed form is available on the TaLK website (www.talk.go.kr)
       ※ Suggested reference websites : www.lessonplanspage.com/LA67.html/www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/index.shtml
⑤ A sealed transcript
- transcripts showing at least 2 years of university education
       * If you turn in an unsealed transcript, it must be legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country with an ‘Apostille number and the stamp’.
       *Koreans in their 1st or 2nd year of college/university may submit transcripts available at the time of application.
       * A certificate of university enrollment (applicable only to those with transcripts that do not show evidence of university education, where final grades are not
         available by the application deadline)
⑥ Two signed and sealed recommendation letters (one from your university professor and the other from another professor of your university, highschool teacher, or employer)
      ※ A prescribed form is available on the TaLK website (www.talk.go.kr).
⑦ A criminal record check (county level)
⑧ A copy of your passport photo page
⑨ A copy of legal residence certificate (for Korean nationals)
⑩ A diploma or transcript of secondary school (if applicable)

B. Application deadline: November 28, 2008

C. Application office: Submission of required documents & interview
- Korean Embassy / Consulate-General in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, U.K., and U.S.A.
- TaLK Office in Korea
       ※ Only applicants residing in Korea at the time of application or citizens of Ireland or S.A. can directly apply to the TaLK Office.
       ※ Please log on to the website of TaLK Office (www.talk.go.kr) or the Embassy/ Consulate-General in your home country for the addresses and contact 
            numbers of the office you will submit your application.

D. Application procedures:
1. Online application : the following documents (Application A, Application B, & a photo) must be submitted on-line through the Talk website.
      ① Complete the application form A on the TaLK website (www.talk.go.kr) and submit it on-line.
      ② Download the application form B (personal medical assessment & personal essay) from the TaLK website and complete it. Upload the completed form
          onto the TaLK website by attaching Application "B" to Application "A".
      ③ Attach a photo file to Application "A"
2. Interview will be conducted at the Korean Embassy/Consulate-General
       *After you submit your on-line application, the Korean Embassy/Consulate-General in your place of residence will contact you to arrange your interview
       schedule
3. Submission of documents: all the required documents (①~②, ④~⑩ as stated in 6.A.) must be sent to the Korean Embassy / Consulate-General in your home country by mail or in person by November 28, 2008.
4. Document screening by the Korean Embassies or TaLK Office
5. Final screening by TaLK Office
      ※ The final decision is made by the TaLK Office. Although your records may meet the minimum criteria for admission, your application may not be successful
           if your file is not competitive with the rest of the applicant pool. Therefore, the TaLK office will not respond to any inquiries regarding unsuccessful
          applications.
      ※ Successful applicants will be notified on the website of Talk Office/Korean Embassy by December 30, 2008.
6. Receive an invitation letter and a contract (.pdf file) from the TaLK Office by email.
7. Sign the official written contract E. Instructions following successful application Applicants must: - confirm his/her acceptance of the scholarship through the TaLK website (by January 9th). - obtain his/her visa at the Korean Embassy/Consulate General. - submit his/her flight schedule through the TaLK website (by January 9th).
*Detailed information on how to obtain a visa and an air ticket will be explained after we receive confirmation of scholarship acceptance. - arrive in Korea on a set date (February 1st, 2nd, or 3rd). - participate in the preparatory orientation (between 4th and 27th, February).
      ※ The dates are subject to change. Refer to the TaLK website for updates.

Published: Thursday, October 23, 2008

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