Hello!
As far as I can see it, you're here to learn about the application process for working with Chungdahm Learning through the recriuting company Aclipse! Ideally, you're from Vancouver, Canada as the process and costs might be different if you're not. If you're from somewhere other than Canada, this post won't be super useful for you.
As of this posting, my application is still being processed, so this is not a finalized posting. I will make another post as the process progresses. I just wanted to let anyone else out there know the info stuffed into my head.
Step 1: Apply to Chungdahm learning or CDL as they call themselves. I did so through Aclipse recruiting, which my friend recommended to me.
Your recruiter will contact you to confirm your application and to ask for some follow up information. Be prepared for the first of many copy+pasta emails.
This first email will include:
- Introduction to CDL
- Rundown of benefits and the basic contract information
- Links to an info packet with a bit more history and info about CDL.
Step 2: Finish the interview process.
This interview has a few parts. The first part is a reading part. You will be sent a short passage and asked to answer some questions about it.
They will also send you a pdf with information about the recruiting and application process. Read the whole thing, it's also helpful to review it every once it a while so you can understand what's next. It can help answer any questions you might have as well.
Part 2 of the interview is the actual interview which was via skype for me, no video. You will schedule this with your recruiter, it must be during their working hours (Boston time).
You will be asked to make a short lesson to teach a 12yo intermediate level student. They give you a few lesson ideas you must use. The demo is 5mins so it's reaaaalllllyyy easy. It's basically to see if you're able to teach since many people apply without any experience. Don't sweat it or overthink it.
My advice: ask lots of questions, get the student speaking, use your questions to guide the lesson. Speak enthusiastically and slowly.
Example: Space travel/aliens -->What are the things you see at night in the sky? Stars. Where do people live? Earth. Do people live in the stars? No. Do you think people might live in the stars one day? Yes? Why?..... etc.
The rest of the interview is pretty standard:
- Why are you interested in CDL?
- What would you do if you had a disruptive student?
- What experience do you have teaching/what would make you a good teacher?
- What interests you about Korea?
Glassdoor.com has a lot of good information on the interview questions you will get.
The interviewer will also go over what you need for the visa and how to get it, and also confirm when you want to come. They will also answer your questions about the process and teaching abroad.
Step 3: Interview success!
At this point you will receive an email saying you're successful and asking you to fill out some forms needed to get the application process going.
You will need to send them:
- Application form and consent form (so they can use your image to send to future school locations).
- Signed and scanned E2 health statement (hopefully you're fairly healthy and no history of serious illnesses)
- A self-intro video that you make yourself. Look on youtube for some examples.
- Scan of your passport.
- CV/resume in word format
- jpeg of yourself looking like the business person you are.
You will have about a week to send all this back to them.
Step 4: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
After sending back these things from above, you will have a short wait and then you will receive either a rejection or a memorandum of understanding, which is essentially a base contract between you and CDL saying "we want you offer you a job, but we need you to get your shit together first." It gives both you and the company an easy out if something should go wrong during the next few steps (ie. you're not able to go to Korea or get the visa for some reason).
This offer will outline your expected salary, next steps and important deadlines. It's mostly just fun to see that huge number in writing and then tell your friends and family. "Mum, I'm gonna make 2.5 million won!"
Very simple, sign it and scan it and send it back.
Step 5: Document Collection
This is one of the more 'difficult' parts, as you must actually put on pants for this part. I initially tried to do this all via mail as I am/was (depending on when you're reading this) in Prague. However, the criminal background check was going to cost me upwards of $300CAD to get because I wasn't in the USA or Canada. I recommend booking a few week holiday back home and getting it all done while you're there, unless you're lucky enough to be able to get fingerprints done cheaply and are ok spending at least $200 on getting the process initiated via a few certified companies. You will also need to have someone do all your running around for you as the notarization must be done by a Canadian notary in the Korean embassy's jurisdiction.
During my trip home, I spent probably no more than 5-6 hours over the course of 2 weeks getting all the paperwork together.
You need:
- 2 notarized copies of your degree ($40 cash) I used Kitty Lam, super quick and she's next to the embassy. However, you will need an appointment.
- Certification for the 2 notarized copies of your degree by the Korean embassy ($9.40 + 10c) You will need a photocopy of your passport. You can do this in the embassy.
- 2 Fingerprint based criminal record check ($85 x 2) I had to go back twice due to a misunderstanding and miscommunication/lack of knowledge by my recruiter. You need two originals as they will be submitted at different times or something. It might be cheaper/more expensive because you pay a separate fee ($60 for me) for the fingerprinting plus $25 for the check.
- Certification for the 2 criminal records by the embassy ($9.60) + photocopy again (10c).
- 1-2 unopened transcripts ($10-25 each). You will only need 1 for the degree certification. Your second one is for your degree confirmation for Aclipse. Check with your school if they issue specific letters, or else an official unopened transcript is fine.
- At least 9 passport photos I got 12 because of how they printed out (~$26)
- Signed E2 form physical copy. Just send the one you previously scanned.
- Postage to Boston (~$6) plus another $3 for the nice cardboard envelopes so everything stays nice.
Overall I spent about $330 for everything. I had a few extra costs that maybe you won't have due needing to rush some things as I was only in Canada for a short time and needed to mail everything.
Double check you have everything you need, tick off those boxes in the document collection list and then seal it up and thennnnn..........
Step 6: Send it all to Boston.
Now you wait. You'll get an email once it's all received. Once it's received they will send it all off to do whatever magic CDL needs to do with it, and then release you into the 'pool' for managers to decide where you will go and which school needs you.
I suggest checking out eatyourkimchi for some great videos about living and working in Korea by two fellow Canadians! I've been watching them non-stop!
Part 2 is here!
Other posts you might like to read:
Training week Day 1
