F R E Q U E N T L Y - A S K E D - Q U E S T I O N S
BY PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS
I – School Community and Professional Issues
1. What is Maple Bear?
The Maple Bear™ System was developed taking into account the very latest research with
respect to kindergarten education. It provides a strong academic program in an
environment that encourages children's natural and innate interest in learning. The
program reinforces and builds on this positive attitude by offering varied and stimulating
experiences to the children. Competence in language, reading, mathematics, and science is
developed systematically. Teachers integrate subject knowledge into a variety of active
techniques suitable to the developmental stages of the children. Maple Bear™ has high
learning expectations for children within a healthy, stimulating and supportive learning
environment. There are currently 9 Maple Bear locations in South Korea – all are in and
around the Seoul area, except for one school that is located in Daegu.
2. Is there a sense of community at Maple Bear Schools?
Yes, all the schools advocate a strong sense of community between its teachers, the
administration, students, parents, and the larger community outside the school. Many of
our teachers become fast friends (with long-lasting results), which plays a key role for
professional growth. The staff room is usually a-buzz with the sharing of stories (good and
bad), lessons, and support.
3. Who will I be teaching? How big will my classes be?
At Maple Bear, you will typically teach students ranging in age from 3 years of age – 10
years of age. Class sizes are capped at 15, but many classes may only have up to 10
students per class.
4. What teaching resources/facilities will I have access to?
As Maple Bear schools become established, many teaching resources are collected. Over
time, collections of books, activities, stories, music, videos, flash cards, and curriculum
enhancements are developed. Newer schools will be in the process of creating and
gathering these types of resources.
Each school is equipped with audio visual equipment and CD players. Teachers have access
to computers and the Internet in the staff room.
5. How much autonomy is expected when it comes to lesson planning?
All programs at Maple Bear have a set curriculum developed by a team of professionals in
Canada. Teachers are expected to prepare and deliver lessons based on the core
curriculum in a way that best reflects their personal teaching styles and the needs of
their students.
6. What extra-curricular activities are available at the school?
Teachers organize holiday events for the students to fulfill the cultural mandate of Maple
Bear. Students celebrate Canadian holidays such as Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day,
Canada Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas. Korean holidays are also included and
presented to reinforce and extend the students’ English development.
7. What do parents expect their children to get out of the school?
Parents expect professional and dedicated instruction, conduct, and classroom
management. They expect an environment that is safe, respectful, friendly, open, and
stimulating. The most successful teachers reflect and balance all of these attributes.
8. Is there a dress code policy for staff?
Teachers are expected to dress professionally at all times.
II – Technicalities
1. What is the compensation package?
 Monthly salary ranges between 2.3-2.5 million won. For the current exchange rate,
visit the following site: http://www.xe.net/ucc
 At the end of the contract, according to Korean labour laws, you are entitled to a
severance payment equal to one-month’s salary.
 Medical insurance coverage – 50 % paid by company, 50% paid by employee
 One-way airfare to Korea at the beginning of the contract, and return-airfare once
the contract is completed.
2. How will I be paid?
You will be paid in Korean won. Payment occurs at the end of each month and is deposited
directly into your Korean bank account, which will be set up for you when you arrive.
3. What Deductions will there be from my monthly pay check?
Korean mandatory deductions are for: health, income tax, and pension. The deductions for
the pension are reimbursed to you as a lump sum by the Korean government once you have
completed your contract and are leaving Korea.
The approximated deductions from your monthly pay check are broken down into the
following categories:
1) Pension (refundable at your departure at the end of your contract) about 100 000 won
2) Residence tax - about 1 600 won
3) Health Insurance - about 60 000 won
4) Income tax - 16 000 won
Total deductions monthly are approximately 177 600 won which is approximately $200 per
month. (Updated on: June, 2008)
For more specific information on Korean income tax, please visit the following website:
National Tax Service of Korea: http://www.nts.go.kr/eng
4. What should I expect in terms of working hours?
30 hours/week (5 days a week) of in-class teaching is required of all teachers and 10 hours
for classroom preparation, bi-monthly level testing and student assessment, teacher-staff
meetings, and professional development days.
5. Will I be expected to work split shifts?
No. The shifts are divided into a morning shift and an evening shift. You will be slotted to
teach one or the other. Generally, the morning shift hours are from 9am to 5pm; and
evening shift hours are from 12pm to 7pm.
6. Do I get a vacation? How long is it?
You will receive one week off during Christmas/New Years, one week at the school closure
at the end of July or the beginning of August, plus all Korean National Holidays.
7. What are the accommodations like?
You will be set up in a studio or one-room unshared apartment, with a private shower and
washroom. The apartment will be partly furnished with a bed, desk, chair, small
refrigerator, gas range, and air conditioner. The school also provides linens, pots and pans,
and some kitchen items. All buildings are equipped with washing machines.
It is fairly easy and inexpensive to find additional house items, furnishings, and
electronics.
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III – Culture Shock and Living in Korea
1. How will I deal with the symptoms of culture shock (i.e. feeling alone, confused,
unhappy, homesick)?
Culture shock varies from person to person; however, it is safe to say that all people
experience it on some level. Therefore, there is no prescriptive solution to culture shock.
Some people may take up an activity or language course, while others might depend on
their colleagues or other expatriates for support. It has been commented that the school
acts as an oasis when culture shock symptoms appear. For more on dealing with culture
shock, visit the following website: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/koreaen.asp#Adapting
2. What is the climate like in Korea?
Korea has four distinct seasons. In the winter, Korea gets cold and dry – the snowfall is
minimal to nonexistent – and in the summer, hot and humid, especially in August, during the
monsoon season, when it rains heavily. The spring and the fall are generally pleasant,
especially in the former when the cherry blossoms bloom. Appropriate clothing ranges
from a winter coat, to shorts and sandals, to an umbrella and rubber boots.
3. How easy is it to learn the language?
Again, this depends on the individual. The Korean alphabet,
Hangul, is very easy to learn and most people can become
moderately literate within a week. Speaking and listening,
of course, comes with time and dedication. There are
plenty of Korean-language classes available to foreigners.
4. What kinds of recreational activities are available to me in Korea?
Almost all activities you do at home are available in Korea such as working out at the gym
playing basketball, extreme Frisbee and hiking. Many participate in activities that are
typical to Korea such as pottery making, calligraphy, archery, taekwondo, keum-do
(swordplay), Korean cooking, Korean traditional music or just traveling around beautiful
Korea.
5. What can I do to learn about Korean society (i.e. social norms, etiquette)?
There are many places to begin. Take a look through the websites provided below in
Section IV – Useful Web Links for some helpful tips on living in Korea. For an excellent
overview, visit: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/korea-en.asp#Cultural .
The “Society & Conduct” section in the Lonely Planet Korea is thorough and incredibly
helpful.
6. Are there any safety issues for foreigners living in Korea?
Generally speaking, Korea is a safe place. Like any other big city, one should use their
common sense when it comes to safety issues. Many individuals mention that they feel
even safer in Korea than they do in their home city.
7. What is Korean food like?
Korean food is served with a range of communal side dishes
(vegetable and meat) and a bowl of rice. The side dishes are
always a blend of delectable spices and sauces. The most famous
of side dishes, kimchi, is a national obsession and the pride of
Korea. It comes in many forms, but is most commonly pickled
cabbage in spicy red pepper powder, sprinkled with salt, green
onions, garlic, and ginger. The price of food in restaurants is generally inexpensive and if
you’re missing familiar fast food restaurants, don’t fret. They’ve invaded Asia in good
form: you’ll have no trouble locating a McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, or even a Baskin
Robbins.
8. What will I need to bring with me that I won’t be able to get in Korea?
If you are teaching in Seoul, you can find most things in Korea that you would in Canada.
This includes most medications. Some things to consider for teachers living in the suburbs
of Seoul would be hard-to-get toiletries like deodorant, tampons, and floss. You may also
wish to bring one or two sets of sheets as the sheets in Korea are different than they are
in Canada.
9. What transportation options will I have in Korea? How easy is it to get around?
The transportation system in Korea is highly developed. All you really need to get around is
a handy re-chargeable subway card, from which the appropriate fare is scanned off every
time you go for a ride. The buses operate on the same system, so the same card can get
you anywhere you want to go. The bus system does take some getting used to – however,
once you familiarize yourself with a few lines the rest seem to fall into place. Most
destination signs on the buses are in English as well as in Korean. Taxis are very
inexpensive, although communication can sometimes be a challenge.
IV – Useful Web Links
Maple Bear™ Website
www.maplebear.ca
Canadian Embassy in Seoul
http://www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
Dave’s ESL Café
http://www.daveseslcafe.com
Lonely Planet South Korea
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_east_asia/south_korea
National Tax Service of Korea
http://www.nts.go.kr/eng/default.html
Teaching English in Korea
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/korea-en.asp
DFAIT Canada
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/world/embassies/korea
Canadian government website for travelers:
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/bon_voyage_but-en.asp
For those living, working and travelling in Korea:
www.galbijim.com
Adventure Trips in Korea:
www.adventurekorea.com
Help line in English:
02+area code+1330