College of Education
Daegu English Village - FAQ
FAQ Sections:
- Contractual Considerations
- Daegu English Village Logistics
- Professional Development
- Other Information
- Blog for Daegu English Village Teachers
Contractual Considerations
Q: What is the salary for a full-time teacher and a part-time teacher?
A: Salary is based on Level I or Level II full-time teachers. Currently, Level I teachers will receive a salary of $25,000 (USD), and Level II teachers will receive a salary of $30,000 (USD). The salary includes free room and board for those living in the Daegu English Village teacher dorms.
Q: Would I be hired for full-time or part-time teaching?
A: Teachers are hired for full-time teaching opportunities. Occasionally, additional part-time staff are hired to cover Winter and Summer vacation programs in January and July/August.
Q: What does the benefit package include?
A: Health insurance and retirement benefits are included. The total deductions for South Korean taxes, health plan and pension plan are under 10% of your gross yearly salary and will be deducted from your paycheck on a monthly basis. The amount deducted for the required pension plan will be matched and refunded to you at the end of your employment. Life insurance for teachers over 30 can be arranged if desired with the AIG company. The monthly premium would be paid by the individual teacher.
Q: What holidays are celebrated and given time off? Are they paid holidays?
A: The Daegu English Village teachers can not take vacations during the Korean National Holidays since the Village does not close during these times. However, the Village will close (no classes) for 4 weeks during the school year. There may be another 4 weeks of no classes. During these weeks, the Daegu English Village teachers will not have students, but will work on other DGEV related activities (e.g., taping teaching sessions for on-line programs). There is no “holiday” pay as the teachers are contracted to be in the Village a certain amount of time during the year.
Q: Since the salary is for an academic year, can my pay be spaced out so that I can ensure income for the year?
A: In order for the salary to be tax-free, IRS regulations state that an employee in a foreign country must be employed a minimum of 330 full days (does not need to be consecutive) during a period of 12 consecutive months. Therefore, your teaching contract will reflect this and will be paid out during the course of your contract. Please refer to the following web sites for useful information on US taxes:
IRS Publication 54, “Tax Guide for U.S, Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad” http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p54.pdf
IRS Publication 593, “Tax Highlights for U.S. Citizens and Residents Going Abroad” http://www.irs.gov/publications/p593/ar02.html#d0e329
IRS Publication 514, “Foreign Credit for Individuals http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p514.pdf
Q: How is the teacher work visa to be handled?
A: Yeungjin College is assisting us in this matter. You will need to have all the necessary teacher work visa documents mailed to Yeungjin College to process. Please look for the specific steps regarding the work visa process in this link and in corresponding e-mails to the teachers.
Daegu English Village Logistics
Q: When should I depart for Daegu?
A: You must be at the Daegu English Village one week prior to the start date of August 1 for teacher orientation. You may arrive in South Korea earlier than this start date. However, please know that any expenses you incur during this time are not part of your
contracted salary.
Q: How will the flight arrangements be made?
A: Please contact Debby Jennings/Georgina Segura via e-mail at djenning@uccs.edu and gsegura@uccs.edu to keep them posted on your proposed itinerary to the Daegu English Village. This information should include your arrival date to Daegu, flight #, contact information, along with any other pertinent information we will need to know regarding your arrival in South Korea. Don’t forget to bring your passport to the airport on the day of your flight. A $2,000 stipend for your roundtrip airfare, shipping of personal items, visa fees onceyour arrive in Daegu, and the like will be provided.
Q: Is there an address available for us to begin sending boxes to the Daegu English Village? Are there materials that I won't need to bring?
A: According to U.S. airline regulations, you can bring two suitcases of a specified weight on the plane (please check with the airline that you intend on using). Personal items may be shipped to the village in care of:
Daegu English Village
744, Yeonh-wa-ri
Jichun-meon
Chilgok-goon, Gyeongbuk Province
781-821, South Korea
Q: Is there a dress code in the Daegu English Village?
A: It is expected that the teachers will dress as expected for a professional educator. While there may be times that formal dress will be required (e.g., during diplomatic visitations), a more casual, but professional dress code will be in place. Please note that jeans, t-shirts, sleeveless shirts, and sandals are not accepted in the Village (while you can dress casually away from the Village), as well as piercings (except for the typical earrings) and noticeable tattoos. Please refer to the Daegu English Village policies and procedures link for further information.
Q: Can the teachers leave their belongings in their dorm rooms while on break?
A: Yes, they can. Dorm room keys are provided when you arrive. Please note that the dorm room is the size of a typical dorm room in the U.S. Please bring belongings accordingly.
Q: Will there be a shuttle to and from the Daegu English Village?
A: There will be a shuttle from the Village several times a day. The closest city, Chilgok, is about 10-15 minutes from the Village and has most, if not all, the amenities expected. There is public transportation from Chilgok into Daegu. You may want to consider obtaining an international driver’s license for South Korea (even though the public transportation is great there). This license is good for one year and must be obtained prior to arriving in South Korea. This can be taken care of at your local AAA organization.
Q: Will we be able to learn the South Korean language?
A: While the South Korean language will not be spoken or written in the Village, the availability to learn conversational Korean will try to be made available. Yeungjin College will try to arrange for a Korean teacher to come to the village for language instruction. The cost for these lessons will need to be paid by the Daegu English Village teachers one month in advance. Once you arrive in the Village, Yeungjin College will provide Korean culture lessons.
Q: Are important facilities (e.g., clinics, hospitals, police stations, post offices, banks, stores) readily available?
A: Yes. The nearby city of Chilgok (10-15 minutes by car) has all of these facilities, and much more. You will take a “tour” of Chilgok and Daegu upon your arrival at the Village.
Q: Are immunization shots required for Korea?
A: While immunizations are not required, some are recommended. Ongoing information on this matter, and many others, will be sent to the teachers. A useful web site to visit is http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel.
Q: Will my medical prescriptions be accepted in South Korea?
A: South Korea is known for their health care services. Most original prescriptions can be accepted in South Korea. Please make sure you have an adequate supply of medicines until you can set up specific medical care as needed. If a prescription can not be filled in South Korea, there are other options (mail order, on-line) to receive the needed prescribed medicines. While not necessarily a prescribed item, please know that personal deodorant is hard to come by in South Korea. You may want to bring a supply of this with you. Larger sizes of clothing may need to be brought, as well.
Q: Will I need to bring my own blankets, sheets, pillows?
A: No, but you will be asked to bring your own towels and wash cloths.
Physical Layout of the Daegu English Village
Q: What are the dorm rooms and building like?
A: The dorms are single occupancy with a private bath. The teacher dorm is in an adjoining wing from the students’ dorm. Teachers have two floors which are separated by male and female (please note that if the ratio of male teachers to female teachers is not fairly equal, it may not be possible to separate the genders by floors). While meals are provided by the Daegu English Village, there is a common cooking area in the teacher dorm. A full work out room with the latest equipment is also provided for the staff.
Q: Knowing the summers in South Korea can be very hot and humid; will there be air-conditioning in the Daegu English Village?
A: Yes.
Q: Should I bring my own appliances (e.g., electric shaver, blow dryer, CD/DVD player) from home?
A: While most of these appliances will run on South Korea’s 220V current through the use of an electrical adapter (those with the round-ended prongs), it may be better to purchase needed appliances designed for the Korean electric currency once you arrive at the Village. It is recommended that if you plan on using a cell phone in South Korea, since U.S. cell phones will not work there, it is best to wait until you arrive in Daegu. The use of international calling cards is also a viable option. DGEV staff will help you in the purchase of a phone or calling card after you arrive in the Village, if you would like.
Q: What if I need dry cleaning services?
A: Dry cleaning services are located in the nearby city of Chilgok.
Q: The food. Will it be American cuisine or Korean cuisine?
A: While living at the village, you will have the opportunity to eat the Korean cuisine as do others living in the country. American food will be provided from time to time. For any teacher who may be vegetarian, there will be vegetable side dishes (served to go with rice) on a regular basis.
Q: Is there a library in the Daegu English Village?
A: Yes, there is a library. The library will be outfitted for our teachers and students. Feel free to bring a few of your favorite books to read and share while you are there. There is also an English bookstore in the city of Daegu.
Q: Will each teacher have a fixed classroom to use as a home base for instruction? Is there a budget to start a classroom?
A: The teaching staff can discuss whether the teachers need or want a “home-based” classroom. You will have a better feel for this after your training on the academic/situational curricula. The DGEV and the UCCS College of Education will supply the necessary materials for the classrooms. We will not have individual budgets at this time. The teachers will have their own office work space within the Village.
Q: What kind of computer hardware and operating system will the school be using? Mac or PC.
A: The teachers will be assigned wireless laptop computers (a signed liability form is required in case of damage) running Windows operating system. The Village will use a PC platform.
Teaching Schedule
Q: How many hours a week are we required to be in the classroom?
A: You can plan on a 9-6 five-day work week. Some of this work schedule will include time spent in planning and committees. It is expected that teachers will also work some week-ends and inter-sessions during the scheduled academic breaks that the city of Daegu students are off from their schools. The teachers would not need to work all of the week-ends and inter-sessions.
Q: Do the students come back repeatedly throughout the school year?
A: The Kindergarten students will come for part or whole day sessions. The older students will attend a week-long (M-F) session. These and other students may come to the Village for the week-end and inter-session programs. Some students choose to return to the village time and again to further their English language skills.
Curriculum
Q: What is the overall goal of the Daegu English Village?
A: The purpose of the Village is to provide South Korean citizens an English education and acculturation experience without the need to travel abroad. The Village can not replace studying abroad, but is expected to simulate this experience.
Q: What kinds of curricula are followed? And are the targeted standards for the curricula the same standards outlined by TESOL?
A: The curricula use an integrative (academic/situational) approach within a block schedule. The academic curriculum is based, in part, on the TESOL standards. There will have training on the curriculum shortly after arrival at the Village. Teachers are also encouraged to develop lesson plans that they want to use in connection with their teaching activities.
Q: Is it expected that each group is taught the same language skills through the same content?
A: For the weekday program, there may be some assessing of student proficiency levels prior to starting their program. For the inter-session programs there will be English proficiency level assessments.
Professional Development
Q: Masters program. Who do I need to meet with so that I can have my transcript reviewed?
A: You may contact Debby Jennings, stateside DGEV Director at US +1 719-262-3718 or djenning@uccs.edu. If you are near Colorado Springs, CO, you may set up an appointment by contacting Cindy Brown at US +1 719-262-4344 or cbrown@uccs.edu.
Q: I'd like to know what classes will be necessary for the LDE/ESL MA, based on what I have already completed.
A: This would be a question for your faculty advisor. If you took the ESL courses at an undergraduate level or for your Bachelor’s Degree, those courses cannot be applied toward a Master's Degree. Many of the courses are offered on a rotating basis.
Q: Is there an exam I have to pass before I am admitted to the MA program?
A: In most cases, you will need to take either the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) as part of the Graduate School application.
Q: Should I go ahead and send in an application?
A: Please go ahead and submit all application materials to Cindy Brown at the address listed on the application form. See below:
Send all information to:
College of Education, Extended Studies
Attn: Cindy Brown
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway P.O. Box 7150 COH 6
Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7150
Phone Number: 7192624344
Or email: cbrown@uccs.edu
Other Information
Q: Are there any useful web sites?
A: Yes there are! Here are some:
www.thedaeguguide.com
wiki.galbijim.com
www.eslcafe.com (highly recommended)
www.eslteachersboard.com
If you come across any other useful web sites, please pass them along. We will add them to this FAQ list.
Contact Us
Debby Jennings
Daegu English Village, Director stateside
College of Education
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, COH 6, Room 4012
Colorado Springs, CO 80933
(719) 262-3718
djenning@uccs.edu
Georgina Segura
Daegu English Village, Coordinator stateside
College of Education
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, COH 6, Room 4012
Colorado Springs, CO 80933
(719) 262-3218
gsegura@uccs.edu