Why TEFL Now?

What are the differences among TEFL, TEYL, TESOL, TESL, CELTA, etc.? In the simplest of terms, they are different levels and methods of teaching English to non-native English speakers. TESL certifications are widely regarded as methods for teachers of non-native English speakers and immigrants to English speaking countries. TESOL and TEFL are geared more toward those who want to teach English in non-English speaking countries. Bingo! That’s me!

…and they’re off (-track Horse Racing at Walkerhill)

Let’s Run: A case where going “Off Track” is a good thing.

The new facilities at the Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul, which opened Friday June 3rd, 2016, are clean and quiet. This is a far cry from what I would have imagined having been to some of the casinos throughout Asia. A few juicy details to note before jumping into the nitty-gritty.

Candidly Kate: Where to Teach in Korea

In a country the size of Indiana, you would think that the two largest cities would have similar lifestyles. After spending a year in Busan I thought I have conquered Korea enough to hit the capital. Could I have been more wrong?

Jogyesa Temple – Lotus Lantern Weekend Part ii

Korean couples love to get dressed up and wander around the old, traditional towns, as well as the Palaces and the Temples. All this was amplified by the hoopla of Buddha’s Birthday Weekend which has been celebrated as a festival since the Unified Silla era over 1,300 years ago. Yep – he gets the whole weekend, the festival, the parade, and all the beautiful lantern displays at nearly every temple the month leading up to his birthday and for for many, the weeks beyond (at Jogyesa they’ll be around until May 22nd). I guess it’s like leaving your Christmas lights up on your front porch all year long, just a lot less honky-tonk and a lot more beautiful!

When your friends leave Korea

Well, it happened.  Much earlier than I had anticipated, way earlier than I’d hoped, and so much earlier than I’m ready to understand.  It was bound to happen.  I had read many articles about it.  Most foreigner friends don’t plan on staying in Korea for more than a couple of years, if that.  I just…

Haeundae Beach Holi Hai 2015

Last weekend we celebrated Sunday Funday at a Festival called “Holi” down at the famous Haeundae Beach in Busan, South Korea!  “Holi (pronunciation: /ˈhoʊliː/; Sanskrit: होली Holī) is a spring festival, also known as the festival of colours or the festival of love.[3][4] It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as…

Makgeolli, Monster Craft, and many good times!

  Sunday night is Curry night in Hwamyeong-Dong!  Monster Craft Brewing makes a cheep, cheerful, and incredibly delicious Japanese-style curry with your choice of mushrooms, chicken, or pork cutlet with the option to add more meat for KRW 2,500.  I had the mushroom curry and added chicken (their chicken is fantastic on its own or…

Nampo-dong and Jagalchi Market

Last Sunday’s start was a bit confusing!   Like the picture above (taken outside exit 4 of Nampo Station), there were many directions we could have taken to meet our friends in the “shopping district” of Busan, Nampo-dong.  I snapped that photo just as we had exited to street level and was excited to see…

My SoKo digs!

My 6th floor apartment is actually quite spacious!  With only a single bed and a small table with 2 chairs my place has ample space for my 30 Day Shred and Insanity: The Asylum workouts.  My bathroom has a massive mirror (with very minimal water damage – amazing), and is quite large.  There is a…

A cross-country endeavour!

Yesterday was a National Holiday (details according to Google: Independence Movement Day (March 1) This day commemorates the Declaration of Independence proclaimed on March 1, 1919, while under Japanese colonization. A reading of the declaration takes place in a special ceremony at Tapgol Park in Seoul, where the document was first read to the public.) so I…

Peace out, Pearson!

With an hour and 20 minutes until boarding this feels entirely too surreal.  In the car ride over I had all these terrible feelings that something bad might happen, but really it’s all been pretty smooth sailing thus far.  I woke up at 3:30 AM and figured I should probably put a face on.  Not…

The Consulate

It’s funny how just as I’m leaving Canada for greener pastures Toronto all of a sudden starts trying to make it up to me.  The weather has improved, I’m working for a phenomenal company (where was this three years ago?!), my friends are all super supportive and are making time for me before I leave…