I am having a great time teaching in Korea. The staff at the school has made me feel welcome which made it easier to settle down and adapt to teaching. Since coming here, I have learnt a lot and I am gradually getting used to the teaching method of this school and what makes a good classroom teaching. One of the rewards from teaching is when I am able to make a connection with students in English and they are also excited at having communicated with a foreigner. I enjoy my job because I can let them know that learning English can be a fun thing to do. Before this job, I have always liked children but since teaching Korean kids, I have grown to like them more than before. I would like to develop my classroom teaching skills further so that I can be an effective and resourceful Native Teacher. Coming to Korea as a Native Assistant Teacher has been the best decision I ever made. Worknplay has helped me right from the start They have helped with the application/interview process, explaining all the necessary information about the school system in Korea, the culture and the daily life that comes hand in hand with the job. They have been crucial in making me adjust to the life here quickly. Worknplay also provided everything from arranging an airplane ticket, booking accommodation for the first night in Korea, transport between the airport, hotel and Daejon where I will be teaching at. Emily, especially, has been most helpful and resourceful. Her quick and reliable correspondences have made the process of applying for this job hassle free and efficient. Her experience in this field is great and her attention to detail in her work is superb. She has also done a great job with finding a school in the area that I prefer.

Grace Kim

My name is Katherine and I am from Minnesota and currently employed in Yeosu, South Korea. I teach classes at an all boy’s high school and really enjoy my students and co-workers. The transition to Korea from America was made easy for me by Worknplay Korea and their helpful appointed advisor, Julie. She made sure all my documents were in place, scheduled my flight, and continues to be available to me during my stay to help me when things get complicated. For instance, I did not know how to turn on my hot water, don’t laugh, and she contacted the right people to help me. If I am too shy to ask my co-workers for help, Julie always responds in a timely fashion. The level of stress when moving to a new country was considerably reduced knowing that Worknplay is just an email away.

Katherine Carrick

The first time I spoke to Julie Lim I was in Dulles international airport in Washington DC working my way through customs on my way to a 13 hour lay over in Qatar before arriving in Nepal for my TEFL course.

"Hello? Jonathan?" A timid voice on the other end of the line asked. The fact that I was being called Jonathan let me know that this call was either official or someone in my family. The accent didn't leave much question as to which one. "This is Julie from work and play consulting." She identified herself in what was to become her standard greeting. "Is it true that you want to teach English in Korea ?" The next minutes I busily juggled two important conversations, the one with Julie making me nervous despite her simple and easy going demeanor. This could not have helped my appearance in answering airline officials that I could not recall packing anything that I knew to be explosive and that I had not let my bags out of my sight. After those harry first few minutes I settled into a chair and did my best to handle the barrage of questions Julie had for me. For the most part she was asking simple getting to know you questions along with questions that potential employers might be interested in knowing about me. I tried to speak clearly and slowly over the noise of a crowded airport terminal and the roar of landing, taking off, and taxiing planes. I was having trouble hearing her but it was not for lack of mastery of the English language. Even after being here in Korea for two months, I don't think that I have met a native Korean who can speak English as well as Julie.

Julie's call made my decision to move to Korea to teach suddenly real and I was filled with excitement. While I was in Nepal , communication was difficult however any time I was able to make it to a computer to send an email I received news from Julie. She was constantly on the ball, letting me know how her efforts at getting me a job were going. She handled everything for me, from the logistics of flight and visa procurement, to study tips for interviews, to encouragement and everything in-between. Our contacts were personal as well, I got to feel like I knew a little bit about the person who was taking my life into her hands, making decisions about my future, and because of her personal touch I was comfortable. It was like trusting a friend, who is a logistical wizard, to take care of all the minutia involved in planning both a vacation and a career. The whole process went smoothly, and even when there were hiccups or dragging feet on one side or another, Julie was on the phone or in my e-mail box keeping me apprised of every new development and advising me what to do.

I feel indebted to Julie for all of her efforts to help me. Even though she insists that it is all part of her job I feel that she went above and beyond in order to make my transition to my new life as a foreign English teacher smooth and comfortable. Although I feel that a personal rapport has developed, Julie has always remained professional. She still fills me in on upcoming events and makes sure that things are going well in my schools, and still introduces herself "Hello Jonathan, this is Julie from work and play" both on the phone and in emails

Jonathan Brown

My name is Raymond Kim, and I’m currently teaching English at a public school in Suwon. I got in contact with the school through a recruiter named Julie at Work ‘N Play, and I’d happily recommend their service to anyone else who wants a secure, stable job in South Korea as an English teacher. After working with my first employer for a couple of months, however, I decided it was time to move on, and contacted Work ‘N Play in February of 2008. Julie Lim responded back to my e-mail extremely quickly, and she gave me the job that I wanted. Given my special circumstances at the time (being employed), there were many things I needed to do that would have normally been very frustrating for a recruiter. Nonetheless, Julie was very understanding and patient, and accommodated all my needs. Furthermore, Ms. Lim handled everything in a very professional manner, and our correspondence has been very punctual and productive. I’m much happier with the public school than I was at my last job, and I’m very thankful for Julie’s assistance.

Raymond Kim

As a recruiter, Julie at WorknPlay Consulting was so helpful. She found three jobs for me in a variety of areas. She was always available to answer my questions and always very helpful, even in the midst of Korea's changing visa laws. Her guidance was invaluable, especially to someone who is completely new to the ESL community.

Emily Schell

Julie Lim provided excellent recruiting service that allowed me the opportunity to come to South Korea . I was impressed with her English ability and professionalism. Julie Lim also answered my questions promptly and accurately. I am grateful for her Help. Sincerely,

Craig Kita

"To whom it may concern:

I was very satisfied with my experience with Julie at WorknPlay Consulting. In November, my friend and I began looking for jobs in Korea . We informed several recruiters that we wanted to teach English in a more beautiful area, and we wanted to live in the same housing. We had never traveled in Korea , and were not familiar with the process of applying for jobs here, but we had been advised by friends to go through a recruiter. Julie at WorknPlay Consulting was very quick to reply to our job query. She called us on the telephone the same day we e-mailed our request, and she spoke English very well

Julie called several times and updated us on new job opportunities in Korea. When she offered us teaching jobs with the public school in Yeosu, we decided to accept.

After we accepted her job offer, Julie was very helpful and informative about all of the steps we needed to complete. She was very prompt and thorough in replying to our questions. She was also very friendly in her correspondence.

Once we had our visas, and were ready to travel, Julie arranged our complete flight itinerary and directed us to a travel agent in Manhattan, who took our credit card payment over the phone. Our flight progressed exactly as it was planned in the itinerary.

Once we arrived in Seoul, about one month after we accepted Julie’s job offer, she met us at the airport and brought us to a very nice guesthouse with a good, hot shower and comfortable beds. She arranged transportation to and from Incheon airport and instructed us on how to take the bus from Incheon airport to Gimpo airport the next day in order to board our flight to Yeosu. Having a good night’s rest before flying to Yeosu to meet our employers was invaluable.

Now that we are in Yeosu, I am very pleased with how our respective employers have helped us settle into our life and work here. Our co-teachers gave us a tour of the nearest large department store, where we have been able to buy necessities like dishes, utensils, cookware, toiletries, and food. They also have arranged our travel to and from school until we are familiar with the bus system. So far, it seems as though our employers plan to carry out everything that was outlined in the original contract.

Our experience with Julie and WorknPlay Consulting has been very pleasant and very reliable. It feels as though we made the right decision. "

Sincerely,

Rose Boyer and Anna Rebellino

"I used WorknPlay Consulting for the first time to seek a public school job in Yeosu. I found the Company and Gloria in particular to be helpful in providing information about the process required to get the job.

While under pressure, she responded well and also helped with providing information about the visa trip that I needed to do and providing me with a webpage of the school to look at.

She worked hard on my case and while it took a while to organise all the neccesary paper work, it was completed with time to spare. She was also helpful in providing information on the train schedules to come to my city.

The school that I work in is a private high school and they have been so far very efficient in dealing with me. They have been welcoming and helpful in providing me what I needed to make my time here easier. They have even acted so far above and beyond what was required under the contract and have been a good match for my type of personality.

I would use work n play again in seeking other public school employment and as they have followed up after I have been placed with a school with actions to try and increase my knowledge of the city and others who live here. I would recommend them as being the most professional of recruiters that I have so far dealt with. "

Graeme Hunter-Public School in Yeosu

"I arrived at my first Public School Position through Work n Play about two years ago. I looked to WorknPlay Consulting for help in selecting my new position in Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do. Gloria Hwang at WorknPlay Consulting has been my Angel. She was always available when I had queries and issues. She is truly dedicated to placing the candidate with the best possible position available. The WorknPlay Consulting website has been a Gem-pot of information regarding Jobs as well as Social Events and I am blessed to have come accross this company. I am constantly referring friends and prospective Teachers to Work n Play for information and Assistance. Thank you, Gloria and WorknPlay Consulting ! Keep up the good work!"

Ariel Isaacs, public school in Ansan

"I'm currently teaching in a public school in Yeosu , South Korea . So far, the experience has been extraordinary. The school has been supportive in every way possible, and have showered me with warm hospitality since my arrival in the city.

Minimal obstacles have come my way, but they have disappeared just as quickly, with the help of efficient people such as Gloria, my WorknPlay Consulting recruiter, as well as Hong, my head co-teacher.

Gloria has ensured that all contract points were have been met by the school, and also aided me in booking flights that I struggled to book from South Africa . Although I have been in the country for a month, Gloria sporadically drops me an e-mail to ensure that I am still happy in my position.

I would encourage any person considering South Korea as a destination for working travel to pack their bags immediately and catch the soonest flight to this beautiful country. Bon voyage."

Lauren Campbell, Public School in Yeosu

" WorknPlay Consulting took care of all my needs once I decided to work abroad in Korea . In the States I was working a full time job while also taking my certification class. They gave me the freedom to choose whichever school I was interested in while also accomodating my busy schedule. They made it so easy for me! They worked directly with the school and let me know what I needed and when to send it. I really did nothing except  sign a few documents and get my visa. They set everything else up for me. I am really happy to have had WorknPlay Consulting. I really recommend their company!"

Andrea Pedersen, Public School in Yeosu

" In the latter part of 2006 I decided to seek further employment opportunities and challenges. In doing so this meant that I would not only change jobs, but also change industries and countries by moving from New Zealand to South Korea . Throughout this period of change I had the good fortune to have Gloria from WorknPlay Consulting, a Seoul based recruitment agency assist me.

Making any career or job change is stressful, however relocating to another country, especially one that is quite culturally different to mine, can be potentially very stressful. In my case it has proven to be remarkably stress free and for this I must thank Gloria. At every stage of the process she has acted professionally, and reassured me and offered explanations of what is happening. On a number of occasions she telephoned me in New Zealand to further clarify and explain various points.

I have now been in S Korea for approx eight weeks and I am happily settled into working at an elementary school in a small city in the southern part of the country. Often a recruitment agency will have no further contact with applicants after placement, however Gloria has checked on my status and I am reassured that should I require advise or assistance she is just an email or phone call away.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Gloria or her company to anyone seeking a teaching position in Korea . She is professional with a very pleasant manner and importantly clear and easily understandable English ability. Should you require any further comments please email me at: ron.hey@gmail.com"

Ron Hey, Public School in Sacheon