Q1: Do you need to know Korean to be a missionary English teacher at SDA Language Institute of Korea?

A1: No. You do not need to know the Korean language because there will be local Korean teachers to help you communicate with students.

Q2: Can I save some money every month?

A2: Yes, you can if you want to. Many do. Since this mission opportunity provides many living expenses along with a generous stipend, some pay off their college loans with their extra money. Some save to go back to school, travel more, etc.

Q3: How long will it take to process my application?

A3: It should take approximately two months from the time you submit your interest form until you arrive in Seoul, Korea, if you submit all your papers promptly. However, some urgent cases can be processed faster than two months. It depends on how promptly you prepare and submit your documentation.

Q4: Do I need a bachelor's degree for teaching Conversational English in Korea?

A4: Yes, as required by the Korean government. One reason behind this law is you will teach classes attended by a mix including highly educated people and university students. Doctors, business men, and/or various professionals want to learn English from you.

 

Q5: I have only an associate’s degree. Is there any way I can serve as a missionary to Korea?

A5: No. You must have a bachelor's degree if you want to serve in Korea.

Q6: One of the criteria of qualification reads "A Citizen of Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, South Africa or the United States." I am citizen of one of other English speaking countries than these 6 countries. Is there any way that I can go to SDA Language Institute of Korea as missionary?

A6: No. You must be a citizen of one of the six countries.

Q6: Do I need to cook for myself?

A6: Many teachers cook for themselves. But, if you do not want to cook, you may submit a request to your director to have a meal a day served in your apartment. This may be provided. As well, many Korean restaurants are fairly inexpensive.

Q8: Can I use my monthly stipend to pay my college loan?

A8: Yes, you can do that. Actually many missionaries do that.

Q7: What will my housing be like?

A7: Housing is always within reasonable walking distance to your institute. Each teacher has her/his own room in a two to four bedroom apartment. A bedroom is typically furnished with a twin-size bed (some rooms have a full-size or double bed), closet, and dresser. A pillow, comforter and blankets are also provided. Living rooms have a couch and coffee table. Televisions, VCRs and DVD players are not always provided. Kitchens are equipped with basic appliances (refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, rice cooker), cooking, dinner, and flatware. Each apartment comes with a couple power converters (converting 220 volts to 110 volts), an iron, board, washing machine, and drying rack.

Q10: What are the travel opportunities while in Korea?

A10: Traveling within Korea – With the ease of use of the bus and train systems it’s quite easy to travel within Korea. During your weekends off and term breaks you can enjoy touring the country and learning more about the local culture. Weekends off will also give you the opportunity to visit other institutes and observe their weekend programs. Teachers’ retreats and Total Immersion English camps are also good opportunities to see different parts of Korea.
Outside of Korea – Many teachers take advantage of term breaks to travel throughout Asia, Africa and Europe. There are also mission trips arranged during the longer term breaks through local institutes and SDA Language School for teachers and students. Mission groups in the past have traveled to Cambodia, Kenya and the Philippines

Q11: Will my electronic appliances plug into the outlets in Korea?

A11: Korean power outlets are 220 volts. Power voltage converters (220V to 110V) should be available in every apartment. Depending on the item, it may have a built in converter so you may only need a plug adapter that can be purchased in Korea (less than one U.S. dollar). Read the manufacturers information for details about your product.

Q12:What are some of the advantages of being a missionary in Korea?

A12: Dr. Helen Byounce, teaching supervisor at the Institute describes some of the advantages of being a missionary in Korea as follows

  • We get to live in and experience a culture which is said to be at least 5000 years old
  • We get to see a fascinating blend of the old and the new-ancient palaces from the early dynastic reign of kings and queens of Asia with the modern world of cyberspace and Olympiad architecture
  • The emerald green waters off the coast of the island of Cheju
  • The majestic splendor of Halla and Sorak mountains and other wonders of this tiny peninsular nation, are all worthy sites to behold and constitute the positive benefits of being a missionary in Korea
  • Of the many positive advantages of being a missionary in Korea, the real one, however, comes from a spiritual vantage point as we respond to a 2000-year-old command to "go ye into all of the world to preach the gospel..."
    What a glorious opportunity 2000 years later to respond to that command.
    Coming to Korea as a missionary is what Stephen Covey refers to as a win/win situation, you cannot lose. By coming here, several things occur
  • We grow closer in our day-to-day relationships as we look to HIM for guidance and direction, and to empower us to do the work we've been assigned to do. Sending us here is no afterthought. By design, we have been destined to participate with God in the Plan of Salvation for lost men and women everywhere. And so He has brought us.
  • In the process of growing closer, we begin to reflect His glory and His goodness in our daily lives. We acquire all of the attributes of that glorious life-humility, patience, courage, meekness, wisdom and obedience.
  • As we become more like HIM in the acquisition of Godly attributes, He is represented to others as Someone to be desired. The spirit begins to intensify that desire in others, and souls are born into the kingdom of God through baptism.
  • The excitement and thrill of standing on the banks as 92 precious souls are born into the Kingdom of God makes you want to rush right out in search of 92 others.
  • Being able to disciple others is God's ultimate purpose for us in this earth. I can think of no better goal and no better place for that discipleship to take place than here in this country of approximately 54,000,000 where less than 10,000,000 are Christians.

    If you want the thrill and excitement of REAL joy, it can be found serving Christ in the Land of the Morning Calm. Take Christ at His word, and see what joy awaits you here as "You go into all the world to preach..."   
Q13: Are there any reasons that I should be a missionary teacher in Korea?

A13: Yes. Ten reasons.

  1. Jesus needs you in Korea. The need is so great. About six million youth want to come in our institute, and learn conversational English and Bible. Jesus needs you in Korea.  He want you to do the work HE would do.
  2. To grow your spiritual experience through daily devotion and mission work.
  3. To use your talents God has given to you for the benefit of others.
  4. To live your hopes in actual mission field where you can share the glorious hope of Second Coming of Christ with Koreans.
  5. To find new joys that you never had--in unique setting in Korea.
  6. To realize your dreams.  You wanted to do mission work at the same time you want to save some fund for the future.  This dream can be realized in Korea.
  7. To make your testimony powerful.  You will have a lot of opportunities to share your appreciation of your wonderful Savior. As you do that you will see the change of precious souls who join into heavenly family of God.  This will give you a great confidence and you can do your testimony which will encourage a lot of people.
  8. To share the love of God who gave us all to save us from bondage of sin to His eternal kingdom.
  9. To exercise your faith in daily teaching and life.
  10. To finish the Great Commission Jesus have given to us--go ye therefore...