Teachers before you go.

Learn non-American varieties of English, especially Canadian. Students in other countries are confronted with many forms of English. Canadian/American English has usually been preferred.

Students now are exposed to teachers and materials from at least North America, Britain, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and even philippines and they are frustrated by instructors who correct what they have learned from another native English speaker.

Teachers should be able to help students master the speaking, writting, reading and listening forms of either major variety and should be familiar with the forms found in other countries, as well.

How can you prepare materials when you don't know what you'll teach?
Take a lot of good material. If you have a favorite set of materials or lesson plans prepare, take or send them with enough copies for a class. Take a large variety of material. Students in most countries want to see Canada/American videos, Some schools have their own curriculum and and will inform you to use them.
Teach diligently and explain methodology. A great deal of teaching overseas is teacher-centered, and teachers are expected to plan each part of the lesson thoroughly. Students and overseas teachers responded negatively to what are perceived as unplanned classes.

Tip of the month:

Recognize your role as an outsider.

Before Accepting a Job in Korea :

This is advice for E2 and E1 Visa holders. Most of the rules/advise listed here does not apply to F1-2, F4, F5, E5, E7 or other visa holders. For further information about your visa limitations, always inquire at your local Immigration Office before starting a new job

It is illegal to work without a proper visa:
You must have the visa sticker in your passport before you can start work- without exception. If your employer asks you to work before you have your visa sticker, refuse. Insist on getting your visa before you teach your first class or you are working illegally.

Your visa is associated with ONE location:

If your employer asks you to work at more than one physical school, you need to get Immigration permission and apply for a secondary workplace permit. EPIK and GEPIK are exceptions. EPIK employees can legally work in multiple locations without Immigration permission.

Working "Privates" or "Part-Time Jobs" without Immigration permission is illegal:

Working in a second registered business place is possible (a secondary workplace) if you have permission from Immigration. However, working "privates", or tutoring at a non-business, is illegal.

You need Immigration permission to work at a camp:
Outside of your primary workplace. It will either be registered as a secondary workplace (if you currently hold an E1-2) or you may be eligible for a Temporary Employment visa. Inquire at your local immigration office before teaching at a camp to ensure your legality.

Four essential rules to success are:

#1. Do not re-invent the wheel!
If you try to, you are taking a big risk. Model your job search proven methods that have been successful. The bottom line? Get the information BEFORE you apply for specific positions!

# 2. The longer you wait, the more opportunities you will lose:
Do it now. Because "later" will soon be too late. There are visa procedures, recruiters' flights and relocation hassles so the international recruiting starts early in the year and the timeline is compressed! So get it right the first time.

#3. Do not fall victim to simple, inexcusable mistakes! Some people apply several times before they succeed. Oscar Wilde put it this way, "I am not young enough to know everything."

Summary

Be prepared.
Be humble.
Be flexible.

Many of the problems that arise are because you are in a foreign culture. On the other hand, teaching and living overseas allows you to rethink who you are, and it is the crises that teach you the most.

Rather than trying to avoid problems, try to accept the challenge that each problem offers about what you will learn about the culture, about teaching, or about yourself when the crisis is solved it will be you who will be better for it.