ESL Starter

The process of applying to EPIK is long and painstaking, however with the help from Claire my experience was trouble-free. Her dedication and passion allowed me to go through the process without wondering 'what if' or 'is this right?'. Claire answered my many questions with expertise and within 24 hours. I have heard many horror stories of other recruiters giving the wrong information or not responding at all to emails, with ESLstarter I didn't have to worry. Claire truly cares about what she does and the people she works with. I would fully recommend ESLstarter to anyone wanting to start a journey teaching abroad.

I am four months into my third contract in South Korea. I left the work of finding this contract in the hands of Claire at ESLstarter. Having completed two years, I had a full list and line-up of contract stipulations and expectations, which I assume, is not exactly a recruiters ideal. My initial email to ESLstarter was far from 'please find me a job' but more along the lines of 'please find me my dream job and apartment, in the city I want to live in, with this pay and at this time'. Apparently, I was lucky. Claire seemed to take on the challenge with ease and sincerity. The negotiations were quick and painless. My Visa process was swift, in what can sometimes be a cluster of emails. Claire's professionalism and charm were most appreciated. To add, this contract has been, so far, the best yet. My experience this year has surpassed my wants and needs. I feel very lucky to have worked with ESLstarter and I am most sure you will too.

I could not have asked for a better agency to work with. ESLstarter did everything they promised to do, and so much more. I was undecided on what to do with my life after graduating, but ESLstarter not only put me on the right track, but found me the perfect job - just what I had requested. They were prompt in all their replies, something that really impressed me. They were also very professional and honest in their information. They saw to it that I arrived when it suited me and also stayed in contact after I arrived to check that I was settling in well. I would recommend ESLstarter in a heart-beat, to anyone who is interested in teaching in South Korea.

I found ESLstarter to be efficient and they provided me with great contact throughout the whole application process. I'd recommend them to anybody looking to teach in Korea.

I found out about ESLstarter through a friend who spoke very warmly of Claire and Phil. I emailed them and was given a welcoming response right away. From there everything was fantastic. The email response was quick, friendly and personal. Through the work of Claire at the site I had a job interview lined up within a week. The service I received was first class and I couldn't have hoped for any better results. A trustworthy, professional and excellent service provided by friendly, hardworking, genuine people. I would recommend this site to anyone wanting to find employment as an English teacher.

I wanted to move to South Korea to teach English, but had no inside knowledge of the country or the schools. I found ESL starter online and contacted them. From then on they were in constant contact with me, working to get me a placement that suited me, and were always answering my questions quickly and giving me the reassurace I needed. Because I knew so little about the country, I put all my trust in ESL starter to recommend a city and a school. Now I have great placement in South Korea thanks to Claire and the team! - Thank you!

Claire at ESL Starter was so helpful! She set me up with so many opportunities and answered my burning questions, putting my soul at ease. She matched me up with an academy in Yeongtong, Suwon, I have been here 2 weeks and I love my apartment, short walk to my hagwon, my co-workers and my new friends in my town! :) Thanks ESL Starter!

Claire at ESL Starter was a complete star. She regularly emailed me and guided me through the whole recruitment process and was always quick to reply to my numerous questions. I would totally recommend ESL Starter to other people looking for teaching jobs in South Korea.

When I decided that I wanted to come to South Korea, I stumbled upon ESLstarter by accident and decided to e-mail them, along with a few other recruiters, to see who could offer me the help I needed. ESLstarter responded almost immediately and gave me all the necessary information quickly. They they answered all my questions within a day, sometimes within a few minutes! They ensured that the application process went smoothly. They helped me to apply to EPIK and because of their efficiency and fast responses I got placed exactly where I wanted and at the level I wanted. Thank you Phil and the ESLstarter team, I could have never done it without you!

My name is Eshenthree Padayachee and i am currently teaching in South Korea. It was a long process and journey getting here but having a reputable and reliable agency always helps ! Going through the Elstarter agency is a decision that I will not regret , Philip Negus and the team really do put in 100% o their time and effort in getting you the placement that you desire . During my application process i had loads of questions that i needed answers to and Phil was always available to help me . If you looking for an agent who as the patience to listen to your needs, willing to make the personal sacrifice to get you what you need and treat you with understanding and respect then look no further! Thus far living in Gangwon ,Chuncheon city has been a mind blowing experience...expect the unexpected

I wanted to teach English abroad and didn't know where to begin. Once I received an introductory email from ESLstarter about opportunities in South Korea, my mind was made up. I would highly recommend ESLstarter because their friendly staff gave me step-by-step advice about how to apply for a EFL job and answered all my queries quickly and efficiently. If I ever want to teach abroad again, I would contact ESLstarter immediately.

Choosing ESLstarter was the best decision I made when deciding to move to Korea! The process was quick and easy. ESLstarter is run by previous teachers and the advice and insight I was provided was simply priceless! All conceivable scenarios and questions were covered by ESLstarter's information pack, which also brought many issues (which I would not have known about) to my attention. Every question I asked was answered almost immediately, and my move to Korea had no hidden hick-ups - thanks to their service! I would strongly recommend ESLstarter to any person looking teach in Korea! Even if you are just interested in finding out more details about teaching in Korea, ESLstarter has first hand experience and complete knowledge of the teaching industry in Korea (along with a thorough insight of the Culture, and what to expect)!

This time a few months ago I was stuck in a warehouse in Ireland (I love Ireland but not warehouses), now I'm sitting in my classroom overlooking the sea on a sub - tropical island of the coast of Korea. Claire and eslstarter dealt with me in a proffesional, prompt and also personal manner which made everything very easy and reassuring for me. I always felt that things were moving forward and I would highly recommend anyone to avail of eslstarter and get things going for yourself.

Eslstarter made it really easy for me to get a job on the other side of the world. They kept me up to date with an and all developments and were professional and courteous throughout. I have already told my friends about eslstarter and would have no hesitation recommending them to anyone else.

ESL Starter is more than just a recruiting company, but two people who genuinely want to ease your transition to Korea as easy as possible. I've never lived in Korea before, but Claire gave me step by step instructions on how to get a VISA up to the point of getting into the airport. It took a few months but Claire was there from beginning to end. I arrived in Seoul near midnight, but Claire and Phil both met and helped me sign in with EPIK. They are beyond awesome.

I couldn't have asked for a better start to my Korean adventure than the one I had with Claire and ESL Starter. Nothing was too much trouble and every question asked was answered swiftly and professionally. Claire made every stage of the process clear and understandable and was always on hand to make sure the various components of the visa application were on track. I would recommend that anyone who is thinking about teaching English in Asia make ESL starter their first port of call.

I would have no hesitation in recommending ESLstarter's services to anyone. From my initial enquiry to my final placement, everything went without a hitch. Claire at ESLstarter performed her duties in a completely professional manner. It was a difficult decision for me to come and teach in South Korea but I'm glad i made that decision. I now live on a beautiful island and work at two great schools.

I was looking for a job in South Korea but was a bit overwhelmed by all the online sites and agencies offering work. It was difficult to know who to trust. Phil saw my CV online and contacted me about a public school job in Seoul. He was very helpful throughout the whole application process; answering questions and keeping me informed as to what was happening. I've been in Seoul six months now and I love my job and Seoul. I'm very glad ESL Starter found me and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to do TEFL work.

Eslstarter has made my move to Korea very easy and they answered any questions I had very quickly. I love my school, my co workers, the area I live in and most of all South Korea. I would like to thank eslstarter for making my experience in Korea a positive one.

ESL Starter really supported me through my application for my 1st job teaching abroad. There was no end of help throughout what seemed like an endless process to apply fora position in South Korea. But together, we got there in the end! Now I'm finally here, and I love it!

Having spent the best part of a year backpacking around the world, following uni, I was at something of a cross roads between pursuing a career in journalism and heading overseas again. On the recommendation of a good friend I began exploring the possibility of teaching overseas as a way of doing more travelling while immersing myself in an exciting new culture. After sending my C.V and covering letter to a number of agencies it was EFLStarter who responded first, helpful, friendly and diligent, Claire and Phil were just brilliant during the otherwise tricky process of securing an EFL Teaching position. Any questions, doubts or concerns I raised during the whole process were met with patience and sound advice. Given a range of jobs to choose from, I never once felt pressured into taking a particular position and always felt that I had their full support in any decision I made. The turn around was also very quick, taking only a few weeks to find me a good position in a city of my choosing. I was particularly impressed with the speed in which they responded to my emails, on the run up to my flight out to Korea I had some natural worries about relocating to a part of the world I knew so little about, Claire emailed me almost immediately with reassuring and kind words which instantly made me feel much better prior to flying out from London. I doubt that I would have taken this opportunity were it not for the professionalism and personable approach of ESLStarter. Three weeks into my teaching contract I'm having an amazing time in South Korea, much of which I owe to to the guys who got me here. Claire and Phil-Thank you so much for all your help in opening up the opportunity for me to realise something of a dream in working and living overseas. This experience is turning into everything I hoped it would be, and more. Tomorrow I'm heading to Busan for a weekend of hiking and partying with some new friends I met on a snowboarding trip last week. Everyday is an adventure here, and to that end I wish everyone thinking of getting on board all the very best!

Dealing with a foreign bureaucratic system can be intimidating. So can the prospect of living in a foreign country for an extended period of time. Phil and Claire at ESL starter understand this very well and are extremely adept at aiding applicants through this overwhelming process. In other words, they make it easy! After I arrived in Korea and heard the horror stories of other's experiences with recruiters, I felt grateful for Phil and Claire at ESL Starter. I would recommend their warm and competent services to anyone.

In 2009, I was unemployed for a year and working on voluntary basis. I was really becoming impatient after applying with all the recruitment agencies. While surfing through the Internet, I saw 'ESL Starter' recruitment agency. They had great teaching job opportunities abroad. I started applying through them. I could not believe the quick and timely response I got from Phil. He was always available to assist me through the entire application process, even when I got to South Korea at the airport. I am now happy and doing well in South Korea and it is all because of ESL Starter. I have made friends from all around the world and I am enjoying exploring South Korea. Thanks to Phil and Claire for all their hard work and great services. I definitely recommend them to anyone looking into teaching abroad.

When I first contacted ESL Starter in 2008 I was looking for guidance as the E2 visa process had recently changed. I found Claire and Phil to be very knowledgeable, reassuring and were always very fast to reply to my emails. They were friendly and professional throughout and eventually found me a placement on the outskirts of Seoul. I greatly enjoyed my time in Korea and am very grateful for the help they gave me. I would recommend ESL Starter very highly to anyone looking for ESL work in Korea.

Without Claire's help we never would have made from Denver to Daegu. Thanks eslstarter for all the help!

ESLstarter is a great recruiting agency to use for the EPIK program in Korea! Claire was so helpful with not only answering all of my questions, but also with keeping me up to date on all of the developments with the program. I can't imagine having gone through the application process without her... she even met me at the airport when I first arrived in Korea! I highly recommend using ESLstarter if you are looking for a job abroad.

ESLstarter helped me immensely throughout the application and placement procedure for my South Korean teaching adventure. Always available to answer my questions and so incredibly patient with me, they were just fantastic. Highly efficient and very thorough in their explanations and instructions they made the confusing application process seem simple. I really cannot recommend this company highly enough and would encourage anyone looking to take part in this once in a lifetime adventure to look no further than ESLstarter.

ESL Starter was an invaluable resource in starting my journey into ESL. My recruiter Claire was incredibly helpful and friendly and always provided thorough information in a very timely fashion. If you want the best information about the best jobs in Korea, this is the place to go. I am 7 months into my contract now with the public schools in Seoul and I'm having the time of my life! Thanks ESL Starter!

I am curious as to when Claire and Phil have time to sleep since it seems as though they spent 20 hours a day promptly answering my many, many emails during the application process. New to overseas teaching, I have to wonder how anyone starts an ESL career without Claire's guidance each and every step of the way. I never once felt as though I was working with an 'agency' - every communication seemed simply like advice from an enthusiastic, knowledgeable friend. I am now a few weeks into teaching at a wonderful elementary school in Busan and I still receive check-in emails from Claire!

When I first started applying to teach English in Korea, there were so many recruiters! One recruiter put us (my fiancee and I) on hold for four months, and another promised an interview and stopped answering us. As a Korean adoptee, many recruiters turned me down because I was not Caucasian. I sent information to almost fifty people, and I did not have good luck for nine months. I began to wonder about who I could really trust online. Then, by chance, I met Claire online at ESLStarter, and she made it so easy! She told me everything that I needed in simple language, and I felt well prepared to come to Korea. She emailed quickly, and answered questions all the time on Skype -- instant message and Skype phone calls. I'm not sure how much influence ESLStarter had on my placement in Korea, but it is ironic that I now teach in my birth city, and I teach the level of students that I requested as my first choice. My fiancee, Nick, is also teaching his preferred choice of students, and his co-workers are awesome! Also, I was told not to expect to live near my fiancee, because we are not married and Korea can be quite conservative. I'm not sure how everything worked out, but my vice principal asked me if I wanted to live in an apartment with my fiancee. It is a small area and we do not have all the furniture we were promised, but I am still very happy with my two schools, co-teachers, and my location. It is a small town, but that's what I really wanted. It is helping me learn Korean language faster! As a first time teacher with very little ability to speak Korean, I am adjusting to life pretty well. Of course, my students can be noisy at times, but talking about different classroom situations with co-workers helps make our relationship better and I learn a lot about Korean culture from them. I know my experiences may be tough at times, but I will remember and cherish these memories for the rest of my life. Thank you, Claire, for helping me to make a memory and change mine and my fiancee's lives. :)

What a fantastic company! Claire, thank you so much for all your help. 5months on and I am still loving it here in South Korea. Looking for a job during an economic slump added extra challenges to most other recruiters but not ESLStarter; Claire seemed always on top of things, always ready to help and quick to respond. I always got the impression from other recruiters that they were just going through the mill to 'beef' up their profiles, only with ESLStarter did I actually feel like I was actively being helped pursuing a dream important to me. Thank you Claire! I really sincerely mean that. When my contract's up and if I feel like I change of scenery I know which company's services I'll be hoping to make use of again.