I graduated as a Global Studies major from the University of New South Wales – one of the consistently highest ranking universities in Australia. Global Studies examines the interactions of nations, economies, institutions, peoples, cultures, technologies and ideas against a background of increasing international integration and changing modernity.
The four-year degree program aims to create graduates who are highly skilled, well informed and equipped to meet the challenges of work in an international environment. Global Studies is offered in one of five areas of specialisation within the Bachelor of International Studies degree. This degree is a flexible, multidisciplinary program of study undertaken at two major international universities: three years of studies at UNSW and one year of study at an approved partner university in Europe, Asia or the Americas. My overseas study was in South Korea where I pursued courses in North East Asian International Relations, economics and language as well as participating in debating and other extra curricular activities.

I was employed with GEOS Corporation from March 11^th 2006 to April 17^th 2010. During my employment, I worked at GEOS Ginza and Tsukuba Schools in Tokyo and Ibaraki Prefectures. My responsibilities included teaching English in private and group lessons to a variety of Japanese students. GEOS clients include executives, homemakers, college and high school students, senior citizens, and children. My students also varied in proficiency in the language from advanced and relatively fluent in English to others who were at the intermediate and beginner levels.

I was responsible for planning effective and focused lessons using company approved texts and supplementary books, as well as adapting and creating materials. While some English-language schools in Japan offer standardized courses, GEOS encourages its employees to provide ‘tailor-made’ lessons designed specifically to meet the needs of individual students. 

Dear Sir or Madam,

I would like to express my interest in the position of English instructor in the Republic of Korea.

You will find me a very experienced and appropriate candidate for the job. I have worked in the Japanese English education industry for two years. Each year involved the learning and application of a variety of skills which I am excited to apply in Korea. During my first year I taught in the science and education center of Tsukuba (a city where a large part of the population is engaged in tertiary industry and high level research). In Tsukuba I taught to both children and adults in small group and private environments with class sizes ranging from 1 to 10 and ages spread from 3 to over 65. I believe this experience allows me to adapt to the new teaching situation in Korea and to give an effective performance from the very beginning.

In my second year with GEOS Corporation I taught at the flagship Ginza School where our students were high-calibre and demanding customers as well as enthusiastic English learners. It was an atmosphere that demanded a high level of professionalism in manners and dress as well as a high degree of responsiveness to student concerns and feedback on particular skills. These attributes I hope to bring to the instructing positions you are offering in order to an all-round job.

Finally, let me also state my interest in returning to Korea. As you will see on my resume I have studied in Seoul for a year when I was a university student. From this experience I have gained friends and comfort with Korean culture and society (and therefore I am unlikely to be a victim of any ‘culture-shock’). At that time I had some opportunities to teach English via tutoring and some English preparation camp work. Subsequently I have a developed knowledge of the unique pronunciation and grammar issues faced by Korean students and can help them based on this. I am also interested in the different demands and interests of Korean students as compared, for example, to those of Japanese students. I am excited about having the chance to tailor my instruction specifically to the demands met in the Korean situation.

In closing I thank you for considering my application and restate my enthusiasm to be chosen for the position.

Yours Faithfully,

David McIlwain