Personal and Professional Development Associations

H.O.P.E.  (Helping Others Prosper through English) is a non-profit organization, established and run by Canadian teachers who are looking to make a positive impact on the communities where they live.  The group's objective is to provide a safe and accessible place for underprivileged children to develop their English skills and equip them for a brighter future in further education, free of charge.  HOPE accepts volunteer applications on an on-going basis. Volunteers should be able to make a 3-month commitment. 
Website:  www.alwayshope.or.kr or contact public.hope@gmail.com.

KOTESOL: Korea Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages is a professional organisation for teachers of English. The organisation's stated main goals are to assist members in their self-development, and improve ELT in Korea. KOTESOL allows teachers to connect with others in the ELT community and find teaching resources in Korea and abroad through KOTESOL publications, conferences and symposia, and chapter meetings and workshops. Website: http://www.koreatesol.org
KOTESOL has ten chapters throughout the nation. Chapters hold their own monthly meetings/workshops, hold annual conferences and other events, publish newsletters, and provide additional services for their members.
1. Busan-Gyeongnam with  Workshops: Third Saturday of the month
Site: ESS Foreign Language Institute, Nampo-dong, Busan
2. Daegu-Gyeongbuk with  Workshops: First Saturday of the month
Site: Kyungpook National University, Daegu
4. Daejeon-Chungnam with  Workshops: Fourth Saturday of the month
Site: Woosong Language Institute & Sun Moon University (alternating sites)
5. Gangwon with  Workshops: Second Saturday of the month
Site: Sokcho Office of Education
6. Gwangju-Jeonnam with Workshops: Second Saturday of the month
Site: Various university locations in Gwangju
7. North Jeolla with Workshops: Second Saturday of the month
Site: Jeonju University
8. Seoul with Workshops: Third Saturday of the month
Site: Sookmyung Women's University
9. Suwon-Gyeonggi with Workshops: Third Saturday of the month
Site: University of Suwon
10. Jeju with Workshops: Third Saturday of the month
Site: Jeju Foreign Language Learning Center
(Do check the KOTESOL website to confirm dates have not changed - K4E also lists some special Chapter events/workshops in our What's Going On section).

Seoul Writers Workshop is a workshopping group for writers based in the Seoul area who wish to improve their skills through critique and discussion. Meeting bi-monthly, Seoul Writers Workshop welcomes all kinds of writing, including fiction, poetry, non-fiction, blogs etc. Please contact seoulwriters@gmail.com.

Toastmasters International - KH Toastmasters:
KH Toastmasters is dedicated to improving communication skills which in turn enhance confidence in leadership and success in a variety of fields.  The group meets every Tuesday, between 8pm-10pm in Hyehwa-dong (Hyehwa Station, Line 4, #420 - exit #4). For more information and directions check out KH Toastmaster website or email vppr.khtoastmasters@gmail.com.
Information on other meetings in Seoul and around Korea, visit the KH Toastmaster website and click on 'Find a Club' or contact the Seoul club directly at vppr.khtoastmaster@gmail.com.

K4E Note: For more details, you can also click on the Activities tab and go to Culture and Entertainment. If you know of other groups that should be on this list, please send us information at info@korea4expats.com.

Last Updated on 2020-09-01