New Foreign English Instructors/Teachers in Korea: Kim & Johnson Bookstore, Gangnam, Seoul

Another bookstore you can check out that I haven't been to was recommended to me by Joe Seoulman who recommends "Kim & Johnson" bookstore . . . especially for ESL/EFL books.

"For English teachers looking for resource books, you cannot beat Kim & Johnson, right at Kangnam Station. It is a whole bookstore dedicated to EFL/ESL teaching. They've also got a pretty good section of novels. Otherwise Check out What the book used book store in Itaewon (online at whatthebook.com) which has everything you can find at Kyobo for cheaper."

I probably won't get to check it out until September . . . when I do go I'll take a few pics and check out the store for myself--but based on Joe's recommendation alone you should go and take a look for yourself.

J
p.s. Kangnam Station can also be spelled "Gangnam" with a "G"

New Foreign English Instructors/Teachers in Korea: Bandi & Lunis Bookstore in Jonggak Station, Seoul

Bandis & Lunis bookstores are probably the biggest bookstore chain in Korea (if that's wrong, please let me know). They have multiple locations, and each of them is pretty big (especially the one in COEX Mall).

In Seoul, go to Jonggak Station (Line #1), and head for Exit #3.

Just past Exit #3, look for an opening on your left that has stairs leading down to a large open area where exhibits and performers and tables of books are located.

This is a nice area to just sit and relax while watching live performances . . .

The main entrance to the bookstore is located in the center-back area.

Once inside you'll see two cash desks and different directions you can choose from . . .

Head to your right and you'll find the Foreign Books section.

Another shot of the section (the first makes it seem smaller than it really is).

For public school teachers there is a large selection of conversation and speaking lesson books--though it can be difficult for new foreign teachers to find good books that are level-appropriate for their classes with interesting and well put together content. (Watch for my up-coming post about the top books I recommend for new teachers).

Two other sections you might want to check out: Teaching and Linguistics.

If you're a university or training center instructor/professor you'll also want to take a look at the other language skills sections; Korea isolates each of the four English language skills so if you're teaching a course/class with a specific language skill focus you'll find the sections divided in a similar way (again, watch for a future posting about my top recommended book titles for each type of language skill course).

For those new teachers coming to Korea with specific interests in Korean language and culture Bandi & Lunis' offers pretty good selections on a wide range of Korean topics.

After you finish shopping head upstairs to the food court and check out Namaste and their excellent Indian food.

After exiting the escalator head off to your left . . .

I've eaten here about 5 times now and the food and service are excellent. It's a little pricey, but I think it's still worth it.

Enjoy,
J
p.s. There are other locations of Bandi & Luni bookstores in Korea. The biggest one, for example, is in COEX mall.

New Foreign English Instructors/Teachers in Korea: Young Poong Bookstore in Jonggak Station, Seoul

Inside Jonggak Station (Line #1) there is a bookstore called Young Poong bookstore. It has a pretty decent English book section in the basement level. I also like the teaching English ESL/EFL methodology section and teaching resource and lesson plan books (for example, there's a pretty big selection of speaking and conversation books for different levels of students).

When you are inside Jonggak Station head to exit 5 or 6.

It's pretty easy to find if you focus on looking for the signs that lead to exit 5 and 6. If you try to do what I used to (I don't know why, I just used to do it) and rely on your 'sense of direction' you may get turned around in the different corridors of the station. Just look for the exit signs with arrows and you'll find it.

Once inside you'll see a customer service counter--head to the left of that and walk to the far wall where the escalators are . . .

Take the escalators down to the basement level.

Immediately behind the cash desk is the section where English-Korean dictionaries and learning Korean language books can be found. I don't know why they have it there when the foreign books section is about 75 feet away--and we're the main customers for this section--but this is where they can be found.

When you get off the escalator turn left and walk around the escalator and towards the back right corner of the floor--this is where you'll find the English book section.

I've found some really good titles here for teaching methodology, teaching resource and lesson plan books, and also resource and lesson plan books specifically for teaching speaking and/or conversation lessons . . .

This is the teaching methodology section . . . it has a really good selection.

There are also the typical sections you'd find in any mainstream English bookstore--the prices are comparable to Bandi & Lunis . . . if you're looking for leisure reading you're probably better off going to What the book? in Itaewon, Seoul.

Good luck,
J

New Foreign English Instructors/Teachers in Korea: Kyobo Bookstore in Ganghwamun Station (near Gyungbuk Palace)

Kyobo bookstore is the closest thing to a university bookstore that you'll find in Korea. Starting at the base of Joggno Tower (Jonggak Station), with the tower behind you cross the street.

Remember, with the tower BEHIND you . . . for some reason I'd always screw up the direction I'd start walking when I first started coming to Seoul and wanting to go to Kyobo.

Make sure that the traditional Korean building across from the tower is on the other side of the street. Otherwise you'll end up going the wrong way.

Crossing over to the other side of the street you'll see a big statue to your right . . .

Go to the left of this statue and walk down the street . . .

This is what what you should see as you bear to the left and begin walking towards Kyobo . . .

And if you're coming out of Jonggak Station you should walk out of Exit 1. With the tower behind you start walking . . .

On your right you should pass a Tous Les Jours bakery . . .

. . . and Sultan Kebab . . .

. . . and Dunkin' Donuts . . .

. . . and a McDonalds . . .

You'll then see a fountain statue on your right . . . keep going and cross the intersection.

About 20 feet past the intersection you'll see the entrance to Kyobo bookstore (the stone archway in the background) on your right.

Kyobo bookstore entrance . . .

Go in and down the stairs . . .

The main part of the bookstore is MASSIVE. Keep walking straight across the entire main floor towards the opposite side. The "Foreign Books" section is on the far side.

Keep going . . .

. . . and going . . .

Yay! You're there . . .

The size of the foreign books section is pretty good. They even have a really good travel section with Lonely Planet books and maps, etc.

When you walk in the entrance look to the right and you'll find the "Teaching English" section.

They also have a children's story book section, and everything else you'd expect in a university style bookstore/mainstream large bookstore.

A lot of people when they first arrive in Korea REALY REALLY like to see this many English books . . . it's reassuring that there are resources to help you with teaching AND with reading for leisure, escaping stress, and studying for projects or grad work if you're doing that too.

If you come into Ganghwamun Station on your way to Kyobo bookstore there are signs that will lead you to Exit #3.

After entering and exiting the swiveling doors you only have to walk about 20 feet into the store and you'll find the Foreign Books section on your left.

Or if you find yourself walking around Gyeongbuk Palace and want to get out of the sun and into the air conditioning all you have to do is walk down the extremely wide street with the palace's main gate and mountain directly behind you down to Exit #3 of Ganghwamun Station.

This street has a rather notorious reputation now as it was the site of massive rioting and protests over the Mad Cow issue last year . . . but I won't get into that here, lol.

Don't miss taking some pics of . . . dang, I didn't write down the name . . . I'll have to do some research about what this is--oops.

And on that note . . . enjoy.

J