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When I first joined Twinkle in 2022, I was only there for six months as a substitute teacher. Although my time was relatively short, it left a lasting impression on me. Every day brought a different classroom, new students, and new personalities to get to know. Even if I only taught a class for a few lessons, I always enjoyed building a rapport with the students and seeing their confidence grow. At the time, however, I saw it as just one chapter in a much bigger journey. Late

I didn’t know I would love my job. It’s rare for people to say that, but I truly love my work at Twinkle. When I first started, I was 25 and beginning my first full-time career. I came in wanting to make a difference, but I wasn’t exactly sure how. I also knew that I loved learning Korean, and that was what originally brought me to Korea. At the time, I never imagined that the best part of being here would be the kids. I can still remember when that realization first clicked.

I started my time teaching at Twin.kle Daechi back in the fall of 2021 and stayed until spring of 2026. To say I was nervous applying for teaching positions in Korea would have been a massive understatement. Between the pandemic and the fact so many schools were willing to hire me just because I spoke English and had a heartbeat, I was more than apprehensive when sending out applications. However, then I stumbled across Twin.kle. I immediately resonated with Twin.kle’s core b

I arrived to Korea in late winter 2018 to work in Anyang, just outside of Seoul. In about a year’s time I was able to work my way up to middle management in one of the big-box English academies. The long and short of being: it was not cool or fun. Work often came home with me and professional and personal boundaries were blurred. Around 2020 Covid rolled around and beside it was a good excuse to leave Korea and go back to New York. Life in New York was not tremendously bette

South Korea has a way of bringing you back. Maybe it's the rolling mountains or the incredible, clean, convenience of everything (it's...

If I were to sum up my time with Twinkle, and specifically Twinkle Songdo, I would describe it as a genuine joy albeit with a steep...

I've been part of the Twinkle English team since 2018, and looking back, I can confidently say I struck gold. It hit me that I was onto...

Like many people, I came to Korea to try a year of teaching and experience something new. My year lasted a little longer than expected,...

One of the things that's given me the most joy in working with Twinkle has been seeing my students grow. I know that's like the cliché...

To those who will inspire Laughter abounded Hallways crowded Chatter and endless curiosity Filling hallways with sacred song Innocence...

I thought teaching was my passion which was why I went back to my home country, the USA, and spent tens of thousands of dollars on my...

I came to Korea simply wanting to learn the language and to learn about its rich culture, particularly its older music and arts. For the...

Last year I was ready to leave Korea. I had spent five years teaching for other academies in Korea, and I was disillusioned to say the least. In my experience most academies are businesses which put money above all else, including the needs of their students as well as their teachers. If it sounds like I’m bitter it is because I am. I had to spend years fighting for myself and my students to get the education that they deserved at these other schools. After being in Korea for

Being adventurous; I yearn to live a life that is anything but average and had found myself wanting to learn more about Korean culture....

I remember sitting on the airplane from London to Seoul and thinking to myself “what the hell have you done?!” All of my worldly...

I first came to Korea as a graduate student, pursuing my master degree. The two and a half years flew by more quickly than I could...

I joined Twinkle nearly three and a half years ago, the longest serving stretch I’ve ever done with an employer. There are several good...

When introducing students to a simplified, circular writing structure, I often discover I don’t need to completely retell the entirety of...

To be honest - this post has been sitting here for over a week. Cursor blinking absently, because how is one supposed to describe every...

Being a first time teacher at twinkle can be describe in four adjectives: amazing, exciting, compelling, and rewarding.