Here I will give you a run-down of my own experience of the application process for the TaLK program.*(My experience as a US citizen, 8th Generation. The process varies depending on where you're from and may be slightly different for later generations.) I know I spent plenty of time searching online for the experiences of others, so hopefully my own experience can be of use to some future TaLK scholar.
The first part of the process is filling out the application on the TaLK program's website on "My Page". My sister and I began to fill out this application pretty early on - much before the earliest application deadline. This was really good, because we had time to spare for gathering all the needed information. I definitely recommend applying early! Application Part A is fairly straightforward: personal information, educational background, and any relavent experience... etc. Part B is the medical self-evaluation and the essay. Lastly, you also have to attach a photo of yourself - a passport-type photo works. Since I did not already have a passport, for the application I just used an extra copy of the same photo as I used for the passport itself. When you get passport photos, be sure to get a few extra copies. You will need them later.*(Not just for the applications you fill out while still in your home country. Bring a few extra copies with you to Korea.)
The essay was not too difficult. The size is 700-1000 words... My own essay was definitely closer to the maximum, while my sister's was closer to the minimum. For my essay's topic, I talked about how (and why) I enjoy working with children, my general philosophy regarding children and the learning process, as well as my plans and my experiences regarding teaching ESL. Since the topic is so open-ended, you have a lot of leeway in choosing what to talk about. Choose something you know well and of course, make sure that the whole thing is cohesive. Talk about what you know; if you don't have much in the way of teaching experience, talk about learning instead. My sister's essay was about her fascination with the English language (and so, how she will enjoy teaching it), her interest in Korea, etc.
When your online application has been submitted, you should receive an email just acknowledging that it was received. Then you should get an email telling you to expect a call from your local TaLK office to set up an interview.*(Some do their interview via Skype or similar if they can't go in person. Apparently some might go through two interviews -- my sister and I just did one.) Before you go to the interview, you will need to prepare all of your supporting documents. The supporting documents you will need are: a lesson plan, 2 recommendation letters, a sealed official transcript, an apostilled criminal record check (CRC), and a copy of your passport's photo page.*(Check TaLK website for an up-to-date list on what you will need.)
Now, if you don't yet have the CRC ready when you turn in these materials, that's okay, because you can turn in the signed letter of pledge (available from the TaLK website) for a temporary stand-in. BUT. If you are just starting this whole application process, and you're seriously considering it, I advise you to do the CRC as soon as possible! In my experience*(again, as a US citizen!) it took a long time to get back (around 2-3 months)... And once it is back, you will need to send it out again to get it apostilled, which can also take a while, and then send it off to Korea. And the TaLK office won't arrange for you ticket*(Update: TaLK arranging flight tickets is no longer an option. Scholars must buy their own tickets and will be reimbursed some time after their arrival in Korea.) until they have processed your CRC. That is why I am here, a month away from being in South Korea, and I am yet to see my plane ticket. Ugh.
Anyway. Back to the supporting documents. It would be a good idea to ask for the recommendation letters early enough out so that you don't have to rush them. As for who to ask to write your recommendation letters, variety is apparently good -- the ideal would be one employer + one professor, something like that. In my case, I asked my longtime art teacher (who has known me for over 10 years) plus my speech professor (I took just one class with her, but the subject is more relevant, and I did talk with her one-on-one a few times so she definitely knew who I was).
With the transcript, the same wisdom holds as for the recommendation letters - don't wait until the last minute to get it, especially if you are planning to receive it in the mail from your university.
The lesson plan is pretty simple to put together. Example lesson plans are provided on the TaLK website, and you can find LOADS of ideas online.
The interview itself wasn't a big deal. I had heard from past TaLK scholars that their interviews were much less intense than they expected, and my experience was similar. There was actually two people interviewing me (my interview was at the Korean consulate in Atlanta, by the way), and there was a third person who sat in on the interview but didn't ask any questions. It only lasted about 15 minutes, and afterwards I really couldn't tell how well it went. The questions they asked were things like: Why Korea? Do you think you will be homesick, and if so, how will you deal with it? What is your teaching method? ... Sometimes it felt more like a conversation than an interview. Be prepared, but don't worry about it.
My sister and I are currently waiting to receive our apostilled CRCs, and our visas. And we are in the process of figuring out packing stuff (what to bring, what we still need to buy, etc). I might say something about the packing in a later post. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about any part of the process!
