Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ArabicTeacher]

What do you think about the current ESL job market in Korea for this year? I'm instead tutoring German to university kids since last December and taking care of my son at the same time. The ESL hagwon boss I met closed her business a week ago and it sure doesn't look nice right now.

[PRagic]

Probably not much has changed since the last time you asked. Hope something pans out for you.

[J.Q.A.]

O.P., ...well, more of the same.

Wages are crap
lLess Benefits

[World Traveler]

The government will also lift restrictions on qualified English teachers from countries where English is not the first language but is widely spoken, like the Philippines or Malaysia, because they are often better educated and work harder than native-speaking "cowboys."
http://english.chosun.com/m/svc/article.html?contid=2017042001442&Dep0

[drcrazy]

[World Traveler]

The difference being they could be brought over on an E-1, which limited the numbers due a restricted eligibility, whereas now they will be eligible to get the E-2 (language conversation teaching) visa. That's the most recent development. Which will impact the supply side, no doubt.

[Coltronator]

Skilled workers will no longer need to file new paperwork when they return to Korea but can simply refer to the documents they submitted when they first came here. A new service center at Incheon International Airport will handle skilled-worker visas so they can be processed on arrival rather than at embassies in their country.

This is a cool and welcome change

[ps3_machine]

Wow, good news indeed.

I guess it means quick arrival but the disadvantage is if the documents are not in order.

Let's see where this goes.

[World Traveler]

Which visas will count as "skilled worker" I wonder. Just E-7 or many more? Let's hope English teaching visas are included.

[10YearsExp]

[PRagic]

The E7 is a visa for workers in specified professions, supposedly those that cannot be filled by native Koreans. Those who work at companies usually have E7 visas.

[The Doctor]

[weigook744]

Worse than 10 years ago, better than 5 years ago. Market not flooded like it was during the Great Recession. Worse than 5 years ago due to tapered off demand and flatter wages. Better than 5 years ago, because it's much easier to get a job and negotiate a bit.

[World Traveler]

But only you say that, weigookin74.

The market has gotten worse in the past five years. And this is true pretty much everywhere in the ESL world, not just Korea. It's a slow, gradual decline that has been going on for decades and continues. Middle East, South America, etc. Less and less saving potential.

Ask someone on a university hiring committee how hard it is to get a job now compared to five years ago.

Things ain't getting better.

Not in this industry.

But in other industries they are.

[Chia Pet]

In the long term conditions could decline more in Korea than in other countries due to the low birth rate. A lot of hagwons are closing or struggling to stay afloat partly because there are fewer kids available each year. The competition for students will get worse and worse: