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SkillSkillette
Joined: 25 Jul 2003
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 5:23 pm Post subject: VIETNAMESE IN KOREA? |
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I was wondering if someone can give us a realistic perspective on our situation. We are both Canadian teachers who are trying to go to Korea and teach in October. First off, we are not able to go before October 1st because of commitments here...are we being unrealistic trying to land a decent job at this time of year? (would there only be shady schools that would have job openings at this time? ie. teachers that have quit and ran away). Also, my girlfriend is vietnamese.. what are the realistic chances on whether or not we will be turned down on each job once we sent a picture of us in our applications? (I've heard that a lot of Korean school directors won't touch anyone whose not caucasian). Any input? Cheers! |
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whatthefunk
Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Dont have a clue
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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Will you be applying for hagwans or public schools? Hagwans hire year round, so don't worry about that.
Your girlfriend will unfortunatly have a hard time finding a job because your presence in the school is more marketing than anything and its better maketing to have white people. Asians can get jobs here, but its difficult.
Good luck. |
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SkillSkillette
Joined: 25 Jul 2003
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info, but if the hagwans offer employment year round...does this still mean that they are positions that people left after the school year has started...or is there no such thing as 'when the school year starts' for hagwans? Are you saying they have no 'yearly schedule'?...I'm guessing that's what your telling me. |
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whatthefunk
Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Dont have a clue
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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There really isn't a school year at a hagwan. They teach year round and take on new students and teachers at all times. |
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SkillSkillette
Joined: 25 Jul 2003
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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Gracias...I think I got it then. Are public schools that much better then? Our focus for job finding has been mainly on schools right now..we haven't given much thought to where is a good place in Korea to teach. I guess, like everyone, we want to be somewhere close to a fairly big city, yet still have some beautiful scenery close by. Is Jeju-do that tucked away from everything? (I know I'm getting off topic here). |
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whatthefunk
Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Dont have a clue
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know that much about public schools actually. I don't know anyone who has taught at one. Try doing a search on Dave's for 'public school' and see what ya come up with.
Jeju-do is very tucked away. You would have to fly or take the boat to get to the main land. |
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richinkorea
Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Location: Gawd Darn Hot and Sunny Arizona !
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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How "Vietmanese" is your girlfriend ? Is she a Canadian citizen ? She can't get a visa unless she is.
BTW, I'm trying to do the same thing, except my boss (wife) is Korean. |
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SkillSkillette
Joined: 25 Jul 2003
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, she's a Canadian citizen. She's been here for 20 years. I'm really hoping it's not going to be as difficult as I fear. |
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waterbaby
Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie
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SkillSkillette
Joined: 25 Jul 2003
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2003 8:51 am Post subject: |
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Well I appreciate the info....hmmm Geeez is there a lot of negative stuff being said about Koreans. Hmmm..would we be better off in Japan?! Only one way to find out I suppose. I guess we'll just expect the worst and enjoy the best! Thanks for all the insights and help! |
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peppermint
Joined: 13 May 2003 Location: traversing the minefields of caddishness.
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2003 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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First off, about the negative comments:
For lots of people this is just a place to vent about the daily frustrations of life in another country, when you don't always have a sypathetic ear at hand. For a little balance check this out
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=7704
I taught at an elementary school and it can be a good thing or a bad thing. Those jobs are rare, class size is generally HUGE (30-40 kids in a Grade 2 class!) and the textbooks are crap. On the upside, the hours are good, and vacation time owns.
Odds are pretty good that you'll find work with a hagwon, as opposed to a public elementary school. People like to complain about them, but do your research, ask tons of questions and you'll be fine |
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