Korean Job Discussion Forums

rojees · Joined: 14 Jan 2007

Is it common to find asian-looking teachers teaching in Korea?

I know many schools only go for white people, even the unqualified ones.

Im asking because im a newbie, and im looking teach adults in Seoul.

Yes, i am asian-looking, and would like to hear other people's views or even experiences. A recruiter told me I have no chance of finding a job. Although discouraging, I dont believe its entirely true and makes me even more determined.

ANy comments?

albazalba · Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Location: Hongdae

It is not uncommon to find Asian looking teachers in Korea. Although it is true that some schools prefer white teachers, there are still many opportunities for native English speakers of any background. I know several Asian looking teachers and also Gyopo (Korean-American) teachers in Korea.
Don't be discouraged at what that recruiter told you because it is absolutely untrue. The only difficulty is that limiting yourself to adults already narrows down a lot of positions, as a newbie I think you should consider teaching kids (it's fun and easy!).
Although there is (unfortunately) discrimination for schools to hire people of Asian backgrounds I'm sure if you keep looking you will find an acceptable teaching position.

antoniothegreat · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Location: Yangpyeong

ditto albazalba. i live in a small town, and even in this town i know of two asian looking teachers. both were actually born in korea and moved to the states or new zealand.

most programs like EPIK dont care what you look like. but of course, then you cant teach adults. if the recruited said that, just find another recruiter. you can find a solid job, dont sell yourself short.

and if you are worried about the negative side of being asian looking, and discrimination you get at work i am sure will be nullified by all the crap you dont have to put up with when not at work, like kids repeatedly saying hi, or ajummas staring at you because you are talking to a korean girl.

good luck

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

Most hakwons (mom and pop's private acadamies) want a white face. Some places will be hiring for public school positions now. You shouldn't have a problem finding a job there. They want the voice, not the face.

newbie09 · Joined: 08 Nov 2006

i'm also asian and looking for a job in korea. i did manage to try the recruiter thing and got a real jackass who told me i wouldn't be able to get a job in seoul b/c i'm korean. not my fault that korea rejected me and shipped me overseas to live. (i'm adopted) anyways, another recruiter told me to do public schools b/c they can't discriminate. but the kicker is that i know plenty of asian ppl working in seoul...so now i'm wondering about recruiters themselves. just my 2cents on the whole thing. good luck w/ ur search!

i_teach_esl · Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Location: baebang, asan/cheonan

yeah, ditto w/everything said. i was so afraid of not getting a job b/c im black-american... of course i still got a job.

not being white will make the job search a little harder, take a little longer, but certainly not impossible. dont let it stop your job hunt. and bump that recruiter, s/he is a jerk.

kchax · Joined: 01 Dec 2006

I'm Korean-American (but am half), and found a job within 2 wks!

I think it depends on the recruiter... so don't be discouraged!

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

It might take a little longer without qualifications, but its possible. With qualifications its about looking in the right place.

My friend is Black (but speaks Korean) and his wife is of Phillipino heratige (but has a BA in educ) and because they have qualifications they found jobs paying more than the average, although it did take them a bit longer (like 3-4 weeks).

rothkowitz · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

You're paid to be the foreigner.

Usually paid to be the white foreigner.

Paid to be the asian looking or black foreigner?Not so often.

Curious_george · Joined: 25 Aug 2006

If you keep looking, I'm sure you're bound to find a job that doesn't discriminate, at least for me not giving up worked.

I was told from a recruiter that because I'm Asian I won't find a job, but I proved him wrong in a matter of weeks.

Occasionally I'll get the "Are you Korean" 한국사람이에요?, from new students, but it doesn't bother me..I just simply say "no" of course. Through their eyes it's unusual and hard to believe that an Asian guy can speak English Razz

Anyway, good luck w/ the search!

kigolo1881 · Joined: 30 Jul 2006

Of course its possible to find a job being asian. Why would you say "asian-looking" anyways? You either are or aren't.

Recruiters who say that you can't find a job being who you are, are just not willing to go the extra mile or putting enough effort into job hunting for you. THEY are the ones that are supposed to get you a job if you signed up with them. Them saying that you can't get a job tells you alot about the recruiting company already.

I'm Vietnamese-American, even look Korean enough for ppl to mistake me for one of them. When I tell them i'm not, they even ask me "are you sure?"

At my Pub. Elem. job, some kids speak to me in Korean without pausing even when i tell them repeatedly in English that i'm not Korean.
As the other post said, it's great most of the time when ppl don't stare or just leave you in peace.

Good luck on your job hunt. Talk to other recruiters and don't commit yourself to just one.

Mark7 · Joined: 22 May 2006

Yeah, it's generally true that it took me longer to find a job because I'm Korean-American (half). After a few months of searching, I found a nice recruiter who did their best to find me the right job at a public school. But, what really matters is what you do with yourself as an Asian-(Insert Citizenship) in the classroom.

The way you carry yourself, the way you teach, and the way you work hard will determine to silence the stinging stereotypes of Asian ESL teachers.

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

There is no place in Asia, really, where you can be Asian-looking and have as easy a time getting an ESL teaching job as a white person. However, in Korea, you can and should have a much easier time getting a public school job because, as someone else said, they can't discriminate based on ethnicity. But, yes, unfortunately, most public schools use recruiters and those guys tend to be b#ttholes. You just have to keep talking to different ones and keep specifically requesting public school/EPIK jobs.

faster · Joined: 03 Sep 2006

In my (5 years) experience, it's best for Korean-Americans to find work in the central areas of Seoul, where families are better-educated and better able to judge their kids' teachers' English and Korean facility.

My previous employers usually had mostly Gyopo teachers, and had almost no problems, especially with ones lacking fluent Korean skills (dependence on Korean in class is a major worry of Korean parents, naturally).