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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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MarkH
Joined: 09 Jun 2007
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 Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:07 am Post subject: Non-Native English Speaker |
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Hi,
I have been searching the forum and other esl related websites and there seems to be a common consensus that non-native english speakers can't become english teachers in Korea. Is that true? And is it because of regulatory immigration standards or simply the requirement at teaching facilities?
I am myself a Danish citizen and currently taking my masters degree in English and hold a Bachelor in English. I speak English fluently and have an American English accent. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:17 am Post subject: Re: Non-Native English Speaker |
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| MarkH wrote: |
Hi,
I have been searching the forum and other esl related websites and there seems to be a common consensus that non-native english speakers can't become english teachers in Korea. Is that true? And is it because of regulatory immigration standards or simply the requirement at teaching facilities?
I am myself a Danish citizen and currently taking my masters degree in English and hold a Bachelor in English. I speak English fluently and have an American English accent. |
Immigration rules.
In order to get an E2 (teacher of foreign languages) for English you must be from (and be a passport holder of) one of:
the UK, the USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia. New Zealand, South Africa
AND
you must have graduated from a university in one of those countries.
. |
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MarkH
Joined: 09 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:56 am Post subject: |
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| Well, that is to bad. Thanks for the reply. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:26 am Post subject: |
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But, you could come here on a tourist visa and get an illegal job. With a Masters in English, you would be more qualified than most teachers here, though you would be risking it and probably accepting sub-standing wages and housing.
Everyone on here will discourage illegally teaching English in Korea as you would make it harder on everyone teaching here legally. I agree, it's bad for you, it's illegal and it hurts us legal teachers, but you could do it if you heart desires and you want to take some risks. |
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MarkH
Joined: 09 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:18 am Post subject: |
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| No, I don't think I will take that chance. Thanks though. |
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Freaka
Joined: 05 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 2:25 am Post subject: Re: Non-Native English Speaker |
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| MarkH wrote: |
Hi,
I have been searching the forum and other esl related websites and there seems to be a common consensus that non-native english speakers can't become english teachers in Korea. Is that true? And is it because of regulatory immigration standards or simply the requirement at teaching facilities?
I am myself a Danish citizen and currently taking my masters degree in English and hold a Bachelor in English. I speak English fluently and have an American English accent. |
You sound like you'd be just as qualified (if not more qualified) to teach English as half the people teaching English in Korea right now. Sorry to hear that Korean regulations won't allow you the opportunity.  |
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dogshed
Joined: 28 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:51 am Post subject: Re: Non-Native English Speaker |
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| MarkH wrote: |
Hi,
I have been searching the forum and other esl related websites and there seems to be a common consensus that non-native english speakers can't become english teachers in Korea. Is that true? And is it because of regulatory immigration standards or simply the requirement at teaching facilities?
I am myself a Danish citizen and currently taking my masters degree in English and hold a Bachelor in English. I speak English fluently and have an American English accent. |
You don't qualify for the easy to get E2 visa but you might qualify for
one of the other visas. |
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MarkH
Joined: 09 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:49 pm Post subject: Re: Non-Native English Speaker |
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| dogshed wrote: |
| MarkH wrote: |
Hi,
I have been searching the forum and other esl related websites and there seems to be a common consensus that non-native english speakers can't become english teachers in Korea. Is that true? And is it because of regulatory immigration standards or simply the requirement at teaching facilities?
I am myself a Danish citizen and currently taking my masters degree in English and hold a Bachelor in English. I speak English fluently and have an American English accent. |
You don't qualify for the easy to get E2 visa but you might qualify for
one of the other visas. |
Really? Does anyone have any information on other visa opportunities in Korea? |
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kigolo1881
Joined: 30 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Why is your heart set on Korea ? |
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Been There, Taught That
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Mungyeong: not a village, not yet a metroplex.
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| Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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Someone may correct me, but I have a feeling that being acceptable as a *teacher* of English in Korea has to do with more than just language and/or teaching ability. For Korea--and other Asian foreign-teacher-employing countries--, it in fact may have less to do with that than being a role model.
That is, being able to identify oneself as being born and raised in a certain spirit, attitude and overall atmosphere, whatever that may be, that goes along with English. If you've noticed, Koreans, at least, don't just want to speak the language, but want often to identify with the culture behind the language.
Due to the popularity of English in the world, it's true that many non-native speakers, through study, become more careful speakers of English and more qualified to teach it than man-on-the-street natives, yet unfortunately, the mark of non-nativeness will always be placed upon them by learners (and money-makers), as would the mark of non-native speaker of any other language upon me. |
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MarkH
Joined: 09 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:18 am Post subject: |
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| kigolo1881 wrote: |
| Why is your heart set on Korea ? |
There are multiple reasons.
I have never been to Asia and Korea seems like a good "launch pad" to visit both Korea and other countries like Japan, China, Vietnam etc. that I always wanted to visit. Also, financially Korea seems like the best choice for saving up for trips and for saving up in general or paying back student loans.
Teaching wise, Korea seems like one of the best options in Asia. You have alot of teaching options, easy access to information from websites and other teachers located in Korea, higher standards of teaching than in other countries in Asia (apart from probably Japan, I wouldn't mind teaching in Japan either) and a westernized environment which I think is very important for my assimilation into a country where I have to live, work, eat etc.
Also, I know a couple who thought in Korea 4-5 years ago and they praised their stay there and would help me out if I needed it.
Last edited by MarkH on Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:32 am; edited 1 time in total |
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MarkH
Joined: 09 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:30 am Post subject: |
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| Been There, Taught That wrote: |
Someone may correct me, but I have a feeling that being acceptable as a *teacher* of English in Korea has to do with more than just language and/or teaching ability. For Korea--and other Asian foreign-teacher-employing countries--, it in fact may have less to do with that than being a role model.
That is, being able to identify oneself as being born and raised in a certain spirit, attitude and overall atmosphere, whatever that may be, that goes along with English. If you've noticed, Koreans, at least, don't just want to speak the language, but want often to identify with the culture behind the language.
Due to the popularity of English in the world, it's true that many non-native speakers, through study, become more careful speakers of English and more qualified to teach it than man-on-the-street natives, yet unfortunately, the mark of non-nativeness will always be placed upon them by learners (and money-makers), as would the mark of non-native speaker of any other language upon me. |
I was on exchange in the states just last semester, visiting places such as Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Detroit etc. including a couple of American friends and I find it hard to believe that my personality and demeanor is much different than theres. Frankly, there isn't a major difference between how Americans and Danes (or Scandinavians in general act) act and the U.S. is also so diverse that there is hardly one set standard for an American that I think I would fit into one or another version of an American. |
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Been There, Taught That
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Mungyeong: not a village, not yet a metroplex.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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| MarkH wrote: |
| Been There, Taught That wrote: |
Someone may correct me, but I have a feeling that being acceptable as a *teacher* of English in Korea has to do with more than just language and/or teaching ability. For Korea--and other Asian foreign-teacher-employing countries--, it in fact may have less to do with that than being a role model.
That is, being able to identify oneself as being born and raised in a certain spirit, attitude and overall atmosphere, whatever that may be, that goes along with English. If you've noticed, Koreans, at least, don't just want to speak the language, but want often to identify with the culture behind the language.
Due to the popularity of English in the world, it's true that many non-native speakers, through study, become more careful speakers of English and more qualified to teach it than man-on-the-street natives, yet unfortunately, the mark of non-nativeness will always be placed upon them by learners (and money-makers), as would the mark of non-native speaker of any other language upon me. |
I was on exchange in the states just last semester, visiting places such as Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Detroit etc. including a couple of American friends and I find it hard to believe that my personality and demeanor is much different than theres. Frankly, there isn't a major difference between how Americans and Danes (or Scandinavians in general act) act and the U.S. is also so diverse that there is hardly one set standard for an American that I think I would fit into one or another version of an American. |
What you say is understandable to the rational mind, and no one here would be less than willing to accept that rationale, and probably on several levels agree with you. I myself know that Germanic-derived peoples all naturally manifest many traits in common and share a lot of historical and linguistic attributes.
But it's all perception. I personally believe that that requirement has for the Korean hiring machine not to do with what you do with what you know, but simply and utterly whether you were born with it and within it.
As I said, you're right to say that you are qualified, perhaps in a more accurate sense of the word than would be many native speakers, and that is why the poll here concerning who should be qualified to teach has not quite hit its mark.
In fact, to show how narrow the focus on hiring native speakers is, and to hopefully help your own perception, I am going to bring up what is perhaps a less discussed aspect of native teacher hiring in Korea: very few--enough to count on two hands, perhaps--teachers are nonwhite, nongyopo natives of native English-speaking countries. Maybe someone will disagree or modify that outlook.
So there is a perception, and not an accurate one. But it is a long-held and strictly followed perception. But of course perceptions may be broken through, and I can't say that there has never been a non-native speaker successful in gaining an English teaching position in Korea, especially as qualified. However, it will certainly take more work on your part, and will probably be like any other job search and preparation. Because of that, then, when and if you do find work in Korea, it will certainly be more rewarding and lucrative than your average Hagwon stint.
Good luck. |
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