Korean Job Discussion Forums

bonniedundee · Joined: 29 May 2007 Location: Suwon

Im just wondering what other potential job opportunities exist in South Korea for English speakers other than purely teaching English? Are there many other opportunities or is teaching really the only way to go?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

Unfortunately, teaching English is about the only way to get an introduction to living and working in South Korea as a foreigner who is from an English speaking country...There are options for people who have lived and worked in the country longer than a couple of years, but those usually involve having a minimum of an F2-1 visa which either means you are married to a Korean national or have worked here here for at least 7 or more years...As an E2 holder you are completely at the mercy of the schools who sponsor your visa, and they will often find ways to make your stay more pleasant or more unpleasant...

If you plan is to stay in South Korea indefinitely, then you will eventually work towards your F5 visa which is permanent residency...This visa is the equivalent of the American Green card and the cards issued by other countries giving you many more rights, privileges and opportunities...Hopefully I am not bearing bad news for those who think they want to do something else in the country other than teach English, but under the current system, this is about all there are as options...

bonniedundee · Joined: 29 May 2007 Location: Suwon

Thanks for the advice. Thats what i suspected. I really want to live in Seoul for a while but am not convinced English teaching is really for me. I've never taught anything before. Im sure i would do allright at it but the opportunity to do something else would make it more appealing. Its the one sticking point i have in my mind at the moment.

Sincinnatislink · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Location: Top secret.

A lot of English teachers come to Seoul with no significant teaching experience.

The work's better than anything I could find at home. If you look, you can teach any age range from kindergarten to high school - some hakwons even teach adults all day, and a masters or above gets you teaching at a college.

Hope this helps.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Knowing Korean is a must. The chances of you finding a job somewhere that already has someone that is fluent in both Korean and English is slim. Think about it this way, if they already have someone that is fluent in English AND Korean then what do they need to hire you for?

In order to work here, Korean proficiency is a must. Only if you are an Executive being sent here from a fortune 500 company that you don't need to know any Korean.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Several ex English teachers have become actors and actresses. On this believe it or not type drama. I personally know some of the people on that show.

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

pkang0202 is right...you should plan on acquiring Korean language skills ASAP which will help you gain much more independence in the culture of South Korea...Those who do not take time to learn the language often find it difficult to do some of the more interesting things there are to enjoy in this country...It makes sense to learn the language of the people you will need to communicate with, they will appreciate your effort and you will enjoy learning to speak and understand Korean...It really is a beautiful language...

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

There's editing, but then there are plenty of lifers here fluent enough who are married and don't need a company to sponsor them for a visa. There are also loads gyopos able to work in both languages. So, the odds someone is going to fly you here to edit menus and newsletters in a Western hotel is slim to none. Come. Teach. Make connections. Maybe you get lucky.

As always, my advice is make friends with Korean translators (Korean to English). You help them, they help you.

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

One thing is for sure...If you are diligent and work hard, Korea can truly become a land of opportunity for you...I have made plans to stay here indefinitely and certainly see my prospects for goals and career being much greater in this country than they were in the USA...This is largely in part to the fact that I chose to better my self in many ways since my arrival four years ago...Make it work and you will not be disappointed...