Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Babaylan]

I am an Oriental person seeking a teaching job in South Korea. But I have been told bluntly that because of my nationality and "appearance," they cannot offer me a position in South Korea. Prior to this response though, before I sent them a copy of my photo, the woman was very eagerly corresponding with me, telling me how she liked my resume blah blah blah. I have been diligently pursuing this goal of getting into Korea to teach, but it's hard to accept that despite my qualifications, I cannot be guaranteed a teaching job. Is anybody out there who knows a school that is willing to employ a non-Caucasian person like me? I have a degree in Fine Arts Cultural Studies from York University in Toronto; I am currently working for a major television network; I had tutoring experience years ago. I refuse to be turned down merely because of my ethnicity. All of the Korean agencies that I have sent my resume to have only seen my photo, and they have turned their backs so quickly on me without even giving me a job interview. They assume that because of my background, I may not sound north american enough. I beg to disagree. I am disappointed that at this day and age, people are still this close minded. I refuse to back down.

[crazylemongirl]

I found these threads in the [url=url=http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=7464]FAQ[/url].

1. How Common is Discrimination?
2. Reasons Why Gyopos Aren�t Hired?
3. Non White Teachers in Korea?
4. African American Teachers?
5. Caucasian Olnly?
6. Looking for Some Insight

Hope all goes well.

CLG

[Lost Seoul]

If you feel passionately about this you might want to follow the advice below.

=====================
Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 7:09 pm Post subject: From job info journal:HAVE YOU BEEN ASKED TO SUBMIT A PHOTO?


http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:1061192335-64757.txt

The Human Rights Commission Of Korea is currently fielding complaints from workers (including foreigners) who feel they have been discrimated against. The all too common practice of Korean schools demanding a photograph of potential teachers before an interview is granted constitutes discrimination and the HR commission would like to hear about it. If you feel that the way you look or the colour of your skin has nothing to do with your ability to teach, you can email them at [email protected] or fax them at (82-2)2125-9812. You don't have to give your name, but you should report the name of the institute and their contact information.
Posted: August 18, 2003

[buddy bradley]

I'm a South African and was told that we are "undesirable". I had job offers coming out the yin-yang, so to speak. If you have an American accent you will find work here; might be slightly harder but it is possible.

[Zed]

I understand that you may want to report this to the agencies listed in Lost Seoul's post but I wouldn't advise working for them afterwards. The resentment will come out about it sooner or later. There are places that will employ you however. It just takes more work to find them. Are you born in an English speaking country? This will make a lot of difference. If not, you could be in for one terrible and tortuous job search. Don't accept less than you deserve though or you will only end up resenting the others around you who are making what you should be.

[Babaylan]

Thanks for all the wonderful replies. I want to make it clear that I am, by no means, soliciting pity when I posted this topic. As an Oriental, I understand the constant fascination of the East with the West, as irrational as that may sound. Hence, the preference of most Asian schools to hire Caucasians over people of colour. I have learned not to take it personally, but I am on a mission to prove a number of people out there that Caucasians are not necessarily better english teachers than other races. It all boils down to passion and drive. I hate doing the "us versus them" ideology, but let's face it - this mentality is very much alive and well. Especially in Korea, apparently.

Anyway, I hate to babble So, I hope anyone out there who knows of a school who needs a teacher with a heart, will contact me.

[JennyJJ]

Take a little time, be persistent and you will be more successful than most of us!

While the situation you talk about exists - it is surmountable.

The most successful teacher I've ever known was a Korean-American. She was working everywhere - and in great demand. Plus no one paid any attention to her business - as she could easily "pass" as a Korean. She taught at the university, at the university hagwon too, also at a police academy (no worry about immigration there!) - also at regular hagwon and did a host of private teaching. She was saving for a Ph.D. program and stashed a small fortune in five years.

She wasn't and didn't look caucasian - but she was positive, energetic, skilled at what she did - and RELIABLE.

There are many many stories such as this out there - you WIll be one of them!

Hang in there - you'll kick everybody's butt.

Oh, one last thing. Be really careful about the "heart" thing - this is at times (most the time?!) a dog eat dog business. I am quite serious about this. Take good care of yourself and your interests (which at times also means take good care of your employer - I'm not suggesting a purely mercenary stance), and you'll find other things will fall in place.

A little too much heart and you'll find your employer failing to pay you. Wolves know where to look for their next meal.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[rapier]

Babaylan: You will find something if you persist. It sounds that you'd probably make a better teacher than a lot of the wasters that come out here.

[Babaylan]

Wow!!! You people are awesome you bring tears to my eyes Seriously though, I truly appreciate all of your encouragements and words of wisdom. I had an interview yesterday from a Vancouver based agency and it looks promising. I have also had a couple of e-mails from Japan, but once again, they require a photo. I plan to call them first and tell them right off the bat that I am Filipino that has a north american accent - it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but it has proven to be an effective marketing tool. Well, looks like the quest is on. Hope to see y'all soon

[Leeroy]

I think you should run with the Japan option Babalayan. I teach in Japan now and while there is the same discrimination that exists in Korean schools here, it's no where near as common here. I've seen every colour, nationality under the sun teaching English in Japan. The Japanese don't seem to be as het up and bloody minded about their English teachers here as they can be in Korea.

If you teach in Korea you're going to have to put up with a lot of discrimination BS all the time. While not exactly perfect, I'd definetly rate the japanese as far more tolerant of diversity than Koreans.

Example. Just last night I was chatting to a Korean student from Seoul on a Japanese chat room. She was talking about how common Canadian teachers are in Korea because "In Korea we care a lot about pronunciation and Canadians speak "proper English". She then went on to talk about the Australian teacher in her hagwon who had no students sign up for class because he's Australian and his pronunciation isn't "proper". Funnily enough, she said they all signed up for the African American teacher's (at least it's cool they hire non-whites) due to his "better accent".
i've never experienced anything like this in Japan. I've never heard of it happening either (though I'm sure it has and does happen sometimes). I could go on about many other examples of discrimination towards foreign teachers in Korea based on their race, accent, education, age, sex, etc, but i'd be here all night. The example I just illustrated happened just last night. Just when I was thinking the youth of Korea might be changing.

Discriminatory behaviour, such as the above, is ingrained into koreans at an early age. it's sad that they can't see how absurd it is. I think the reason why discrimination towards foreigners in EFL in Japan is slightly less than it is in korea is because the Japanese are really into travel. I know Koreans who have travelled and returned to Korea and their opinions of how certain things work in Korea have changed drastically.

I'm not saying that japan is perfect when it comes to handling discrimination because it clearly isn't. Compared to Korea however, it's very much the lesser evil. In my honest opinion I really think you'd have less problems in regards to discrimination if you considered your Japanese job offers. I hear Taiwan is pretty good too.