Korean Job Discussion Forums

[twinklemoon]

[color=darkblue]Hello! I'm new here.

I am interested in teaching English in Korea, but read that one needs to be a native speaker. Is that true? What are the chances for me, a non-native speaker? Will A TESOL cert be good enough?

Also, is it a requirement to have a Degree? I only have a Diploma in Advertising. Will that do?

Are there any Malaysian teaching or have taught English in Korea?

Thanks a million! [/color]

[KoreanAmbition]

Actually there will be a great deal of threads on this topic.

TESOL is not sufficient. New regulations stipulate you must have a degree from a university in one of the big-7 countries which are considered native-English speaking.

In fact it's not even up to a school if they want you, it's up to immigration since they will issue the VISA.

Apparently you might be able to find schools teaching another language you speak and then you might get a visa to teach that language, however, I don't believe it will pay anything close to English teaching.

Try the other countries nearby, like China or Thailand, I believe a lot of them have less-strict regulations on requirements. Unfortunately, none of them pay as well to my knowledge.

Good luck.

[twinklemoon]

Hey, thanks for the quick reply.

English is my first language, there is no other languages which I am fit to teach!

So without a Degree from the "big-7 countries", my chances are zero?

If a friend of mine do have a Degree from UK, but she is not a native speaker? Will she have a shot?

Thanks!

[Mi Yum mi]

You could probably get a job. It wouldn't be a legal one, but you could get one.

Your boss could pretty much do whatever he wants to do to you. Fire you on the spot, keep your wages...whatever. Not a position I'd want to be in.

[KoreanAmbition]

Twinkle,

My answers were coming from a non-expert, but I think that since others haven't contradicted my points, then I'd say I'm accurate.

Mi Yum Mi is correct though, if you are working illegally, you are in a risky position.

Example:

It's like a drug dealer going to the police officer and saying "Hey, that guy took my kilo of cocaine, but didn't pay me for it".

I think you get the point.

"Caveat emptor: Buyer Beware"

Trust what you do, or else trust that you might not get anything in return. Take the chance if you want, but don't say you're shocked if things go wrong.

[littlelisa]

[Mi Yum mi]

If you have a degree you are half way there. Marry a Korean and you are set.

[ttompatz]

[twinklemoon]

Thanks so much for all the replies.

Has it (the current VISA laws) always been like that, or since they change the E2 VISA?

So until the E2 VISA changes (if ever) Korea is out of the question for us? sad.. sad..

Any other countries, similar to Korea, which we might have a shot?

[ttompatz]