Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hkfortytwo]

Hi, first post here.

I was wondering how much more difficult it was for a korean american (born and raised in the US) to land a teaching position in korea?

extremely?

thanks...

[Ya-ta Boy]

Somewhat.

Some places (like many hakwons) won't be interested. Others don't care. It will also raise your chances if you are bilingual or have experience teaching TOEIC.

At my school, of the 11 teachers right now, 4 are Asian: three are Koreans who lived abroad for an extended time and one was adopted abroad when she was a baby.

Don't get discouraged.

Good luck.

[KYC]

Take the public school route, it's much easier to land a position in a ps than hagwon (as an asian american)

I'm asian american (not Korean) and know several others. (mostly ps but some in hogwans). It is possible. Don't get discouraged

[aarontendo]

There are quite a few jobs that ask for gyopo only heh. You'll be fine, are you good at Korean? I think a lotta the test prep hakwons would love to get their hands on ya, though I can't say from experience.

[Bibbitybop]

More importantly, OP, what are your qualifications? If you don't even have a BA or BA, you can't get a legal teaching job no matter what heritage you have.

[hkfortytwo]

well, i'm currently a senior at uc berkeley, major in philosophy. i graduate in may and will, subsequent my graduation and diploma reception, be applying for a position abroad. i am an american born korean, quite poor in speaking korean, actually, but i think teaching english in korea for a year will be of tremendous benefit for me, as i have never been to korea. i hear it is difficult to obtain a hakwon placement, but i have never considered the public school route.

additionally, does anyone know what kind of hours and pay are associated with public teaching? i hear the hours and pay are pretty sweet for hakwons. from my understanding, about 25 hrs a week and 2mil won a month with a provided room.

also, if i take an online tofel course (100hrs) and recieve a certificate, does that help my chances (and hopefully, pay)?

thanks all, this is like my second post ever, and you guys have been like way helpful already.

[hkfortytwo]

and what's the dealio with test prep hakwons? how are their hours, pay, and criteria for hire?

note: my korean is, again, quite poor, though i intend to develop my korean during my stay, granting i am able to obtain a position.

[Gwangjuboy]

[articulate_ink]

Most of your questions have been discussed at great length on here. It's hard to answer them with anything more than 'it depends,' because Korea presents such a mixed bag. Some people are incredibly happy with their schools, hagwons, and universities. Others find themselves in horrible predicaments and are totally justified in making their midnight runs. Some people have an affinity for the culture and meet their future spouse or partner here. Others loathe it. The one thing I'd suggest would be to come over here on an F visa (or whatever the gyopo visa is) and not an E-2 if you can arrange it. It'll give you much greater flexibility to walk away from a crappy job if you should find yourself in one. But you might also want to be careful of the military service requirement if you do that. I don't imagine you want to flush two years of your life down the toilet in the Korean army.

[aphong420]

Get yourself an F-4 Visa. Check out http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/index.html and read up on the Overseas Koreans Visa. It's funny, because just over a year ago, I was in the same position you are - asking nearly the same questions. I feel I have a duty to respond.

You will NOT have trouble finding a job in Korea. GEPIK has a program that pays 2-2.1 million a month, with good vacation periods. Just finished up a contract with them last year and was able to squeeze out extended vacations in Japan (3 weeks) and Thailand (1 month), while saving a good bit of money. If you're looking for money jobs though- there are some good Hakwon positions in Seoul that hire Gyopos with the F-4. I'm currently making just over 3.2 million/month, with a fully furnished apartment working 2-10, M-F (just as a reference, and not as a means of bragging about my awesome salary).

It might also help if you know a bit of Korean, though it isn't neccesary. Just try and observe all the customs and culture, try not to look like too much of a twinkie - and you'll be fine. Good luck! Send me a PM if you need help with anything.