Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jklasdf]

Are there any Irish people currently teaching in Korea? If so, could you please tell me if it was difficult for you to get a job because you are Irish? I have noticed alot of people saying that it is difficult for Irish to get work in Korea because of our accent, is this true?

Please only post here if you are Irish and currently working or have worked in Korea.[b]

[benji]

Nope. No Irish people. Your dream is dead. At least you will keep your access to fresh Guiness intact.

[DeliciousFish]

I'm not Irish, but a couple of my friends are Irish teaching in Korea. One friend is part of a Gaelic Women's Football League, which has quite a few players. I'm sure if there's enough people to start a Football League, it's not that big of a deal to be an Irish teacher. My friends had a distinct accent, but nothing too strong. Everyone I knew had some kind of accent, South Africans, Australian, English, Scottish, Canadian, and Americans can have horrible accents. I had to ask my Australian co-teacher his name 3 times because his accent was a bit strong. What I hear is by the time a school calls you for an interview, they're basically only checking to see if you're accent is intelligible enough to be clearly heard by your students, so remember to anunciate.

Speaking of Guinness, it's my favorite beer. It's way too expensive at a Korean bar (anywhere from 7000-15000 Won), but I used to buy cans for about 3000 Won at the local corner store.

[Bearach]

I'm Irish, I'm in my second job here and it's going well. Being Irish was never a problem, if anything it was seen as something unusual, even cool and exotic. If you have a strong accent, regardless of where you're from, that could be a problem, but that's what phone interviews are for.

[wesharris]

Not Irish. But close enough to be called Irish American.
I have no idea at all about the topic, but I am appalled that you
do not respect other nationalities..
_+_+
Wes

[jklasdf]

[D.D.]

I never tell people to come here before they get a job but in the case of an Irish person it might be a good idea. Come over meet some Korean pubic school teachers and drink with them. Make sure you act normal which mean you keep drinking until you are puking and passing out. Next day ring all your Korean teacher buddies and laugh about it and say let's do it again. They will get you a job and in their drunken state will never notice your that you are impossible to understand. We have 50 old teachers that stay up until 6 am drinking and come to school stinking like booze and laugh about it just like college kids. Not saying all Irish are drunks but the fair share of travelling Irish people I know drink beyond what is even friggin fun until they are passed out. Koreans are the same so should be no worries. Drinking and pretending you are happy but being reallly grumpy from the hangover and addiction are traits your two nations share. I know other countries share the same problems but not to the degree that your two nations do.

It's almost as if Koreans and Irish don't even know alcohol is bad for them yet. It is just accepted as a normal part of the culture-sad really. I like the Irish people I met but it was sad to see them abusing themselves like that.

Anyhow Irsih will fit in here is what I am saying.

[creeper1]

There are loads of Irish here. They got their jobs easily enough. Unless the situation has changed drastically in 6 months then I can say with full authority that the negative posters are talking stinking hot horse manure.

BTW I agree with the above poster that the Irish drink INSANE amounts of alcohol.

[7drunkennights]

I�m Irish here, arrived about a month and a half ago. I had no problems getting a job here, despite having a thick enough north Munster accent.

Then again I did replace a kiwi in a school full of American teachers so I took over the "token foreigner" job at the school. I�ve also heard that in the richer parts of Seoul that the fashionable thing is to have your children speak English with an accent, i.e. British Irish or Australian. I only heard this from word of mouth so I am not sure if there is any credibility in it.

Only problems are when I am teaching about 3 trees, or any word that starts with a th! the kids like to correct me on that one so I have stared to pronounce them properly, although I reckon I sound like I have a horrible lisp and I have to think about it! Still cant say birthday properly though!

I�ve only met one or two other Irish people here so far but to be honest I havent tried that much.

[D.D.]

The trick is to change your accent so people can understand you. Most of us who have been away from home for many years have neutral accents.
Some Americans I know have such thick accents they get complaints from their public schools and don't get offered a second contract because they don't change them.

[ThingsComeAround]

As someone who personally knows of TWO Irish men that teach here currently, it is confusing as to why you complain to those of us that inform you.

[Joe666]

7drunkennights writes:

[u05emk2]

I'm Irish. This is my second time here. I came on a tourist visa and found a job with no problems each time.

[anbrainblasta]

OP, are u a bogger by any chance

[prickley_pete]

I'm Irish, they're always after me lucky charms!