Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rabidcake]

When doing these jobs hunts, is it wise to mention that you know a little or some Korean, or even try to communicate using Korean?

I want to be able to use the language that is most efficient when getting things done, but I don't want it to count as something negative. From what I have heard, knowing Korean may count a little against you because they might think you'll only speak to the students in Korean.

Either way, the Korean class I took is on my transcript, so i can't hide it completely.

[ttompatz]

[themagicbean]

For Uni positions (or private businesses) it will help, they want to do as little for you as possible. It also shows interest in the culture, which helps. Finally, it (studying a 2L) gives good perspective on teaching ESL, and most experienced/caring hiring persons will recognize that.

[McGenghis]

I work at a little college in the boonies, and I have almost all of my meetings exclusively in Korean. I know that all the underling admin types breathed a collective sigh of relief when I introduced myself in the old chosun mal.

I've always found it to be an asset in my sojourn here in the land of the morning hwangsa; then again I DO work in a little college in the boonies.

[rabidcake]

I know a bit of Korean, but I'm always willing to learn more.

I know how much of a burden it is to always have to translate or speak English to someone in a group only because that person is the only one to not understand what's going on.

I don't want to be that big of a burden.

[Troglodyte]

It's definitely good to know some Korean. BUT as already pointed out, if you're applying to hogwans, don't mention it. Some might consider it a good thing, but not good enough to increase your pay or give you other benefits. Some will consider it a negative and you may get passed up for the next applicant. They don't want you to speak Korean to the kids. One hogwan I worked at actually recommended that I SHOULDN'T learn Korean because they specifically hired me to speak only English in the classroom. The topic came up after one of the Korean teachers had started tutoring me. In the end I got another teacher and just never told my co-workers about it.

If they ask, then you can say that you know some Korean. If they don't ask though, don't say anything. At least not until you are in Korea working. There's a good chance that they will never look at your transcripts, other than to briefly glance at them to see that you graduated, where, when, etc.

[Seoul'n'Corea]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[winterfall]

Yes and no. For hiring yes. But once you get to school make sure they all think your a savant.

I've got 1 KET who doesn't think much of me and has no qualms telling the students how much time they waste with me every week. Telling my dept head was enough to start teaching alone.

[jiberish]

It's on my resume.

They say don't use Korean in the classroom. I say A-OK boss.

[DavidVance]

Rabidcake,
Only the idiots would want you not to know any Korean, so it might be useful for screening them out, as well as for other things.
Basic psychology: I've learnt some of your stuff, now learn some of mine.
Use the Korean to teach higher level English, and concepts, than you could without it.
Use as appropriate in achieving or maintaining classroom discipline.
Shows that you have interests other than locating the nearest macdonalds hamburger shop and alcohol dispensary.
Immersion only works if they (or you, just try it...) already have the vocabulary, other than for near-fully-immersed infants.
I think you would be interested in:

http://sites.google.com/site/multifactoreslenglish

Regards,

David Vance

[Troglodyte]

[tomato]

I think that's how I lost my last job.
The potentates from the central office came to observe my teaching,
and when I saw them in the hallway, I greeted them in Korean from habit.
One of them pointed an angry finger at me and said "English!"

After the class demonstration, there was a meeting with the potentates.
One of them told me how important it was to speak English in English class.
I answered that that message should not be addressed to me, but to the homeroom teachers.
I did my dangdest to keep the class all in English and to get the students to speak English, but the homeroom teachers kept interrupting and translating everything I say.
I said all that in Korean, so I could be sure that everyone in the room understood.
Furthermore, I made it clear that I was speaking about one of the teachers in the room.

It's a wonder I didn't get deported.

[stimpleton]

I was just out for dinner tonight with work, and the Director and other Kteachers were all going on about how good it is that I understand Korean. They know I don't speak much, so maybe it's not the same...

I teach mainly kindergarten (Korean 5-7) and elementary kids, in Kindy and hagwon. In the kindy I make sure I don't use any Korean, unless I'm repeating it back to a student to correct them and tell them how to say it in English. In the hagwon, I use some Korean to assist the kids in understanding concepts etc, but I'd have to say it's 99% English, even alone with a group of '5' year-olds. Takes a bit of work, but they get it.

[PatrickGHBusan]

Knowing Korean is an asset.

Knowing Korea and using it in English class can be an asset or a huge liability depending on how you use it.