Korean Job Discussion Forums

[beehappy86]

I'm a bit worried as I�ve read that many companies only hire teachers with American and Canadian accents . I have a northern English accent so I'm slightly worried that it will be difficult to work in Korea. Has anyone else had any problems with their accents and how did you over come these problems?

Thanks!

[RMNC]

Start talkin' like a 'Merican fella and you'll have no prob'ems

[chaz47]

I wouldn't go for the Texan/Southern US accent. I knew a few teachers from Georgia who got flack for their accent. I believe the preferred accent in SK is Midwestern (not the Fargo "hey der how yo doin' ya") and Western (not cowboy or surfer dude).

Seriously though, I met a few Irish teachers too. At first they struggled but in a month or two they were able to change it up pretty successfully.

Your UK accent would be an asset in Japan.

[pixie_fi]

I'm from Scotland and am a bit worried about my accent too, although people say I don't really sound Scottish. I had an interview with the HR guy from a school the other day and he said that some schools do prefer Americans/Canadians, but then I guess he wouldn't be furthering my application if he didn't think I could get a job with my accent. I was speaking to a Scottish girl who taught in Korea a few years ago and she said it could be hard when the kids didn't understand, but sometimes she just pronounced words with an American accent.

[the ireland]

I know quite a few English teachers here, some from south east england and some from Northern England, (lancashire).

You will find that you will have to speak much slower than normal anyway so parts of your accent will disappear when you teach.

I know I speak waaaaaay too fast in the real world (on the border of northern Ireland) so fast infact that when I speak to my friends back home my g.f has trouble understanding me, even though she is also from ireland.

So when I teach I speak slower than normal, I never, ever put on an American accent to teach, I think it's good for the kids to learn to understand different accents. They get to listen to Americans, English, Kiwis, and Irish in our school so I think it will help them in the long run.


I don't worry about it too much though, for some reason people seem to like my accent and think it sounds nice.

[tiger fancini]

Koreans are slowly beginning to realise that International English is not spoken in JUST a North American accent. Any Hagwon boss/school principal who hasn't figured this out yet is not worth working for anyway.

OP, you'll be fine. Just apply the golden rule. A little slower and a little louder.

[PigeonFart]

An educated person with international experience never has trouble being understood. As the poster said above, just consicously enunciate every word. Leave your full accent for your friends back home.

"Eh up lad"

[drydell]

Start Rant:

Watching as Korea returns to hiring mainly North Americans (especially when preferring inexperienced over experienced teachers)to teach English here is like watching in slow motion as it aims a shotgun directly at it's foot. If it wants it's population to improve at English then it should not narrowly focus on one region. i suppose money explains choosing a fresh grad over someone older and more experienced - but the North American obsession is just bizarre.. you just don't seem to get this kind of preference in other countries do you? (where they specify nationality in job ads?)I know that Japan and other places have for long mostly imported ESL teachers from the UK - but that is purely because the vast majority of the ESL industry comes from Britain and Ireland - just look at how many of the textbooks you use are Oxford/Cambridge etc publications - even loads of the 'American English' books are made in the UK - .. so what the hell drives it? - is it really the pester power of the hagwon mums? it's infuriating because the end result is korean's who seriously can't understand my mild southern British accent when for the first time I speak clearly and slowly to them...

Do they not realise that the much coveted TOEFL has multi accents now (in response to the IELTS becoming accepted in most decent Uni's in the US and Canada)? The TOEIC also has multiple accents...I can only imagine that the students struggle with hearing these accent in these tests when they've only been exposed to the US/Canadian accents...
so.. Korea just Stop It...it's a hindrance to your learning, it's nonsense. And it will make it harder for me to get my next job.

Stop Rant

[Scouse Mouse]

Not had a problem at any of my jobs.

[Waluigi]

I am from Leeds, and although my accent isn't too thick I do still sound distinctly northern.

Had no problems at all. As somebody said, just speak more slowly and more clearly when speaking to Koreans and your kids and you'll be fine.

The kids do sometimes have a giggle at the way I pronounce certain words as they are used to an American teacher I replaced not long ago, but it passes quickly.

Also, I know a lot of Scots here with pretty thick accents who have no problems.

good luck mate!

[dumpring]

Plenty of Scots n Brits about! Think you'll be fine mate, just as everyone else said, try to consciously speak a bit slower. Don't have to sound like a yank.

[dirving]

[quote="dumpring"]Plenty of Scots n Brits about! Think you'll be fine mate, just as everyone else said, try to consciously speak a bit slower. Don't have to sound like a yank.[/quote

What is a Yank and where did you acquire such a lovely brand of English?

[Waluigi]

[quote="dirving"]

[ticktocktocktick]

Use some Lancashire Hotpots videos in class to help them understand

I'm a lanky lad, and I do have the occasional problem, but nothing that a little repetition can't sort out.

[verloc]