|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
twospoonsmv
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
|
 Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:06 pm Post subject: can american asians teach in south korea? |
 |
|
Hello everyone
This is my first post. I am also in the beginning stage of applying for jobs in South Korea. I am Asian American, speak English fluently--English is my first language, hold a b.s. and masters. Due to the economy, student loans, and of course an interest in South Korea I have decide to teach for a year or so until the economy gets back in shape.
I was doing some research on recruiters, locations, jobs, etc. I found this one particular recruiting who stated that if you are Asian then chances of getting a teaching position in Korea is slim to none. I am not sure if this is base on facts but it just sounds a bit odd to me.
Is there any validity to this statement or does it varies from location, schools, and recruiter?
Any advice would truly be appreciated. Thank in advance for your time.
Last edited by twospoonsmv on Mon Oct 18, 2010 12:21 am; edited 2 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hagwons tend to sell the image of an English education over an actual education. As such, they tend to prefer young, fair-haired North American women. Barring that, they settle for some combination of non-North American women and fair-haired North American men. At the end of the day, looking like a WASP definitely helps you here in terms of getting hired.
Public schools tend to be a bit more reasonable in their hires, and aren't so quick to demand that your family came over on the Mayflower.
Strictly due to Korean prejudices, where in Asia you're from is also relevant. East Asians will generally have an easier time finding something than South Asians. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tokkibunni8
Joined: 13 Nov 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Go through as many recruiters as you can and don't be picky on location. You'll have better chances with public schools and out in rural areas. Good luck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
oldfatfarang
Joined: 19 May 2005
Location: On the road to somewhere.
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've met plenty of Korean Americans working in hagwons and PS.
However, I don't like your chances if you're from SE Asia (Koreans are very xenophobic towards these peoples).
Good luck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
winterfall
Joined: 21 May 2009
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| northway wrote: |
Public schools tend to be a bit more reasonable in their hires, and aren't so quick to demand that your family came over on the Mayflower.
|
I've got to disagree with you on that. PS can't discriminate in hiring practice but there's definitely discrimination in placement. At least that has been my experience. If your not white, your much, much more likely to get an inner city school.
Example:
10 new teachers. None of em have experience, same age, gender, nationality, and none of em are english or education majors. 5 are gyopos, 5 are foreigners.
4 of the 5 gyopos will be the first FT at a tech school. The last gyopo will go to a non tech school but will also get a low level school
4 of the 5 foreigners will go to medium to high achievement schools in elementary, middle, and high school. The last foreigner may go to a medium-low level school
Of course some slip through the cracks and don't follow the general trend |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
twospoonsmv
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| winterfall wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
Public schools tend to be a bit more reasonable in their hires, and aren't so quick to demand that your family came over on the Mayflower.
|
I've got to disagree with you on that. PS can't discriminate in hiring practice but there's definitely discrimination in placement. At least that has been my experience. If your not white, your much, much more likely to get an inner city school.
Example:
10 new teachers. None of em have experience, same age, gender, nationality, and none of em are english or education majors. 5 are gyopos, 5 are foreigners.
4 of the 5 gyopos will be the first FT at a tech school. The last gyopo will go to a non tech school but will also get a low level school
4 of the 5 foreigners will go to medium to high achievement schools in elementary, middle, and high school. The last foreigner may go to a medium-low level school
Of course some slip through the cracks and don't follow the general trend |
what is a tech school?
what is gyopos? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tanklor1
Joined: 13 Jun 2006
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| twospoonsmv wrote: |
| winterfall wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
Public schools tend to be a bit more reasonable in their hires, and aren't so quick to demand that your family came over on the Mayflower.
|
I've got to disagree with you on that. PS can't discriminate in hiring practice but there's definitely discrimination in placement. At least that has been my experience. If your not white, your much, much more likely to get an inner city school.
Example:
10 new teachers. None of em have experience, same age, gender, nationality, and none of em are english or education majors. 5 are gyopos, 5 are foreigners.
4 of the 5 gyopos will be the first FT at a tech school. The last gyopo will go to a non tech school but will also get a low level school
4 of the 5 foreigners will go to medium to high achievement schools in elementary, middle, and high school. The last foreigner may go to a medium-low level school
Of course some slip through the cracks and don't follow the general trend |
what is a tech school?
what is gyopos? |
Teach schools are high schools where the students aren't expected to go to University.
Gyopo is a term describing a half-Korean or full Korean born out of Korea. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pkjh
Joined: 23 May 2008
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| winterfall wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
Public schools tend to be a bit more reasonable in their hires, and aren't so quick to demand that your family came over on the Mayflower.
|
I've got to disagree with you on that. PS can't discriminate in hiring practice but there's definitely discrimination in placement. At least that has been my experience. If your not white, your much, much more likely to get an inner city school.
Example:
10 new teachers. None of em have experience, same age, gender, nationality, and none of em are english or education majors. 5 are gyopos, 5 are foreigners.
4 of the 5 gyopos will be the first FT at a tech school. The last gyopo will go to a non tech school but will also get a low level school
4 of the 5 foreigners will go to medium to high achievement schools in elementary, middle, and high school. The last foreigner may go to a medium-low level school
Of course some slip through the cracks and don't follow the general trend |
Not sure how true this is, but it is more likely to happen in Seoul and area. Aim for the provinces, kids are easier to control and you'll have a better time than you think. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
twospoonsmv
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| pkjh wrote: |
| winterfall wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
Public schools tend to be a bit more reasonable in their hires, and aren't so quick to demand that your family came over on the Mayflower.
|
I've got to disagree with you on that. PS can't discriminate in hiring practice but there's definitely discrimination in placement. At least that has been my experience. If your not white, your much, much more likely to get an inner city school.
Example:
10 new teachers. None of em have experience, same age, gender, nationality, and none of em are english or education majors. 5 are gyopos, 5 are foreigners.
4 of the 5 gyopos will be the first FT at a tech school. The last gyopo will go to a non tech school but will also get a low level school
4 of the 5 foreigners will go to medium to high achievement schools in elementary, middle, and high school. The last foreigner may go to a medium-low level school
Of course some slip through the cracks and don't follow the general trend |
Not sure how true this is, but it is more likely to happen in Seoul and area. Aim for the provinces, kids are easier to control and you'll have a better time than you think. |
Well I would like to know from people who are Asian American and teaching in South Korea. What kind of experiences did they have and what type of problems did they run into if any.
Hear say doesn't help. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
