Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Charlie Bourque]

Just wondering if being qualified to teach English and French would result in me teaching both at the same time. I have a 4-year B.A. in TESL for both languages.

[ThingsComeAround]

Hmm

It will be easier to find a job teaching English, however the pay is much lower.

MUCH lower.

Not many French come here, and as such the demand isn't as high. But- you should be able to net $50 an hour. That is, if you can prove you lived in France.

[Yaya]

Stick to English as there are quite a few Korean adoptees from France vying for any work they can get. Demand for French is a far cry from that for English, with second-place going to Chinese and third place Japanese, Arabic or Russian, though I'm not sure about the latter.

There is a small but steady French community in Seoul at Seorae village near Express Bus Terminal subway station. Most of the expats who live there work for French companies doing business in or with Korea.

[Troglodyte]

I've found that a lot of Koreans have a hard time believing that someone can be fluent in more than their mother tongue. If you announce that you are fluent in another language they'll either not believe you (e.g. you obviously aren't from China so you can't be fluent in Mandarin) or they'll have suspicions about whether English really is your native language (e.g. you claim to be fluent in German, so maybe THAT's your native language). In the latter case, it hurts your reputation and someone will claim that they can hear that you have a non-native accent in English.

You might get some private lessons teaching French, especially in a large city, but I wouldn't recommend telling it to your main employer.

Similarly, I found the same mentality in China.

[Charlie Bourque]

[Charlie Bourque]

[Landros]

I think most Koreans think of French as cultural thieves first who took their artifacts and won't return them and second as stuck up types who look down at Korea for eating Dog. that is people in General. I'm sure there are many Koreans who are interested in things French and appreciate your knowledge and what not but yeah I think the problem arises that to teach English here a Bachelor degree from an English speaking country is required but you could go to a French Uni in Canada so they are suspicious.

[Ruthdes]

There are companies where it will be an advantage rather than a disadvantage. PM sent.

[Yaya]

[crisdean]

[Charlie Bourque]

[crisdean]

[Yaya]

[Mr. Peabody]

[Charlie Bourque]

Are you all implying that Koreans return from France as assholes because the French are assholes?

I thought that was a distinctly American way of thinking, but I guess I was wrong.

In any case, this discussion reminded me of a scene from Talladega Nights. Skip to 1:20 for the best scene in the movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hiFfn0VzrE