Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cincynate]

There are just as many bad public schools as there are bad hakwons. The only difference being usually its the work environment of the PS that sucks, whereas a hakwon, the business ethics are what suffers (i.e. not getting paid on time, etc.). As long as you do your research, there are many great hakwons out there. I made the switch from PS to hakwon and have never looked back.

[tokkibunni8]

Don't be discouraged by EPIK's rejection. There are god knows how many interns that sort through applications. Some are more lenient and let things fly, while others will reject you for something so small like misspelling a word on your essay.

Go through an agency. There are many schools that hire independently of Epik. Gepik is another program, but is cutting budgets for the next school year. however, there are schools out there still hiring. Don't let the fact that you were born in Hong Kong stop you from teaching in Korea. There are lots of non-Caucasians born outside of the 7 English speaking countries teaching in Korea~legally.

Good luck.

[Guajiro]

[young_clinton]

I wrote it in bed with a virtual keyboard and didn't bother to proof read it.

[young_clinton]

One more thing OP, the more I think about it, since you're fluent in Mandarin......if you could get a teaching license wherever you're at, the public schools in Taiwan would go head over heels for you. (not just you, but anybody, but since you know Mandarin they would really like you) I would actually recommend getting a teaching license in your country over getting a Master's degree. Once you get the license you can spend as many years in Taiwan as you want, teaching ESL at public schools or even perhaps your degree subject somewhere. The pay in Taiwan is decent and a lot of people like working in Taiwan a lot more than in Korea.

[dajafu]

Thanks for all the replies and comments and suggestions. I will definitely keep trying with other recruiters (as suggested) and programs and see if I can land myself in Korea as an ESL teacher! I even got some PMs giving me suggestions. You are all very nice !

I know my English isn't perfect; therefore, I am paying special attention when I am doing my TEFL course right now. Hopefully I will improve by the time I get to be an English teacher.('')I actually had someone proof-read my application and essay, so I was confident when I submitted my application to EPIK.

To honestly tell you the truth, I know I can be an English teacher in Taiwan or in China because I speak fluent Mandarin and may even get a higher pay than I can in Korea. But the reason that I wanted to go to Korea is because I really want to experience that country's culture and I am very interested in learning their language(being able to speak fluently!). Originally I was trying to find a non-teaching job in Korea; however, since I am not a specialized person (eg, technician or engineer, etc. ) it was difficult to find such a job. I view the chance of being able to work in Korea a win-win situation; where I can get paid working in the country and at the same time, gaining another language skills which will be a good use for my career path in the future. And because I learnt that being an ESL teacher may give me a higher chance to work in Korea, I do not mind putting in more effort in order to do what I "want" to do.

I will continue to update all of you if I do hear some replies from my applications. Very happy to have met you all~ ('')
Greatly appreciated for all your suggestions! As I am new here, I found this very heart-warming ~~('')

[Feloria]

OP-
By your attitude alone; I'm sure you will do very well in whatever you do!
A kind, positive attitude goes a long way!
Good luck

[oujibdelamere]

They try so hard to eliminate people in 'grey areas' don't they?

I agree with prejudice against the OP's Chinese background as the reason. Maybe you can exploit your Mando/Canto skills?

@scott1985

I have a similar-ish background, half-British and half-Belgian, born in Belgium (on a 'labour run' from Indonesia!), went to international schools in Asia my whole life.

If they rejected you just for being born in Belgium, I've got no chance!

[dbtm]

Remember that EPIK has a ridiculous volume of applicants right now. It's no longer "do you have a pulse and the ability to pass a urine test?" There is actual competition for positions.

[oujibdelamere]

@dbtm

Thanks for the reality check - you're right of course.

The extreme levels of bureaucracy make it so easy to forget that you're actually applying for a job.

[I-am-me]

I know an American born in China who taught in Korea. Even his name was a give-away. There are countless reasons why they might have denied you. You just have to keep applying at other places. Now I'm in the mood for chinese!

[Squire]

Scan the job sites for public school jobs starting in February. It's probably not too late, and there are a few places outside Seoul that don't hire through EPIK. My job is public school and I found it on a job site (hi expat I think)

[dajafu]

cool ~~ I will definitely look into those other ones ~
I do understand that there are competitions now for the positions with the reduction in budgets and other causes. I guess especially with EPIK, since it's more "reliable" comparing to Hagwons that you might not know much about, it creates a even more tense competition.

Just curious though, if anyone know about the Chinese market in Korea? I mean teaching the Chinese language (Mandarin or Cantonese). We all know about the popularity with ESL classes, but what about other languages? Anyone have any ideas?

[The Floating World]

[guymontague]

I fell in love with Korea when I had the chance to go a few years ago. I got off the plane and like many places I have gone around the world I was a little mystified by it at first. The next morning I woke up and went outside, and it was like a bolt of lightening. I can not explain it with any degree of reasoning that would make it sound like it did not come from a lunatic.

I fell in LOVE with Korea. Absolutely!!!

I knew I had to get back there. The problem I faced was almost impossible to overcome, but only because I felt I was too old. I had a degree but only an Associates degree. I did the cowards approach and tried to find a quick and easy way instead of simply applying to an undergrad program and getting my degree immediately I tried to accomplish it in the afore mentioned way.

After alot of research, and I mean ALOT, I settled on the TaLK program. I felt it was my only option to gain experience in Korea as a teacher and actually be trained to teach. I am sure that is not a very accurate assessment of the program. I applied the first time very quickly without giving much consideration as to the whole program and it's requirements. Not surprisingly, I was not accepted. I rallied myself, collected my documents, researched teaching in Korea, Lesson plans, etc. When the window opened again, I applied again. I had higher hopes as I had really done my homework. I did not expect success, as I am almost forty, but I really hoped. Second time was also a failure. I took that one harder as I was so close but then asked to provide a third letter of reference, and while I was doing that I was put on the waiting list. It may as well have been an immediate failure. I wished they would have just outright denied me isntead of giving me hope because I put my life on hold for a dream I was not sure I could ever achieve. Round three obviously did not go well either as I am posting on here. I applied early, maybe that was the problem, but it did not matter. After passing the minimum qualifications for the program twice before I was not even allowed into the starting gate. I was absolutely crushed. I cried as I had never cried before. I became so angry.

I honestly felt that TaLK was my only option to ever gain a teaching job in Korea. I am going to be forty two by the time I graduate with my bachelors, and I long felt that I would never be accepted by any recruiter, or by this time after my rejection, a hagwon.

Now that I have read the SMOE has decided to phase out Native English Speakers by 2014. I feel that is the last nail in the coffin of my dream. I have been taking Korean classes from a very good Korean friend who advised me early on to make my way to Korea and simply try to find work.

Perhaps it is the fact that no one in a position in the TaLK program gives a crap about some poor, undereducated, late starting guy. It could be the fact that I have only myself to blame for starting so late in life with a real dream, or perhaps this overly dramatic rant. I admit it, the shock is just washing over me. I wonder how long it will be before those pushed out of the public school system will overwhelm the Hagwon system. I know I am not the most qualified, nor the most desireable person to have teach children. That said, I never expected to get rich, never expected to marry a Korean woman, nor did I ever intend to come back to the US if I made it there. I wanted to stay as long as possible.

Now I find myself being plagued by the desire to find some hagwon and try my luck. I resist only because I worry if caught it will be the final nail in my dream as I will never be allowed back.

I have been shot at in Iraq, frozen in Afghanistan, and terrified for my life. But never have I been so disillusioned by anything, and I voted for Bush in 2000.

I know the silliness of this post, so please excuse it, but does anyone have any words of wisdom they would impart?

I really do admire the tenacity of the original poster. I am trying not to give up but, do I really have an alternative.