Korean Job Discussion Forums

[World Traveler]

1. Wages and conditions are declining. They will continue to decline. Once that happens, will people leave, improving the market? The answer is no, because some people are tied to this country through marriage, children, and perhaps other reasons. No matter how bad things get here, they will continue to stay, rather than seek out greener pastures. You will be competing against these people. Things are definately getting worse here. This will only continue.

[valkerie]

You make some good points.

I just want to say, (for the sale of balance), that it is possible to get a uni job without a post grad. Like everything you may not have the same choices, but it is possible. (This is an often resurrected argument here, so I probably should ignore it.)

Yep, Korean is a difficult language to learn. Not everyone wants/needs to learn it though. I know a lot of people who know enough to get by, which suits their purpose.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

I agree with the OP. Now wait for the deniers to post; especially the ones that left Korea years ago.

[World Traveler]

[bentobento]

Uh ok... ?
Just a little note here though. I have a friend there who learned Korean in 2 yrs and also know others who have learned it in 3. It's not impossible. If you're determined enough you can. I personally think Mandarin is tougher than Korean but that's just me.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

I started in 2003 in Busan. At the end of my first year at a elementary hogwon chain one of the other teachers got a job teaching at a pretty good Busan university. He had one year of hogwon experience and a bachelors degree. He was about 30, normal looking.

At the end of his 2nd year at the same hogwon my friend was offered a job at a national university in Busan. Bachelors, maybe 28 years old, normal looking guy.

I doubt they'd even get interviewed now.

==
On a side note, these are some of the pricks that interview now and look down at other ESL teachers. Nowadays, they wouldn't be interviewed for the job that they are overseeing.

[World Traveler]

[jammo]

Agree with the OP. Korean is tough but not impossible.

[jammo]

+ Dey took our jerbs!

[Kwangjuchicken]

And let's not forget that quite recently 2 universities were closed down and 43 more have lost government support. And, those 43 schools are also required to start lowering tuition fees. And students at those universities now can only take out very small student loans No more government support and lower tuition at he same, and students receive small loans?

[koreatimes]

This thread is very slanted and biased. I have lived relatively short periods at various places around the world since I left the nest as a high school graduate. The biggest change for me was simply going to another city in the same country I am from. After that, England or the "far" East didn't seem so far.

Japan is more popular in the states than Korea, at least it was when I grew up with karate, anime, and foods like sushi being more well known than taekwondo or kimchi. Taking a leap after working and living in Japan (due to the same economic reasons but in the US) and choosing to go to Korea was the best thing for me. I learned about a new but private culture.

I didn't have to get married to a Korean, I didn't have to know Korean (I can work out the basics on a non-business level), and any sense of inferiority came from either the fact Koreans are trying to function in a world where their Korean ways are not in sync with those imposed by the English imperial invasions. I certainly met more Koreans who respected me than lashed out. It's awfully ignorant and hypocritical to voice angst on a society you might associate with the word "hermit" with but then ignore in your own right.

If all you wanted was money, success, and prestige, why on earth did you take on a job teaching English in a country that doesn't require a skill or trade beyond speaking your native language.

I disagree that it's like a McDonald's job, but it's definitely not a 6 figure office job either. You knew this coming in (and I am the one who often touts the "slave" word on these forums to describe how we are treated by some bad employers.)

[litebear]

I think in a few years the decision about whether or not to come to Korea will be taken away from your average college grad, I just don't think there will be as much demand as before. Also, I don't think Korea has that same allure as Japan, they seem to have a saying on the Japan Board about certain westerners who would "starve to be in Japan", I doubt as many feel that way about Korea! (All IMO)

I really liked Korea (I will eventually return as my partner is Korean) and had an amazing time but to be totally frank if it wasn't as easy to find a job I would never have bothered in the first place. I had a friend who went to Japan a few months before I left for Korea and he had a lot of trouble finding a job, if I had been in his shoes I would have given up and looked elsewhere.

If I was looking for my first ESL job now I would seriously consider China, not without it's problems of course but if you get in to a good city you would still have a great time

People like World Traveller and Julius get all uptight and a bit angry about Korea. I don't get it myself. Just leave. There are loads and loads of great opportunites all over the world, life is too short to stay in one place if we really dislike it!

[Malislamusrex]

Don't forget fan death.

[Julius]

[z3371538]