Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Unposter]

Yes, most, maybe all, Korean universities, require there to be at least one course in each major taught in English. Where I teach, students are not required to take it, merely they have the option. These classes are almost always taught by Korean Professors. If a Korean Professors conducts their class in English, the professor usually receives some kind of bonus pay and some of these professors are paid quite handsomely to conduct their classes in English.

Many of the elite universities in Korea are trying to offer more English-language classes. Part of the reason is to improve their university's ranking and improve their students English. But, a major reason for it is to attract international students, which can be a cash cow. Remember that in Korea every university is given a quota for the number of Korean students they may admit but there is no quota for international students, so each international student a Korean university can recruit is extra money for their budget.

And, YES, strongly YES, Korean profs are under huge pressure to publish in English. It is essential that they do. In fact, it is very hard to get a professorship in Korea, unless you are in a Korean-specific subject such as Korean Literature or History, to get a professorship without getting a Ph.D. from a university in an English speaking country and you publish in English or another "international" language.

In fact, you would be surprised by how important English is for most high-level positions in Korea and I don't just mean TOEIC scores; I mean an ability to speak, read, listen and write English at a very high level.

Also, since it was mentioned, most medical school textbooks are in English in Korea. And, most doctors should be able to read English at a very high level. In addition, after they start practicing, they need to keep up with the latest research and that means reading English. So, YES, it is essential, and I do mean essential for doctors in Korea to at least have strong reading skills in English if not other skills.

Anyone who says that Korean doctors, academics, scientists, high level government employees and high level managers don't need high level English skills is either taking the piss or doesn't know what they are talking about.


Sometimes, Korean universities will advertise for positions for Instructors and Professors from other countries. I would check the Chronicle of Higher Education and other such publications for such positions and have the requisite credentials. Sometimes, Korean universities will use current ESL/EFL faculty to teach some limited number of either EAP classes, "Content" classes or actual classes in other departments. Generally, you need good qualifications and proven track record at the university before they let you loose in such a classroom but not all universities in Korea have the same standards.

I teach at a fairly mid-level university and I teach some content classes. I find the students who take such classes tend to have good English. These days we have seen an increase in the number of students who have had significant oversees education (such as four or more years) and they can generally handle most things you throw at them. Others have problems. In general, it depends on how you teach. If you teach exactly as you would in your home country, there are going to be students who have problems. If you slow it down a gear, it can be better. The one thing I find is that students listening and speaking skills are generally strong but their reading (in terms of speed) and their writing skills are just nowhere near up to par. So, you can't throw a lot of reading at them and expect them to keep up nor can they write proper term papers without a lot of instruction and hand holding.

I would expect some differences at the better universities in Korea but I don't really know because I haven't had the experience.