Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gdn35]

Hi everybody. I'm planning on applying for a job in South Korea towards the end of the year but I do have concerns over my Scottish accent. I've read a lot about Koreans preferring North American English accents and I certainly do not have this.

I would be very grateful if someone could watch the first 30 seconds of this video (I am the first person who appears in the video) and let me know if my accent is too strong, and if I need to try and modify this for a phone interview etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCcpxTcUYsQ

Thank You so much.

[Seoulman69]

Yes, your accent is too strong. Try to make it more neutral. Look at Scottish celebrities on youtube and see how most of them soften their accents to be understood. Scottish accents can be popular among Koreans so long as you make sure you speak clearly and in as neutral a way as possible. My friend speaks slower so people can understand him.
You won't only need to change your accent for the phone interview but also for most of the time you are in Korea. Keep that in mind.

[gdn35]

Thanks for the reply. Would there be any online tutorials/books that would assist me in softening the accent and making it more neutral?

[Seoulman69]

The two accents that are desirable worldwide are considered to be General American and Received Pronunciation. Take for example Neil Tennent. When playing the Doctor he spoke in a neutral British accent. While there is no need to completely lose your Scottish accent, watching some instructional videos on received pronunciation will help you.
Your accent sounds like it is from the north east of Scotland. Aberdeen or Elgin perhaps. A bit too strong for Korean tastes. Search youtube for interviews with Ewan McGregor and pay attention to the way he speaks. Slang is not your friend in Korea. Wee, aye, nu', all need to be changed to more standard forms such as small, yes, no.
Also google received pronunciation and educate yourself.
Of course, none of this will matter if you are a shit teacher. Do you have experience? Are you qualified? It's a big move so make sure you think it through properly.

[Skipperoo]

Sounds alright to me, it's kinda strong but I know teachers with much thicker scottish and irish accents so it definitely does not rule you out. As long as you speak slowly and clearly (imagine you're speaking to your half-deaf nan) in the interviews you'll get a position somewhere.

[gdn35]

Thanks for all the replies. I do have several months experience of teaching middle school children in Scotland. I am about to get a 130-hour TEFL and I have an Honours Degree so I'd say that I am qualified for a starting EPIK or GEPIK position.

I'll definitely try and tone it down a little in the next few months with practice. It is good to know that there are teachers out there with thicker accents than mine, but I shall still strive for more clarity in the way I talk.

[Seoulman69]

Seems to me you have a good attitude and will prove to be a good teacher for some lucky school. Hope all works out for you, and keep working on the accent.

[Benjamino]

[gdn35]

[Benjamino]

To the untrained ear it can be but then so can an East London accent sound like a home counties one.

[Seoulman69]

[Hokie21]

[valkerie]

[Benjamino]

wow! I'm in Georgia till June 1st then back home for three weeks before I head to SK on June 28th.

I'm going to be teaching at a public school in Sacheon.

[litebear]

Hi OP, I am from Scotland and I taught in Korea for 18 months.

Agree with most of the above, for the phone video in particular make sure you slow right down and down the accent.

Over all though, don't worry. After you get out here and the kids get used to your (modified!) accent you will be fine.