Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MetaFitX]

This is something I've been thinking about for a while, and would appreciate any knowledgeable responses. I've been strongly considering putting down long-term roots here (in Korea) however I'm curious about the future of the EFL market here, particularly as China's economy begins to increasingly develop.

China is now South Korea's largest trading partner and I would assume that this relationship is only going to grow stronger (economically) as China's economy continues to grow.

Will Korean moms send their children to Chinese hakwons in increasing numbers in the future (I'm aware that some of them do now)?

[erasmus]

I know nothing about such things but I have a half-baked theory that until China creates a cultural product that is in demand outside its own borders it will continue to be the world's factory and little more. English still has a pretty good run ahead of it...

[newb]

I heard Koreans are eating more Ja-Jang-Myeon these days.

[Dodge7]

English will be the global language of commerce for at least another 150 years. We will be looong gone by then.

[YTMND]

[YTMND]

[Weigookin74]

In the short term no because Korea is seen as being a much safer bet. China is the wild west Korea use to be. Korea is safe for many young 22 years from sheltered backgrounds. Also, the bad economies in the west keep sending them over here like lemmings. In the medium term, maybe. Korea could get hit with a double edged sword - lots of competition from a wage rising China and some economic improvement on the home front depriving Korea of young bodies. If the economy stays bad or gets worse, Korea will continue to get ESL'ers at low wages and China will pick up the slack (ie experienced Korean vets wanting a return to purchasing power of years gone by.) In the long term, hard to say. Korea's demand won't be what it was. Japan has bottomed out, but partly due to a bad economy with high living costs. If Korea has a strong economy based on trade with a resurgent America, English will still be strong. But will prob be different from now.

I'd say the whole global economy is vulnerable and will set the tone for teaching here. If Korea's economy contracts and the government loses tax money and needs to save, we're an easy enough thing to cut. Don't base your life on here. Pay as much debt and save as much as you can. Hunker down kids; it's going to be a rough ride.

[Swampfox10mm]

You should be more concerned about South Korea's tragically low birth rate, and how that will kill-off a large portion of the industry.

There was a link to an article in the Chronical floating around here about how 40% of South Korean schools will need to close in the near future. It's not a prediction -- it's a fact, because there are so few children being born.

[nautilus]

[randall020105]

that's one of the reasons foreigners come here - to help with the ever declining b-rate K-Land's experiencing... didn't you know?

R.

[Weigookin74]