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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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KerrickSCH
Joined: 30 May 2013
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 Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 1:14 pm Post subject: Can Non native English speaker teach ESL in South Korea? |
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Hi guys!
I've been considering teaching ESL in South Korea (or Taiwan, or even Mongolia) for some time now, but there is one big issue: I'm not a native English speaker (almost though). In a nutshell, here's what I got:
- BA of English with ESL method as a sub major, plus 1 year of master of applied linguistics in English (I didn't finish my thesis the second year), sub majored in phonetics and phonology, obtained in Paris, France
- 400+ hrs of ESL teaching experience (in French public high schools and language centers)
- I've been living and working in Melbourne, Australia for 8 months now
- No French accent at all (seriously), and no GenAme accent either, more like SE English, but I can switch between SE English and GenAme easily (knowing the phonological differences, and having been forced to do it during my teaching career).
Now most, not to say ALL job offers I've stumbled upon clearly mentioned in the pre-requisites "must be from the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland", which is not my case. And to make things worse, I'm half asian. Damn you fate, life, the universe and everything!
So my question is, what are my chances of landing a teaching position in any of those countries? did anyone else in the same situation managed to get one? |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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In Korea, your chances of landing a position teaching English are zero, sorry.
No idea about the other places you named. |
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ampersandman
Joined: 01 Jun 2013
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| Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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I knew a girl who was hired by a Christian school to work on a missionary visa but was actually being paid to teach English classes. I think her salary was really low. She was from India, not a native speaker. I imagine something dodgy and semi-illegal like that would be your only chance...
The irony is that you're probably more qualified for this work than most of us who can do it legally. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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| That is a fair point....native speaker does not mean qualified to teach the language. |
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Nolos
Joined: 23 Oct 2011
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| Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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| You can't legally obtain a E2 visa and work as an English teacher in Korea, sorry. And too bad, you write better than most natives on this board, too. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: Can Non native English speaker teach ESL in South Korea? |
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| KerrickSCH wrote: |
Hi guys!
I've been considering teaching ESL in South Korea (or Taiwan, or even Mongolia) for some time now, but there is one big issue: I'm not a native English speaker (almost though). In a nutshell, here's what I got:
- BA of English with ESL method as a sub major, plus 1 year of master of applied linguistics in English (I didn't finish my thesis the second year), sub majored in phonetics and phonology, obtained in Paris, France
- 400+ hrs of ESL teaching experience (in French public high schools and language centers)
- I've been living and working in Melbourne, Australia for 8 months now
- No French accent at all (seriously), and no GenAme accent either, more like SE English, but I can switch between SE English and GenAme easily (knowing the phonological differences, and having been forced to do it during my teaching career).
Now most, not to say ALL job offers I've stumbled upon clearly mentioned in the pre-requisites "must be from the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland", which is not my case. And to make things worse, I'm half asian. Damn you fate, life, the universe and everything!
So my question is, what are my chances of landing a teaching position in any of those countries? did anyone else in the same situation managed to get one? |
Effectively, your chances are "0".
The issue is not whether or not you are qualified.
The issue is not about the employer's desires.
It is strictly an immigration / visa issue
and unless you can verify (to the satisfaction of immigration officials and the recruiter who has to do the extra paperwork) 12 years of your academic record as being TAUGHT IN ENGLISH you will not get a visa as an "English teacher" - full stop.
With your credentials (and proof of English proficiency (IELTS, etc.)) you CAN get work in Thailand, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Europe, west Asia, central and south America even though you are not a "native speaker".
IF you have a valid "teacher's license" from France (you did say that you taught in French high schools?) to go with your academic credentials and experience you can move up the scale from EFL to subject matter teacher in some of the better international schools all over the planet.
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KerrickSCH
Joined: 30 May 2013
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 4:46 am Post subject: |
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(un)Fair enough...
| Quote: |
| IF you have a valid "teacher's license" from France (you did say that you taught in French high schools?) to go with your academic credentials and experience you can move up the scale from EFL to subject matter teacher in some of the better international schools all over the planet. |
I was only a relief teacher in France, which only requires a bachelor degree in the subject taught, and must have studied didactics (the French education sector is 85% public, private schools are quite rare, which is why there is no French teaching certificate, just a state exam open to people with a bachelor or a master degree in the field they want to teach). Though a lot of things changed recently, and there's now a Master of Education through research which is the shortest (!) pathway to get to the state exam in France. Anyway, back to the topic.
I guess I'll have to scrap the idea of teaching in South Korea for the moment...
| Quote: |
| With your credentials (and proof of English proficiency (IELTS, etc.)) you CAN get work in Thailand, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Europe, west Asia, central and south America even though you are not a "native speaker" |
I passed the IELTS with flying colors a few months ago in Melb' with no preparation.
You're not mentioning Taiwan in your list - does it mean it mean I'll have to trash the idea of teaching there too? or you just forgot to mention it?
Oh, I might as well ask directly on the Taiwan section of the forum...
Thanks for the help guys! |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 5:30 am Post subject: |
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Yes, you can find work in Taiwan in buxibans.
No, you can't work in public schools (no Licensure).
Can you get a proper visa = I just don't know.
I didn't include it because I don't have a firm answer about your passport issue in regards to a visa.
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Marry a Korean, then filly uor boots with lots of extra teaching.... (Don't know if the ed office would shoot you down. Maybe just an immigration issue to be a native speaker.) |
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randall020105
Joined: 08 Apr 2008
Location: the land of morning confusion...
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:23 pm Post subject: Re: Can Non native English speaker teach ESL in South Korea? |
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QUESTION:
| KerrickSCH wrote: |
Hi guys!
I've been considering... ...I'm not a native English speaker... ...what are my chances... |
in short.: can I teach in Korea?
ANSWER:
no. |
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CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 10:06 pm Post subject: Re: Can Non native English speaker teach ESL in South Korea? |
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| KerrickSCH wrote: |
| plus 1 year of master of applied linguistics in English (I didn't finish my thesis the second year) |
You might as well leave this off. It's meaningless until you get the Master's degree. |
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MiXX
Joined: 30 Aug 2012
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 11:42 pm Post subject: |
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| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
In Korea, your chances of landing a position teaching English are zero, sorry.
No idea about the other places you named. |
Thats not true. I know a few non native speakers teaching English. Particularly filipinos.
I would imagine it would be very difficult to get a job without being in korea and knowing some people. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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| MiXX wrote: |
| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
In Korea, your chances of landing a position teaching English are zero, sorry.
No idea about the other places you named. |
Thats not true. I know a few non native speakers teaching English. Particularly filipinos. |
F3 (illegally), F6, F5... yes...
but NOT with E2s.
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MiXX
Joined: 30 Aug 2012
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| Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 11:54 pm Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| MiXX wrote: |
| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
In Korea, your chances of landing a position teaching English are zero, sorry.
No idea about the other places you named. |
Thats not true. I know a few non native speakers teaching English. Particularly filipinos. |
F3 (illegally), F6, F5... yes...
but NOT with E2s.
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OP didnt ask about any specific visas or whether it would be legal.
So to answer her question, can a non native speaker be a English teacher in Korea, the answer is yes. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 3:26 am Post subject: |
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Legally no.
You wish to discuss the OP working illegally mixx, thats you call. I won't. |
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