Korean Job Discussion Forums

wonkavite62 · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Location: Jeollanamdo, South Korea.

I have to tell you that I am already in Korea. I teach in a public school on the south coast. The problem is that the location is really dull (Koreans have said small towns are friendly, but that's because their whole family is in the same town. I've made 2 friends in 4 months and I am lonely. I really enjoy my weekend visits to large cities and I feel a magnetic attraction to Seoul.
My contract ends next year and I can't wait for somewhere better. When I have finished this contract would it be possible to work in a large city like Seoul? I have experience. A long while before I came to Korea, I had a telephone interview with a recruiter, who had shown me jobs in Seoul, and then said very firmly that the hagwons in Seoul wanted American teachers only. My accent was an issue and I was probably not in the right church. Being male, Scottish and just over 40, do I stand a chance? Other large cities would do. Gyeong-gi do might do. Some but not all hagwon positions were reasonable, on paper anyway. As regards public schools I think the present govt. wants to encourage us to work in the countryside. If that's the only option, I would be better off in China. In China I made friends and saved money.

IPayInCash · Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:37 pm Post subject:

Why not just learn to speak like an American?

People from the UK can do the American accent well, so Ive never understood why they dont just practice an American accent and teach. Is it a pride thing?

It would increase your chances greatly if you could do the American accent.

drydell · Joined: 01 Oct 2009

Yea because there are virtually no Australians,New Zealanders, Irish, British or South Africans in Seoul .. And the few that are there all have to put on a fake American accent to get jobs... Rolling Eyes

Answer is yes you can get a job in Seoul.. Age and accent might make it a bit harder that's all...

IPayInCash · Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 3:55 am Post subject:

Yea... if he was 24, blonde, female, and slim Id say no problem but hes not so Ill be realistic.

Male? Disadvantage.
40? Disadvantage.
Scotland? Disadvantage since most jobs prefer a NA accent and Scotland, Ireland, and SA are less wanted.

His accent IS a problem whether you want to sugar coat it or not. His best bet is to sell himself on being able to teach NA English, so recruiters will look past his age and country of origin.

wonkavite62 · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Location: Jeollanamdo, South Korea.

With regard to I Pay In Cash, the idea of me putting on a fake American accent made me smile Very Happy

It's quite funny. Because would I want to sound like JR Ewing, or President George W. Bush (Texas) or like Homer Simpson, Will Smith even Scarlett O' Hara? I have a friend from South Carolina, and she has a North American accent, and maybe she can be my voice coach. I might want to start practicing that southern drawl. Hi y'all.
But seriously, I find Seoul very exciting-not everyone does-and my question is not "Will it be easy for me tofind a job there?" but rather "Will it be possible?" I am glad some of you think it's possible.
Yes, I would consider somewhere like Daegu, or a city in Gyeong-gi Do. But after I complete my contract in Jeollanamdo, I would like to try for Seoul. But if I really was only allowed to teach in small quiet towns like where I am now, I would get depressed and plan my escape.

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

OP.
Is it possible. Sure. 100% possible. You wouldn't be the first Scot to find a job in Seoul.

Is it likely? Well that depends. What do you bring to the party.
As IpayInCash said, it's pretty easy to list your negatives.
You've got 1 year experience in Korea, and some experience in China. That's a plus.
If you're working in a public school, you probably have a TEFL of some sort.
You're in-country which has 2 positives. 1 is you're able to have an in-person interview, the other is the school hiring you saves on airfare. Obviously if you go home after this contract, you'll lose out on this.
Now, do you have a degree related to teaching or English?
How about appearance? If you're in relatively good shape and mildly attractive that will help. If you're 140kg with a face like the back of a bus, that won't help (and with the in-person interview, you won't be able to hide behind a well-shopped picture).

At the end of the day, there are always opportunities in major cities. While you aren't the ideal candidate, being in-country with a bit of experience counts in your favour. If you're aren't too picky about job or location getting a job in in one of the major cities shouldn't be tough at all. Getting a decent job, while that may be a bit more of a challenge.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Just grab a job in Suwon or Bundang.
60 minutes to Seoul for your "nightlife".
Everything (and I do mean everything) else is available locally.

Your choice whether you want a PS job or a hagwon.

.

drunkenfud · Joined: 08 Mar 2007

Until 2014 at least, there is no such thing as a Scottish passport. Koreans, like Americans, tend to regard the UK and England as being synonymous. Therefore, if you swallow your pride and don't press the point, you are not a Scot - you are "an English gentleman" in most employers eyes. They imagine you wearing a pin-stripe suit and bowler hat, carrying an umbrella and copy of The Times as you walk to work across Westminster Bridge. This can work in your favour.

IPayInCash · Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 1:51 am Post subject: Re: Teaching In Seoul

beentheredonethat777 · Joined: 27 Jul 2013 Location: AsiaHaven

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watergirl · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Location: Ansan, south korea

yeah, there are wuite a few non-north americans in Seoul. Apparently, it is a bit harder to get jobs these day, especially for men over women, but still possible I think. by the way, it is recruiter's job or self-interest to try and get people to take the bad positions..
Always take what they say with a grain of salt.

sparkles98356 · Joined: 19 Feb 2013

Hey!

I'm Scottish and I work in Seoul. I'm female, in my twenties and my degree is in English Literature and Language so I don't know if that perhaps worked in my favour, but there's a male foreign teacher in my school who is over 30 and has a very strong Irish accent. His degree is in architecture. When I was looking for a job I was told that my accent would work against me, and also that I should try and put on an American accent. I refused to do the latter and decided that I'd be willing to take a job outwith Seoul, but it seems I got lucky.

As far as the accent being a problem when I'm teaching, it definitely was at first and perhaps still is to an extent. I don't put on an American accent but I have learned to change the way I say certain words and speak a lot more slowly.

Best of luck! I have to be honest and say I'm very pleased that I ended up in Seoul Smile

Sparkles

IPayInCash · Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:37 pm Post subject:

sparkles98356 · Joined: 19 Feb 2013

No, I don't put on an American accent. I speak much more slowly and enunciate better. It's certainly not a pride thing. If I felt it was really needed I wouldn't have a problem attempting to put on an American accent, although I don't think I'd be too successful.

sirius black · Joined: 04 Jun 2010

OP, yes you will get a job. Plenty of jobs in Seoul. The quality of the job as you know varies. Go throug a few recruiters. If you have a very strong Scottish accent like the Glaswegian type, I'd try and modify it when speaking to a recruiter but that aside, in short yes.
You have experience, you're already in the country so, yes.
Daves tends to be overly negative about things.