Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Usurname]

I renounced the citizenship. I came here when I was in elementary. Would I qualify for a native speaker?

[kingplaya4]

If you renounced, have American citizenship, and graduated from a US college you should be good to go. I think these posts are probably a waste of time, but I'll say it anyway- coming here, it it ever was worth it, definitely isn't worth it now, especially if you don't get the free housing. Considering your deposit money and monthly rent, plus the crazy prices of groceries increasing prices on elec and gas, Korea ain't cheap anymore. If you live like a monk you'll save money of course, but you could do that in the US. I'd say the average ESL monkey's only real benefit at this point is your severance pay about 2k and your pension money about another 2k. So expect to come out about 4k ahead per year, people on here brag although feel free to seek out others opinions.

However, if you speak Korean fluently then things are a bit different. If you can become good at teaching TOEFL, SAT, TEPS or the like you could start to make some decent money, especially with experience. The hagwons that teach these prefer bilingual teachers now, it's just how it is. If you have a special skill, sure come for awhile, but for the standard 2.3 million a month I think you'll be disappointed. I'm still here because I'm under an old salary agreement which no longer applies to new teachers- where I'm at where I get 3.5 a month. Honestly with a wife, I find we have little left over every month. She could spend a bit less, but is isn't like we're big spenders. Good luck.