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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Nicknackpattywack
Joined: 11 May 2014
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 Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 10:29 pm Post subject: Bilingual Gyopo |
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Hey guys,
I'm a bilingual gyopo, so I was wondering what my chances at teaching in Korea are. I've contacted several recruiters, and am in the process of applying to GEPIK through one of them.
However, I heard there are other opportunities for bilingual gyopos? I searched through the forums but most of those posts were from several years back, and I'm not sure how the economy has changed since then.
I've talked to my consulate and figured out I can get my F4, and I'm not required to serve in the military (Korean citizenship forfeited in 2010, when I was 17 & filled out my renouncement papers).
I also plan to go with my girlfriend, who's white, and we're both graduating from a top 30 US university.
Any help is appreciated, thanks! |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 12:10 am Post subject: Re: Bilingual Gyopo |
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| Nicknackpattywack wrote: |
Hey guys,
I'm a bilingual gyopo, so I was wondering what my chances at teaching in Korea are. I've contacted several recruiters, and am in the process of applying to GEPIK through one of them.
However, I heard there are other opportunities for bilingual gyopos? I searched through the forums but most of those posts were from several years back, and I'm not sure how the economy has changed since then.
I've talked to my consulate and figured out I can get my F4, and I'm not required to serve in the military (Korean citizenship forfeited in 2010, when I was 17 & filled out my renouncement papers).
I also plan to go with my girlfriend, who's white, and we're both graduating from a top 30 US university.
Any help is appreciated, thanks! |
If you are on an F4 then do your year with GEPIK and spend your time networking and making connections (rather than drinking, partying and chasing skirts) to move into something better.
Your G/F will be stuck on an E2 so her options are limited (even if you do marry).
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Nicknackpattywack
Joined: 11 May 2014
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:51 am Post subject: Re: Bilingual Gyopo |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| Nicknackpattywack wrote: |
Hey guys,
I'm a bilingual gyopo, so I was wondering what my chances at teaching in Korea are. I've contacted several recruiters, and am in the process of applying to GEPIK through one of them.
However, I heard there are other opportunities for bilingual gyopos? I searched through the forums but most of those posts were from several years back, and I'm not sure how the economy has changed since then.
I've talked to my consulate and figured out I can get my F4, and I'm not required to serve in the military (Korean citizenship forfeited in 2010, when I was 17 & filled out my renouncement papers).
I also plan to go with my girlfriend, who's white, and we're both graduating from a top 30 US university.
Any help is appreciated, thanks! |
If you are on an F4 then do your year with GEPIK and spend your time networking and making connections (rather than drinking, partying and chasing skirts) to move into something better.
Your G/F will be stuck on an E2 so her options are limited (even if you do marry).
. |
Thanks for your response, that's what I've been thinking about doing (partied out from being in college, I'm ready to work, travel, and meet new people with minimal drinking/partying).
If I go down the hagwon route, my aunt has connects in Daechi (my cousins are in elementary school with doctor/lawyer/corporate kids) for tutoring. Would you recommend taking that route instead? I know it'll be hard work especially being in Seoul, but I believe I can put in the effort to match the demand from my employers.
I also heard that after school programs are popular with F4 visa holders, so I was thinking I could maybe pick up several programs instead of going to hagwons/full time public schools. But this is all based off of what I read on several forums, so I'm not sure how different the actual working environment is in Korea, compared to what people have been saying about it in forums.
Also, I apologize in advance if this seems like I'm showing off.. I'm not. I'm just trying to decide what would be the best course of action, given my situation. Thanks! |
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thrylos
Joined: 10 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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A few years back, it seemed all the rage to hire bilinguals/kyopos from the US as TOEFL/SAT/AP prep teachers. Pay was above average, tho working hours were long. Maybe look into that avenue, if it's still available. Not 100% sure, it seems like a much better option than EPIK or other random hagwon jobs, less babysitting, and far less dongchims.
Good luck |
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jimmyinkorea
Joined: 06 Nov 2013
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| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2015 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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Hey,
I am a F4 male as well and I have been in Korea for about a year and a half. I did the afterschool for a year in Seoul. Let me just say you arn't going to have it easy with afterschools. Usually they prefer white teachers with a F visa for afterschools or if they do offer it to Gyopos they offer less pay. Also afterschool teaching is not very rewarding and you are having to deal with students with behaviour issues most of the time. Afterschools appear to have higher salary but comes with zero benefits. Afterschools want people with prior experience normally, no matter your academic credentials and it will not be easy for you to get one of these jobs in your first year.
The route you could probably consider is a SAT Hagwon assuming you took the exam in the US. Probably the way for you to get a decent salary. But do not expect too much in your first year. You will have a much wider range of options after a year of exp under your belt. I was lucky enough to find an afterschool gig as my first job in Korea, but my current job is far better, no comparison.
And the F4 Visa, do not rest until you have the card in your hands. Come to Korea fast, process ur Visa app and have it done. That is actually the most important thing for u right now. It is quite complicated. Also u will have better job prospects if you are actually here.
As for your gf, public school native sounds good for her, how about Epik Gepik? |
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Nicknackpattywack
Joined: 11 May 2014
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| Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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| thrylos wrote: |
A few years back, it seemed all the rage to hire bilinguals/kyopos from the US as TOEFL/SAT/AP prep teachers. Pay was above average, tho working hours were long. Maybe look into that avenue, if it's still available. Not 100% sure, it seems like a much better option than EPIK or other random hagwon jobs, less babysitting, and far less dongchims.
Good luck |
Haha I haven't even thought about the ddongchims.. Okay that's a good option, I do have decent ACT/AP/SAT (math) scores, but I haven't really seen any teaching positions for ACT/AP classes. Should I check other forums' job lists/C-list ads? And I know Koreans are really good at math so I don't think SAT math positions will be widely available.
| jimmyinkorea wrote: |
Hey,
I am a F4 male as well and I have been in Korea for about a year and a half. I did the afterschool for a year in Seoul. Let me just say you arn't going to have it easy with afterschools. Usually they prefer white teachers with a F visa for afterschools or if they do offer it to Gyopos they offer less pay. Also afterschool teaching is not very rewarding and you are having to deal with students with behaviour issues most of the time. Afterschools appear to have higher salary but comes with zero benefits. Afterschools want people with prior experience normally, no matter your academic credentials and it will not be easy for you to get one of these jobs in your first year.
The route you could probably consider is a SAT Hagwon assuming you took the exam in the US. Probably the way for you to get a decent salary. But do not expect too much in your first year. You will have a much wider range of options after a year of exp under your belt. I was lucky enough to find an afterschool gig as my first job in Korea, but my current job is far better, no comparison.
And the F4 Visa, do not rest until you have the card in your hands. Come to Korea fast, process ur Visa app and have it done. That is actually the most important thing for u right now. It is quite complicated. Also u will have better job prospects if you are actually here.
As for your gf, public school native sounds good for her, how about Epik Gepik? |
Thanks for your response, this is one of the problems I was facing, since I have no in-person knowledge of teaching in after school positions in Korea. I've taken the SAT a few times but my ACT scores are definitely better. Though I haven't really seen any listings for ACT hagwons. I'm guessing I should stick to ttompatz's suggestion and go the GEPIK route..
Thanks everyone for your help. |
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