Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Seoulsistah]

Aloha, all:

This is my first post and I have scanned several pages, but haven't found an answer or blog on this.
I am a retired physician who is currently doing an online TEFL class for three months. I am interested in teaching business or medical English to adults in Korea.

Are my chances slim and/or none in finding work like this?

Anybody?

I'm traveling there in October for two weeks for the lst time and may look into job opportunities while there (if they exist).

Other desired countries are Spain and Italy if Korea isn't an option.

Thanks!

[edwardcatflap]

Are you wanting to work in a university? if so Korea might be a better bet than the other two. Outside of a university I can't see there being many opportunities for long term contracts teaching medical English. If there is any it'll probably be short term. To be honest I wouldn't recommend business teaching in Korea. Assuming you're not in it for the money, the students will be mostly men looking for some down time, preferably with a foreign female as the company will be paying. They seldom have any real desire to learn, preferring to have 'free talking' ie go on about how busy they are , how great Korea is or, paradoxically, how awful their lives are.

Again, assuming you're not in it for the money, and you're legal to work in Europe, I really can't understand why you'd choose to go to Korea over Italy or Spain.

[Seoulsistah]

Thanks for the quick post!

I am in the 'exploration' phase. I'm a third-generation Korean American, interested in seeing what's there. I have read several blogs by Americans who taught in Korea, mention the craziness in Seoul with the party-hearty youth at night, plastic surgery ads plastered all over the subways, the drunken businessmen who don't know self-restraint.

Your comment about teaching business English would lead me to believe that a company-mandated course is fraught with frustration.

My emphasis would be teaching the adult learner, even if it was just English and not medically-related.

In answer to your post, I am not 'in it for the money', and not looking for long-term assignments. I'm looking to travel, have a second career in teaching English, and exploring cities and countries that are at the top on my bucket list. I speak Spanish, some Italian, and very little Korean (working on it).

I know of several Italian medical schools that teach entirely in English, so if I decide to pursue that path, I may, knowing that instructors from the UK are generally employed by these schools.

[edwardcatflap]

You're a third generation Korean American from the UK?

Anyway go to Italy. plastic surgery adverts and drunken businessmen compared with wine, pasta and more works of art than anywhere else in the world.

[Seoulsistah]

No, Korean-American from the US

Dream job is teaching CULINARY CLASSES in Italy (have taken two of those!)


Will just have to see all this 'stuff' in person, in Korea, in October.

[pmwhittier]

I really wish that you could work with some of the medical professionals in Korea. I have found that most of the doctors here that are involved with "Foreigner Clinics" barely have a grasp on the language. This is extremely disconcerting considering that my health is one of the items that I don't want to have any confusion about while discussing with a professional.

The problem that I see with teaching "workshops," (I assume this is what you would like to do, so as to get short-term work with professionals) is that most of the doctors I have met in Korea are at the top of the social pyramid. What this means is that they are not willing to accept that they need any education, and if you suggest otherwise you are running the risk of making them lose face.

Most of the larger medical establishments in Korea staff at least one nurse that is mostly bilingual. That seems to be the cheapest option for the hospitals, and that's what everyone has come to expect here.

I would go to Italy if I had the option.

[emetib]

I've taught many doctors over here in Korea, and have had some business English students...

Some places are trying to get their medical english sectors set-up..but getting connected with them and having stability..I'm not too certain.
It all depends on what you are looking for and what you want to get out of the whole thing.
Due to their schedules (and often pride), doctors typically study privately as opposed to a classroom setting...and to find those doctors you need to be connected.


Unless you are going for a university position, or are able to make good connections with your feet on the ground here...I'd advise against it. Teaching English in a Medical university isn't too popular...actually...learning English in a medical university here isn't as important to them as passing their exams.

Go for Italy or Spain.

I am connected with some medical clinics in Cambodia.

I think it might be something you'd enjoy. The location I am thinking of is gorgeous and very slow-paced.

PM me if you're interested in more information.

[Seoulsistah]

Thanks much, but as I stated earlier, I'm still in the exploration phase. I just started my online TEFL class which doesn't finish until early August.

I have a trip to Seoul planned in October (never been there) and reacquainting myself with some Korean language via Rosetta Stone (NOT the best way to learn a language, but I can read Hangeul, just don't know what I'm reading). It may be a 'one and done' trip, especially when I read all the 'ish' about the difficulty in getting an E2 visa in Korea for those over 55 yrs of age (as I am).

I will recheck this post when the time comes to consider actual work and get back to you.

ADD: to pmwhittier: sorry about your experiences with the medical care there. Odd that a clinic for 'foreigners' would be so poorly staffed with bilingual providers.

[Died By Bear]

A lifetime ago, (1995-6), I knew a PhD that worked at a medical center somewhere in the outskirts of Seoul. He stayed there all day, five days a week. In the mornings he tutored/taught doctors. In the afternoons/evenings he taught their kids. He made a LOT of money in Korea.

I met him at the end. It was a halloween/going away party for him. If my memory serves me right, he was going to bike across Russia or the Soviet Union. He had a beard, and his name was ... Jim? I can't remember. He was very popular though. He knew a lot of people. He also had a beard. He was the original hipster - before the term or the lifestyle became popular.

I think he was on the Seoul frisbee golf team as well.

Hope this helps.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

The term hipster became popular in the 1950s. Dang. You old.

[Rocinante]

Seoulsistah,

I've taught medical professionals a long time ago in Daegu (although I'm not one myself), and if you are really keen on teaching medical English in Korea, I'd suggest you contact some of the medical universities while you are here in person and mention your interest. I think teaching English to medical professionals on a regular basis is possible, but you may have to ask around a lot in person and get your name/face out there.

If salary is not a big issue, one place I would suggest contacting is the Korean Armed Forces Nursing Academy in Daejeon:

http://afna.ac.kr
http://koreajobfinder.com/jobs/armed-forces-nursing-academy-in-daejeon-south-korea-needed/

I know that they hire at least one native English teacher every year; the staff there might be able to give more specific and useful advice on universities/departments/hospitals looking for medically-trained TEFL professionals. In any case, good luck!

[Seoulsistah]

Aloha, Rocinante!
I decided to log on and see if there were any other posts. Thanks so much for the suggestions. I have already reached out to someone who was an instructor there to ask his thoughts, too. Perhaps it isn't as hopeless a situation as I thought. I AM stubborn...

[Rocinante]

[Seoulsistah]

Thanks.

Stubborn as in 'will figure a way to do this if it doesn't exist', as you noted, and it is yet TBD whether Korea is the place I would really want to do this. Getting some intel from a professor has worked there for a year at a time.

[schwa]

Sometimes an interesting appropriate position (especially for us outside the preferred younger demographic) doesnt even exist until we persuade the right person to create it. Thats how I landed my current offbeat delightful job.

Push a bit hard & win. Sincere best luck Seoulsistah wherever you end up.