Korean Job Discussion Forums

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

I was talking with a friend of mine who is thinking of coming to teach here in the wonderful world of Oz (oops, I mean the wonderful land of the morning calm).

After telling her that it was indeed a very interesting, and fun place to live, I found that I really couldn't recommend it as a good place to teach EFL.

Just too many shady schools, weak labour laws, and poor support systems.

What about other thoughts on this?

Would you recommend teaching in Korea to a friend?

snufalufagus · Joined: 10 May 2004

So, I'm confused. It's good enough for you but not her ?

Why are you doing it if it's that bad ?

peppermint · Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 4:02 am Post subject:

I wouldn't reccomend Korea in general to just anyone. All in all, it's still a relatively low risk opportunity to live in a foreign country. The risks of getting ripped off are higher than I'd like, but the risks of crime are low, and schools do offer a big cushion to make moving overseas easier in the form of paid airfare and housing.

If a friend of mine was dying to live abroad for the experience- yeah, I'd reccomend Korea.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Tell them about it...try to be objective and let them browse the forum. Let them make their own decision.
You don't want to be in the position of responsibility for a friend who comes over here. I should say....depending on the type of person they are. If they have a bad time, they could blame you...of course, it could go the other way and they will forever be in your service! Laughing

If you think they have what it takes to live here for a while, why not?
Then again, I won't let my parents come here, so who am I to talk? Shocked

Edit: MMmmm.....delicious blame.....some days, I wish I had someone besides myself to pin this on! Laughing

lush72 · Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: I am Penalty Kick!

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Hmmm .... perhaps I should qualify my question.

I meant ... would you recommend teaching in Korea to a friend.

By teaching, I mean "professional" teaching (as professional as it gets in this industry) as in a long-term commitment.

I came to Korea like most of us, for monetary reasons. Teaching in China and other such places was not exactly filling up my bank account.

In my personal experience I have found the EFL industry in Korea to be unsupportive and worst of all extremely unethical.

All-in-all I've had a positive experience in Korea (despite being ripped-off by two employers, and now being on my third job in 10 months). But I don't see myself being here long-term and wouldn't recommend the place to close friends of mine.

p.s. I have nothing against the short-termers and those seeking to find themselves in a year abroad (something I highly endorse). Heck quite a few of them teach better than me with my years of experience and my fancy CELTA piece of paper.

Skarp · Joined: 22 Aug 2003

No - not recommended.

But it depends what you need and why.

It is a place to start that is easy. Maybe the easiest.

But it can be horrible.

Was in a bar today and saw a Korean 'man' smash a glass and then slap his girlfriend. Managment put him right but it is all too common here - though it happens elsewhere too, especially 40-50 years ago.

How many people in Korea (foreign or native) are happy? Not many if any in my experience.

None of the teachers where I work enjoy Korea - or the job. Too much is wrong with it. The overwhelming majority of great students who are kind, generous and friendly don't outweigh the downsides enough.

But if you have few options or a specific reason why it has to be Korea ( I had one) then it is possible to make something of it. My reason has gone and so will I, but people who are married to a Korean, or who have got over the first few difficult years do alright.

But no - it is not a good place to be, especially for teaching English.

Skarp

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

Draven · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

If the friend was close to me and pretty open minded, I certainly would recommend teaching in Korea. Other than that, I would share what I know, but leave them to make their own decision.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

ladyandthetramp · Joined: 21 Nov 2003

No.

I wouldn't actually say don't come here, but I wouldn't recommend it for teaching. As someone else mentioned, the EFL industry here isn't very ethical, and too many people seem to have problems where they work.