Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bitna]

Hi, I'll be graduating from University of Hawaii with a BA speech degree in summer 2005 and want to take a year off to teach English in Korea before heading off to graduate school. If I want to teach in Korea starting next Fall 2005, when should I start contacting schools and planning this out? Or should I go through a recruiter? I'm pretty much open as to signing a contract before getting there or finding a job once I get there. From reading previous posts, it seems to even out. I'm so amature at this, but thanks to this site, I'm slowly learning and gathering information. Also, I am a female Korean-American student. It seems that being female will work for me, but being Korean-American won't. Although I am Korean-American, hopefully I'll find a teaching job where my ethnicity background will be appreciated. Any feedback will be appreciated! Also, if anyone is teaching in Seoul (I am interested in teaching in the city), I'd greatly appreciate any advice/comments on schools, life in the city, etc. Thanks!

[quiksilver]

There is no such thing as too much planning. If you are already on it I think that's a good start. You can get as much inforamtion as possible to make a good decision. In my case I planned for almost a year, contacting people, getting information, etc. Having said that though I also must add that no matter how much you prepare yourself before you get here it's still difficult. As far as talking to schools goes, in my case I started in July of this year and by the time I sorted through offers and did some research I chose a school on about August 6th or 7th give or take and by the time I got my visa and other paper work I was here by Sept. 11 and teaching the following Monday. Hopefully some of that helps you. Good luck.

P.S. I'm not in Seoul so I can't help you on that one.

[CanKorea]

Hi, I'm also of Korean descent (Korean/Canadian to be exact). It is good that you're already looking into jobs but I think to actually get hired that all starts about 2 months before the month you want to come here.

Having an education degree can help some. Being Korean makes it more difficult to find a job in Korea. A lot of parents (not all) don't believe that you can speak English as well as an obviously foreign teacher. It can also help in a number of jobs if you can speak Korean fluently. I can't and I applaud anyone who can.

All in all you may have to look all that much harder but you should be able to find a job here. If I can, you can. Good luck!

[Real Reality]

Are you sure you want to come to Korea to work? Would a long vacation be more appropriate? If you are determined to work in Korea, are you prepared (financially and psychologically) for negative consequences? How good is your Korean?

Discrimination
Having taught English conversation, there have been too many students that have withdrawn from this writer's class simply because of the color of their instructor's skin. This Korean-American has personally experienced the deep discrimination/racism of Korea, and it is painful.
Chosun Ilbo (December 25, 2002)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200212/200212250002.html

Coming to Korea
There are between 7000 - 8000 EFL teachers in Korea at any one time. It appears to us that every week about 18 - 25 teachers have serious contractual disputes with their employer, whilst another 50 - 70 have minor problems related to contractual issues.
Rule 1. Before you sign your contract, make sure you understand it clearly.
Rule 2. Lawyers in Korea are on the whole far too expensive for teachers to turn to.
Rule 3. Have enough reserve cash to survive for a few weeks if things go wrong; (about U.S. $1000.00)
Rule 4. Act decisively and early if you think something is wrong. Don't wait to see it go wrong - by then your options for remedies have diminished.
Preliminary Essential Advice
EFL-Law.Com
http://efl-law.com/coming.html

EFL Law - Korean TEFL Advisory: Principles
http://efl-law.com/crucial.html

Foreigners Experience Difficulties in Living in Korea
"Even though Korea has achieved some degree of globalization in going abroad, it has still a long way to go for globalization in embracing foreigners inward," said foreigners residing in Korea. An official in the International Cooperation Division of Seoul City admitted, "The same complaints regarding visas, transportation, education, and environment are raised every year without being solved, due to the lack of cooperation from government agencies involved and their passive attitudes."
by by Jae-Dong Yu and Soo-Jung Shin, Donga.com (July 4, 2004)
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2004070522448