Korean Job Discussion Forums

byunhosa · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Location: Center Ice

Does anyone have any advice on how to obtain work as an English conversation (or "Business English") instructor?

I already have full-time employment, but I thought it would be a good mechanism to network professionally in Seoul and make a bit of cash on the side.

All constructive replies appreciated.

tks

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Would this be OK with your current employer?

byunhosa · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Location: Center Ice

Good question.

I think anything that did not (a) interfere with my primary career (I am an attorney, as you may have guessed from my handle) and (b) did not embarrass/cast disfavor on my firm would be fine with my employer. But of course I wouldn't do it if they had an issue with it.

Making some cash would be nice but is not the primary goal. The real benefit would be making inroads in professional circles and making some good contacts as potential clients, business partners, etc.

Any thoughts on how to proceed? tks

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

byunhosa · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Location: Center Ice

Yes, it seems like some folks here have had some problems.

My advice would be to get themselves a qualified Korean HR (human resources) lawyer to review their employment agreements, and obtain an English translation of the Labor Standards Act. Korean labor law is actually obscenely pro-worker, especially if you can obtain the designation "employee" rather than "consultant", which essentially means tenure (i.e, employment is no longer at will and dismissal may only be for cause, which is a nearly impossible standard to meet.) I believe there are some legal resources available for teachers, no?

I was only hoping to make some contacts and a little money, and in time, offer a language exchange to improve my Korean (which is only elementary at this point).

Thanks for the replies.

ontheway · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 2:51 am Post subject:

byunhosa,

You would be an excellent addition to the teaching staff of many institutes in Seoul. You should make sure it's OK with your current employer, and then look for schools that are convenient for you to teach at. There should be several in your area in Seoul. Then, check out the school (blacklists, Dave's etc.). Choose a school and go in and make a proposal. You tell them you want to teach adults, the hours, the pay level you want and suggest how much they should charge. It's part time and all they have to pay you is straight pay. No airfare, no housing WOW. You write up the contract, make the offer. The big question is can you get an E2 visa added to your current work visa. If so, you're all set.

byunhosa · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Location: Center Ice

Thanks for the info.

I would definitely discuss it with my firm, but I would rather avoid the headache of modifying my visa status (E-7). I really wanted to make some informal, cash-and-carry type of arrangements to be followed (eventually) by a language exchange.

Does anyone know any reputable institutes or programs I can pursue?

Tks

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

One other thing you could try is contact some of the adult institutes around Seoul and try giving them some proposals. Pagoda (I think they've been renamed) and Direct English are, I believe, the two largest. Their students include businessmen, uni students, and adults who just want to improve their conversational English. I don't know how much 'networking' you'd get done, but they might be open to hiring a native professional p/t. I almost took a job with Pagoda in Seoul and can give you the contact for the westerner who interviewed me if you'd like to PM for his contact.