Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Muffin]

I am a British teacher looking for work in Korea. I have been searching ads online for months but am worried for two reasons. Firstly, most of the advertisers are blacklisted somewhere which makes me wonder whether I would do better to just go to Korea and look for work there.

Secondly, a lot of schools seem to prefer North Americans, so I am concerned that as a Brit I may find it more difficult to get a job if I turn up transcripts and diplomas in hand. I am thirty-seven years old, that may also count against me. I have been an EFL teacher for fifteen years (on and off) and I am also a secondary school teacher.

I would welcome your comments.

[Big Mac]

I feel for you. I think you've hit the nail on the head about your biggest problems. Yes, the North American accent thing is a real problem for people from Britain. It's unfortunate, but a fact.

Also, private language schools tend to seek out young faces for their schools. Appearance seems to be everything to Koreans, and a young white face is easier to market to Korean parents. So, you're right, that's another strike against you. I'm not saying either of these things are right...it's just reality.

In terms of age, it seems that the public schools are much more open to hiring older teachers, probably because they don't have to worry about marketing their foreign teachers. They may even be more open to hiring someone with a British accent.

The young, North Americans are probably going to be more likely to go for the jobs in big centres like Seoul or Busan while ignoring the smaller towns. So you might have more luck if you stick with smaller town hogwans and public schools.

You mentioned that you have been looking at online ads, but I think those are usually the bottom of the barrel-type jobs. The good jobs are going to be from recruiters who don't have to advertise their jobs and get their clientele from word-of-mouth and reputation. I can PM you the e-mail of one if you want, though I think she mostly recruits teachers from North America.

[Muffin]

Thanks so much for your advice, i would be very grateful if you could PM the contact details you mentioned.

I will just add that most Asian people guess my age younger than 37! Perhaps a glimmer of hope...

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Given your experience you'd probably find most hogwans appalling. I'd suggest trying the public school system if you can accept that Koreans just do things differently (and sometimes wrong). Another option might be adult academies.

[Muffin]

Thanks for your comments. If I were to try adult academies or public schools, what would be best, to find a job from England or to come to Korea on a tourist visa and look around?

[ilovebdt]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Dan The Chainsawman]

Another educated Canadian speaking out about things they just do not know.

Look Muffin here is the truth..

Koreans dig that sexy English accent as it screams sophistication. You will be just fine do not worry about it.

Now remember Canada is the country that spawned Tom Green who we all remembered is famous for humping a dead moose on national tv.

If a school comments about your accent just remind them about tom green and you will be a sure shoo in.

[ilovebdt]

[Big Mac]

[Dan The Chainsawman]

It has nothing to do with accent. It has all the more to do with Moose Humping.

Get back on the subject.

You come from a nation of moral degenerates and need need to be purged with the fires of hell.

Get a clue.

[Big Mac]

[keithinkorea]

It is truly pathetic. I've met US and Canadians with truly demented accents, most Brit teachers here are generally much better spoken.

Some Koreans are truly ignorant when it comes to English and the importance of accents. Accents aren't really important as long as you enunciate clearly.

A lot of idiots attempting to learn English think it is more important to memorise obscure American slang than actually be able to communicate in the language properly.

Any way the OP will have a slightly harder time getting a job here than a north American but it is doable. Just takes a bit longer.

[peppermint]

Some Korean parents prefer a North American accent ( whatever that is) but I've been asked to teach a British accent before, and I'm Canadian

[Yu_Bum_suk]