Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jaundice]

I've been looking for about a month and a half now for a job. I've had no luck. I have numerous teaching experiences, and a BA in English and a BEd. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm definitely not hard on the eyes.

I CANNOT figure out why I am having such a difficult time finding a job. I'm flexible, willing to consider most contract stipulations (such as split-shifts). Yet, I continously get leads, and they eventually fall through. I'm becoming incredibly discouraged. In fact, a friend of mine, said she was told by one recruiter that parents may pull their kids out of the school if you do not look like a native English speaker. Lol...I find that hilarious, because my family is from Jamaica, and while there is a ridiculously thick accent, I generally get laughed at by most Jamaican's, when I attempt it.

What's the deal? Could my skin colour seriously be the reason why I am having such a difficult time finding a school? In addition, if anyone is familiar with either a recruiter, or a particular area (where you have seen African American's) that I might appeal to...please send info on.

Thanks!

[just because]

To be blunt...skin color is the primary reason why you can't get a job here..

koreans want to be taught be whities and not blackies...to them black people are dirty people.

i know that is so blunt but to a lot of people it is true in Korea..

i have had a couple of african-american friends here who were awesome people but they do find it hard here with a lot of constant staring at them....

[ChopChaeJoe]

I'm white and people constantly stare at me.


I hear it alot from both Koreans and Westerners that Koreans have a negative attitude toward black people.

[Canadian Club]

Ignore the title, but this recruiter doesn't seem to care what you look like...

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=20633

[melvaughn]

I've heard that as long as these applicants stick to the large cities, such as Seoul they should have better luck. Just don't bother with the rural or the smaller, conservative cities.
I've come across African Americans teaching in Seoul, who don't have any more issues than anyone else would.

[bobbyhanlon]

yep... sometimes its not good being white here, but to be frank we have it damn easy compared to black people. good luck to you, but you'll need a really thick skin. i've sat down on trains and heard random guys just yelling constant racist abuse at black people for no reason at all. in many ways korea is a great country, but in terms of acceptance of other peoples and cultures, it really isn't.
the fact that you're finding it hard to get a job is merely a reflection of this. its not so much the schools themselves, but the ignorant mentality of small-town parents who think that whitey=english teacher. even korean-americans etc. sometimes find it hard to get jobs teaching english.
having said that, there are some black teachers working at the major schools in seoul, such as ybm, pagoda, cdi (at least thats what i've heard). give those ones a go.
best of luck to you, and don't give up if this is what you really want to do.

[manwonman]

I consider myself african-american, but most koreans don't know what to make of me. I have white skin, and that's good enough for them. I'd have to say if you are not extremely light-skinned, you will probably need to have at least an education degree, or an English degree with a certification to be considered. A good friend of mine was caramel-chocolately and she worked in a public school, then a private nursery in Apkujeong, and had privates coming out of her ass.

It all depends on who you run into. I also know an African-American of Ethiopian ancestry that works at a Christian school in the 'burbs of Seoul.

[grainger]

I replaced an African Canadian woman at my school, she had been here two years and didn't have any problem. I had heard that Korean people were more racist toward black people then toward white people so I asked her about it and she said she never experienced any problems.

This is small town Korea (Wonju) and she helped open the school with only three students and brought the enrollment up to about 50. So I can't believe that the parents had a serious problem with her being black. I'm sure there are a few !@#$%^&* out there, just like in every other country, just hold in there. I'm sure you'll find something.

I have noticed that a lot of schools will specify that they want a NA or a British teacher, etc, because the accent and vocabulary differ from region to region. So maybe being from Jamica has something to do with it. Even if your accent isn't obvious. So, if you're American I wouldn't even mention it. Some schools can be stupid - picky.

[swade]

I�m black and I have been here for about 11 months. I was the only teacher at my school for over six months and I never had any problems with the parents disapproving of me. Prior to this school I was at another; again, never a problem. I was often invited to my students� homes for meals, which I always enjoyed.

My first time here I was stared at constantly. I was even licked by a kid on the bus once. This time around, I figured that most Koreans have seen someone that looked like me before. Now, I get just as much hellos as stares.

I say that if want to work here don�t give up. Unless you really want to work a split shift, don�t even consider it. You still have the upper hand here, don�t settle for less.

Keep sending out your resume with your picture. Something will turn up. But don�t settle!

[Jaundice]

Thank you all ever so much for all your suggestions. This is truly something I am determined to overcome. I have no intention of giving up.

Best wishes to everyone.

[i_teach_esl]

keep applying. how is your photo? maybe take another one, find a flattering light source and snap away. have you considered using a recruiter? http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=66017&highlight=recruiter ive heard nothing but good things about atc. however, i have NO experience with any of this just yet, so take what i say with a grain of salt. a couple of months ago, i decided to pursue a job teaching abroad. i hope to be in korea by march 2007. i am still in the states. i was raised in california and am Black and Filipino.

everyone i have pm'ed in the forums tell me to stay away from korea.

i appreciate everyone's concern, but honestly, i didnt become black yesterday. i deal with racism/prejudice every day. every conscious person of color does. maybe i cant say, b/c im not there, but it seems to me that the only difference between here and korea is that koreans will be more upfront about their prejudices. the onlyblack person ive met in the forums thus far is a sister who wrote to me, "It's no different than being home. You find things you like about it and you find things you absolutely can't stand about it too." i believe her.

being black has never stopped me from doing anything. it's made some things harder, for sure, but stopped me... get out of here wit that.

[Hyeon Een]

Sign up with as many recruiters as you can find, as well as putting up your resume on as many job sites as you can find.

At my first job I worked with two S.Africans who were black (out of 4 foreign teachers). One of the previous teachers was also a black South African. This was the largest academy in town. My boss had a prejudice against Australians, because he had previously hired two who had fled home early (homesickness, not because of any work-related problems). He didn't seem to have any race prejudices.

The other option is working in a public school, they hire anyone pretty much. They can often be much better jobs than working in a private academy too. I've met plenty of non-white people working in public schools. I know a lot of people who were recruiter by "Canadian Connections" (they don't just hire Canadians) who were very happy with their jobs. Do a search and you'll find their website.

[jinks]

The teacher who replaced me at my last job (small town, conservative area) is an African American woman; like the OP she is well qualified, but had to plug away for a while before getting a job. The new teacher told me that racism, as such, wasn't the main annoyance. Like someone else pointed out, if you're not white in a majority white society, you toughen up pretty quickly. What my friend said she found most irritating was the white teachers, from white countries, being on the receiving end of racism (overt and covert) for the first time in their lives and then expecting to bond with her and get her sympathy vote.
Her message:
toughen up, guys.
Other posters have suggested staying away from provincial areas if you don't fit the white bread poster image of foreign teachers, but maybe that is where non cookie cutter teachers will have most opportunity. Smaller towns have more problems attracting teachers, why not do yourself a favour and apply outside of Seoul and Busan. Within the year you will be able to network yourself a nice group of local friends and contacts who will support you during your contract year and help you find a better job if you want to stay another year, but don't want to re-sign with your first school.
Best of luck to the OP and others looking for work in Korea.
If at first you don't succeed, then sky-diving is probably not for you.

[jmbran11]

When I taught in Korea 5 years ago, I came with my (then) boyfriend, who was mixed race (black father, white mother). He is not very dark, very similar to me with a deep tan.

We sent a photo with the application and were hired immediately, but when we arrived the owner seemed surprised that he had "such dark, handsome skin." We had made no attempt to sugar-coat anything, but there was no section on resume for race.

From day one the kids called him "African" and "monkey," despite my every effort to explain to them that many Americans have dark skin. There was no attempt from the school to educate the children about cultural awareness or to disclipline them for their rudeness (which they thought was very funny). When the parents started to complain or threaten withdrawal, he was immediately fired and given an exit order to leave the country (about 4 months in).

They begged me to stay, but I coudn't continue to make money for the institution.

The point of this long story is that you should find somewhere that is perfectly aware of your race and comfortable with it. It may take longer to secure employment, but you'll be happier with your situation. I currently work with an exceptional African-American teacher at my compnay, who previously worked at a school, so I know it's possible. However, many schools/recruiters/parents directly or implicitly specify only white teachers. I would suggest looking for public schools or companies where the parents don't directly pay for the classes. Also, whatever photo you are sending, you should be dressed in a business suit, looking absolutely professional (this is true of all applicants).

Provided you are not overly sensitive, I think you'll be okay once you get here. My ex never experienced horribly racist comments (outside of school), and many people wanted to talk to him as sort of a novelty.

Good luck.

[i_teach_esl]

The new teacher told me that racism, as such, wasn't the main annoyance. Like someone else pointed out, if you're not white in a majority white society, you toughen up pretty quickly. What my friend said she found most irritating was the white teachers, from white countries, being on the receiving end of racism (overt and covert) for the first time in their lives and then expecting to bond with her and get her sympathy vote.
Her message:
toughen up, guys.

Hear, hear, got-dammit!