Korean Job Discussion Forums

[neil-r]

Can anyone give me any advice about teaching English in a religious institution when I'm not religious myself? Will this be a conflict of interest in that they may want me to preach Jesus and God when I don't feel comfortable spreading that type of message? Secondly, can anyone tell me anything or give me any advice on the above named city/town? It's called Gaepo and I'm not sure if it's in Seoul or just outside of Seoul. I've been offered a contract there and I'm just trying to get a little bit more information before I committ. Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated!

[midian3x]

Just because you teach at a religous institution doenst mean you become a prophet of that faith.

I went to a Catholic university- had professors that where Jewish, protestant, and agnostic.

But maybey they do things differently here in Korea.

[kat2]

Korean Christians are pretty evangelical (in the sense that they "spread the good news" alot). I would ask how many prayer meetins, bible studies, etc you areexpected to attend. I would guess that there are such meetings for all faculty. Also, as an English instructor, you may be asked to do plays, songs, etc in English that are Christian. If that doesn't bother you, thenfine. But don't tell anyone you are an atheist. At some Baptist colleges in teh states its against your contract (in addition to drinkin alcohol of course)!

[jvalmer]

Many of the private schools in Korea are christian or catholic schools. But, they aren't overly religious. Middle schools get students randomly as selected by the local education authorities. High schools get students through student applications. In many cases one administration will run both a middle and high school. So you get students from all back grounds in the schools.

Some places play the anthem and have some prayer every morning before classes start. Other schools may pray before meetings or school events. While some don't do any prayer at all. But all you have to do is keep quiet during these so called prayers. Most teachers at these schools aren't religious. So I wouldn't worry too much about the religious aspects of the schools.

[OiGirl]

Heh...I've actually been told by a religious school that I was "too religious."

[Hater Depot]

Am I missing something? Why not just work for a non-religious school? Or is this job really so sweet that you can't pass it up despite the probability that you will be asked to compromise your principles at some point?