Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DarkMind]

Hello everyone,

Please help me.

I am an ethnically Chinese Singaporean looking for information about Korea. The reason why I joined this forum is explained in detail below.

I am considering teaching English in Korea so I would like to have your honest opinion about this.

Some information about me:
1) Male
2) Ethnic Chinese
3) Singaporean (from the country Singapore)
4) I have a teaching certificate (to teach secondary school students; I guess in Korea that would be Middle School) from my home country's educational authority
5) I have a bachelor's degree from one of the universities in my home country (Singapore)

Based on my research, it seems to me that it would be extremely difficult if not impossible for me to get a job in Korea teaching English because:
1) I am not white/caucasian
2) I am not considered by Koreans to have come from a native English speaking country (even though Singapore was a former colony of Britain!) --- that is, any one of the 7 Korean officially approved native English-speaking countries

I would like your honest opinion as to my chances of landing a decent paying legally employed teaching job in Korea. Thank you.

Karuna (Compassion),
DarkMind

(Note: I am aware of the option of going to Korea to give private tuition. But after surfing this forum, I have noted that it is not legal and so I would try to avoid this option if possible)

[Canucksaram]

Korea recognizes only Australia, Britain, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States of America as countries where English is the native language, and as such only citizens from these countries can legally work in Korea as English teachers. If you are not a passport holder from one of these seven nations, you cannot qualify to legally teach English in Korea.

[DarkMind]

[frankly speaking]

The only way around this is to marry a Korean. I have met a few teachers from Singapore and the Philipines. They were married to Koreans and taught legally. I have also been told (not 100% sure) that if you have an advanced degree from a western speaking country, they will accept that.

To be honest with you, there aren't too many places that hire Singaporians or Philipinos legally or illegally.

[Ya-ta Boy]

You're right. It isn't good news for you. BUT have you considered Taiwan or Hong Kong? The demand for teachers is strong there and the pay is similar to Korea. Being Chinese, they may accept you.

Good luck.

[demaratus]

Being Chinese will definatley not help you, no matter how flawless your English is. Unfortunatley Taiwan has a somewhat racist way of determining who is and isn't a native speaker: White skin and your usually ok, Asian sorry-Even if you are asian Canadian, American ect. That being said I know of 4 asian individuals who where able to find good jobs in Taiwan, one Philipino Canadian an Austrialian ethnic Sri Lankan and two Ethnic Chinese American/Canadians. It can be done but it would be much harder than it should be.

[vdowd]

Have you considered teaching Chinese? I know our private school has a Chinese teacher and children attend classes. I realize that there are more teaching positions for English but it doesn't appear you qualify for that. If you really want to come to Korea, that could be a possibility.

[DarkMind]

[DarkMind]

Hi everyone,

thanks for your responses...please keep them coming.

[PimpofKorea]

It's all about the white skin brother....all about the white skin... dats how deez dem things be working

[tzechuk]

I would go to China or Taiwan, if I were you.

I am also ethinically Chinese but I have a British passport and both my degrees are from a UK university, so I get job with very little problem but like others have said - the Korean government only recognise degrees from 7 countries... so even if you spoke English better than some of the so-called teachers here, you wouldn't be given a visa to teach.. it's silly but it's life.

Good luck!

[Roch]

[dogshed]

Is there another visa besides the E2 he could get? -Jeff

[ttompatz]

[babtangee]