Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fidel]

I had a Chinese Australian friend who worked over here, at several jobs and while he found it more difficult to get hired, with some persistance he worked at some good schools. He did get fired from his first job, however that was because he was a slack teacher who just wanted to sit on his ass and get his paycheck. Some of the more professional larger schools at there don't give a toss about your skin color and will hire you on your qualifications and English speaking ability.

[fusionbarnone]

Hey newbiecdn, don't get discouraged.

Have you considered the EPIK program, "English Program in Korea"? Check out their site and apply to a consulate near you. Many long-term esl teachers have applied or considering applying so it says a lot about how desirable that job has/is becoming in comparison to hogwan life.

Applying for a "quick" esl cert comes in handy too(extra money).

Jeollabukdo has been a great province to work in(for me) so it would be a help to research what epik people say about the management in other provinces before you decide(if you decide to go Epik).

Although there were problems with it(program) a couple of years ago, it seems much better now.

Being non-caucasion, and having experienced rejection for hakwon jobs once my photo was received, I was really unsure what I'd experience once actually working in Korea. To date (3 years)my experience has been really great and I will be sad to leave now that I'm returning to graduate school.

I think, in hindsight, that if it hadn't have been for the Epik program, I would never have worked in Korea at all, as the hogwan preference for "brochure display teachers" almost convinced me everything outside the NA stereotype was unwelcome . Not personal(usually) just business.

Hope this helps with keeping your spirits aloft.

[schwa]

Credit to epik for accepting all colors & ages. It helps counter the perception here that english education is somehow better from someone with youthful caucasian good looks.

Private academies in my small town are also pretty open-minded. In my time here I've known a Chinese-Canadian, a Vietnamese-Canadian, a Taiwanese-American, a black Australian, a Venezuelan-Canadian, one guy half-German quarter-Japanese quarter-Chinese, another guy half-Quebecois half-Iroquois, others I'm probably forgetting, & a number of teachers in their 50s who had no undue problems getting hired or fitting into the community.

To the OP: with a bit of perseverance, you can almost certainly land a decent position in Korea.

[newbiecdn]

Thanks EVERYONE for all the input and advice! Much, MUCH appreciated.

I guess my emotions have been swinging back and forth a lot lately like a pendulum. One day I'll feel really eager beaver about the concept of travelling to Korea to teach. And then the next day, when I don't get a response, or when I read about another person having difficulty getting hired for one reason or another, I feel like it's all hopeless.

I know now that it's not! So, thanks!

Fusionbarnone,
I thought about applying to EPIK, but I think the next application deadline is next year (and I am looking to find something a bit sooner).

[fusionbarnone]

Best wishes in all you do.