Korean Job Discussion Forums

[luckyduck]

Hi-
I'm interested in teaching in Korea but I have no knowledge of the program except what I have been able to gather on teaching abroad websites. I just visted my friend in Japan who is currently teaching through JET and it seems like an awesome program. I was just wondering if any of the ESL programs in Korea are set up similar to that. There are so many programs and I'm not sure where to start, so any help would be awesome!

Also, I have heard stories about racism/Korean views on Americans. I was wondering if anyone knows about Korean views on Korean Americans. I was adopted from Pusan when I was only 4 months old and have an Italian last name. I'm just curious as to what they think about situations like mine, considering I was adopted, grew up in the U.S. but am Korean. I know, this might sound like a ridiculous question but I'm just trying to learn all that I can. Please help!

Thanks,
C.

[newteacher]

[koreandefence]

mate, just give it a shot. My advice is to ignore most of what you read on this board (yes, including this advice) as people are giving their opinion on how they enjoy or don't enjoy Korea.
Remember, it's what ya make of it.
Good luck

[boatofcar]

Step One: Don't read this board. I made the mistake of pouring over every post and almost talked myself out of coming.

Step Two: Check out the wiki at wiki.galbijim.com. Lots of good stuff there.

To answer your question about a JET-like program in Korea, the closest is EPIK, and even that is about 10 years behind the JET program in organization. I'm an EPIK teacher though, and I've generally been very happy with things.

[Saxiif]

[kentucker4]

[luckyduck]

There is an organization of Korean adoptees that you could join, they seem to do a good job of giving peole like you a hand.

However, if you're ethnically Korean a lot of Koreans will expect you to speak/act Korean and you'll probably run into some difficulties since doing so will be hard/impossible for you.[/quote]

Thanks for the response. Do you happen to know the name of it?

[kingplaya4]

If you don't know Korean, I wouldn't worry about it, I'm sure when they hear your American accent they'll understand, and if not, they're probably idiots.

Always a good idea to know the language, but I doubt an ethnic Korean knowing kamsahamneeda or anyong haseyo or muhl juseyo will impress them if they are the judgemental type.

In fact I don't think they're impressed when foreigners say these things either. I think as the Brits say they're taking the piss. (Did I butcher that expression?)

[IncognitoHFX]

Are you going to track down your parents here?

Just curious.

[luckyduck]

No. I don't really have the desire to. The adoption agency didn't know much about my birth mother and knew nothing about my birth father. I wouldn't even know where to begin!