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kuno808
Joined: 17 Apr 2008
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 Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:15 pm Post subject: gyopos |
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hey all,
anyone gyopos here having a hard time finding a job teaching english in the seoul/gangnam area? i am interested in going to korea to teach and i have contacted a recruiter from worknplay and she said she doesn't have any private schools in those areas looking for gyopo teachers. is she just saying that because its true or because worknplay only handles public schools? just as long as we are fluent in english right? heck, i don't even speak korean that well. any input on this will be greatly appreciated. thanks! |
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nomad-ish
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Location: On the bottom of the food chain
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: gyopos |
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| kuno808 wrote: |
hey all,
anyone gyopos here having a hard time finding a job teaching english in the seoul/gangnam area? i am interested in going to korea to teach and i have contacted a recruiter from worknplay and she said she doesn't have any private schools in those areas looking for gyopo teachers. is she just saying that because its true or because worknplay only handles public schools? just as long as we are fluent in english right? heck, i don't even speak korean that well. any input on this will be greatly appreciated. thanks! |
i've heard of some hagwons (private schools) preferring gyopos, however i think many of them want the typical white American/Canadian ESL teacher because it's easier to sell to the parents. i don't know anything about worknplay specifically and what they hire for though.
i'd suggest you look at public school positions, where they don't care much about age, race, etc. you could try SMOE (high competition for places though) or another big city (IMOE in incheon, or busan) or maybe find a place in a small suburb on the outskirts of seoul. good subway system over here and taxis are cheap |
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kuno808
Joined: 17 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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hey nomad,
thanks for the response. i prefer to be in seoul (not because of the things to do but it is closer to family). i guess i will try with my recruiter one more time and if nothing happens, then i will move on to the next recruiter. thanks for your input Nomad! |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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| kuno808 wrote: |
hey nomad,
thanks for the response. i prefer to be in seoul (not because of the things to do but it is closer to family). i guess i will try with my recruiter one more time and if nothing happens, then i will move on to the next recruiter. thanks for your input Nomad! |
There are scores of recruiters working for schools in Seoul, at least some of which would be happy to have a gyopa and a few of which would prefer one. Email a number of recruiters your CV with a professional looking photo and passport info page. Someone will come up with something soon enough.
It would also help to prove that you have all the paperwork ready and can quickly jump through all the necessary hoops. All of the new regs and their inconsistant enforcement is giving a lot of recruiters and schools a lot of grief at the moment. If you can show this will not be a problem in your case (already have the CRC, transcripts, notarised degree copy, etc.) you'll look more appealing. |
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TOMODACHI-KID
Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Location: LAND OF THE RISING SUN: TAKASAGO-KATSUSHIKA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: gyopos |
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| kuno808 wrote: |
hey all,
anyone gyopos here having a hard time finding a job teaching english in the seoul/gangnam area? i am interested in going to korea to teach and i have contacted a recruiter from worknplay and she said she doesn't have any private schools in those areas looking for gyopo teachers. is she just saying that because its true or because worknplay only handles public schools? just as long as we are fluent in english right? heck, i don't even speak korean that well. any input on this will be greatly appreciated. thanks! |
Unfortunately, a lot of people, not only the education system in Korea--the powers-to-be, have this notion that the only people who can teach English well are folks with blonde hair and blue eyes--of the Caucasian race, if you will...
As many of us know, non-ignorant ones, this is not true. Yes, it will be difficult to move your way into your ideal teaching job in Korea because you are an Asian American, but as many on this post state, many in the public school sector are willing to hire Asian Americans, even some in the private sector--"Hoggies."
The fact of the matter is wherever you go in terms of being hired as a teacher, especially in Korea, show them that you can be an excellent teacher, via your enthusiasm and hard work if any. I think the Koreans in Korea need to know that Asian Americans can teach English as well as any other race. As you know, just because your English is excellent and that you can speak it fluently, does not mean you can teach it well. The two are totally different aspects...
Yeah, Seoul is awesome--have you seen the "hotties" there! Good place to begin teaching.
GALOSHES  |
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jeffkim1972
Joined: 10 Jan 2007
Location: Mokpo
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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If you heard this from a recruiter, it is most likely a recruiter's personal agenda to not help gyopos. Nothing to do with your english ability. They can tell by your last name (Kim, Park, Choi, etc...).
Even if you were born in the US/Canada and graduated summa cum laude from Harvard in English literature, the recruiter will prefer someone with no qualifications.
Every gyopo i've ever met who has had some English gig found one because they came here first and spoke directly with the hiring party.
Never rely on a recruiter to help you find something if you are a gyopo.
That "parent's prefer blondes" is just a line. Korean parents will throw money at Korean private tutors like it's going out of style.
Look at this thread. The recruiter is outright lying to you.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=124593 |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Tell your recruiter that they will not be getting the commission off of you because you will find someone else. |
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Cerriowen
Joined: 03 Jun 2006
Location: Pocheon
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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Most places I think prefer gyopos, but that's because they assume you'll speak korean and understand and accept the culture and customs.
Unless you are willing to accept your "place" (probably at the bottom) of their social structure, you'll have a rough time of it.
Most of the gyopos I've met have had a hard time, if their parents didn't raise them Korean-style.
Westerners do have a slight benifit of being seen as "outsiders", so when you make a mistake, or you're rude, people are more willing to dismiss it as cultural. |
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640x480
Joined: 02 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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I'm a gyopo teacher and want to tell you that your situation will differ from school to school. The majority still want the blonde american, but more people are accepting gyopos becuase we can communicate with the administrators as well as understand the korean customs.
PM me if you want more details on how I got here.
Gluck~ |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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| 640x480 wrote: |
I'm a gyopo teacher and want to tell you that your situation will differ from school to school. The majority still want the blonde american, but more people are accepting gyopos becuase we can communicate with the administrators as well as understand the korean customs.
~ |
Not all gyopos speak Korean or understand Korean customs. I've met more than a few who were completely Westernized. |
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KYC
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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That's false. I know of a few hogwans in the gangnam area. I can't imagine it'd be hard to find. A fellow teacher I used to know (and he's less than stellar) got a job there. It's obtainable. Your recruiter isn't trying hard enough...or hardly trying.
Take your services elsewhere. |
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kuno808
Joined: 17 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:39 pm Post subject: gyopos |
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Every gyopo i've ever met who has had some English gig found one because they came here first and spoke directly with the hiring party.
hey Jeff,
i thought it wasn't possible to go to korea first and then find a job. someone here said that because of e-2 restrictions, you must see the korean consulate in the states for an interview to get your visa. did you hear anyhting about this? |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:47 pm Post subject: Re: gyopos |
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| kuno808 wrote: |
Every gyopo i've ever met who has had some English gig found one because they came here first and spoke directly with the hiring party.
hey Jeff,
i thought it wasn't possible to go to korea first and then find a job. someone here said that because of e-2 restrictions, you must see the korean consulate in the states for an interview to get your visa. did you hear anyhting about this? |
No, you come here, find a job, and then go off to the Korean consulate in Japan to get your E-2 visa. Or, if you're really certain you want to teach here for a while, save the trouble and just get an F-visa. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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| jeffkim1972 wrote: |
If you heard this from a recruiter, it is most likely a recruiter's personal agenda to not help gyopos. Nothing to do with your english ability. They can tell by your last name (Kim, Park, Choi, etc...).
Even if you were born in the US/Canada and graduated summa cum laude from Harvard in English literature, the recruiter will prefer someone with no qualifications.
Every gyopo i've ever met who has had some English gig found one because they came here first and spoke directly with the hiring party.
Never rely on a recruiter to help you find something if you are a gyopo.
That "parent's prefer blondes" is just a line. Korean parents will throw money at Korean private tutors like it's going out of style.
Look at this thread. The recruiter is outright lying to you.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=124593 |
Last year a group of grad students did a study of Seoul mothers' preferences, showing them photos of different teachers with a brief CV. The preferred English teacher amongst Seoul mothers for elementary students? A middle-aged white American woman. She beat out a young attractive white woman and a middle-aged, bilingual gyopo woman. So why the young blond line? Probably because of availability and the fact that young teachers are seen as easier to manipulate. I knew a recruiter in Seoul who told me that some hagwons would pay him a premium for young NA women. |
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jeffkim1972
Joined: 10 Jan 2007
Location: Mokpo
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| Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:12 am Post subject: Re: gyopos |
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| kuno808 wrote: |
Every gyopo i've ever met who has had some English gig found one because they came here first and spoke directly with the hiring party.
hey Jeff,
i thought it wasn't possible to go to korea first and then find a job. someone here said that because of e-2 restrictions, you must see the korean consulate in the states for an interview to get your visa. did you hear anyhting about this? |
F-4 is a unique visa, no job sponsor required. You can obtain one within 30 days of your arrival into Korea.
I would say it is the norm that the F-4 visas are obtained after your arrival into Korea. Immigration knows you are in the country trying to obtain one. If it takes longer than 30 days, then get an extension on your visa (up to 6 more weeks) or just leave and come back.
Just make sure you bring all the required documents from your home country. Naturalization papers, etc.
E-2 visa rules and requirements have no relevance to an F4. |
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