Korean Job Discussion Forums

reedtea · Joined: 06 Feb 2003

I was just wondering if anyone knew of a Hearing Impaired school that is looking for an English Teacher. I know how strange that sounds, but I am fluent in American Sign Language.

If there are any in the Seoul area, I would really like to know how to contact them for an interview.

Any suggestions would helpful.

Thanks,
Christina (reedtea) (C)

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

I know there are schools for the disabled which may include Deaf and hearing-impaired students. There is one in Jeonju, dear Jeonju University. I have also heard about the occassional Deaf student mainstreamed into university classes in Korea.

Korean Sign Language (KSL) is different from ASL, you know. It is supposed to be similar to Japanese Sign Language. However, I have found that many Deaf Koreans know a little ASL much as many hearing Koreans know a little English.

If you find any great opportunities for us English teachers who also know ASL, please let us know about them in broad terms.

EH · Joined: 20 Mar 2003

Three ideas for you:

1) get in touch with the special education (tuksu gyoyook) department of your nearest large university. They generally have the contacts you need. The speech-language pathology (onoh byonglihak) and audiology (chonggakhak) departments are good bets as well, but there are only a few universities with these. Most professors in these departments will have at least rudimentary English skills.

2) get in touch with your nearest neighborhood rehab center. Many areas in Seoul, at least, have these places where (mostly young) people with developmental disabilities can get affordable therapy and education. However, there may not be many English speakers here... bring a friend to translate if your Korean isn't up to it.

3) you might try the larger adoption agencies for their advice; they tend to know a lot about kids with special needs. Holt Town in Ilsan has a special school on the premises. You can also talk to Holt people at their Hapjong main office (near Hongdae in Seoul). I don't know the other agencies as well as I know Holt, so I can't give you directions to those.

good luck,
-EH