Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Newby]

Hi All,

I am completely new to the world of teaching but desperate to come to Seoul. However, the agencies I've signed up to are telling me that I'm unlikely to get a job in Seoul because apparently the schools want North American accents.

The fact that I'm british -Indian will most probably not help my case, so I'm just wondering whether anyone would advise me to stick to my guns and push for this or maybe settle for somewhere around Seoul such as Gyeonggi do province?

Thanks
B

[QbertP]

Go for a public school position through SMOE if your desperate to be in seoul. You will get dropped by some potential haagwon employers for your accent or apperance alone but public schools are often told nothing about their teachers until they arrive.

If your willing to look elsewhere, check out Busan. Great city, but you still have the same problem if your looking at hagwons. I reccomend getting a PS job through EPIK.

[Tiger Beer]

You're fine. Some would prefer North American accents, but at the end of the day, ANY foreigner who is willing to come to Korea, will be employed...the demand is there, and they will make money off of you, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[theBengi]

[Chet Wautlands]

It seems that if you aren't North American and white, you'll have to prove yourself a bit. Still, it's a hurdle that you can leap over in a few weeks if you put in the effort.

I was helping my old hagwon sort through resumes (all with pictures) and my supervisor was less inclined to consider anyone who wasn't white. However, they ended up hiring a black guy and apparently he's doing really well there.

[Big Mac]

Just be careful with some of the hogwans in Seoul. The one I used to work at would hire people with different accents or skin colour than what they really wanted at a time when it was difficult to find teachers. Then when it was a better time and it was easier to find teachers, they would find some lame reason to fire the teacher they didn't want and then hire one that fit the profile they wanted. I don't think they're as likely to play this game outside of Seoul, since it's more difficult to find teachers to go there at any time of the year.

[ChinaBoy]

[Newby]

theBengi wrote:

hi mate, I am in the same boat. have you had any lucky?

Actually I have, been out through for quite a few and got accepted but didn't have my paperwork in time. But im optimistic don't see why not.
B

[Scamps]

Today in the Korea Times newspaper the government said that beginning in March citizens of India, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines will also be allowed to be English teachers in Korea. This is because of the demand especially in the rural areas. The teachers from these countries will have a more difficult time getting an E-2 (English teaching visa). They have to have majored in English studies and have teaching certification (not just a TESOL diploma).
They said that Korean parents are supportive of this change, saying that not all native teachers act professionally. And they think it's good for children to be exposed to many different English accents and that most Americans can't understand Australian accents (which I think is garbage!) It also said that 50% of tourists to Korea are not native speakers...so knowing a variety of accents is better and more worldly.

[polonius]

While one option would be the PS sector. They generally hire from all backgrounds.

If you want to get into the Hagwons, I would say stay away from the rich areas such as gangnam. The parents at those hagwons are pretty determined to have the white north american in their classes.

I work at a place where I try to diversify my staff, so that our students can come in contact with a South African, an Aussy, an Irish Lassy, as well as gyopos. We have had Brits, and North American.

I am saying this, because there are schools that would love to show diversity.

[Milwaukiedave]

I met the teacher who replaced me after I left my PS after the end of my contract and he was of Indian decent from England. Recently I heard they hired him for another year. The school I was at was in Incheon.

[theBengi]

[theBengi]