Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Viaje]

I realize many did not have the luxury to consider each country as far as where to teach. But I'm wondering about those who have taught in Japan or have knowledge of it, wihch country you prefer and why? It seems as there is much more opportunity to teach now in Korea, is that true? Did you choose Korea because it is cheaper to live in and therefore you can save some salary? If the job situation was equal who would prefer to live in Japan? Another aspect to my question is this, is Korea generally considered the best country now to go to teach English? I realize this is a generalization, and some may prefer another place even if it pays half as much, or whatever, but in general is this true?

[TBirdMG]

Buen Viaje --

I spent 2 years in a Japanese PS, and 1 in S. Korea, also PS.
I would break down comparisons into several categories:

1) School life - Students were pretty much the same: friendly and interested in me as a person, but made little effort to learn English. Staff in Japan was much better...more cooperative, more understanding, more inclusive. In Korea, I never knew what was going on, and was intentionally excluded from most social activities.

2) Culture - Japanese culture is more accessible. Language, culinary arts, martial arts, fine arts...you name it. Most midsize and large cities have community centers and private institutions focused on everything extracurricular. In Korea, it was much less so. Sometimes, there were schools attached to universities and private language schools for foreigners, but little else.

3) Money - Korea is much, much more reasonable. In-country travel is superbly cheap. Accommodation is reasonable. Food is cheap. In Japan, you must approach daily life frugally in order to save any money. It can be done, but it's a challenge.

4) People - OK, this is my opinion: The Japanese are very courteous and helpful on the outside, but the more you get to know them, the less courteous and friendly they seem. Relationships blossom into obligation, not mutual trust and admiration.
Koreans were the opposite: they initially seemed very rough, callous, and insensitive, but once you have befriended a Korean and earned their trust, they will walk the plank for you. I still have several good Korean friends, but Japanese not so much.

The Japanese value refinement over substance whereas the Koreans less so. Conversely, I found Koreans to be more packish/tribal than Japanese, who, while still group oriented, manage to express individualism in unique ways.

5) Xenophobia -

Most Japanese have gotten over the presence of foreigners. It's not such a big deal anymore, although stereotypes still proliferate. I felt Koreans more often suffered from foreigner paralysis...couldn't get over their presence, appearance, languages, etc....whereas in Japan, most Japanese , expected me to use a more polite form of Japanese and know how to use the kotatsu....

Have a good trip....

[Thewhiteyalbum]

I much preferred Japan to Korea.

I lived in Osaka in Japan and found it to not be really expensive. If you are eating out all the time or buying your groceries at department stores, then of course you won't save money. I found a cheap store around the corner from my apartment and paid less for veggies, meat etc than I do in my town in Korea. I never worried about budgeting and I was earning a similar amount that I am in Korea. I paid less for my apartment in central Osaka than I did for any of my houses back home.
(but I do, on the whole think Korea is cheaper. The quality of consumer goods seems lower, though. For example clothes falling apart etc..)

Japanese culture seemed more interesting.

Everything was organised and I generally knew what was expected of me and where I stood. I was told things in advance.

There was less pollution in Osaka than there is in my town in Korea (nowhere near Seoul and picked because it seemed to have no industry aside from farming.)

Confucianism in my workplace wasn't so prevelant. I never felt pressured to do things I didn't want to do.

I had more in common with the Japanese people I met than I do with Koreans. No matter how friendly Koreans are, I find their interests tend to be very mainstream. They often don't think outside the box. In Japan I could easily hook up with interesting musicians, artists etc..they weren't so immersed in 'the hive mind'.

They weren't so frighteningly nationalistic. I would cheer Japanese sports teams and really hoped they would win - here I hope Korean teams lose. (sad but true.)

These are of course my personal experiences, and what you require to enjoy you life is probably vastly different to mine..

[maingman]

TBirdMG wrote :

Money - Korea is much, much more reasonable. In-country travel is superbly cheap. Accommodation is reasonable

[soul rebels]

been in korea working as a teacher for almost a year but when to japan for a weeks holiday recently. it's difficult to compare somewhhere youve been for a year with some where youve been for a week.

so i can only comment on little things i noticed in one week in japan i never saw one person spit on the street. japan is very clean hardly any rubbish to be seen anywhere. the food tasted real good. music is good the awarness of other style of music is way higher than korea an the vynil records stores blew anything you could find in korea out of the water. people generally didnt seem as xenophobic towards foreigners.

on the down side japan is fucken expensive, food and public transport especially. seems that they dont like spicy food as much in japan (i like my spicy food). the rules an regulations seem more unflexible than korea.



from what i saw an have heard from other people i think japans worth a try after my contracts up here

[cardigan bay]

If you are young and want to have fun and make friends go to Japan. Live in a reasonably sized city so you have more job options and can pick up more private lessons if you want to.
I disagree with the person who commented on the way freindships go in Japan compared to Korea. i.e. that in the end the Korean friendships will tend to be the most solid,sincere and enduring.
I lived in Japan for nearly 3 years and the friends I made were the kindest people I have ever met. They gave me real, long term friendship, love and practical help in everyday life. They shared so much with me and I learned a lot about Japan through them.
I have lived in Korea for about 6 years and have never made a genuine ongoing Korean friend.

[caniff]

Ferchrissakes, Dave, can you do something to get the search function working already?

[ellegarden]

[ellegarden]

[awesome.ahsah!]

One reason is because I am married to a Korean.

[awesome.ahsah!]

Another reason is because I am "too old" to teach in Japan and age discrimination really annoys me.

[awesome.ahsah!]

A third reason is because the cost of living in Korea is much more reasonable than Japan.

[awesome.ahsah!]

Yet another reason is because, for me, Korean students seem to be just a little more forthright--if something is bothering them, they don't mask their feelings all that much and therefore give you an opportunity to adjust or "correct" whatever it is that is troubling them.

[awesome.ahsah!]

Yet another reason is because, for me, Korean students seem to be just a little more forthright--if something is bothering them, they don't mask their feelings all that much and therefore give you an opportunity to adjust or "correct" whatever it is that is troubling them.

[awesome.ahsah!]

Oh dear! Am I repeating myself here? Sorry about that.