Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dhl262]

I'm thinking about teaching English in Korea with a friend. However, I'm afraid that the fact that I'm an Asian American will pose a barrier to getting hired. My parents are Korean and I am conversational in the Korean language, but I am not as fluent as I wish I could be. Does anyone have any tips on applying to an English teaching job in Korea if one has an Asian background? It would be wonderful to hear from some people with Asian backgrounds teaching English in Korea. I know its not impossible to get a job, but it is more difficult. Thanks!

[PRagic]

Have your parents network for you. Seriously. With a billion hakwons here, it's a '6 degrees of separation' thing; won't take long for them to find someone who knows someone who has a friend who would love to hire you.

Or you can just get your F4, come over, and shop yourself around.

There are tons of Kyopo here making fantastic coin. Most of the ones I know in business here take full advantage of their knowledge of Korean culture and the language. It's interesting to watch them get a leg up on bosses who can be total aholes to non-Asian teachers.

[mayorgc]

work for gepik or epik.

they hire pretty much anybody

[husker]

Definitely try EPIK if you're interested in public schools. I have to two friends, born in Korea, fluent in Korean, who teach here. Race isn't an issue with EPIK.

[digsydinner]

use your conversational skills in korean as an advantage.
did you score well on your SATs or graduate from a top 25 school? if so, you can think about going down the SAT teaching route...which pays a heck of alot more than teaching english (4-5 mil). having both english and korean skills is a deadly combo here. my korean-american house-mate makes serious coin doing that. unfortunately, i'm a state schooler...and my korean is in it's infancy...good luck.