Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mma1029]

Yes I know, yet another topic about racism in South Korea, lol.

I'm new to the site and noticed that everything i've seen in the forums so far have to do with:
- African-Americans
- Korean-American teachers
- Asian teachers (who are from Asia).

I finish my degree and CTESL in April and will be looking for work in Sept.
My CTESL was 200 hours and the uni I went to isn't well-known at all.
I'm Filipino, (born in Phil.) but have been in Canada my whole life.
I could pass for hispanic and my full name is 100% Spanish.

Since i'm 21, f and non-caucasian am I at a huge disadvantage for jobs? Does it make a difference that I'm Asian, even if not Korean-looking?
Can you recommend any recruiters or schools that don't hire based on race?

On a side note, can I start looking for Sep 2010 positions now, while i'm working on my degree? Or do I need to wait until April after I graduate?

Sorry about all the questions i'm just new to all this and am trying to gain my footing. I just figured it was about time I stopped lurking and started actually posting, lol. Thanks in advance!

edit: I forgot to add! Don't know if this belongs here, but: While working in Korea, does one pay taxes back in Canada as well (on the income being earned in Korea)?

[alphakennyone]

Whoa relax. There's no way you can be looking for jobs right now. They won't even start hiring for public schools with August start dates until April 2010. As for hagwons, they usually start their hiring process one month before the start date.

You will be at a disadvantage for crappy jobs with racist parents/school directors. But there are plenty of schools who don't really care about your background as long as you are a native speaker. Being born in the Philippines might be a disadvantage, but just keep saying you are a Canadian citizen and went to all Canadian schools.

Footprints, Korvia, Rowan's ESL Planet (?), worknplay are all fairly reputable recruiters - but there's always someone who'll have a bad experience with a certain recruiter.

[mma1029]

Thanks! Yeah i am jumping the gun on the job-search, lol

I have no illusions about racism in Asia because i've experienced it firsthand from the Philippines (even though I was only there as a baby, I did go back once to visit ). I just wanted to know how bad it was in other countries, so it's nice to hear from people who have been there.

[alphakennyone]

I never really thought of the Philippines as being a racist country. I guess it might be like Mexico though - with the full Spanish at the top of the castes and the full natives at the bottom.

Anyway, yes, a lot of Koreans look down on other Asians (especially southeast Asia). Just follow a don't ask, don't tell policy. Where are you from? Canada.

[E_athlete]

im from toronto canada.

check your pm

[tonyvu]

Best to do right now is talk to the recruiters mentioned above. Get a feel for them and pick the one you think will help you best, come 2010...

[smajk710]

Hi, my wife is Filipino and is teaching at a hagwon. She does have a teaching degree. My wife did have some problems, at first getting a position, but after she taught a demo class, the hagwon hired her. At the present she is working part-time due to the fact she is pregnant.
So you might have a problem at first but your English abilities will help you land a job.
Good luck.

[greasypeanut]

im just like you, born in philippines but i lived in america all my life not canada hehe. it wasn't hard for me to find a job. tho im sure the way i looked (like a filipino lol) discouraged some schools from hiring me (my recruiter even told me that a lot of schools are looking for white females).

as for the racism thing here...i really havent seen it. i think that at least being asian, you wouldn't stick out as much in a crowd compared to a caucasian or black person.

[mma1029]

I'm taking it as a very good sign that there aren't any "don't even try" posts, lol. I'll check out those recruiters! Yeah, people in the Philippines don't really act racist, it's just more of the "when the foreigners leave we'll make fun of them" kinda thing, although not mean-spirited...except for my grandmother, she's really racist :/ Anyways, thanks everybody!!

Greasypeanut, who was your recruiter?

[greasypeanut]

i went through korvia and im with gepik

[rationality]

[sketcha]

there shouldnt be much of a problem,

I'm sure there are schools out there that would put a lot of emphasis on the western look (blonde caucasian)

but there are a lot of schools wouldnt care, sure they would prefer the western look, but a lot of time they cant be too choosy

I know several asian (non-Korean) females teaching in Korea, so I dont see any problem with you finding work here as well

if you're applying for Epik, I suppose they have their application date set in advance, but if you're applying thru recruiters or going straight to the school - most (if not all) are looking to fill immediate openings - that is, they'll want you to be there in about 2 weeks from the moment you apply/them offering you a contract

so if you are serious about teaching in Korea, get your stuff ready in advance

another method of looking for teaching jobs in Korea is thru Facebook, join some of the group about English teachers in Korea, I'm sure it'll be a lot of help (info, how-to, etc)

best of luck ~