Korean Job Discussion Forums

[patapata]

Hello out there...

For anyone who is/has been in Korea (either past or present) and at least experienced some degree of culture shock (read: a grouchy and bitter period): how did you determine whether it was just a regular case of culture shock vs. Korea just not being a good place for you? What were the things that made you either stay or go? How long into your stay did you make a determination?

I'm definitely at the very least in the euphemistically named "negotiation" phase and am not sure whether it will pass with time or if my body/mind/heart is trying to tell me something.

[climber159]

To determine this for yourself you need to assess what your goals are. What were your reasons for going to Korea? Are you planning to pursue a career in the ESL field? Do you wish to become a licensed teacher? Are you using this as an opportunity to experience another country for a longer period of time than is otherwise possible on a short vacation? Are you simply unsure of what it is you want to do?

Personally, I think the worst thing someone can do is Korea is to be idle. Unless you take a very proactive approach to the ESL business in Korea there is definitely a very limiting ceiling.

[patapata]

I'm looking into certification options back home. There are some programs that offer online courses and alternative routes to certification. One director seemed to push the MATESOL, but I already have a masters and am not sure if putting another three or four years into a degree that may or may not qualify me to teach (as competition in the field increases and more schools begin requiring PhDs) when I graduate. The community college route seems most likely with this level of degree within the U.S./Canada but certainly there will be some competition from PhD holders, particularly if the landscape of higher education shifts more towards people getting two-year degrees instead of four-year. I am leaning more towards an MA in Teaching and K-12 certification. ESL teaching seems to be a practical move forward in terms of what my work experience has been in the past. That being said, I am one of those multiple career types and am busy working on other projects that would not require going back to school or teaching as a full-time career. Financially, I am not in a position to pay U.S. tuition fees again without support and a way to work while I study, and with the job situation being what it is right now back there, it will be extremely difficult to do anything, certification program or otherwise, without having a pretty decent chunk of savings...so there you have it.

What is your take on ESL/teaching ELLs as a career, climber159, in terms of how the field itself and education as a whole are changing?

[climber159]

My take on the ESL/ELL field for a career possibility ought to be taken with a grain of salt as I was in it for two years. I did it for one year after I finished my first master's. I wanted to travel for an extended period of time and not go broke in the process. I stayed for a second year because of some girl. That was a stupid reason to stay because I had no intention of ever making ESL into a career; not six months after I'd been in Korea I had applied and been accepted into a master's/teaching licensure program a very good university in the US. I am now teaching full-time and earning another master's and dual licensure.

Going off of secondhand information it is my impression that if you are going to make ESL into a career (and make something more than the standard 2.2-2.5 million KRW...legally), then you need to be focused. A master's in education, a teaching license, and some sort of ESL certification (TEOSL, CELTA, DELTA) are a must. Also, while Korea may be an easy place to start in the ESL business, it is far from friendly in the sense of upward mobility. If you do wish to remain in Korea, then getting yourself on a visa other than an E-2 will be beneficial. E-1 visas are difficult to come by, so if getting yourself married is a possibility then that'll get you an F-series visa (F-2?) and you'll essentially be relieved of the E-2 visa chains.

My apologies if this doesn't make sense or reads more like ramblings; but, personally, I do not think ESL is a great career (especially in Korea) because of the very limited upward mobility AND terrible job security. Someone will surely say I am wrong and that good, stable, secure jobs exist. They do, they're just more difficult to find and will generally require more education and certifications; hence my belief that to make ESL a good career move you need to be focused.

Edit: If you are interested in pursuing additional education (MAT in ESL) in the United States and would be willing to teach in an urban district (read inner city schools), then you would do well to look into master's programs that offer reduced tuition, waived tuition, or waived tuition + a stipend if you commit to teaching in such a school district while earning your degree (and perhaps two or three years afterward).

[patapata]

On a more personal note, I'm finding that one of my main issues is that I'm in an environment where most people are having an adventure/first time abroad/etc. when I'm in a somewhat different place. I don't have to go into detail about what most people here get up to (btw, this is not a judgment call on those people). I'm a bit older, less interested in the party life and more interested in getting involved in projects or activities outside of work.

So much of what I'll ultimately end up doing here depends on the people I do/don't meet, both in terms of friendships and potential business/work partners. It seems that's often the case, no matter where you are. If I stay this isolated, I doubt I will be here for a second year. I go out, meet people, but usually it ends up just being a one-time thing. If I find some ways of practicing hobbies/taking classes/getting really deeply involved in projects outside of teaching work, the chances are a bit higher. And even if I stay for 2-3 more years, it would probably depend on finding a position in another city, perhaps Busan

[climber159]

I honestly don't think you'll find much of a difference in the people if you move to a different city/town in Korea...other than that there will be fewer people. Read my edit in my previous post above.

[patapata]

Thanks for your comments, climber. I do have my doubts about making ESL a career, as for me it would largely be a practical move at this point and something that I would probably aim to do on a part-time basis in the U.S. or Canada. I just don't have the energy to keep up with this intensive time in the classroom. Put me behind a stack of books for hours, I can handle that, but loud kids screaming in my ears all day, every day...no thanks. So it may be something that would provide a source of income at times, but not too much more than that.

One positive thing about Korea is that it is enabling me to explore my options and there do seem to be a number of people getting involved in other things outside of teaching (I see lots of foreigners involved in performances and some doing volunteer work here and there)...I just need to figure out how to join them...

[patapata]

Btw, just out of curiosity, what subject(s) do you teach?

[climber159]

I teach biology and special education.

[patapata]

Seems like this thread died off early but just wanted to say thanks (can't
PM yet). I've done some reflecting over the past few days and I think the key is really having an idea of what's next. I had to remind myself of some long-term plans I'd lost sight of in the whirlwind of moving abroad. I'm still "negotiating," but reminding myself again and again that the feeling will pass.

[PatrickGHBusan]

You can certainly have a career in ESL-TEFL in Korea but like climber said that requires being active and on the ball.

You have to plan your next moves ahead of time, identify goals and take actions that will contribute to reaching that goal.

In more practical terms, if you wish to have a fulfilling career in ESL (or heck anywhere else) you will need to network, upgrade your qualifications and go beyind the minimum effort when you work.

Use your free time to improve, take online courses, preferably to get an extra qualification that will help you further your career. Network by attending events or conferences where you can meet other people working in ESL. Networking starts at your job, get familiar with your supervisor and Korean co-workers, if you stay long term in Korea this will pay off in many ways.

Enhance your resume and employee profile in your job by getting active and going beyond the basics. Design activies, organise school events if you can...this all takes time and effort but if you are serious about a career it needs to be done.

In doing these things, you will end up meeting people that are like you instead of the new arrivals here for adventure (like you said).

Screaming kids is not all there is to ESL. There are places where you teach adult learners.

If you want to work outside of teaching in Korea this can be done too but it will require some extra effort. First, learn the language! Second, make sure you actually have qualifications for other jobs (IT degree for example) because a "BA in anything and being a native speaker" is worthless when it comes to other jobs. Again, you will need to newtwork.

What type of non-teaching work do you wish to have?

What type of projects?

When it comes to projects, you need to be careful with work visa restrictions as well.

[D.D.]

I dont think culture shock in Korea is as bad as the cultural isolation due to extreme racism. To call what I experienced culture shock would be wrong. Whatever it was it went away as soon as I set foot in China.

[patapata]

Patrick, thanks for the advice. The longer I'm here, however, the less interested I am in a long-term career in Korea. There are a few options that I'm considering to get qualifications for ESL/ELL, but I would most likely be looking to live elsewhere (back in the U.S. for a while or Canada). Unless this funk drastically improves, Korea and I are just not particularly well suited for one another...I'm not knocking it generally, but there are too many little things about it that add up at the end of the day. I was gently warned by a couple of friends who've lived and worked here (neither as English teachers) about some of the issues that come with the Korea package. Now that I'm here I can see exactly what they were talking about, constantly reminding myself that nothing is permanent, and working diligently on possible (post-contract completion) exit strategies.

In the remaining months, the projects I mentioned will most likely be 100% volunteer work and in creative areas that I have experience with back home and in other countries. I am just starting to tap into the local scene but there are some opportunities here.

D.D., do you mean things were better for you in China or worse? Are you living/working there now? I, too, have been in other countries and this is nothing like what I experienced before.