Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tottenhamtaipeinick]

Honestly is Korea full of Canadians or something? I have been trying to get jobs in Seoul in Gangnam, Songpa or Jamsil yet everytime I get to the interview or they hand in my Resume to the School, I get the response sorry they prefer Canadian English. They don't just say Canadian but 'Canadian English'. So are Canadians selling a crock of Bull$%# to Koreans or do Koreans really think there is a big difference in the English Language depending on what country somebody comes from.

It appears anything outside of the main areas I get given a contract for yet I don't want it but anything I go for close is Canadians only?

Anybody else find this? Is there some kind of connection Canada has with Korea? I have lived with Canadians and their English accent isn't strong at all neither is mine even though I am from Australia sometimes people say they can't tell by my accent!

[tottenhamtaipeinick]

Sorry this sounds like a rant against Canadians which it isn't I am just finding it hard to get a job in such a small location! Damn ....

Anyway is it possible to sell myself even though I am Australian lol?

IDEAS????

[Ninja Bees]

I work with two Canadians out of 6 FT. I am from the south (states) and I don't even try to hide my accent (now) when I am talking to the Korean teachers. They just go with it because they know that I deliberately slow down and speak clearly with the kids.

Marking that you are Australian is an automatic indicator. If you get to the interview (and I am so sorry for saying this) try to hide your accent. I had to (southern accents are a whole different world to other states). Once you get past the interview, you should be golden.

[tottenhamtaipeinick]

Really?

But what about when they ask me which country am I from? I had one guy speak to me and near the end I said my gf was living here with me in Australia and moved back, to which he said "oh I thought you were from England". So I guess my Australian accent is hidden and not strong but every interview and even the initial contact with recruiters the main question is "where are you from?"

[Bondrock]

The hakwan owner may be referring to a serious site like this:
http://www.gts-translation.com/Canadian_English_translation.asp


Or maybe the boss wants the students to learn how to understand phrases like this:
"Hey Bye, pull over for a whiz and a six pack of Crullers at Horton's, eh?"

[Ninja Bees]

[oldtrafford]

Run a mile from joints that talk about accents, they're a bunch of fruit cakes the lot of them!! There are plenty of jobs that don't talk such nonsense!!

[tottenhamtaipeinick]

[fungrel]

I'm an Aussie, and i got a job through a recruiter in Australia... weird i know! I live in the countryside, and there are a lot of Saffas and UK folk there. As another poster indicated, if you are having trouble with recruiters or hagwon managers that care about accents, DON'T deal with them. Simple.

[Ice Tea]

Look at it from their perspective. If you want your school to feature the "General American Accent", the one used in movies and on TV, then you can hire a Yankee and have a pretty good shot at getting the right accent, or you can hire a Canuck and get a 95% shot at nailing the right accent, lest they be from Newfoundland.

Aussies, Brits, and Kiwis on the other hand can be a mixed bag, ranging from a slight variation in pitch to completely incomprehensible, even to me.

[ontheway]

Accent is important to what the school offers and promises its students. It also makes a big difference in what, how and how fast the students learn. It is important for young and lower level students to have a consistent model to emulate. Older students at higher levels can benefit from having a variety of accents, but lower level students will be handicapped by the same mix. There are many schools that will not hire Americans with heavy southern, New England or Texas accents for the same reason that they would exclude some Kiwis, Aussies, Irish and Scotts based on their sound - these are all outside of the standard English sound.

[tottenhamtaipeinick]

[tottenhamtaipeinick]

[sigmundsmith]

[mellow-d]

I think it's not only the Canadian accent but our tendency to speak slowly. I was on a flight in the States and the flight attendant asked me something. She spoke so fast, I had to get her to repeat herself. It was a little embarrassing.
In general, Koreans seem to have a high opinion of Canada. Maybe it's because we're begging skilled immigrants to come and settle in our country. Most Koreans I talk to have either visited Canada or at least know someone who has settled there through the government's campaign to attract skilled workers to the country.