Korean Job Discussion Forums

moleyy · Joined: 06 Jul 2011

Without having prior teaching experience or a teaching certificate? I was hoping to do one or two years as ESL teacher to make money for grad school and had my hopes up for getting a school in Seoul as I have previously lived in the city for a year studying Korean so I know the city well and have a few friends there, however after speaking to a recruiter they think this may not be possible as they said most schools in Seoul prefer American speakers.

Has anybody had any success coming from UK without teaching certificate and getting a job in Seoul?

ibeattheborg · Joined: 17 Dec 2010 Location: the deep blue sea

Of course you can get a teaching job in Seoul, it's the biggest market in Korea for ESL jobs. Ask any of the the South African, Irish, Australian or New Zealand teachers that are working there now. I have come across this supposed preference for a North American accent but recruiters use this as a reason to offer you jobs in places that you don't want to work. Stick to your guns, use many recruiters and you will find a job in Seoul.

sister_sunshine · Joined: 18 May 2011

I've been told that by a recruiter before... and then offered jobs in the back of beyond. It's lies! I worked in Seoul for 3 years!

moleyy · Joined: 06 Jul 2011

So did you guys have any teaching experience? The only offer in Seoul I have been shown is CDI which after reading a lot of stuff doesn't sound very good as I'm mostly worried by people saying the training is like final interview stage. The problem is I have to find a job by end of September if I want to complete 1 or 2 contracts and start grad school in October 2012 or 2013 so can't really wait months for Seoul positions...

ontheway · Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 7:51 am Post subject:

Of course you can get a job in Seoul. However, more teachers prefer Seoul, so the competition for each position is greater. You may have fewer choices or a longer wait. There are more teachers than jobs available these days.

Outside of Seoul there is less competition, so it would be easier for you to find a job there. For any given recruiter on any given day it could be true that he or she has no jobs available for you in Seoul.

You'll have to choose whether to keep looking in Seoul or look outside of Seoul.