Korean Job Discussion Forums

[globalpilgrim]

Hi everyone,

I am not new to the forum as I have been spending a lot of time here, learning much from your posts. I never saw the need to register, but now that I am planning to work in Korea by the end of the year, I would like to ask you all for some advice regarding my situation:

I am a caucasian native English speaker.
Dilemma: I don't have a passport from any of the countries that would qualify me for an E-2 Visa.
My dad is from South Africa. My mom is from the Philippines. I was born in Germany. I grew up speaking English and my accent is that of a native. I have been working for Korean ESL schools for 4 years now and my status on the contracts always say that I am a native English speaker.

I have completed 2 Cambridge DELTA modules with distinction and intend to complete the rest of the course (one more module) when I am in Korea.

My specialisation is in Business Management and I have taught the course in university for 4 years before I decided to shift to ESL, primarily because of my desire to work in different countries. I hope to be able to teach at a uni in Korea or any institutions where students are adults, but as such posts are very competitive, I am willing to settle with Hagwon until I can find something better.

Like I said before, I am hoping to move to Korea by the end of 2013.

Questions:
1. What are my chances of being able to teach in Korea?
2. What advice can you give regarding my Visa situation and native speaker status?

[CentralCali]

Questions for you, the answers which will probably help get you accurate and helpful answers:

• What passport do you currently hold?
  
• Do you qualify for a South African passport?
  
• Where are those Korean ESL schools you mentioned located?

By the way, it's not the contract that determines your status as a Native English Speaker in Korea. The government in Korea determines that with some rather broad strokes of a very wide brush.

[globalpilgrim]

Hi CentralCali,
I have 2 passports: one from Germany, the other from the Philippines. I would no longer qualify for a South African passport since my dad gave up his nationality and got a German passport out of convenience.

The ESL schools I have worked at are located in the Philippines. Although I have had several opportunities to work in other countries (including China, Russia and Japan), I wanted to try Korea first.

I am aware that the Korean governmant has a very limited way of defining what a native English speaker is. My "non-native" passport has always been an obstacle, but only until I could prove that my English is just as good as any e-2 holder.

I find it odd that inexperienced teachers from English speaking countries have a better chance to teach in Korea than someone like myself. I love teaching and I have always been good at it, and it's quite insulting to have one's language competency measured by the travel document I hold.

I hope that there are ways to somehow beat the system.

[ttompatz]

With a Philippine and German passport you have no chance of legal employment in Korea as an English teacher. There is no option, no work-a-round, no "beating the system", no possibility.

Immigration is very clear in that to qualify for an E2 as an English teacher, you MUST have a passport from one of the "approved" 7 countries AND must also hold a degree from one of the "approved" 7 countries (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand).

It is of note that while you mention having completed 2 modules of your DELTA you have not said that you actually hold an undergraduate degree (a requirement for a visa in ALL of the ASEAN block, as well as China, and Korea.

IF you can prove 3 years of competency (actual classroom experience) you MAY be able to get work in Japan (on your German passport) without a degree.

IF you have an actual degree, with either your Philippine or German passports, you can find work as an EFL teacher in China and Thailand (schools or language academies), and Taiwan (buxibans). Because of your "non-native" status you will need a test of English competency (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC).

.

[globalpilgrim]

ttompatz,

I have an undergraduate degree in Business management. I did part of my education in Germany, but completed it in a university in the Philippines. Right after graduation, I was hired by the dean to teach management courses. I did this for 4 years, made a career decision to switch to ESL, and have been teaching English since (for more than 4 years).

All other countries, except Korea, don't have any problems hiring English teachers holding non-native passports. So based on your response, it is impossible for me to teach English there.

What if I applied to teach German and taught English "on the side"? Or got married with a Korean? Would that work? (the latter question is hypothetical)

[ttompatz]

[globalpilgrim]

[ttompatz]

Thailand is your best bet... use your German passport and take the TOEIC test when you get there (1500 thb on a Wednesday afternoon).

You'll be treated like any other European with similar credentials would be.

Use your Philippine passport and you will have issues and get paid about 1/2 what a German would.

.

[globalpilgrim]