Korean Job Discussion Forums

[aqm22]

Hi, I'm sort of new to this whole thing. From all the research I've been doing I realized that since I'm Asian (not Korean either) and the fact that I wasn't born here (parents brought me here when I was 10. 26 now) will hinder my chances of getting a teaching job. However, it's not impossible (if it is please tell me), as I'm told, just really difficult. So, I get that. I still wanna try.

My question is, how do I approach this? Do I ignore the part where it says "native speaker only" and send in an application? Then argue my case later? Or do I specifically look for ads that doesn't say that? ...I'm a little lost of how to go about things.

I know the market is tough (though people seems to debate this back and forth) so I'm not really picky. Korea is not the only place I'm applying to but it is a place where I really want to go.

[ttompatz]

Do you have a passport from one of the approved 7 countries?

Do you have a high school completion and undergraduate degree from one of the approved 7 countries?

IF yes and yes, then it is a non-issue.
If no to either of the above then look elsewhere because you won't get a visa.

.

[CentralCali]

An additional question to those Tom posted above:

By here, I take it you mean one of the "Big 7" countries. Are you now a citizen of one of said countries? If you already got naturalized, then it's not an issue. If you were born a citizen of one of those countries, it's definitely not an issue.

[aqm22]

Yes to all. I am a citizen of the US and possess a brand new passport (I lost my old one). I also have a BA in Communication.

So, you're telling me that it doesn't matter. I just apply anyway to all of them that says "native speaker"?

Edit: I was never naturalized, per se, like going through the process. My parents were citizens so I am automatic citizen. Don't really know how that worked, but it does.

[TheUrbanMyth]

You are fine then. It will likely be more difficult but you qualify for the E-2 visa. Apply whenever you wish.

[SpiralStaircase]

My first gig in SK was at a medium sized hakwon in a medium sized city. One of my fellow NTs was Vietnamese-Canadian. He was born in Canada. No accent. Western in every way.

The Hakwon treated him like a second class citizen. He was ordered to buy new clothes that made him look �more western.� They took him to a salon and had his haired permed and streaked. He was paid 25% less than the other foreign teachers. Every student that quit the school did so because �he was not a real Westerner.�

Said teacher was one of the best teachers I have ever worked with. He was a great communicator, full of energy and students loved him.
This was back in 2005-2006 and in a fairly conservative city. Thanks in part to the introduction of NTs and GTs in schools, Korea has become much more tolerant.

I would definitely recommend teaching for SMOE/EPIK, universities, and buisness. Hakwons are more image centric. Although rare, the possibility of abuse is cause for concern. Do your research well.

Best of Luck!

[aqm22]

@SpiralStaircase: Thanks for the heads up. It gives me hope that at least you know someone that found work =)

I'm fully aware of the bias I'm going to face. Sexism and racism are greatly present within Asian culture. I see it within the older generation of my family and they're actually more tolerant than most. I'm not saying it won't be hard or it wont affect me at all. But knowing it exist even if potentially will prepare me for it.

I want to do this because I have itchy feet, and I like kids and teach.

[SpiralStaircase]