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moonifyme
Joined: 19 Jan 2013
Location: New York, New York
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 Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 8:52 pm Post subject: Trying to apply with Korean citizenship - PS? Hagwon? |
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Hi guys,
I am currently a senior in college, will be graduating next May.
I initially want to go to grad school for a MA in TESOL, but I know its best to get experience before I make that big decision to spend even more money for an even higher degree.
Anyway, point being - I am a Korean citizen (immigrated to the US when I was three years old and lived here ever since), and a few weeks ago I contacted Korvia, a recruiting agency, and they had told me I would not be able to apply because I do not hold citizenship from an English-speaking country.
Has anyone else here with Korean citizenship ever teach abroad?
I don't know what the process is with Korean citizens and whether I still have a chance with public schools (because that is where I'm leaning towards more as opposed to hagwons).
But if my options are limited in being able to teach in Korea (though it is quite ironic as I am a citizen there), I am also open to hagwons (though a bit more eery). |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 5:42 am Post subject: Re: Trying to apply with Korean citizenship - PS? Hagwon? |
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| moonifyme wrote: |
Hi guys,
I am currently a senior in college, will be graduating next May.
I initially want to go to grad school for a MA in TESOL, but I know its best to get experience before I make that big decision to spend even more money for an even higher degree.
Anyway, point being - I am a Korean citizen (immigrated to the US when I was three years old and lived here ever since), and a few weeks ago I contacted Korvia, a recruiting agency, and they had told me I would not be able to apply because I do not hold citizenship from an English-speaking country.
Has anyone else here with Korean citizenship ever teach abroad?
I don't know what the process is with Korean citizens and whether I still have a chance with public schools (because that is where I'm leaning towards more as opposed to hagwons).
But if my options are limited in being able to teach in Korea (though it is quite ironic as I am a citizen there), I am also open to hagwons (though a bit more eery). |
Do you actually have US citizenship too? You can legally work in Korea as a Korean citizen and without recruiters. Public school is out as you can't be a Korean citizen and work as a native speaker. Not sure about universities. You'd have to renounce your Korean citizenship to work there. Hakwons won't care but may try to pay you a lower wage. You can argue with them and hold out for a native speakers wage and try to convince them your English ability is native speakers level. You may have to get rejected from a few jobs till one finally meets your demands; just stand firm and be prepared to wait and have some patience.
Only other issue that could be a problem is that you could get drafted into the Korean army for 18 months for mandatory military service. I've heard from Koreans who didn't grow up here and are fully westernized on the inside that it was an experience from hell as you have to deal with extreme Confucian and ajossi attitudes from your superiors. |
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moonifyme
Joined: 19 Jan 2013
Location: New York, New York
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| Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 10:50 am Post subject: Re: Trying to apply with Korean citizenship - PS? Hagwon? |
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Hey, thanks for the reply!
I should have clarified myself a bit more.
No I do not hold US citizenship as well. Just permanent residence (green card).
And I am also a female.
And on the EPIK website, it said permanent residents were eligible (but had to show proof of attending school in the US from middle school), but I feel that my chances are not as strong... even if I am a native speaker. |
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thrylos
Joined: 10 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Quite a few jobs on this board geared towards test-prep (SAT/TOEFL/AP) call for (bilingual) Kyopos. Not sure about the passport requirement, but those seem like a good bet, as opposed to "native speaker for conversation" or what have you. |
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Weigookin74
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to apply with Korean citizenship - PS? Hagwon? |
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| moonifyme wrote: |
Hey, thanks for the reply!
I should have clarified myself a bit more.
No I do not hold US citizenship as well. Just permanent residence (green card).
And I am also a female.
And on the EPIK website, it said permanent residents were eligible (but had to show proof of attending school in the US from middle school), but I feel that my chances are not as strong... even if I am a native speaker. |
If it says that on the site, then email another recruiter or apply to EPIK directly. http://www.koreanhorizons.com/reviews.php This is one I hear a lot of good things about. I suggest emailing them and forwarding the link from EPIK's website which suggests that permanent residents can apply. It's a British guy? named Alistair. (Always use a foriegn owned recruiter instead of a Korean one as much as possible.) Anyways, they'll be straight up with you from anything I've ever heard on this site. I have never used them myself simply because I have stayed in the same job working for the same POE. |
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faeriehazel
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:45 am Post subject: |
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| I have Korean citizenship and I've never had any trouble getting a teaching job at hakwons. |
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Jodami
Joined: 08 Feb 2013
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| Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 7:57 am Post subject: |
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| faeriehazel wrote: |
| I have Korean citizenship and I've never had any trouble getting a teaching job at hakwons. |
Congrats!  |
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moonifyme
Joined: 19 Jan 2013
Location: New York, New York
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| Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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| faeriehazel wrote: |
| I have Korean citizenship and I've never had any trouble getting a teaching job at hakwons. |
Hey, can you tell me your experience in applying specifically while holding Korean citizenship? Is the process slightly different?
And maybe recommend some hagwons which you thought were great/good to work at.
I'd really appreciate it  |
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faeriehazel
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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| moonifyme wrote: |
| faeriehazel wrote: |
| I have Korean citizenship and I've never had any trouble getting a teaching job at hakwons. |
Hey, can you tell me your experience in applying specifically while holding Korean citizenship? Is the process slightly different?
And maybe recommend some hagwons which you thought were great/good to work at.
I'd really appreciate it |
The biggest reason public schools and universities don't hire Korean citizens for most of their English teaching jobs has to do with government regulations and tax breaks. So as long as you're willing to work in the private sector, you shouldn't have too much trouble getting a job. Also, it really really helps to have a degree from a so-called elite university (I have an MA from a top 10). That can open a lot of doors for you.
Chungdahm Learning gets a lot of flak on this board, but IMO it's a decent place to work your first year in Korea. They don't care about citizenship as long as you pass their training. Also, you're not taking the same kind of risks you'd be taking with a smaller hakwon. You work a lot of hours, but you get paid on time and everything is pretty predictable. You are given all your teaching materials so prepping is a breeze. I found it boring after a while but some people prefer the routine. And once you have a year or two under your belt, you'll probably find it easier to transition to somewhere nicer.
Some of the smaller boutiques, like Hoyah or Chase, pay better and have more interesting curricula. They do hire people straight out of university, but again you'll need a degree from a good university to get your foot in the door. |
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moonifyme
Joined: 19 Jan 2013
Location: New York, New York
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| Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 11:56 am Post subject: |
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This is quite a bump but I've been questioning a lot of things recently
If I am a Korean citizen, what would happen to me regarding visas? I know that I pretty much would not need one, but isn't it required to work legally in Korea?
I was going to apply for naturalization but when I began hearing a bit that I would be able to go teach in Korea even as a Korean citizen, I thought maybe I could delay applying for US citizenship (its not the most pleasant thing to do while being away in college and having to pay the fees). But now I am having second thoughts because as in the beginning, I really am shifting towards public schools right now. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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| moonifyme wrote: |
This is quite a bump but I've been questioning a lot of things recently
If I am a Korean citizen, what would happen to me regarding visas? I know that I pretty much would not need one, but isn't it required to work legally in Korea?
I was going to apply for naturalization but when I began hearing a bit that I would be able to go teach in Korea even as a Korean citizen, I thought maybe I could delay applying for US citizenship (its not the most pleasant thing to do while being away in college and having to pay the fees). But now I am having second thoughts because as in the beginning, I really am shifting towards public schools right now. |
Without at least dual citizenship, you are unfortunately not going to find public school work. As a Korean citizen you must follow the same rules for teacher training as the multitude of others who are attempting to pass the National exam. If you decide to get your U.S. citizenship then you will have the option to give up your Korean citizenship and enter the country as a "foreigner" or attempt to go for dual citizenship, which I believe (but I am not 100% sure) is a doable thing for females since there is no military service requirement.
At any rate the only viable option you have available at this point is a hagwon position, and there are some good places to work within the hagwon industry. You just have to do your homework when finding a place to work. Since you are a Korean citizen anyway, why not just make a trip over, see some relatives and scope out the job situation during your visit? that would at least give you a firsthand idea of what you face in terms of employment. Good luck on your quest! |
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jvalmer
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 3:47 pm Post subject: Re: Trying to apply with Korean citizenship - PS? Hagwon? |
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| moonifyme wrote: |
Hey, thanks for the reply!
I should have clarified myself a bit more.
No I do not hold US citizenship as well. Just permanent residence (green card).
And I am also a female.
And on the EPIK website, it said permanent residents were eligible (but had to show proof of attending school in the US from middle school), but I feel that my chances are not as strong... even if I am a native speaker. |
I know of two girls that are Korean citizens working as NET's with EPIK. Grew up in an English speaking country but for some reason weren't able to get citizenship. But they work in one of the provinces. If you're set on Seoul, you maybe out of luck. Be willing to work anywhere in the country.
Anyways apply to EPIK, and see what happens. |
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faeriehazel
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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| moonifyme wrote: |
This is quite a bump but I've been questioning a lot of things recently
If I am a Korean citizen, what would happen to me regarding visas? I know that I pretty much would not need one, but isn't it required to work legally in Korea?
I was going to apply for naturalization but when I began hearing a bit that I would be able to go teach in Korea even as a Korean citizen, I thought maybe I could delay applying for US citizenship (its not the most pleasant thing to do while being away in college and having to pay the fees). But now I am having second thoughts because as in the beginning, I really am shifting towards public schools right now. |
Why are you worried about visas as a Korean citizen?
Having a US citizenship will make things a lot easier for you if you want to teach English in Korea. As a Korean citizen you would be automatically excluded from many positions, especially if you want to work in the public sector. IMO the most advantageous position as an ESL job seeker in Korea is to be on an F visa with citizenship from the US or one of the other English speaking countries. |
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