Korean Job Discussion Forums

Drizzt · Joined: 20 Nov 2005

Hello everyone!

This is my first time posting on the Korean boards.

Right now I'm working in China and next year I plan to get married to a local here in Shanghai. After my contract ends, however, I plan to come to Korea to work (mainly because I can't save a cent here in China--although the experience was great). I'm wondering if it will be difficult to get my future Chinese wife a visa to stay in Korea. Also, will it be possible for her to work as well? She has a degree from a public university here in China, and she is very independent-minded. She will want to work, but I know she won't be happy as a waitress--is there a realistic opportunity for her to find professional work even if she can't speak Korean? (Right now she does product label/logo designing for a small company)

I appreciate any insight you can give!

Also, if any of you have a Chinese spouse and is living in Korea, please PM me!

In case my info is relevant:

I'm a 27 year old American with a BA, CELTA, and 1 year teaching experience at a college in Shanghai.

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

I think it's gonna be a challenge, but I'm sure you can do it. Unfortunately, the world looks down on the Chinese. Even if you chose to go to Hong Kong they'd look down on her as a "mainlander". Certainly there are jobs teaching Mandarin here, there are several Mandarin hagwons in Gagnam I've seen signs for, and I know a Chinese university student who does private tutoring all over Seoul. The money is smaller so I guess they aren't targeted by immigration as much as we English teachers are.

peppermint · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:35 pm Post subject:

Lots of adult hagwons also have Mandarin teachers too, though from what I saw they weren't treated quite as well as the English ( foreign) teachers

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

My wife is Indonesian, living here with me in Korea on a Dependant Spouse visa, which I arranged earlier this year. If you want any advice please PM me as I have helped someone else through this before.

Drizzt · Joined: 20 Nov 2005

Thanks for the advice everyone!

It's nice to know many adults hagwons have Mandarin teachers as well. Any ideas on the qualifications they usually require for Chinese teachers?

The Great Toad · Joined: 12 Jun 2004

The Two Swords now the thing is I thought the plate armor Orc went down hard... maybe an anticlimax did he regen with the bull and cat sacrifice in hus body. Err I think Mork the thief is a complete ripoff of the Grey Mouser mmmm then again some would say Dumas was the first sort of adventure hack sword dashing writer... Oh ahhh Drizzt ahhh right mmm yeah ahh your wife Cati errr I mean the well educated China lady umm I have no clue sorry can not help mmm you know I do know the Korean Fovernment employs China natives to teach in public schools though mmmm may be to late for her to apply ahhh what were we talking about errrrr the thing is I like the dagger and ash sheedding swerd fellow better mmm I should finish war and peace I did start it though.

hope this helps you Drizzt say "hi" to Wulfgar for me.

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

I think you should look into a foreign language high school. There are many, especially in Seoul, and they teach many different languages.

Drizzt · Joined: 20 Nov 2005

Thanks Zap, I will look into that!

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

Drizzt · Joined: 20 Nov 2005

Thanks Roch, that's a good idea. She has no teaching experience, but maybe all they require is a native Chinese speaker with a BA. Know the names of any Chinese languages schools offhand?

rok_the-boat · Joined: 24 Jan 2004

In order to get her a measure of respect, enrol her in a Korean language programme at one of the major universities. Once 'affiliated' she'll likely make friends and fare better. In the student world, part-time jobs arrive by word of mouth. Several of the Chinese students in our Univ are work legally (possible from second semester) teaching Chinese.

Prince Frog · Joined: 03 Oct 2005

Cedar · Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 5:34 am Post subject:

Okay... my husband is Chinese, and I can't get him a dependent visa because I'm on a student visa now, but if you are working and you get your school's permission and cooperation, you can sponsor her for a dependent visa. However, you should absolutely NEVER mention anything about her working. After she has arrived, you chill on your salary and enroll her in some Korean classes (she'll learn faster than you, anyway) and then start looking for a job for her after you know your way around. There are HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of Chinese hagwons. They don't advertise on this website, but in country and able to wait until an opening shows up, she'll be fine. They do not, however, pay very well.

I am trying to get my husband a short tourist visa... even that is hard! We will know for sure sometime in the next two weeks.