Korean Job Discussion Forums

plato's republic · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Location: Ancient Greece

How do you see the future of ESL/EFL teaching in Korea within the next five years? What things will change? Will there be any improvements in working conditions such as higher wages or less working hours? Will the number of teachers increase or decrease? What steps will the Korean government take in order to streamline the hagwon teaching industry in this country, if any?

And finally, will you still be here in five years time? Why? Why not?

Homer · Guest

How do you see the future of ESL/EFL teaching in Korea within the next five years? What things will change?

Interesting question...want us to indulge in the game of market forecasting eh? Well for all its worth here is what I think....

Will there be any improvements in working conditions such as higher wages or less working hours?

Wages might raise because of the fact that the ESL market is becoming more and more competitive with China opening up and improving working conditions there. This means a tougher game for Korea when it comes to attracting teachers, hence...this might lead to a raise in the wages....much as it did post-IMF when there was a severe teacher shortage here.

Will the number of teachers increase or decrease?

Personally, as China becomes a more viable ESL destination, I think this will mean a decrease in the number of teachers here due to sheer cultural pull.

What steps will the Korean government take in order to streamline the hagwon teaching industry in this country, if any?

They have started on that path with the increased funding to the EPIK program and the opening of more positions in Public Schools. As far as streamlining the hakwon industry that is a difficult task as the industry is heterogenous, i.e. made up of disparate elements and owned privately.

And finally, will you still be here in five years time? Why? Why not?

Most likely we will be here in 5 years time. Unless our situation goes down the drain or something much better comes up. I have good job progression here and a blooming consultant gig. My wife will return to her job soon and our life here is pleasant and conforable along with a rich family life and a good lifestyle.

chronicpride · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Pardon this interruption, but Chronic & others, what are these "English Villages" like, and what are your views on them? How do you rate their appeal, their impact on the ESL industry, and their future... viability? Will this be the next beer & chicken hof craze, the next 24-hour shop craze, the next PC bang craze? (build it and they will come, but then every Swinging D1ck builds one & nobody comes) Or are students marched off to these things concentration-camp style?

holiday72 · Joined: 05 Jan 2006

The Engish Village's have been popping up like crazy the last 2-3 years. A couple started in Seoul and have spread basically to every province. They teach in an immersion type environment. There are fake banks, shop's, restaurants etc. Where the kids go through the motions of buying, shopping or ordering in English. I work for one in Chungcheongbuk-do province and love it. The pay and benefits are great, we live where we teach. Some people dont like that but I love to roll out of bed and walk down the stairs and be at work. If you want more info feel free to pm me.

It seems the Village's are going very well, dont be suprised to see many more popping up in the next couple years.