Korean Job Discussion Forums

tinus2003 · Joined: 19 Aug 2006

Maybe a little strange to ask, but I have my reasons. I am not a native speaker, but Dutch instead. I have lived and worked abroad for several years and speak English like any American would. But I'm not an American. I have read a lot of info about jobs in Korea and am a bit concerned that I won't be able to get the right visa, or even worse, a job as an English teacher. I have tought English before in China, and would really like to give it a go in Korea too. How do you guys consider my chances?

Many thanks.

Martin

cazador83 · Joined: 28 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

if you REALLY were like a native speaker, you wouldn't have said "many thanks." that's just weird.

just kidding. as far as i know they only want CITIZENs of USA/Canada/UK/Ireland/South Africa/Australia/NZ

HOWEVER, there was an Indian woman at my school who got paid just the same as every other foreign English teacher, but technically English was still one of her native languages.

good luck though!

edit: i'd suggest going through a recruiter for this one...or talking to a school directly.

heydelores · Joined: 24 Apr 2006

canuckistan · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:14 am Post subject:

mithridates · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:28 am Post subject:

There's also a Dutch university (STC or Shipping and Transport College) being established down in the south that you might want to check out:
http://wiki.galbijim.com/Gwangyang
No idea if that would help but there's an example of Dutch-Korean relations at work.

tomato · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 12:33 pm Post subject:

As I understand it, one must be a citizen of one of five or six countries to qualify legally.
But one does not have to be born in that same country.
I knew a foreign teacher who was a citizen of the United States but born in Vietnam.
Do you think you can get citizenship in an English-speaking country?

PaperTiger · Joined: 31 May 2005 Location: Ulaanbataar

You might not be considered a "native-speaker", especially if you have an accent. I worked with an Australian guy who was fired after they found out he is actually a Yugoslavian (or whatever) with a Aussie passport. So lame.

Look at it this way...you might actually get to say "Dutch-hater" a few times, and that would be wicked sweet.

lastat06513 · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 2:20 pm Post subject:

If Nigerians, Indians and Philippinos can get jobs as English teachers in Korea- yes, you can work there too.

Though I know the E2 requirements are alot more strict now, I think you might be able to find a job.

You might have to "prove" yourself by going and teaching in a remote location where no one wants to work and build a reputation as a teacher that is worth hiring and who would be a better candidate than a native speaker- considering some of the candidates, that wouldn't be so hard to do.

You just have to make yourself marketable and then you will be able to work with ease in Korea

pegpig · Joined: 10 May 2005

lastat06513 · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:55 am Post subject:

But how come there were people from other countries getting E2s then?

A school must prove that they can't find a native speaker to go there (IE, San-Wae) and they had to hire a non-native speaker.

How can SDA bring people over?
How can Pagoda, Wall Street or YBM hire people from countries other than the big-Native speaking English countries?

But I have to admit, it might get discouraging after several "NOs". But don't lose faith, after several "NOs" there is bound to be someone saying "YES"

But as the person above mentioned, the best thing to do is to just go to Korea and look, what harm can happen?
If you are smart about it and keep a low profile, you won't get into any trouble and make more than your share of the money that Korea has to offer...