Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mark7]

Yeah, I've realized there are some challenges of being an Asian-(insert nationality) teacher at any hagwon or public school. Being in the public school system, its a nice job, but there are some challenges of trying to present yourself as a true native speaker, just because of your skin color.

I've talked to other Asian teachers in the public school system, and they told me to keep an open mind and expect confused thoughts from some students who don't realize there are more native English speakers than just white or black Americans.

This past week, one of my English teachers during her class was on the receiving end of questions about my true nationality, because they thought I was not truly an American because of my looks and thought I was another foreign national. In actuality, I am half-Korean, so there has been questions about my true race. However, my teacher duly explained to them that there are more possibilities to the American diaspora then just white or black. She explained that I could possibly be a mixed-Korean who grew up his whole life in the States, which is the case, and they should realize there are more races in America to consider.

So, I have some work cut out for me this year, because one of my goals is to break the stereotype of who is a true native English speaker. Yet at the same time I'm a half-Korean who wants to learn my roots and made this trek to come here. Hardly any of my students know that I'm a mixed-blood Korean, but I hope I can change their thinking if they do find out by the way I interact with students and present American culture to them; that I am a true American in how I behave, think, and act.

[fizban]

Mark,

I'm in a similar situation myself, though I haven't really had any issues of them thinking I was a Korean national As soon as I opne my mouth it's pretty apparent, I'm not a "Korean Korean".

So where do you teach? What level?

I'm a public high school teacher myself. Still pretty new to the ESL game.

[pkang0202]

I'm in the same boat as you.

However, the students figured it out pretty quickly that I was NOT Korean by the way I talked, my mannerisms, and the way the other teachers acted around me. The other teachers would wave and say hello instead of bowing and saying anyounghaseo. When the students saw this, they came around.

Just remember that the students are always watching you. Whether you are eating or walking around the halls. I made sure to tell my co teachers and other teachers that I will not speak any korean or bow infront of students, but in the teacher's office or after school use the common Korean greetings, gestures.

[Alyallen]