Korean Job Discussion Forums

Keepongoing · Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Location: Korea

I look at other boards from other places and see all these well qualified teachers making 400-500 US A month and wonder why they don't come to Korea where they can make so much more. Sure those other places look attractive but I save twice as much as I would even be able to make in those places

blaseblasphemener · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:28 pm Post subject:

I've wondered this myself, and I attribute it to a surprising number of people who don't look at money when they are going abroad. They look at country, culture, travel, etc. I can't keep from thinking they are kind of being taken advantage of by company's who still charge large tuitition fees, yet put the money in the owner's pockets, and not the teachers. I know for a fact of one large chain of schools in China that teaches B.C. curriculum from Canada, and where students can go straight into Uni in Canada, but who's teachers are paid less than teachers in Korea. They also have to put up with all the hassles of daily life in China, like water shutting off, pipes bursting, electricity crashing, etc. But, if you are doing it for a year, and money is not your first objective, than I can see where these people are coming from.

jaganath69 · Joined: 17 Jul 2003

Short answer, food, sex and sunshine, baby.

lowpo · Joined: 01 Mar 2007

lastat06513 · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject:

The question shouldn't be how to bring these qualified teachers, but how to properly train and keep the ones that are already in Korea?

I got a feeling that because alot of people go to these places because of reasons other than money, that these places are able to retain their teachers longer than schools here in Korea.

Also keep in mind that places like China and Thailand seem to welcome foreigners or many people tend to think of foreigners more objectively then Koreans do, who tend to make a blanket judgement about ALL foreigners based on the actions of a few or what they see and hear in the media.

Something to think about...

cangel · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: Jeonju, S. Korea

Once I am debt free I would like to teach in a country that appeals more to me. Frankly, people are here for the money-or the vast majority are. I know many teachers in SE Asia and they are my age (30-something) and debt free. They live there for the beauty and adventure. I would love to work in Eastern Europe or SE Asia but with my debt, it's not possible.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

"lowpo" makes China sound great, but others have different opinions. How many times has it been said if you aren't at peace in Korea, you won'tlike China at all?

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Another benefit would be not having to deal with "Korean princesses".

I like women who are level headed and intelligent.

Very HARD to find these in Korea.

MissSeoul · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Somewhere in America

Remember this !
There are many ESL teachers in China and Thailand want to come korea to teach, but they are not qualified ( no degrees ), 95 % of native teachers in China and Thailand don't have degrees, so we are talking of 5% qualified teachers.

I've heard that China and Thailand have many WEIRD ESL teachers Laughing

lowpo · Joined: 01 Mar 2007

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

lastat06513 · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:24 pm Post subject:

Ms. Seoul, There is a BIG difference between hearsay and actually being there and knowing people who live or have been there.

I beg to differ because I have been to China (not Thailand...yet) and most of them have valid, legit degrees from places like Stamford, Harvard, Oxford, U of Athabasca, even Yale.

I have found more clowns and fakes in Korea than in any other place I have travelled to or worked.

gang ah jee · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: city of paper

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003