Korean Job Discussion Forums

[reeshar]

Has anyone had any experience of their accent being an issue, in employability terms? I'm looking to go out to Korea this autumn, so recently started actually getting my act together and contacted an agency, only to be told that as I am Scottish my accent might be a problem with some employers! Does anyone have any experiences to substantiate this? It seems a bit odd to me

[faster]

It's sad but true: Koreans favor N. American accents.

This is improving though, but it's still an issue.

Don't worry, there are enough jobs that you'll be okay. Just be aware that some people will have a hard time understanding you because they've been so used to N. American pronunciation.

[kat2]

You'll get a job. It might just take slightly longer than a blond canadian. PUblic schools especially seem to be less picky.

[LuckyNomad]

There is a high demand for english teachers, and well, Scottish accented english is better than Korean accented english.

[ilovebdt]

As long as you speak, slowly and clearly so everyone can understand you you will be fine.
I know two Scottish teachers here.

ilovebdt

[mrsquirrel]

Don't worry about it.

If they can understand Kiwi's and Ozzies they can understand you.

Heard a hardcore Ozzie accent last week I forgot how they stress their words differently. Found it difficult to listen at first.

[rhinocharge64]

Yep, i was fired because of my British accent. The wonjannim wanted me to speak with a North American accent, suffice to say I told him to take a long walk off a very short pier. He did me a favour, and I have never looked back. Like those who have said shop around there are plent of jobs to choose from. Ask them directly "do you have a problem with my accent".

[nobbyken]

If you speak slowly and clearly (like in an old folks home), you'll be fine.

Telephone interviews are particularly difficult; because a Korean with limited English ability and exposure only to NA accents may be interviewing you!

If you speak slow and clear, the problem should be cleared.

When teaching, most of the text books use words more familiar to Americans. I am afraid when I say them, there is a slight lilt in my voice and I sound more American/Australian than from the Outer Hebrides.

The kids won't have as much of a problem as the older people will.
Learn to say things in with different intonations and accents, to demonstrate that there are many ways to correctly speak Englishee.

Words to watch are: elevator, vacation, garbage, trash, bank, soccer, etc..

[mrsquirrel]

Just call them a bunch of wee bampots and it will be grand

[Masta_Don]

You'll have less responsibility becuz of it. I know one summer camp that put all the speech-making and announcement duties on the lone American becuz the camp didn't want the parents to know there were other accents. Another guy I knew, an Aussie, wasn't ever allowed to speak in front of parents.

[jinks]

[drunkenfud]

I'm Scottish. I sent out 5 applications and got offered 15 positions. So the recruiters obviously don't regard it as an issue.

Now I'm over here, I've had no problems as a result of my accent. It's true about the kids finding it easier to understand me than some of the older people though.