Korean Job Discussion Forums

Jun Lee · Joined: 20 Jul 2007

What are the bare minimum requirements for teaching ESL for an F-4 Visa holder? I'm currently working on my BA in Business Admin with English/ESL coursework and I am looking to move back to SK with some family.

I'm guessing there are no requirements at all to teach privates, other than the usual teaching/language skills, but what about public/private schools? Do they still require a BA/BS degree for F-4 visa holders?

just another day · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:07 pm Post subject:

F-4 Visa means you have all the rights of a Korean citizen, except for the ability to vote.

Lots of kyopos teach during the summer break and a semester abroad while they are attending college in the states.

Jun Lee · Joined: 20 Jul 2007

I still don't fully understand the difference between a kyopo and a gyopo, or which one I am heh, but I'll look into that later. I'm basically a half Korean half Caucasian 23 year old male. My family will be moving back to S. Korea and I might not be able to fully complete my Bachelor's Degree program before they head out. I was considering moving to SK temporarily and save up a decent amount of funds to possibly come back to California to finish my college coursework.

littlelisa · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Location: Seoul

The difference between kyopo and gyopo is the spelling when it's romanized. One has a K, the other has a G. Nothing else.

In Korean, it's one letter, ㄱ. That letter is sometimes written as a K, sometimes as a G.

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

From what I understand you can move back and teach until you save up enough money.... A Gyopo(Kyopo) friend of mine was teaching here and making close to 3.0 per month without a BA (still doesn't have one) and her first language was Spanish.... It's about finding a school that will hire you.... Korean's who teach at English hagwons don't necessarily have degrees.... Also, the more western you look the easier it will be, but she was 100% Korean so it really doesn't matter..... The legalities as to privates are sketchier, however, I know F-4s are less likely to get booted....

Jun Lee · Joined: 20 Jul 2007

T-dot · Joined: 16 May 2004 Location: bundang

teaching at a hagwon without a degree is still illegal; this applies to everybody.

Im pretty sure the hagwons that hire korean teachers without a degree also dont declare them as a "teacher" to the education board or wherever they have to report teachers to.

Most of the korean teachers I've worked with had degrees. The few that didnt have 1 were a) hired to clean up after the kids b) were the first 1's fired or
c) were often looked down upon for not having a degree.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007