(Report comment)

(Report comment)

(Report comment)

(Report comment)

Nice summary of the Korean EFL scene, measuring by what I’ve read generally.

(Report comment)

What I would suggest for people coming here:

Seriously look at Busan over Seoul. Seoul is bigger and has more stuff going on, but Busan is a city of almost four million, with decent beaches and milder weather in both the summer and winter. It’s also a three-hour ferry ride away from Japan.

Koreans can be difficult at times, but I’ve found them warm and hospitable. If you make a good attempt to learn some of the language, as well as the history and culture, doors and arms will open. This isn’t the Land of a Thousand smiles like Thailand. You have to bring something to the table. A lot of foreigners come here and make no effort and then complain about how “unwelcoming” the place is. Well, it’s a two-way street.

Also, get into the food. I’m always surprised by Korean cuisine and eat it most of the time. It’s also a key into the culture and wins you respect with Koreans.

I suppose it comes down to your job, at the end of the day. If you mangage to get a good uni gig, Korea becomes a much better place to stay, especially given the fact that you’re probably travelling out of the country for AT LEAST two months out of the year.

My two cents.

(Report comment)

(Report comment)

(Report comment)

My boyfriend lives there now and I was hoping to teach there. I have a MA and am a US citizen but grew up in the Philippines, but it was still a no-go, mainly because of the E2 visa restrictions. But the two most difficult parts for me was that there were a lot of false hopes. It was also problematic that I am Asian. Its not a problem if you are Korean and grew up in the states but if you’re from a 3rd world country, then its almost impossible. And those that do, get 1/4th of the pay (I also met a fellow CS-er who was Filipino who taught in Thailand, and though he was able to negotiate good pay, he said that many Filipinos get paid pennies compared to what Americans get).

Another option is to work under the table (of course, not recommended but many still do it). The sucky thing is that many nationalities from non-English countries (like French, Germans, etc.) often get hired much more (even if not everyone has good english) as tutors or whatever compared to someone who doesnt look ……er…..like an “english speaker.”

Another thing is that I actually tutored Korean students, but here in the Philippines (ESL is actually HUGE here….students from other parts of Asia, Mid-east, etc come to study english or take up other courses like medicine since its half the price and taught in English). So many students actually travel around to learn English or do the phone service (like online tutorials) which go from 10 minute sessions to a maximum of 30 minutes. The people manning the phones don’t get paid that much (but better than minimum wage) but the clients pay something like $100 per session or something.

But ya, I’m going off tangent. It’s still in demand of course. But just much, MUCH tougher if you’re ….errrr…non-white. Sorry, it sounds horrible to say, but its a reality. I’m not saying all koreans think that way, but I guess those doing the hiring do.

But if you a) didnt grow up in the US, Canada, UK or Australia b) non-caucasian (no, this I’m not acting in a case of ‘reverse-racism’, its a reality. sucky reality, but a reality.) c) dont have a passport from any of those locations but still really want to go, then you can either:

a) risk working under the table. risky but some do it. Just hang around Yonsei. students are a lot more open
b) (for everyone) check out the “blacklisted schools.” I actually got “hired” by some of these, and my bad experience with getting rejected so often in a way, also made me a bit cautious about those that were a bit “too eager”…and voila! just google the school name and “blacklisted”
c) remember to check out the chat rooms and dont be afraid to ask around
d) BUT also dont let the Daves ESL chat rooms to color your decisions. Take things with a grain of salt coz for some reason, everyone there is angry or pissy about something. Rule of thumb, if more than 3 posts/websites blast the school, dont do it.

(AND i have to disagree with the author…though I dont teach there, people I’ve talked to, other koreans and current teachers there, the law is NOT always on your side. BE cautious beforehand. its not, I’ll jsut go and if it all goes to hell I can just go to the cops…and if you’re asian (sorry, sorry but 98% of the cases happen this way) then, forget it. I think its also because so many people who do move to to places like Korea and Japan are domestic workers and SADLY, are not always treated well).
e) Make your situation clear from the start. Insist that they check if it will be a problem. OFtentimes people just say “yes, its no problem” but they often arent in any authority to say so or are sales peole angling for the commission or is working by the numbers (getting applicants, regardless of whether they get through or not). So I’ve had a lot of “yes” that ended up becoming “no” after a lot of time and needless paperwork. so save yourself the trouble and lay your cards on the table.
e) Think about studying there. There are so MANY scholarships open to students from EVERYWHERE. My boyfriend observed something funny: ALL his American schoolmates are paying out of pocket, while nearly all other nationalities (european, asians, africans, etc) took on scholarships or found grants or funding. This isnt because there arent but I think its an important message and observation too. When he asked them, they just said they didnt think about it. (before anyone tears me down for this, I’m not anti-American and my point of saying this is to look under rocks and think outside the box….and besides, its a real observation)
f) Find other jobs…ESL isnt the only way to get abroad.

gah! sorry for the long post……..but I do hope it helps……..

Oh last tip…the BEST place to ask is the Seoul Couchsurfing site..a huge chunk are ESL teachers and those that arent can give you a lot of creative ideas. Plus, its really active!

AND if you’re looking for jobs in Asia (specifically in Manila), check out my post on transitions abroad :

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/shortterm/articles/jobs-in-the-philippines.shtml

and if you want to know more about Korea and working there, you can read and message Gero Schomaker (http://geroaway.wordpress.com/).He lives in Seoul and has got a lot of information on that.

(Report comment)

(Report comment)