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- A Guide -
Complied by American Citizen Services, U.S. Embassy, Seoul
Overview / Types of
ESL Positions / Visas /
Contracts / Sources
of Information
Cultural Pitfalls / Adapting
to Korea / How the Embassy Can Help
Over the last few years the U.S. Embassy has received many inquiries about
teaching English in Korea. We have prepared this informal guide
to give teachers basic information on the business of teaching English
here so that they can be better informed before committing themselves
to a particular job.
Unfortunately some American citizens come to Korea under contract, with
promises of generous salaries, bonuses and other amenities, only to find
themselves in difficult situations, often lacking funds to return to the
U.S. The Embassy, by regulation, cannot enter into any case, conduct
an investigation, or act as a lawyer in legal
or contractual mishaps experienced by U.S. citizens. We can neither
investigate nor certify employers. It is up to each individual
to evaluate potential employers before signing a contract.
We hope the information that follows will prove useful. If you have any further questions,
please contact us. Complete contact information and our office hours can be found at
the end of this text.
OVERVIEW
Many Americans have enjoyed their teaching experiences in Korea; others
have encountered problems. The key to happy and fruitful employment
as a language instructor in Korea is to be employed by a reputable school
and to negotiate a well-written contract before leaving the U.S.
We advise anyone considering accepting an English teaching job in Korea
to carefully review the terms of the contract regarding working and living
conditions. It would also be useful to ask for references from persons
familiar with the institution, especially American former and current employees.
The KOTESOL teacher's association is a good source for up-to-date information
on teaching in Korea. Information about this group can be found
at their website
This guide will discuss the types of positions available
in Korea, visa matters, contract
considerations, sources of information, cultural
pitfalls to consider, tips on adapting to Korea,
and how the Embassy can help.
TYPES OF ESL POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN KOREA
Most English teachers work in language institutes ("hakwon" in Korean).
There are, however, positions available in several types of institutions
- private foreign language institutes (hakwons)
- corporate in-house language programs
- university language institutes
- university academic departments
- government/private research centers
- editing/public relations, advertising companies - private
teaching/informal classes
HAKWONS
Private language institutes are found all over Korea. Some institutes
are well-known with many branches while others are small and short-lived.
The ESL market in Korea is extremely competitive and many institutes fail.
Most hakwons employ a number of instructors for conversation and occasionally
for writing classes. The typical employee can expect to work 20
to 30 hours per week. The majority of classes are conducted early
in the morning and in the evening, so many instructors have free time
in the afternoons. Most classes have between 10 and 25 students.
Pupils may be grade school or college students, or businessmen who are
contemplating overseas assignments. Some of the better institutes
will provide housing for instructors. The average salary is currently
about two million won per month (US $ 1,700).
PRIVATE BUSINESS PROGRAMS
Most large corporate groups (chaebol in Korean) have their own
in-house programs. The typical instructor can expect to teach more
than 30 hours per week, teaching all day from early in the morning to
late at night. Most are intensive residential programs where the
students study for three to six months. Some employers provide full
benefits including housing, but the instructor may be required to either
live on campus or commute long distances from Seoul. The average
salary for these institutes is currently between 2.1 to 2.5 million won
per month (US $ 1,700 to US $ 2,000).
UNIVERSITY INSTITUTES
Major universities in Seoul, as well as some provincial universities,
operate foreign language institutes. Some pupils are university
students, but the majority of students are businesspeople. These
institutes tend to have the highest hiring standards in Korea; most instructors
have MA degrees in TESOL, and years of teaching experience. The
pay, status and benefits offered by these institutes are among the best
in Korea. As a result there is very low turnover.
UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENTS
Most universities in Korea employ full-time English conversation instructors.
University classes tend to be large, with little personal contact with
the students. Most instructors teach between ten and 15 hours a
week. Most universities in Seoul do not provide housing, and some do not
provide the benefits required by law. Monthly salaries currently
tend to run about 2 million won (US $ 1,700) per month, with three to
four months of paid vacation per year.
TEACHING IN THE PROVINCES
Provincial universities generally provide better housing, working conditions
and salaries, and tend to treat foreign instructors as part of the faculty.
The better working conditions, however, should be balanced against the
cultural isolation a foreigner may encounter living in the Korean countryside.
GOVERNMENT/RESEARCH INSTITUTES
Many government agencies and some private companies operate research institutes.
Most of these institutes hire foreigners who have degrees in the humanities,
economics or business administration as full-time editors. Editors
proofread correspondence and research publications, write speeches, and
occasionally teach. Most institutes pay quite well, and some provide
housing. Because these institutes tend to be government-run or affiliated
with corporate groups, their instructors seldom experience problems in
obtaining work visas.
EDITING/PR/MEDIA
Quite a few public relations and advertising companies in Korea
hire foreigners to work as copy editors, and occasionally as teachers.
These positions are very hard to obtain as they are quite popular with
the resident English-teaching community. There are also opportunities
to appear on television programs, movies and radio. Most of these
positions pay quite well and some provide housing assistance.
KORETTA/EPIK KOREAN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM
This fairly new, Korea-wide, government-sponsored program places native
speakers in every school district in Korea and presents a unique opportunity
for the adventurous to live far from tourist routes and population centers.
While recruiting and training appear to be performed quite professionally,
teachers' living and working experiences vary considerably.
Some are welcomed with open arms and treated extremely well. Others,
arriving in areas where the program has been forced upon reluctant, underfunded
schools, are not wanted and this is made clear to them from the beginning.
Housing, benefits, reliability of pay, and access to ombudsmen is steadily
improving, but still has a long way to go.
PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT
Many full-time English teachers teach part-time as well, either at another
institute or with privately-arranged classes. Extra-contractual
private instruction is illegal; however many English teachers do take
private students. Part-time instruction at a second institute is
legal only with permission from the sponsoring institute and Korean immigration
authorities. Private students pay more per hour, but some instructors
have found it hard to maintain long-term private classes. One should
arrange for private lesson fees to be paid prior to each class.
The Embassy reminds teachers that they are personally responsible for
any violations of Korean teaching and immigration law they might commit.
VISA MATTERS
EMPLOYMENT VISAS
In order to work legally in Korea, one must first obtain the appropriate
employment visa. The Korean government tightly controls visa issuance
for employment, and sometimes teachers have been unable to obtain visas.
A person who wishes to work in Korea must obtain the visa outside Korea.
One can, however, come to Korea on a tourist visa, obtain sponsorship
documents, and apply for the visa in a nearby country. Depending
on the job and other factors, it can take between one week and two months
to obtain the appropriate visa. A teacher arriving in Korea with
a teaching visa must register with Korean Immigration and obtain a residence
certificate and re-entry permit within 90 days of entry.
Additional information about visas for Americans to Korea is available
here.
Americans in Korea planning to travel to Fukuoka, Japan should follow
this link to learn about applying
for a Korean visa in Fukuoka.
Employers, on behalf of Korean government agencies processing your
case, may briefly need your passport for visa or permit purposes.
Despite what some employers may tell you, you are not required to hand
over your passport to your employer for the duration of your stay.
It is your passport; keep it yourself.
Korean Immigration offices require the same documentation that was used
to obtain the visa, so one should make plenty of copies. The Embassy
has a complete listing of the various visa categories and fees, as well
as contact information for Korean Immigration offices and for Korean consulates
in the United States. Visa categories and fees may change from time
to time, so they should always be confirmed with Immigration or a consulate.
Most English instructors are granted either an E-2 visa (conversation
instructor), an E-1 visa (professor at educational institution higher
than a junior college), or an E-5 visa (professional employment with a
public relations firm or corporation). Dependents of diplomats stationed
in Seoul can work as English teachers by obtaining a work permit from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This can be handled through the
Embassy personnel office. An individual who is married to a Korean
citizen can also acquire permanent residency and the right to work under
the F-2 category.
REQUIRED FORMS
In order to obtain both the visa and the residence permit (which must
be obtained within 90 days of entry) the following documents must be submitted
with your passport and application form to either a Korean consulate or the Korean
Immigration office
1. sponsorship guarantee form (notarized) (shin won pojunso)
2. contract, not less than one year and not more than two years (ko
young kyeyakso)
3. certificate of employment (chaejik junmyungso)
These documents are supplied by the employer and should be arranged one
month in advance to allow for mistakes and other mishaps. In addition,
the authorities will probably require the following
4. statement of purpose
5. resume
6. passport photos
7. notarized copy of college diploma
8. transcripts and/or resumes
9. references or substantiating documents from foundation, institute or organizations you
are working for.
The Ministry of Education, which also must approve the visa and the residence
permit, requires English teachers to obtain and submit Embassy-notarized copies of their
resumes with their applications for residence permits. This can be accomplished quickly. Notarial services cost $30
for the first document, $20 for each additional documents.
CHANGING EMPLOYERS
Korean Immigration must approve changes in employment. This is accomplished
through leaving Korea and entering under a new visa with a new sponsor.
Changing one's employer while in Korea is quite difficult and requires
written consent of the original sponsor. Even with such consent,
many teachers have found it nearly impossible to effect such a change
while in Korea, and some have even been arrested and deported for overstaying
their original visas while trying to change employers
within the country. Questions on this procedure should be directed
to the nearest Immigration office or Korean consulate here.
LEGAL WARNING
Some Americans have run into serious legal problems with Korean Immigration
because they either work as English teachers while in Korea on tourist
visas or they accept part-time employment or private classes without obtaining
the proper permission. Violation of Korean immigration laws can
result in severe penalties including imprisonment, fines of up to 100,000
won ($80) for each day of overstay, or deportation with a ban on re-entry
for up to two years. It is your responsibility to understand local
laws and to obey them.
If you violate Korean visa laws, the Embassy cannot assist you other
than to provide you with a list of attorneys.
CONTRACTS
Foreign instructors in Korea occasionally have contract disputes with
their employers. Many have observed that in the Korean context, a contract
appears to simply be a rough working agreement, subject to change depending
on the circumstances. Many Koreans do not view deviations from a contract
as a breach of contract, and few Koreans would consider taking an employer
to court over a contract dispute.
Instead, Koreans tend to view contracts as always being flexible and subject
to further negotiation. Culturally, the written contract is not
the real contract; the unwritten, oral agreement that one has with one's
employer is the real contract. However, many employers will view
a contract violation by a foreign worker as serious, and will renege on
verbal promises if they feel they can. Any contract should be signed
with these factors in mind.
BASIC FEATURES OF MOST TEACHING CONTRACTS
Contracts for teaching positions should include provisions for the following
salary, housing, tickets home, working hours, class size, severance pay,
taxes, and medical insurance. If these items are not included, one
should negotiate until they are. Information on these topics is
given below. When in doubt, ask; get it in writing, and remember
that only the Korean-language version of the contract is legally binding
in Korea.
SALARY
Most contracts provide for either a set monthly salary, or for a salary
based on the number of hours taught. In any event, a guaranteed
monthly remuneration should be included in the contract. Payment
dates, methods, and currency should be specified in advance.
HOUSING
Few contracts provide for housing in Seoul. This can be a serious
problem as housing in Seoul is among the most expensive in the world.
Housing options include key money (yearly deposit), monthly rent, shared
housing, dormitories, lodging houses, and inns. If your institute
does not provide housing, it should at least be able to help you in finding
housing, and in negotiating the appropriate rent and utility payments.
Teachers who have been promised housing might want to request photos,
floorplans or furniture inventories in advance. Koreans have very
different ideas of what 'western' and 'furnished' housing mean.
'Furnished' might only mean a linoleum floor and a 2-burner stove.
'Western' usually just means an apartment with an indoor bath. Koreans
measure housing space in 'pyong'. One pyong is approximately 36
square feet. Pyong measurements usually include the front porch,
utility room, etc. Monthly rents can run from U.S. $1300 to U.S.
$2000 for a modest apartment.
KEY MONEY SYSTEM (CHUNSEE)
Key money (chunsee) is a year's rent paid in advance; with no monthly
rent payment. At the end of the contract period, the renter receives
the chunsee back without interest. Chunsee can be risky
because property ownership may change in the middle of the contract period,
or an unscrupulous owner may simply decide that the foreigner is in no
position to fight for the chunsee. One can reduce this risk by
having the employer agree to pay the chunsee. Chunsee payments
run from a minimum of 30 million won (US $ 25,000) for a studio in a less
desirable part of town to 500 million won (US $420,000) for a small apartment
in one of the richer neighborhoods.
Wolsee is a variation of chunsee. The renter pays a certain
amount per month plus an initial deposit which he receives back when s/he
moves out. The same caveats apply as with chunsee.
DORMITORIES, LODGING HOUSES (HASUK) AND INNS (YOKWANS)
Yonsei, Ewha, Seoul, Hanyang, Konkuk, and Hankook Universities all have
dormitory accommodations available. In addition, the Korea Research
Foundation runs an International House for foreign students. Sometimes
these dormitories can accommodate foreign instructors, but they usually
only accommodate their own regular faculty. Shared housing is a
popular alternative, but be careful in choosing roommates and spell out
financial arrangements in advance.
Lodging houses (hasuk) are popular with young Koreans in college
or just starting out in their professional careers. Single rooms
run about US $250 per month, and include Korean-style breakfast and dinner,
and sometimes include laundry service. The disadvantage is the lack
of privacy.
Another option is staying with a local family. This can be an excellent
opportunity to experience Korean life and culture, but again the lack
of privacy can be a disadvantage. Most instructors who live in such
homestays eventually move into more private accommodations.
Finally, some people rent rooms in yokwans (inns) on a monthly basis.
This is similar to staying in a lodging house, at about the same cost
with no food provided, but offers far less security and less privacy as
well. Some yokwans cater to short-term clients and criminals, so
staying in a yokwan may cause some Koreans to treat you with a lack of
respect.
TICKETS HOME
Some institutes promise to provide tickets home upon completion of a contract
or to reimburse teachers for the trip to Korea. One should be aware
that sometimes this commitment is not honored. Consider requesting
an open-ended round trip ticket in advance. Please note that the Embassy
does not have funds to help you obtain tickets home.
WORKING HOURS
Most institutes require foreign instructors to teach five to six hours
per day, Monday through Friday, and some also ask instructors to teach
Saturday morning as well. Universities will usually require 10 to 15 hours
per week plus participation in student activities such as editing school
newspapers. Research centers usually require 40 hours per week,
with occasional uncompensated overtime. Saturday morning is a normal
part of the Korean work week. Teachers may have to teach early morning
or late evening classes to accommodate working students.
CLASS SIZE
This is usually not spelled out in the contract. Private institutes
usually have classes of between 10 to 20 students, while universities
can have as many as 100 students in a class.
SEVERANCE PAY (Taechikum)
The Embassy receives many inquiries and complaints about severance pay
issues. It is a good idea to broach this subject early in your employment,
and to be prepared for resistance. By Korean law, discussed below,
all full-time employees, Korean or foreign, are entitled to receive severance
pay of one month's salary for each year of employment. Employers
cannot ask you to waive this, nor can they get around it by employing
you on an 11-month contract. However, Korean courts have ruled that
unless a Hakwon instructor actually TEACHES 40 or more hours per week,
as spelled out contractually, he is NOT 'full-time' and is NOT eligible
for severance pay.
The Ministry of Labor has jurisdiction over severance pay matters.
The Ministry of Labor's general number is (02) 503-9727. The International
Labor Policy Division of the Ministry of Labor (Tel 02-504-7338) may,
at your request, call employers to remind them of their legal obligations.
The Ministry of Education may, at your request, call employers to remind
them of their legal obligations. If you have exhausted all other
avenues and feel that you need to take legal action, the Embassy can provide
you with a list of local attorneys.
Severance pay rights are covered by the Labor Standards Act of the Korean
Legal Code. English language translations of the Code are available
at the Kyobo Bookstore, located near the Embassy. The key provisions
of the Labor Standards Act as they relate to severance pay include the
following
Article 28 (Retirement Allowance System) 1) An employer shall
establish a system by which average wage of not less than thirty days
per year for each consecutive year employed shall be paid as retirement
allowance to a retired employee. Provided, however, that this shall
not apply in cases in where the period of employment is less than one
year.
Article 5 (Equal Treatment) No employer may include any discrimination
in the terms of labor conditions because of nationality, religion or
social status.
Article 10 (Scope of Application) stipulates that the act applies to
all enterprises except small family businesses, domestic servants, and
those exempted by Presidential decree.
KOREAN TAXES
Most foreign employees are required to pay Korean income taxes, which
are generally withheld and paid by the employer. Teachers working
for colleges or universities are sometimes entitled to an exemption from
paying Korean taxes for up to two years because of the U.S.-Korea Tax
Treaty.
Article 20 of the Korean tax code states An individual who
is a resident of a contracting State, and who at the invitation of any
university, college, or other recognized educational institution, visits
the other contracting State for a period not exceeding two years solely
for the purpose of teaching, or research or both at such educational
institution shall be taxable only in the first mentioned State on his
remuneration for such teaching or research.
The Tax Office maintains a list of institutes that are tax exempt.
This provision applies only to teachers employed at universities, research
centers, or university-operated institutes. (Teachers at hakwons
and at private companies have to pay taxes.) The General Affairs
section of the university or research center should be able to apply for
the exemption. If the institute wrongly withholds taxes, it is required
to pay a refund.
For guidance on these matters contact the Korean Tax Office, as they have
been helpful in arranging compliance with these provisions. They
also publish an English language Income Tax Guide for Foreigners.
This guidebook comes out in April of each year, and is available free
from any tax office. The Korean tax year runs from May 31 to the
following May 1, with May income estimated. In most instances, one's
employer files the appropriate tax forms, but if they do not file, the
individual must do so.
If you believe that your employer is not complying with Korean tax laws,
your first step should be to discuss the matter with him or her.
If that does not work, you should discuss the matter with the Korean Tax
Office, International Taxation Division, 397-1583/4, or the nearest Korean
Tax Office. If the problem is still not solved, you may wish to
contact an attorney.
PENSION PROGRAM
Foreigners living in Korea are required to pay into the national pension
plan, just as foreigners living in the U.S. must pay into Social Security.
An agreement effective April 1, 2001 between the U.S. and Korea improves Social Security
protection for people who work or have worked in both countries. For more information
on this agreement, please see the website for the Social Security Administration
These payments are a common source of concern for ESL teachers. Follow
this link to learn more about
how the system works in Korea (on the main page is a link to an abbreviated
version of the site in English), or call the general affairs department
of the National Pension at 02-2285-2618.
U.S. TAXES
Americans residing abroad are not exempt from filing requirements, but
are, under certain conditions, entitled to exclusions on foreign-earned
income. More information on overseas income and filing is available
from the IRS publications "Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens Abroad" and "Overseas
Filers of Form 1040." These and other Federal tax forms are available
at the Embassy, or may be downloaded at U.S.
Federal Tax Forms.
IRS representatives are available year-round at the IRS regional
office in Tokyo. They may be contacted by mail, phone or fax
Internal Revenue Service
U.S. Embassy, Tokyo
10-5, Asasaka 1 Chome,
Minato-ku (107)
Tokyo, Japan
TEL 81-3-3224-5470
FAX 81-3-3224-5274
E-mail: www.irs.gov
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Foreign instructors are entitled to Korean medical insurance through their
employer. This should be clarified at the time of acceptance of
employment. Employers often buy the minimum policy required, which
provides about 400,000 won (about $500) worth of coverage. Those
desiring more coverage should negotiate with their employers or buy their
own.
Medical care in Korea is generally good, but, while not as expensive as
in the United States, can still be costly. Many practitioners and
hospitals will not accept overseas health insurance, and may require payment
before treatment. It is therefore very important for individuals
to make sure that insurance or funds are available in case medical care
is needed. The Embassy maintains a list of English-speaking medical
and dental care providers in Korea, as well as a list of insurers willing
to write policies for Americans residing in Korea.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
The Embassy does not keep a comprehensive listing of foreign language
institutes nor does it provide assistance in finding employment.
In Korea, English-teaching jobs are filled either through word of mouth
or through advertisements in the local English newspapers. or websites
for English teachers. Occasionally,
the better institutes will hire through advertisements in the TESOL Newsletter,
or at job booths at TESOL conferences. They also occasionally advertise
through college placement offices and newspapers in the United States.
RECRUITING AND PLACEMENT SERVICES
Most English teachers hired from the United States do not get their jobs
directly through the institute where they work. Instead, they are
recruited by a placement service. These services recruit on campus
and in U.S. publications. The embassy has received complaints about
a number of recruiters. Those considering working in Korea should
deal with recruiters carefully . Many of them do not know at which
hagwon in which area of Korea the teacher will be placed; very few of
them, to our knowledge, will accept responsibility for a placement that
is contrary to the original terms of agreement or contract. Prospective
teachers should keep all of the advice in this publication in mind when
discussing employment terms with a recruiter.
Once you arrive in Korea it is a good idea to subscribe to one of the
local English language newspapers, The
Korea Herald or The
Korea Times. Both are published daily except Sundays, and cost
14,000 won per month. Both are available in Seoul at some street
newsstands, but outside of Seoul are generally only available through
subscription. The Herald
can be contacted at 727-0404, FAX 727-0677, and The Times at 724-2828,
FAX 723-1623. Overseas subscriptions are available.
KOREAN YELLOW PAGES, OTHER DIRECTORIES
The Korean Yellow Pages is a very useful English-language phone directory.
It is available at most larger bookstores. These stores also sell
other business directories. The Korean Yellow Pages
are also on line. The U.S. Foreign Commercial Service
and the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea jointly publish a Korean
business directory. These directories contain a wealth of information,
including addresses and phone numbers for universities and Korean government
offices. The Korean Research Foundation publishes a pamphlet on
studying in Korea that contains information on all the universities in
the country.
KOTESOL
KOTESOL is an independent, national affiliate of TESOL, an organization
of teachers of English to students of other languages. KOTESOL was
founded in 1992 as the union of two separate national organizations.
KOTESOL is a not-for-profit organization established to promote scholarship,
disseminate information, and facilitate cross-cultural understanding among
English teachers in Korea.
KOTESOL has active chapters in Seoul, Taejon, Pusan, Taegu, Kyongju and
Chongbuk province. Chapters hold individual monthly meetings, and
sponsor educational activities in their areas, as well as participate
in an annual conference in October. The Seoul chapter meets on the
third Saturday of every month. The time, date, place and topic are
announced in the local English newspapers about a week prior to the scheduled
meeting. For, more up-to-date information, you can visit their website, www.kotesol.org.
CULTURAL PITFALLS
DIFFERENT EXPECTATIONS
Many types of people teach English in Korea. Some are professionally
trained with degrees in TESOL; some hold graduate degrees in other disciplines
and teach in Korea because they want to experience another culture; some
teach English while doing other things, such as research; some teach while
looking for other jobs; some are merely seeking any kind of work to help
pay school bills; some are just passing through.
Teachers have differing expectations. They bring their own unique
perspectives to their jobs, as well as their own individual reactions
to new circumstances. Some expect to be revered and are shocked
when they are not; others expect to make a lot of money but later find
they actually earn about what a unionized bus driver in Seoul does; some
expect to receive a large Western-style house and are disappointed to
find themselves living in a modest room. Some teachers have been
dismayed to find that their rooms were not air conditioned, and that they
would have to work on their birthdays. Having realistic expectations
and a flexible attitude prior to starting employment as a teacher in Korea
will help prepare you for the inevitable stress and possible disappointment
you may encounter.
SHORT-TERM INSTITUTES
The Korean ESL market is extremely competitive. There are over 100,000
institutes of all types in Korea, most of them small-scale, marginal operations.
Due to the competitive nature of the ESL business in Korea, many institutes
do not survive long. They open their doors, hire the first foreigner
they can find, advertise, teach for a month or so, lose money and close.
Most of these cannot and will not pay their teachers for work performed,
or for contract-specified repatriation, leaving teachers broke and stranded.
FOREIGNERS ARE NOT KOREAN
Korean society in general makes a great distinction between one's inner
circle of family, friends and business colleagues and outsiders. One should
always treat one's inner circle with complete respect and courtesy, while
one treats strangers with indifference. Korea is not an egalitarian society
traditionally; one is either of a higher or a lower status than other
people. Foreigners do not fit neatly into any scheme. They are normally
treated graciously as one would a guest, but they may never be able to
break into that close, inner circle.
Koreans who travel abroad most often travel on group tours with other
Koreans, or on business trips. Even now, with outbound tourism high, most
Korean travelers still visit only friends, relatives or Korean neighborhoods,
or travel in groups of other Koreans. Thus, Korean society remains
very inwardly focused. For most Koreans, foreigners exist only as
stereotypes, and are not always liked. Living in Korea as a foreigner
requires patience and fortitude. Many foreigners have found Koreans
can be quite friendly and warm, but a foreigner will seldom be accepted
as part of the inner circle; he will almost always be an outsider looking
in.
SOCIAL STATUS OF TEACHERS
Teachers are usually treated with great respect in Korea. However, it
is also important to exhibit the kind of personal qualities and behavior
that help maintain that respect. A foreign teacher who does disrespectful
things, such as dressing or behaving too casually or informally, or losing
his temper with a boss he considers unreasonable, would be held in great
disdain by most Koreans, and runs the risk of getting into serious trouble
with both his employer and the Korean Immigration Office. In other words,
one should always present a mature, discreet, dignified and respectful
manner. As a foreigner in Korea you will be highly visible, and you may
find living here to be like living in a fish bowl, with everyone around
you watching what you do with great interest. Remember that Korean society
is more conservative in many ways than American society, and abide by
local norms.
THE ESL PROFESSION IS NOT CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL BY SOME KOREANS
By and large, Koreans do not think teaching ESL is a professional occupation.
In fact, many believe any native speaker will do. This of course
is based partially on reality - many ESL instructors in Korea have not
had any professional training.
KOREAN BOSSES
Korean society is extremely hierarchical. The boss is the boss; he is
never openly questioned or criticized. The same mistreatment you may feel
you have received from him is probably not limited to his foreign employees.
If he has done so to you, he probably also reneges on contracts and makes
unreasonable demands of his Korean employees too. As a result, one should
be careful in how one deals with one's employer. When discussing issues
that might become difficult, one should make sure not to lose one's temper,
raise one's voice or speak in less than respectful language.
LACK OF CLEAR COMMUNICATION
Personal interaction and communication within Korean society is often
indirect. Many things are left unsaid, but still are understood. Of course,
foreigners often do not understand. It is important that one understand
what is expected and what is required up front, and that any misunderstanding
be solved early on. Otherwise, problems may develop.
ADAPTING TO KOREA SOCIETY
(This section of advice was written by KOTESOL, the local English Teacher's
association.)
CULTURE SHOCK
When first arriving in a country, one is usually excited and eager for
new experiences. After a while, the newness wears off, and homesickness
begins. Do not judge yourself too severely at this point. It happens to
everyone. "I will never understand this place. I want some real
food, some real friends, a real apartment. Why do Koreans do X?"
There is hope and it is usually just a matter of time. As you continue
to cope with the realities of living here, you begin to take things for
granted which used to annoy you. Life becomes pleasant enough that
you no longer care about the inconveniences. You suddenly find that you
like kimchi. You realize your students are interesting people to
know, that helping them improve their English just adds to that interest;
you begin to understand your boss who was such a pain when you came; you
make a few good friends who are willing to show you the Korea outside
of the foreigner's community, you begin to try and learn some Korean and
use it. There are many foreigners in Korea who have come to and
remain at this point, - not so much assimilated, but a part of the country
in their own niche here, and who want to spend a long time in Korea.
For many others, however, the feeling eventually comes that it is time
to leave. With luck you will realize it before it affects your life too
deeply. It is time to leave when you begin to be negative about
the country and its people. When you no longer want to go to work;
when you dislike your students; when you become irritated with everything
and everyone and have angry discussions with others of like mind, it is
time to go.
HOW THE EMBASSY CAN HELP
The Embassy, by regulation, cannot enter into any case, conduct any investigation,
or act as a lawyer for any personal mishap or employment dispute experienced
by a U.S. citizen. We cannot investigate, certify, or vouch for
employers. It is up to each individual to evaluate an employer before
signing a contract, and to use common sense when traveling this far, including
keeping sufficient funds available to return home should the situation
become untenable.
The Embassy can assist Americans in a variety of ways. The Embassy
offers notary services, renews
passports, assists with absentee voting registration,
and stocks basic U.S.
Federal Tax Forms.
We can provide phone numbers of Korean government
agencies you may have to deal with. If you find yourself in need
of legal help, we can provide a list of attorneys;
however, we are unable to recommend any specific lawyer from this list.
In case of a financial emergency, we can receive and disburse funds
sent to you from a source in the U.S., usually much faster than a
bank or wire transfer.
Finally, we encourage all U.S. citizens to register
with the Embassy. Registration allows
us to contact you in the event of a family emergency. You can also sign up for
our monthly ACS newsletter by going to our main page
We hope that this information has been useful. If you have any
problems, please contact the American Citizen Services Branch at the
U.S. Embassy, 32 Sejongno, Jongno-gu
Seoul 110-710. Our telephone number for basic information is 397-4114.
Our Fax number is 02-397-4101.
American Citizen Services is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and
Friday from 9:00-11:30 a.m., and again from 1:30-3:30 p.m. We are closed
on Wednesdays and on both U.S. and Korean holidays.
Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Korea!
Updated March 30, 2004
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