Korean University Jobs are not what they once were

Then and Now

Anyone who has been in a Korea for a few years (or a decade in my case) has seen the decline of the ESL industry as a whole. 10 years ago, anyone with a pulse could get a hagwon (private institute job), public school jobs were plentiful and uni jobs were being handed out like candy to those with just a Bachelor's degree and perhaps a year of experience at a public school or hagwon.

These days, even hagwon jobs seem to be pretty scarce and it seems to be a race to the bottom for the lowest salary and weakest job positions. There are just too many decently-qualified people looking for work. Public schools have been bleeding jobs for the past 3 or 4 years, with almost all middle and high-schools cutting their native English speaker positions. And of course unis-even those with a Master's degree and a few years of non-uni experience are sometimes not getting jobs.

Anecdotally, I have three friends here in Busan who've lost their jobs recently and while they've found other positions, it certainly was not without a struggle and they were competing against other quite well-qualified applicants for okay positions.

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The Glory Days are Done

What am I saying? The happy days of Korea as a prime ESL teaching destination are indeed over, much the way things went with Japan, just a few years later in the case of Korea. Only the most qualified (someone like me! Ha! Masters+Celta+Delta+years of uni experience) will get those prime uni jobs with low teaching hours, motivated students, high pay and full vacations while everyone else will be left fighting for the okay or crappy stuff. Salaries and benefits like free plane tickets and housing will keep decreasing.

My Plan

I, myself have planned my exit strategy that involves going back to Canada and changing careers because I think the writing is on the wall. I would suggest that those who are making longer-term plans, thinking that Korea is going to be a winner for English teachers should perhaps reconsider. Another country like Vietnam? Upgrading qualifications and getting into teacher training? Changing careers?  There are plenty of fish in the sea so why place your bets on the one flopping around on the dry-land?

Quiet Time is Okay (or, I'm not an Edu-tainer)

A common thing that many English teachers in Korea fall into is feeling like they need to be an Edu-Tainer (Education Entertainer).  I think it's mostly because of how foreign English teachers are portrayed in the media: as clowns (Babos in Korean) or dancing monkeys.  This means that some teachers always feel the need to "perform" and keep the students entertained, excited and happy no matter what. 

I resist this at all costs for the following reasons:

1. I'm not naturally an "entertainer." I'm a bit shy and so being on stage isn't really something I crave or want. 

2. Learning can't always be "fun." Sometimes, you need to memorize vocab, or explore a difficult grammar concept in depth.

3. Students are different.  Some like being entertained, some like working quietly by themselves.

4. I'm all about student-centered classrooms.  An Edutainer is all about a teacher-centered classroom, which is something that I think is really bad for students.

5. I consider myself a "real" teacher.  I actually want my students to take my classes seriously and learn something.  I think this is probably best achieved by taking myself seriously as an educator and not falling into the Edutainer trap.

Check out this Ebook if you want to  get a University Job in South Korea

Thinking about coming to Korea to Teach English as a Second Language?

Teaching ESL in South Korea

Maybe you've found your way to this blog through a Google search about Teaching ESL in South Korea.   On this site, I generally talk almost exclusively about things related to teaching at universities in South Korea, but here are some of my other sites that you might find helpful in making your decision:

Top 5 Reasons to Teach ESL in South Korea

Top 5 Reasons you Shouldn't Teach ESL in South Korea

(who doesn't like a bit of balance?!)

Top 10 ESL Teaching Myths

Check out this book if you want to  get a University Job in South Korea

"English Language Education is a Rudderless Ship"

English Education in Korea is a Rudderless Ship

An interesting editorial from the Chosun Ilbo about the state of English language education in South Korea.  Basically, Ahn Seok-Bae says that while Koreans throw huge sums of money at English education, it's actually largely ineffective.

I couldn't agree more with basically everything he says.  During my years in Korea, I've seen the policies with regard to learning English in public schools change seemingly as often as the seasons change.  Unis are often no better, with people who often haven't set foot in an actual classroom setting policies with regard to language education that are more often that not short-sighted.  There are no easy solutions, but here's my #1 idea:

Public schools need to "clean house" and get rid of the all the Korean English teachers who can't actually communicate in English.  Replace these teachers (often older ones) with teachers who can (often the younger ones) or with QUALIFIED native speaking English teachers.  By qualified, I don't mean the prettiest one with blue eyes and blonde hair.  But, I mean those with Celta Young Learners or Deltas or MA Tesols, or actual teaching certificates from Western countries in things like ESL or English and a few years of experience.  Pay them decently and give them their own classroom, doing away with co-teaching, which is basically a ridiculous farce.

Then, adapt the Korean Sooneung (University entrance exam) to focus on all 4 skills equally: Speaking, writing, reading and listening.  Design the test so that is focuses heavily on real communication, as much as can be done by a test.

Using a textbook like this one at the high-school level would help:



Check out this book if you want to get a University Job in South Korea

How to get vacation work

Ahhhhh vacation.  After a usually somewhat grueling 16 week semester, 10 weeks off is kind of a welcome relief.  Back in the years gone by when I first started working at Korean unis, I would take the entire 10 weeks off and take fabulous vacations for the entire time.  Except now, I have 2 cats who, although they are cute, nobody wants to look after for months at a time and I'm also trying to save more money so I can retire early.

So what do I do?  I usually take a short vacation of 2 or 3 weeks (I was just in Malaysia, so no updates on the blog!) and then work for at least a few of the remaining weeks.  How to get this sometimes elusive extra work during the vacations?  It can sometimes be tricky because there are often lots of teachers and a limited amount of OT.  Here are my tips:

1. Cultivate good relationships with colleagues.  At my 2 unis, it was amazing the amount of OT that got passed around amongst the "inner-circles" and never reached the email everybody stage. 

2. Cultivate a good relationship with the department secretary.  It's amazing the amount of OT that gets passed around to his/her favorites and never reaches the email everybody stage.  It's helpful to stop by the office quite often.  Bring small gifts. 

3. Cultivate a fabulously stellar reputation as a solid, responsible, and well-liked teacher.  Admin and colleagues know who the good ones (and the terrible ones) are. 

4. Put the word out.  Drop the hint with the people in power that you're looking for vacation work.  You'll bump yourself up on the list of people they'll call when something comes in.

5 signs of a sketchy hagwon

I always get lots of questions from people contemplating a move to Korea and a lot of them seem quite apprehensive.  And not without good reason: there are indeed a multitude of horror stories about teaching ESL in Korea, especially at Hagwons (private institutes).  A decade ago when I came to Korea for the first time, the Internet was a thing but there certainly wasn't that much information on it about specific schools in Korea.  These days however, it's very easy to find specific information about a certain school, even a small one out in the countryside.  Google and Facebook are your best friends in this case.

Anyway, here are my top 5 signs of a sketchy hagwon:

1. You are the only foreign teacher.  If you are a newbie to Korea, this will probably end up being your worst nightmare.  The more foreigners, the better when you're a newbie.  As long as you're not a total freak, you'll have an instant group of friends and people to help you settle in. 

2. The contract is too vague.  Things like not listing working days (Monday-Friday) or working hours (between 10:00am-6:00pm or something like that).  The contract should also list %'s for things like tax, health care and pension.  And, there should be mention of how a "teaching hour" is calculated.

3. They have a bad reputation on the Internet.  It's probably for good reason.  If it's only one bad report, take it with a grain of salt.  But, more than that?  Steer clear.  The Facebook group for the expats in that city is a good place to start your research because they'll have "boots on the ground."  

4. They're a new school.  Financial troubles often cause new schools to close within the first few months or year.  You'll lose your job, as well as your housing, bonus and airplane ticket home.

5. Flights and housing are still standard for Korean hagwons.  A contract without these things would have to offer a ridiculously high salary. And a contact with no mention of health care or pension?  Sketchy!  These things are mandatory and all foreign workers should have them.

"Goose Fathers" and Studying Abroad Lesson Plan

This is for a 1.5 hour, advanced level discussion class.  It could be easily adapted into a longer class with some additional activities, such as looking at a relevant Youtube video or listening to a related podcast of some sort.  

Korean students studying abroad lesson plan

10 Signs of a Sketchy Hagwon

Some spot-on advice for those coming to Korea for the first time and looking for a hagwon (private institute job).  From Wiggle English.

10 Signs of a Sketchy Hagwon

Reader Question...How Long?

This one from Jacob:

"How long is it possible for somebody like you to teach in Korea at the University level?"

My answer:

It's possible to spend decades teaching at Korean Universities and I've met a few people here who've done it.  There are a few things to consider though:

1. The market is becoming saturated in terms of a large number of very qualified teachers fighting for a limited number of "good" jobs.  It's becoming more and more similar to Japan where good uni jobs are few and far between and are mostly locked up by an elite few.  I have a feeling that Korean unis will realize this soon enough (if they haven't already) and job conditions will become not as fabulous as they are now.

2. Age discrimination is an issue in Korea.  You will likely not get hired here if you're above 60.  And if you start somewhere when you're younger and are approaching that age, watch your back and start exploring some other opportunities.

3. Some unis won't hire foreign instructors for more than 3-4 years because of issues to do with the Korea Teacher's pension plan.  In a teacher's fifth year, the school has to pay a significant amount more for their portion of the contribution than they did in years 1-4, which makes some places reluctant to keep people for the long-term. 

Interesting Thread Over at ESL Cafe

It looks like Seoul National University is cancelling their mandatory freshmen English program, claiming that their students are proficient at English and don't require it.  It will be interesting to see if other unis follow suit, even those whose students are far from proficient (like my current uni, as well as my old one).  If they do, time to start looking for new jobs in other countries :(  Or, develop some sort of specialization.

Interesting Developments

With all the recent cuts of foreign teachers in Korean public schools, I'll have to see this to believe it.  All schools to Have Native English Speakers Next Year.  And, I think some of the more rural schools might actually have a hard time filling positions due to foreigners not wanting to work out in the boonies.

Universities to NOT work at in Korea

Korea's Ministry of Education recently named and shamed 43 of the worst universities and junior colleges in Korea.  They will receive less funding, and could possibly be closed in the coming years.  My advice?  Before you take any job, double-check the list and make sure your school is not on it.  If it is, you could be finding yourself a new job before you know it...

My most Popular Posts of all-time!

So, I was just checking out some stats from my blog and thought it was quite interesting to see what my most popular posts have been throughout the years.  Here they are:

1. Korea vs Taiwan vs Japan vs Hong-Kong

2. Ten Tips for Newbies to the Korean ESL Uni Experience

3/4. The 2010 Kotesol Conference Bad and the 2010 Kotesol Conference Good

5. Top 5 Reasons to NOT Teach ESL in South Korea

No more Native Speakers in Korea?

A news report that Seoul plans to gradually reduce the number of Native Speakers in their Public Schools to zero by 2014.  Apparently parents would rather have Koreans who are fluent in English teach their kids.  My only question is where all these fluent Koreans will come from?

Anyway,  I'm interested to see if this all pans out since the obsession with/hatred of Native English Speakers in Korea seems to change month by month.

Perhaps China is looking better and better all the time? 

Tuition Costs at Korean Unis

An interesting article from ROK Drop. 

"You get what you pay for."  Yes, that pretty much sums it up.

Is Korea Worth it? You be the Judge, Part 2

An update to my previous post about the new visa regulations and the hassle it was.

Is Korea Worth it? You be the Judge, Part 1

About 6 months after starting the whole process to get my diploma certified (I'm Canadian so no Apostille, instead my process is different) and my Criminal Background Check certified, I received the package yesterday from my mother. 

And the EXTREME annoyance that I felt at the start of the process has greatly dissapated and the moderate annoyance I felt part-way through when I wrote that last blog entry has fizzled out into a buzzing mosquito amount of annoyance.

So it's probably time to re-visit the question of whether Korea is worth it or not.  My answer is that it depends.  The paperwork is a huge hassle, but much less so if you're actually in your home country doing it.  Like say you've finished uni and have your degree and transcripts and want to go to Korea 4 months later.  It would definitely not be too annoying and I would say to go for it. 

However, if you're in another country besides your home one and are looking for the basic level ESL Job at a hagwon, then no, it would not be worth it in my eyes.  Hagwon jobs are notoriously bad and salaries have been stagnant for the past few years while the cost of living keeps increasing.  And does anyone know whether interviews at the consulate in your home country are still happening these days?  If yes, I wouldn't fly back home just for that rigamarole. 

If you have your eye on the prize though (a Korean Uni Job), then jump through all the hoops and get it done, because once you get one of these jobs, life is pretty good here in the ROK in terms of salary, teaching conditions, vacation, and OT opportunities.  However, it's hard to find one of these jobs without a Masters and experience, so don't get your hopes up, newbies to the ESL Teaching world with only a BA!

I'm been blathering on.  To sum it up, is Korea worth it?  Yes, in some situations.  In others, probably not and look at some other countries first (Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Middle East).

Is Korea worth it? You be the judge

Despite having lived in Korea for 6 years and having no run-ins with the powers that be (with the exception of a minor kerfuffle with one horribly sketchy hagwon owner in my first year), this is what I had to do to renew my E2 teaching visa for the upcoming year.

1. Get a fingerprint form from the Canadian embassy in Seoul.  This was after a trip to the CSI police station in my city where they told me, "We don't have fingerprint forms."  Hmmm.

2. Get the form in the mail.  Go back to the police station.  Get my fingerprints done.  Courier to my mother in Canada, along with my diploma and photocopies of passport and other such things.  She got a bank order and sent the form away to get my check done.  It can take up to 6 months.  It took about 6 weeks for me.

3. Order an up to date transcript from my uni in Canada to get sent to my mother.

4. Thankfully, my mother works at a law office so this next step was free and simple.  Photocopy the diploma and criminal record check and get them notarized by a lawyer.

5. Gather up the transcript, originals, notarized copies, photocopies of stuff, more money orders and send it to the Korean consulate in Vancouver via courier.  They do a little something and send it back to my mom.

6. She sends all this crap to me, in Korea, via courier.

I estimate it cost me (okay, well mostly my mother!) over $300.  It would have cost more if my mom didn't work at a law office.  And what if I didn't have someone in Canada I could ask to do this for me?  Impossible.  I still need to get a health check done as well.  And keep in mind, this wasn't for my first-time visa application.  I've lived in Korea for 6 years.

Is Korea worth the hassle?  I'm getting weary.

How much do your students pay in tuition?

An interesting article from the Joongang Daily about how much Korean uni students are paying in tuition, and the backlash against it.  The numbers thrown around are 6-7 million/year ($5500-6500 US) for tuition.  And this is for one of the top 3 unis in Korea (Korea University).  I know it's similar at my uni.

Anyway, I find the number extremely reasonable, especially when considering South Korea's feet are now stuck firmly in the first world, with one of the top 10 economies in the world.  I remember about 10 years ago, when I was going to uni in Canada, tuition was about that amount, or even more.  And why don't you try going to one of the Ivy Leaguers?  I'm sure the tuition would be 5-10 times (or even more) than students in Korea pay.  Kind of ridiculous.  But, protesting high tuition seems to a right of passage for students from all around the world!

Low Quality/ High Quality...what exactly do you want?

Korea seems to have a sort of schizophrenia with regard to native English Speaking teachers.  The media clamors all the time about all the "unqualified," "low-quality" English teachers whenever there is a social problem and a scapegoat is required.  Except the thing is, all the English Teachers here (except the illegal ones...but they are not so common) are "qualified" according to the Korean Government.  And, someone in Korea, either in the public sector, or a private company actually hires the person with a degree in basket-weaving and no experience, so whose fault is it really?

And more (scroll down into the comments) and more reports come out about how public school boards no longer have room for the Level 1 teachers (those with experience and educational qualifications in teaching) because they have to pay them too much money.

What exactly do you want Korea?  Maybe you should make up your mind.  It's frustrating to be caught in the middle. 

Should foreigners be tested for Aids?

An accurate article from a top North America magazine "Time" about foreigners having mandatory HIV tests here in Korea.  But, let's be clear about the situation.  Prostitutes, entertainers and migrant workers are exempt, it's only the ESL teachers.  Unbelievably. 

Brian's commentary here.