ESL Teaching - Jobs, lesson plans - View Single Post - Does a teach have to be Native US AUS etc?

Mikepass · Sun 02-Dec-07, 04:33 PM

One of the problems in Korea is that they not only want people who are native English speakers, but they want them to look like native English speakers. I am currently working in an elementary school in Korea. The teacher before me was a Korean who had lived in America for many years, he spoke very good English. They didn't re-employ him because they, the Education Board, wanted a "true" native speaker. Another school, close to mine, rejected an applicant because of a Thai heritage.

I'm not sure if this is policy within the whole of the Education Department or just my local one, but it seems to be the way things are going. Stupid if you ask me.

You may have some luck trying in the Hogwans (private academies), but I have no experience with them.

My advice would be to jump on as many sites as you can and get as many opinions as possible, trying to avoid the mountain of FUD of course. More over though, just apply for jobs and see how you go.

Make sure of course that you have a Degree and a TESOL certificate with at least a hundred hours of study.

Good luck, Korea is a great place to be.

Cheers

Mike.

Sun 02-Dec-07, 04:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mikepass ESL Rookie Join Date: Dec 2006 Occupation: ESL Teacher Location: Posts: 20	Re: Does a teach have to be Native US AUS etc? One of the problems in Korea is that they not only want people who are native English speakers, but they want them to look like native English speakers. I am currently working in an elementary school in Korea. The teacher before me was a Korean who had lived in America for many years, he spoke very good English. They didn't re-employ him because they, the Education Board, wanted a "true" native speaker. Another school, close to mine, rejected an applicant because of a Thai heritage. I'm not sure if this is policy within the whole of the Education Department or just my local one, but it seems to be the way things are going. Stupid if you ask me. You may have some luck trying in the Hogwans (private academies), but I have no experience with them. My advice would be to jump on as many sites as you can and get as many opinions as possible, trying to avoid the mountain of FUD of course. More over though, just apply for jobs and see how you go. Make sure of course that you have a Degree and a TESOL certificate with at least a hundred hours of study. Good luck, Korea is a great place to be. Cheers Mike.