What’s It Like Being a Foreign English Teacher in Korea? | Street Interview

*The views expressed in this video do not represent that of Asian Boss or the general expat community in Korea.*

We invited a group of foreign English teachers in Korea to share what it's really like to have this popular job for foreigners in Korea.

0:00 - Intro
0:49 - Where are you from and how long have you been an English teacher in Korea?
1:48 - Why teach English in Korea?
3:52 - Basic requirements
6:54 - How much do foreign English teachers make?
9:09 - Biggest struggles
11:08 - Perception of foreign English teachers in Korean society
12:23 - Most rewarding parts of being a foreign English in Korea
14:43 - Plans for the future
16:44 - Advice to foreigners who consider becoming an English teacher in Korea

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[JVPrice]

I'm a foreign teacher here in Korea and I've actually met the guy in the yellow scarf. He's speaking the truth. One time I was teaching at a big-name academy (won't name them so I don't get sued) and a little boy wouldn't stop getting out of his chair and pulling on a girl's hair. After about 5 or 6 times of asking nicely, I finally yelled at him to stop. Later at the teacher's meeting, I was reprimanded for yelling and scaring another student. Yes, I was punished for protecting a student from bullying. Heaven forbid anything upsets a child, thus upsetting the parents who bring in the money. I've had academies that treat me nicely and take my side, but it's a truth that they care more about the money than most other things (even the kids' actual education in many cases).

[brandongarcia]

I’m an English teacher here in Korea too and basically everything the guy in the yellow scarf said has been my experience. It’s true that teachers are pressured by management and the parents because they see the education of the children as just money. We’re told to lie on report cards and sugar coat comments in fear of a parent disagreeing even if what we are saying is true. I can say a lot on the situation, but look at the lady who killed herself because of the bullying from the parents of her students. It can get really ugly! Our jobs are not for the faint of heart.

[starforest]

9:01 shout out to the single mum - I’m a half-Korean raised by my non-Korean single mum. These women have immeasurable strength and grit and I hope she knows how amazing she is. I hope her daughter also learns how to embrace both her cultures even when she might feel out of place everywhere ❤️❤❤

[estherkang]

The parent complaint issue is huge in Korea, and has affected Korean teachers as well. There was a huge protest as teachers had killed themselves in their class rooms as parents have power over their livelihood.

[sori]

so thankful to the guy with the yellow scarf for speaking about housing and living conditions. until now I thought, "wow, they even provide housing!" and I wasn't aware of all the downsides... it can really make or break the decision to take on this job!

[sophiaisabelle]

Being a foreign English teacher isn't that easy to begin with. Providing accurate information is all the more challenging as time goes on. It's fascinating to know more about their insights. We look forward to see more.

[ravell]

That guy in the yellow sweater totally gets it. I'm with him all the way as a Korean. Korean society is highly capitalistic, stressful, and discriminative. People are not nice in general, and Korean parents nowadays are disgusting. Flashback to my English class in public school – it was wild. Not only they thought English was a break or playtime, but we always had these hateful students who'd give our English teachers a hard time. And if that wasn't enough, they'd go spreading rumors that the teacher was some kind of creep and they slept with their students. I will never forget their faces and names. I would never recommend anyone work in Korea.

[tjg]

I loved the transition from, 'I'm not gonne lie and say I do it for the kids' to the woman who was like, 'THE KIDS, the kids are the most rewarding'. This video was really interesting as a person who taught in Korea for two years. I happened to fall into the ladder camp, I loved working with kids. The kids really remember you. I have had kids reach out to me years later to say thank you and that they loved having me as a teacher. That made the job feel really fufilling. The hardest part for me was growth. There was only so much growth you can experience as a teaching in South Korea unless you become a citizen or marry a Korean person, then you could open your own business and have a lot more optionality in life. At least that was my experience.

[letsgowalk]

I never applied for Korea, but I obtained a TESOL many years ago, and applied for various Asian countries (I'm ABC). I got turned down for JET in Japan, random schools in Taiwan, and the only place where I got hired was China. At that time, I wasn't ready for China, so I never went.

What I am getting at is that what the lady at 5:10 says is exacly right. Many countries do not hide the fact that they only want white faces. From their perspective, there is no possible way someone with an Asian face could be fluent, even though they obviously know of many Asian American celebrities.

[rogerpena]

Teaching kids for a long-term isn't sustainable. You need a break or move on to adults. This is coming from a teacher who started with kindergarten, elementary and middle school students.

After 4 years I was burned-out. That's why I moved on to adults at Pagoda. After 6 years there, I was burned-out again.

Now I'm seeking other options like having my own school or working for an Educational organization.

My two cents... just continue to evolve and grow and don't stay for too long in any position as you will get burned-out.

This message goes out for the lifers. Fighting!! Lol

[nathangreer]

Did a 1 year hakwon contract in 1997. Salary at that time was 1.4. There were so many horror stories at that time, with some teachers reporting that they were essentially held hostage and werent allowed to hold their own passports, etc. I mostly had a good experience and always got paid. My employer honored the contract and paid both the year-end bonus and my flight home.

[stephanieallangarman]

Yes 👍🏽 speak up yellow scarf guy. If there’s a demand that doesn’t get filled then maybe they’ll raise salaries and increase suitable housing conditions…etc. I’m concerned because they TEACHERS recent suicide. It’s very concerning. The lady with her child is truly a blessing to her students. Stay healthy and positive. I definitely see S.KOREA as a Country with fascinating history, culture and interesting and unique destinations. I see the other “fluffy” stuff obviously 🙄 as a created fantasy. Great episode.

[mael]

Very informative video. Guy with yellow scarf is speaking facts and people are mad about it. Stay mad. The system needs to change.

[klicclak]

As a kpop stan, foreigner, and English teacher here in Korea, just want to say that you CAN do it here and be happy. We are harshly judged by other foreigners more than Koreans.

But just like the mom in the interview said, you do need to at least have some interest in teaching if you're going to do this job.

[stebo]

Thankfully they found the man in the yellow scarf, he has clearly been through the rounds here and knows what he's talking about. Also glad they could find someone that appreciates the cultures beyond the Hallyu wave. Meanwhile, bro from Texas does nothing but propagate the stereotypes he's critiquing.

[empanadani]

That woman is so cool to be a single mom. Her kid will be very connected to her culture.

[juanpAAA]

This is interview was worth to watch. Thank you Asian Boss!!!

[hayleywerth]

I’d be very interested to know what these interviewees’ backgrounds are. You just need any kind of bachelor’s degree to teach, so I want to know what their experience is and if any of them have a background in education or are actually licensed teachers in their home country.

I’d also want to know what demographics they teach.

I’m an English teacher in a small city in Gyeongsangbuk-do with a background in ed, so I notice some significant differences in my experiences and perceptions when compared to the interviewees’.

[MEplusEVERYTHING]

Can you guys do a street interview for people who don't go for teaching but other jobs? How else can a person move to Korea without being a teacher? What if you're just a regular person with an office job but want to move there? Or what if you are a freelance worker, what are the steps to take to move there?

[ns]

Generally, hagwons don't want you to know Korean. At my hagwon, you get reprimanded if you explain anything in Korean. It's an English immersion school.