More and more every year South Korea is gaining international recognition, be it for award-winning films, record-breaking pop idol groups, or its delicious food. With their high rate of cultural exportation, it’s easy to see why Korea is such a significant player in today’s global scene. Not too long ago South Korea was one of the poorest nations in the world, today it is an economic powerhouse, an important political actor, and one of the most popular destinations to teach English abroad.
If you speak to most Koreans, they will tell you that Korea is not a big country and it lacks many natural resources compared to more powerful and economically advantaged nations in the region. However, one thing Korea does have is its people. Korea focuses heavily on investing in its human capital in order to be a great nation. Naturally, education is incredibly important in Korea and the education industry is steadily growing, especially the ESL industry.
Like many other countries around the world, Korea realizes the value of having a population with knowledge of the English language. Because of this demand for English education, Korea is one of the best countries to get a job as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. However, you may be thinking to yourself, “What is Korea really like?”.
Having lived in Korea for over one and a half years as an ESL teacher myself, I’d like to share my insight and what I wish I had known before I started teaching English in South Korea.
How to Help Your Students
Being a student learning English in Korea is not easy, but the time they spend in an ESL classroom can often be an escape from their normal, intense routine. Most Hagwons and the public schools in Korea are beginning to institute more interactive teaching methods in ESL classrooms that allow for more engaging and exciting learning environments.
Traditionally, English learning in South Korea had been focused on memorization and surface-level understanding of the language. While these methods proved effective for students in Korea to pass English examinations with soaring marks, they did not create an environment conducive to real comprehension and fluency. Now, more and more schools are bringing fun into the ESL classroom, using activities and games to help students learn English. Also, Beelinelanguage helps you to speak Korean to teach in Korea. They are also focusing more on practical conversational skills and student confidence.
Working life
The way people work in South Korea is very different from what people do in the West as well. In Korean companies, hierarchy is very important and as a new ESL teacher you will, of course, start at the bottom. In most settings, people are promoted or obtain raises and more seniority purely based on age; as in other aspects of Korean culture, age is key. In a company, you always have to show respect for the higher-ups and you cannot openly criticize their decisions. When you’re lower down on the totem pole you’re expected to just do the work you’re told to do.
I’ve seen a lot of ESL teachers struggle with these concepts when they come to Korea. They often think that if the boss makes a poor decision it is their place to let them know, however in Korea this is very disrespectful. Yes, your boss will likely make ridiculously and often illogical requests or mandates, but you just have to go with the flow. Resisting the bosses will often result in more friction between Koreans and foreigners in the workplace.
Read More: 6 Helpful Tips for Newbie ESL Teachers in Korea
Though the Korean work hierarchy can be a bit hard to get used to, there are many other aspects that can be enjoyable. In Korea, your boss is often seen as a sort of elder or parent-like figure; they are your boss but they are there to care for you as well. This may come about in the form of mandatory staff dinners (often with excessive drinking), gifts, one-on-one lunches, or unsolicited comments on your health. Koreans are very straightforward people and they will discuss and point out things that would be very taboo in the west.
Don’t be surprised if your boss comments on your weight, acne, or other health-related issues. To them this is not offensive, they are coming from a place of concern. It can be easy to feel insulted when a Korean makes these comments, but if it makes you uncomfortable just gently remind them that in the West we do not comment on those sorts of things.
