Black male considering teaching ESL in South Korea (Seoul)

0POSTS

9 years ago

Hi,

I have learned about opportunities to teach ESL in South Korea, and I have the educational/work experience to qualify.

I am doing research beforehand, to maximize the chances in having a successful experience being in a country where I would be a visible racial minority and most importantly, being safe. From what I have gathered, some black teachers who have worked in South Korea have had positive experiences and others have experienced racism (examples: saw from online - parents may request their children to be reassigned to a different teacher if their teacher is black, racial remarks made to a black man on a subway who had a Korean girlfriend). I saw another video, where an older man told an individual to return to his country (unsure of the ethnicity of the person he was speaking to).

Based on what you know personally or from others, what is the racial climate like for Black ESL teachers there?

This information will assist me in making an informed decision about this opportunity. Thanks.

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GuestPoster678 Guest

0POSTS

9 years ago

By the way, I thought I would add, I live in Canada presently. The above information is needed from my question, because it is a pretty big move from here if I decided to sign a contract to teach. Thanks.

bookedout21 Member

16POSTS

9 years ago

You're not going to have an easy time, but if you do right and are warm and friendly, you should be fine.
It's too bad that Koreans can be hostile towards black people, but having said that they are still getting used to white foreigners, let alone foreigners of any other color.
If your school hires you, public or private, then they should back you 100%. Always try to find out background information from previous teachers and you should be okay.

GuestPoster678 Guest

0POSTS

9 years ago

Thanks for writing and being honest. What you said confirms my research and thanks for the suggestion.

1 member reacted to this post

GuestPoster678 Guest

0POSTS

9 years ago

Hi...I am also looking into teaching ESL at the university level. Any current or former ESL teachers who have taught in South Korea, please message me...I have a few questions that I would like to ask just to hear from your own perspective. Thanks.

drutter Serial expat

332POSTS

8 years ago

Hello, I'm an American married to a Vietnamese woman, currently living in, and teaching English in, Vietnam. My step-daughter wants to attend college in Korea and we are thinking about making the move with her. How hard is it for a white American with a BA in English and a TESL certificate to find English teaching jobs? My wife has a BS in accounting. Will she be able to find work okay? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Khumalosthabiso97 Member

1POSTS

last year

Hey Guys I’m a black South African male looking to teach English in South Korea. I’m energetic ,friendly and very welcoming and i like to meet new people and exercising. i just wanted to find out about the chances and black males looking to teach English in South Africa and if there any racist gestures that arise for people like us?