Embassy of the United States

Teaching English

Cultural Pitfalls

DIFFERENT EXPECTATIONS 
Many types of people teach English in Korea.  Some are professionally trained, with degrees.  Some are members of TESOL.  Some hold graduate degrees in other disciplines and teach in Korea because they want to experience another culture.  Others teach English while doing other things, such as research.  Some are merely seeking any kind of work to help pay school bills, and some are just passing through.

Different teachers have different expectations.  They bring their own unique perspectives to their jobs, as well as their own individual reactions to new circumstances.  Some expect to be revered and are shocked when they are not; others expect to make a lot of money but later find they actually earn about what a unionized bus driver in Seoul does.  Others expect to receive a large Western-style house and are disappointed to find themselves living in a modest room.  Some teachers have been dismayed to find that their rooms were not air conditioned, and that they would have to work on their birthdays.  Having realistic expectations and a flexible attitude prior to starting employment as a teacher in Korea will help prepare you for the inevitable stress and possible disappointment you may encounter.

SHORT-TERM INSTITUTES 
The Korean ESL market is extremely competitive.  There are over 100,000 institutes of all types in Korea, most of them small-scale operations.  Due to the competitive nature of the ESL business in Korea, many institutes do not survive long.  They open their doors, hire the first foreigner they can find, advertise, teach for a month or so, lose money and close.  Most of these cannot and will not pay their teachers for work performed, or for contract-specified repatriation, leaving teachers uncompensated and stranded.

FOREIGNERS ARE NOT KOREAN
Korean society in general makes a great distinction between one’s inner circle of family, friends and business colleagues and outsiders.  One should always treat one’s inner circle with complete respect and courtesy, while one treats strangers with more indifference.  Korea is not an egalitarian society traditionally; one is either of a higher or a lower status than another.  Foreigners do not fit neatly into either scheme.  They are normally treated graciously as one would a guest, but they may never be able to break into that close, inner circle.

Koreans who travel abroad most often travel on group tours with other Koreans, or on business trips.  Even now, with outbound tourism high, most Korean travelers still only visit friends, relatives, or Korean neighborhoods.  Korean society thus remains very inwardly focused.  As a result, foreigners exist only as stereotypes for many Koreans and are not always liked.  Living in Korea as a foreigner requires patience and fortitude.  Many foreigners have found Koreans can be quite friendly and warm, but a foreigner will seldom be accepted as part of the inner circle; he or she will almost always be an outsider looking in.

SOCIAL STATUS OF TEACHERS
Teachers are usually treated with great respect in Korea.  However, it is also important to exhibit the kind of personal qualities and behavior that help maintain that respect.  A foreign teacher who acts disrespectfully – such as dressing or behaving too casually or informally or losing his/her temper with a boss – would be held in great disdain by most Koreans and runs the risk of getting into serious trouble with both his/her employer and the Korean Immigration Office.  In other words, you should always present a mature, discreet, dignified, and respectful manner.  As a foreigner in Korea you will be highly visible, and you may find living here to be like living in a fish bowl, with everyone around you watching what you do with great interest.  Remember that Korean society is more conservative than American society in many ways, and try to abide by local norms.

THE ESL PROFESSION IS NOT CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL BY SOME KOREANS
By and large, Koreans do not think teaching ESL is a professional occupation.  In fact, many believe any native speaker will do.  This, of course, is based partially on reality – many ESL instructors in Korea have not had any professional training in teaching.

KOREAN BOSSES
Korean society is extremely hierarchical.  The boss is the boss; he/she is never openly questioned or criticized.  The same mistreatment you may feel you have received from him/her is probably not limited to his/her foreign employees.  If he/she has done so to you, he/she probably also reneges on contracts and makes unreasonable demands of his Korean employees as well.  As a result, you should be careful in how you deal with your employer.  When discussing issues that might become difficult, you should make sure not to lose your temper, raise your voice, or speak in less than respectful language.

LACK OF CLEAR COMMUNICATION
Personal interaction and communication within Korean society is often indirect.  Many things are left unsaid, but are still understood.  Of course, foreigners often do not understand.  It is important that you understand what is expected and required up front, and that any misunderstanding be solved early on.  Otherwise, problems may develop.