A very interesting article, even for one not in Korea. There are certainly similarities between this and China!

> Will save you headaches later. AL

> http://usembassy.state.gov/seoul/wwwh3550.html
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> - A Guide -

> Complied by American Citizen Services, U.S. Embassy, Seoul

>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Over the last few years the U.S. Embassy has received many inquiries
> about teaching English in Korea. We have prepared this informal guide
> to give teachers basic information on the business of teaching
> English here so that they can be better informed before committing
> themselves to a particular job.

> Unfortunately some American citizens come to Korea under contract,
> with promises of generous salaries, bonuses and other amenities, only
> to find themselves in difficult situations, often lacking funds to
> return to the U.S. The Embassy, by regulation, cannot enter into any
> case, conduct an investigation, or act as a lawyer in legal or
> contractual mishaps experienced by U.S. citizens. We can neither
> investigate nor certify employers. It is up to each individual to
> evaluate potential employers before signing a contract.

> We hope the information that follows will prove useful. If you have
> any further questions, please contact us. Complete contact
> information and our office hours can be found at the end of this
> text.

> OVERVIEW

> Many Americans have enjoyed their teaching experiences in Korea;
> others have encountered problems. The key to happy and fruitful
> employment as a language instructor in Korea is to be employed by a
> reputable school and to negotiate a well-written contract before
> leaving the U.S. We advise anyone considering accepting an English
> teaching job in Korea to carefully review the terms of the contract
> regarding working and living conditions. It would also be useful to
> ask for references from persons familiar with the institution,
> especially American former and current employees.

> The KOTESOL teacher's association is a good source for up-to-date
> information on teaching in Korea. Information about this group can be
> found at their website

> This guide will discuss the types of positions available in Korea,
> visa matters, contract considerations, sources of information,
> cultural pitfalls to consider, tips on adapting to Korea, and how the
> Embassy can help.

> TYPES OF ESL POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN KOREA

> Most English teachers work in language institutes ("hakwon"
> in Korean). There are, however, positions available in several types
> of institutions
> private foreign language institutes (hakwons)
> corporate in-house language programs
> university language institutes
> university academic departments
> government/private research centers
> editing/public relations, advertising companies - private
> teaching/informal classes

> HAKWONS
> Private language institutes are found all over Korea. Some institutes
> are well-known with many branches while others are small and
> short-lived. The ESL market in Korea is extremely competitive and
> many institutes fail. Most hakwons employ a number of instructors for
> conversation and occasionally for writing classes. The typical
> employee can expect to work 20 to 30 hours per week. The majority of
> classes are conducted early in the morning and in the evening, so
> many instructors have free time in the afternoons. Most classes have
> between 10 and 25 students. Pupils may be grade school or college
> students, or businessmen who are contemplating overseas assignments.
> Some of the better institutes will provide housing for instructors.
> The average salary is currently about two million won per month (US $
> 1,700).

> PRIVATE BUSINESS PROGRAMS
> Most large corporate groups (chaebol in Korean) have their own
> in-house programs. The typical instructor can expect to teach more
> than 30 hours per week, teaching all day from early in the morning to
> late at night. Most are intensive residential programs where the
> students study for three to six months. Some employers provide full
> benefits including housing, but the instructor may be required to
> either live on campus or commute long distances from Seoul. The
> average salary for these institutes is currently between 2.1 to 2.5
> million won per month (US $ 1,700 to US $ 2,000).

> UNIVERSITY INSTITUTES
> Major universities in Seoul, as well as some provincial universities,
> operate foreign language institutes. Some pupils are university
> students, but the majority of students are businesspeople. These
> institutes tend to have the highest hiring standards in Korea; most
> instructors have MA degrees in TESOL, and years of teaching
> experience. The pay, status and benefits offered by these institutes
> are among the best in Korea. As a result there is very low turnover.

> UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENTS
> Most universities in Korea employ full-time English conversation
> instructors. University classes tend to be large, with little
> personal contact with the students. Most instructors teach between
> ten and 15 hours a week. Most universities in Seoul do not provide
> housing, and some do not provide the benefits required by law.
> Monthly salaries currently tend to run about 2 million won (US $
> 1,700) per month, with three to four months of paid vacation per
> year.

> TEACHING IN THE PROVINCES
> Provincial universities generally provide better housing, working
> conditions and salaries, and tend to treat foreign instructors as
> part of the faculty. The better working conditions, however, should
> be balanced against the cultural isolation a foreigner may encounter
> living in the Korean countryside.

> GOVERNMENT/RESEARCH INSTITUTES
> Many government agencies and some private companies operate research
> institutes. Most of these institutes hire foreigners who have degrees
> in the humanities, economics or business administration as full-time
> editors. Editors proofread correspondence and research publications,
> write speeches, and occasionally teach. Most institutes pay quite
> well, and some provide housing. Because these institutes tend to be
> government-run or affiliated with corporate groups, their instructors
> seldom experience problems in obtaining work visas.

> EDITING/PR/MEDIA
> Quite a few public relations and advertising companies in Korea hire
> foreigners to work as copy editors, and occasionally as teachers.
> These positions are very hard to obtain as they are quite popular
> with the resident English-teaching community. There are also
> opportunities to appear on television programs, movies and radio.
> Most of these positions pay quite well and some provide housing
> assistance.

> KORETTA/EPIK KOREAN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM
> This fairly new, Korea-wide, government-sponsored program places
> native speakers in every school district in Korea and presents a
> unique opportunity for the adventurous to live far from tourist
> routes and population centers. While recruiting and training appear
> to be performed quite professionally, teachers' living and working
> experiences vary considerably. Some are welcomed with open arms and
> treated extremely well. Others, arriving in areas where the program
> has been forced upon reluctant, underfunded schools, are not wanted
> and this is made clear to them from the beginning. Housing, benefits,
> reliability of pay, and access to ombudsmen is steadily improving,
> but still has a long way to go.

> PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT
> Many full-time English teachers teach part-time as well, either at
> another institute or with privately-arranged classes.
> Extra-contractual private instruction is illegal; however many
> English teachers do take private students. Part-time instruction at a
> second institute is legal only with permission from the sponsoring
> institute and Korean immigration authorities. Private students pay
> more per hour, but some instructors have found it hard to maintain
> long-term private classes. One should arrange for private lesson fees
> to be paid prior to each class. The Embassy reminds teachers that
> they are personally responsible for any violations of Korean teaching
> and immigration law they might commit.

> VISA MATTERS

> EMPLOYMENT VISAS
> In order to work legally in Korea, one must first obtain the
> appropriate employment visa. The Korean government tightly controls
> visa issuance for employment, and sometimes teachers have been unable
> to obtain visas. A person who wishes to work in Korea must obtain the
> visa outside Korea. One can, however, come to Korea on a tourist
> visa, obtain sponsorship documents, and apply for the visa in a
> nearby country. Depending on the job and other factors, it can take
> between one week and two months to obtain the appropriate visa. A
> teacher arriving in Korea with a teaching visa must register with
> Korean Immigration and obtain a residence certificate and re-entry
> permit within 90 days of entry.

> Additional information about visas for Americans to Korea is
> available here.

> Americans in Korea planning to travel to Fukuoka, Japan should follow
> this link to learn about applying for a Korean visa in Fukuoka.

> Employers, on behalf of Korean government agencies processing your
> case, may briefly need your passport for visa or permit purposes.
> Despite what some employers may tell you, you are not required to
> hand over your passport to your employer for the duration of your
> stay. It is your passport; keep it yourself.

> Korean Immigration offices require the same documentation that was
> used to obtain the visa, so one should make plenty of copies. The
> Embassy has a complete listing of the various visa categories and
> fees, as well as contact information for Korean Immigration offices
> and for Korean consulates in the United States. Visa categories and
> fees may change from time to time, so they should always be confirmed
> with Immigration or a consulate.

> Most English instructors are granted either an E-2 visa (conversation
> instructor), an E-1 visa (professor at educational institution higher
> than a junior college), or an E-5 visa (professional employment with
> a public relations firm or corporation). Dependents of diplomats
> stationed in Seoul can work as English teachers by obtaining a work
> permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This can be handled
> through the Embassy personnel office. An individual who is married to
> a Korean citizen can also acquire permanent residency and the right
> to work under the F-2 category.

> REQUIRED FORMS
> In order to obtain both the visa and the residence permit (which must
> be obtained within 90 days of entry) the following documents must be
> submitted with your passport and application form to either a Korean
> consulate or the Korean Immigration office

> 1. sponsorship guarantee form (notarized) (shin won pojunso)

> 2. contract, not less than one year and not more than two years (ko
> young kyeyakso)

> 3. certificate of employment (chaejik junmyungso)

> These documents are supplied by the employer and should be arranged
> one month in advance to allow for mistakes and other mishaps. In
> addition, the authorities will probably require the following

> 4. statement of purpose

> 5. resume

> 6. passport photos

> 7. notarized copy of college diploma

> 8. transcripts and/or resumes

> 9. references or substantiating documents from foundation, institute
> or organizations you are working for.

> The Ministry of Education, which also must approve the visa and the
> residence permit, requires English teachers to obtain and submit
> Embassy-notarized copies of their resumes with their applications for
> residence permits. This can be accomplished quickly. Notarial
> services cost $30 for the first document, $20 for each additional
> documents.

> CHANGING EMPLOYERS
> Korean Immigration must approve changes in employment. This is
> accomplished through leaving Korea and entering under a new visa with
> a new sponsor. Changing one's employer while in Korea is quite
> difficult and requires written consent of the original sponsor. Even
> with such consent, many teachers have found it nearly impossible to
> effect such a change while in Korea, and some have even been arrested
> and deported for overstaying their original visas while trying to
> change employers within the country. Questions on this procedure
> should be directed to the nearest Immigration office or Korean
> consulate here.

> LEGAL WARNING
> Some Americans have run into serious legal problems with Korean
> Immigration because they either work as English teachers while in
> Korea on tourist visas or they accept part-time employment or private
> classes without obtaining the proper permission. Violation of Korean
> immigration laws can result in severe penalties including
> imprisonment, fines of up to 100,000 won ($80) for each day of
> overstay, or deportation with a ban on re-entry for up to two years.
> It is your responsibility to understand local laws and to obey them.

> If you violate Korean visa laws, the Embassy cannot assist you other
> than to provide you with a list of attorneys.

> CONTRACTS

> Foreign instructors in Korea occasionally have contract disputes with
> their employers. Many have observed that in the Korean context, a
> contract appears to simply be a rough working agreement, subject to
> change depending on the circumstances. Many Koreans do not view
> deviations from a contract as a breach of contract, and few Koreans
> would consider taking an employer to court over a contract dispute.

> Instead, Koreans tend to view contracts as always being flexible and
> subject to further negotiation. Culturally, the written contract is
> not the real contract; the unwritten, oral agreement that one has
> with one's employer is the real contract. However, many employers
> will view a contract violation by a foreign worker as serious, and
> will renege on verbal promises if they feel they can. Any contract
> should be signed with these factors in mind.

> BASIC FEATURES OF MOST TEACHING CONTRACTS
> Contracts for teaching positions should include provisions for the
> following salary, housing, tickets home, working hours, class size,
> severance pay, taxes, and medical insurance. If these items are not
> included, one should negotiate until they are. Information on these
> topics is given below. When in doubt, ask; get it in writing, and
> remember that only the Korean-language version of the contract is
> legally binding in Korea.

> SALARY
> Most contracts provide for either a set monthly salary, or for a
> salary based on the number of hours taught. In any event, a
> guaranteed monthly remuneration should be included in the contract.
> Payment dates, methods, and currency should be specified in advance.

> HOUSING
> Few contracts provide for housing in Seoul. This can be a serious
> problem as housing in Seoul is among the most expensive in the world.
> Housing options include key money (yearly deposit), monthly rent,
> shared housing, dormitories, lodging houses, and inns. If your
> institute does not provide housing, it should at least be able to
> help you in finding housing, and in negotiating the appropriate rent
> and utility payments. Teachers who have been promised housing might
> want to request photos, floorplans or furniture inventories in
> advance. Koreans have very different ideas of what 'western' and
> 'furnished' housing mean. 'Furnished' might only mean a linoleum
> floor and a 2-burner stove. 'Western' usually just means an apartment
> with an indoor bath. Koreans measure housing space in 'pyong'. One
> pyong is approximately 36 square feet. Pyong measurements usually
> include the front porch, utility room, etc. Monthly rents can run
> from U.S. $1300 to U.S. $2000 for a modest apartment.

> KEY MONEY SYSTEM (CHUNSEE)
> Key money (chunsee) is a year's rent paid in advance; with no monthly
> rent payment. At the end of the contract period, the renter receives
> the chunsee back without interest. Chunsee can be risky because
> property ownership may change in the middle of the contract period,
> or an unscrupulous owner may simply decide that the foreigner is in
> no position to fight for the chunsee. One can reduce this risk by
> having the employer agree to pay the chunsee. Chunsee payments run
> from a minimum of 30 million won (US $ 25,000) for a studio in a less
> desirable part of town to 500 million won (US $420,000) for a small
> apartment in one of the richer neighborhoods.

> Wolsee is a variation of chunsee. The renter pays a certain amount
> per month plus an initial deposit which he receives back when s/he
> moves out. The same caveats apply as with chunsee.

> DORMITORIES, LODGING HOUSES (HASUK) AND INNS (YOKWANS)
> Yonsei, Ewha, Seoul, Hanyang, Konkuk, and Hankook Universities all
> have dormitory accommodations available. In addition, the Korea
> Research Foundation runs an International House for foreign students.
> Sometimes these dormitories can accommodate foreign instructors, but
> they usually only accommodate their own regular faculty. Shared
> housing is a popular alternative, but be careful in choosing
> roommates and spell out financial arrangements in advance.

> Lodging houses (hasuk) are popular with young Koreans in college or
> just starting out in their professional careers. Single rooms run
> about US $250 per month, and include Korean-style breakfast and
> dinner, and sometimes include laundry service. The disadvantage is
> the lack of privacy.

> Another option is staying with a local family. This can be an
> excellent opportunity to experience Korean life and culture, but
> again the lack of privacy can be a disadvantage. Most instructors who
> live in such homestays eventually move into more private
> accommodations.

> Finally, some people rent rooms in yokwans (inns) on a monthly basis.
> This is similar to staying in a lodging house, at about the same cost
> with no food provided, but offers far less security and less privacy
> as well. Some yokwans cater to short-term clients and criminals, so
> staying in a yokwan may cause some Koreans to treat you with a lack
> of respect.

> TICKETS HOME
> Some institutes promise to provide tickets home upon completion of a
> contract or to reimburse teachers for the trip to Korea. One should
> be aware that sometimes this commitment is not honored. Consider
> requesting an open-ended round trip ticket in advance. Please note
> that the Embassy does not have funds to help you obtain tickets home.

> WORKING HOURS
> Most institutes require foreign instructors to teach five to six
> hours per day, Monday through Friday, and some also ask instructors
> to teach Saturday morning as well. Universities will usually require
> 10 to 15 hours per week plus participation in student activities such
> as editing school newspapers. Research centers usually require 40
> hours per week, with occasional uncompensated overtime. Saturday
> morning is a normal part of the Korean work week. Teachers may have
> to teach early morning or late evening classes to accommodate working
> students.

> CLASS SIZE
> This is usually not spelled out in the contract. Private institutes
> usually have classes of between 10 to 20 students, while universities
> can have as many as 100 students in a class.

> SEVERANCE PAY (Taechikum)
> The Embassy receives many inquiries and complaints about severance
> pay issues. It is a good idea to broach this subject early in your
> employment, and to be prepared for resistance. By Korean law,
> discussed below, all full-time employees, Korean or foreign, are
> entitled to receive severance pay of one month's salary for each year
> of employment. Employers cannot ask you to waive this, nor can they
> get around it by employing you on an 11-month contract. However,
> Korean courts have ruled that unless a Hakwon instructor actually
> TEACHES 40 or more hours per week, as spelled out contractually, he
> is NOT 'full-time' and is NOT eligible for severance pay.

> The Ministry of Labor has jurisdiction over severance pay matters.
> The Ministry of Labor's general number is (02) 503-9727. The
> International Labor Policy Division of the Ministry of Labor (Tel
> 02-504-7338) may, at your request, call employers to remind them of
> their legal obligations. The Ministry of Education may, at your
> request, call employers to remind them of their legal obligations. If
> you have exhausted all other avenues and feel that you need to take
> legal action, the Embassy can provide you with a list of local
> attorneys.

> Severance pay rights are covered by the Labor Standards Act of the
> Korean Legal Code. English language translations of the Code are
> available at the Kyobo Bookstore, located near the Embassy. The key
> provisions of the Labor Standards Act as they relate to severance pay
> include the following

> Article 28 (Retirement Allowance System) 1) An employer shall
> establish a system by which average wage of not less than thirty days
> per year for each consecutive year employed shall be paid as
> retirement allowance to a retired employee. Provided, however, that
> this shall not apply in cases in where the period of employment is
> less than one year.

> Article 5 (Equal Treatment) No employer may include any
> discrimination in the terms of labor conditions because of
> nationality, religion or social status.

> Article 10 (Scope of Application) stipulates that the act applies to
> all enterprises except small family businesses, domestic servants,
> and those exempted by Presidential decree.

> KOREAN TAXES
> Most foreign employees are required to pay Korean income taxes, which
> are generally withheld and paid by the employer. Teachers working for
> colleges or universities are sometimes entitled to an exemption from
> paying Korean taxes for up to two years because of the U.S.-Korea Tax
> Treaty.

> Article 20 of the Korean tax code states An individual who is a
> resident of a contracting State, and who at the invitation of any
> university, college, or other recognized educational institution,
> visits the other contracting State for a period not exceeding two
> years solely for the purpose of teaching, or research or both at such
> educational institution shall be taxable only in the first mentioned
> State on his remuneration for such teaching or research.

> The Tax Office maintains a list of institutes that are tax exempt.
> This provision applies only to teachers employed at universities,
> research centers, or university-operated institutes. (Teachers at
> hakwons and at private companies have to pay taxes.) The General
> Affairs section of the university or research center should be able
> to apply for the exemption. If the institute wrongly withholds taxes,
> it is required to pay a refund.

> For guidance on these matters contact the Korean Tax Office, as they
> have been helpful in arranging compliance with these provisions. They
> also publish an English language Income Tax Guide for Foreigners.
> This guidebook comes out in April of each year, and is available free
> from any tax office. The Korean tax year runs from May 31 to the
> following May 1, with May income estimated. In most instances, one's
> employer files the appropriate tax forms, but if they do not file,
> the individual must do so.

> If you believe that your employer is not complying with Korean tax
> laws, your first step should be to discuss the matter with him or
> her. If that does not work, you should discuss the matter with the
> Korean Tax Office, International Taxation Division, 397-1583/4, or
> the nearest Korean Tax Office. If the problem is still not solved,
> you may wish to contact an attorney.

> PENSION PROGRAM
> Foreigners living in Korea are required to pay into the national
> pension plan, just as foreigners living in the U.S. must pay into
> Social Security. An agreement effective April 1, 2001 between the
> U.S. and Korea improves Social Security protection for people who
> work or have worked in both countries. For more information on this
> agreement, please see the website for the Social Security
> Administration

> These payments are a common source of concern for ESL teachers.
> Follow this link to learn more about how the system works in Korea
> (on the main page is a link to an abbreviated version of the site in
> English), or call the general affairs department of the National
> Pension at 02-2285-2618.

> U.S. TAXES
> Americans residing abroad are not exempt from filing requirements,
> but are, under certain conditions, entitled to exclusions on
> foreign-earned income. More information on overseas income and filing
> is available from the IRS publications "Tax Guide for U.S.
> Citizens Abroad" and "Overseas Filers of Form 1040."
> These and other Federal tax forms are available at the Embassy, or
> may be downloaded at U.S. Federal Tax Forms.

> IRS representatives are available year-round at the IRS regional
> office in Tokyo. They may be contacted by mail, phone or fax

> Internal Revenue Service
> U.S. Embassy, Tokyo
> 10-5, Asasaka 1 Chome,
> Minato-ku (107)
> Tokyo, Japan

> TEL 81-3-3224-5470
> FAX 81-3-3224-5274
> E-mail: www.irs.gov MEDICAL INSURANCE
> Foreign instructors are entitled to Korean medical insurance through
> their employer. This should be clarified at the time of acceptance of
> employment. Employers often buy the minimum policy required, which
> provides about 400,000 won (about $500) worth of coverage. Those
> desiring more coverage should negotiate with their employers or buy
> their own.

> Medical care in Korea is generally good, but, while not as expensive
> as in the United States, can still be costly. Many practitioners and
> hospitals will not accept overseas health insurance, and may require
> payment before treatment. It is therefore very important for
> individuals to make sure that insurance or funds are available in
> case medical care is needed. The Embassy maintains a list of
> English-speaking medical and dental care providers in Korea, as well
> as a list of insurers willing to write policies for Americans
> residing in Korea.

> SOURCES OF INFORMATION

> The Embassy does not keep a comprehensive listing of foreign language
> institutes nor does it provide assistance in finding employment. In
> Korea, English-teaching jobs are filled either through word of mouth
> or through advertisements in the local English newspapers. or
> websites for English teachers. Occasionally, the better institutes
> will hire through advertisements in the TESOL Newsletter, or at job
> booths at TESOL conferences. They also occasionally advertise through
> college placement offices and newspapers in the United States.

> RECRUITING AND PLACEMENT SERVICES
> Most English teachers hired from the United States do not get their
> jobs directly through the institute where they work. Instead, they
> are recruited by a placement service. These services recruit on
> campus and in U.S. publications. The embassy has received complaints
> about a number of recruiters. Those considering working in Korea
> should deal with recruiters carefully . Many of them do not know at
> which hagwon in which area of Korea the teacher will be placed; very
> few of them, to our knowledge, will accept responsibility for a
> placement that is contrary to the original terms of agreement or
> contract. Prospective teachers should keep all of the advice in this
> publication in mind when discussing employment terms with a
> recruiter.

> Once you arrive in Korea it is a good idea to subscribe to one of the
> local English language newspapers, The Korea Herald or The Korea
> Times. Both are published daily except Sundays, and cost 14,000 won
> per month. Both are available in Seoul at some street newsstands, but
> outside of Seoul are generally only available through subscription.
> The Herald can be contacted at 727-0404, FAX 727-0677, and The Times
> at 724-2828, FAX 723-1623. Overseas subscriptions are available.

> KOREAN YELLOW PAGES, OTHER DIRECTORIES
> The Korean Yellow Pages is a very useful English-language phone
> directory. It is available at most larger bookstores. These stores
> also sell other business directories. The Korean Yellow Pages are
> also on line. The U.S. Foreign Commercial Service and the American
> Chamber of Commerce in Korea jointly publish a Korean business
> directory. These directories contain a wealth of information,
> including addresses and phone numbers for universities and Korean
> government offices. The Korean Research Foundation publishes a
> pamphlet on studying in Korea that contains information on all the
> universities in the country.

> CULTURAL PITFALLS

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

> Teachers have differing 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;
> some 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,
> marginal 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 broke 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 indifference.
> Korea is not an egalitarian society traditionally; one is either of a
> higher or a lower status than other people. Foreigners do not fit
> neatly into any 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 visit only friends, relatives or Korean
> neighborhoods, or travel in groups of other Koreans. Thus, Korean
> society remains very inwardly focused. For most Koreans, foreigners
> exist only as stereotypes, 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 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 does
> disrespectful things, such as dressing or behaving too casually or
> informally, or losing his temper with a boss he considers
> unreasonable, would be held in great disdain by most Koreans, and
> runs the risk of getting into serious trouble with both his employer
> and the Korean Immigration Office. In other words, one 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 in many ways than American society, and
> 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.

> KOREAN BOSSES
> Korean society is extremely hierarchical. The boss is the boss; he is
> never openly questioned or criticized. The same mistreatment you may
> feel you have received from him is probably not limited to his
> foreign employees. If he has done so to you, he probably also reneges
> on contracts and makes unreasonable demands of his Korean employees
> too. As a result, one should be careful in how one deals with one's
> employer. When discussing issues that might become difficult, one
> should make sure not to lose one's temper, raise one's 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 still are understood. Of
> course, foreigners often do not understand. It is important that one
> understand what is expected and what is required up front, and that
> any misunderstanding be solved early on. Otherwise, problems may
> develop.

> ADAPTING TO KOREA SOCIETY

> (This section of advice was written by KOTESOL, the local English
> Teacher's association.)

> CULTURE SHOCK
> When first arriving in a country, one is usually excited and eager
> for new experiences. After a while, the newness wears off, and
> homesickness begins. Do not judge yourself too severely at this
> point. It happens to everyone. "I will never understand this
> place. I want some real food, some real friends, a real apartment.
> Why do Koreans do X?"

> There is hope and it is usually just a matter of time. As you
> continue to cope with the realities of living here, you begin to take
> things for granted which used to annoy you. Life becomes pleasant
> enough that you no longer care about the inconveniences. You suddenly
> find that you like kimchi. You realize your students are interesting
> people to know, that helping them improve their English just adds to
> that interest; you begin to understand your boss who was such a pain
> when you came; you make a few good friends who are willing to show
> you the Korea outside of the foreigner's community, you begin to try
> and learn some Korean and use it. There are many foreigners in Korea
> who have come to and remain at this point, - not so much assimilated,
> but a part of the country in their own niche here, and who want to
> spend a long time in Korea.

> For many others, however, the feeling eventually comes that it is
> time to leave. With luck you will realize it before it affects your
> life too deeply. It is time to leave when you begin to be negative
> about the country and its people. When you no longer want to go to
> work; when you dislike your students; when you become irritated with
> everything and everyone and have angry discussions with others of
> like mind, it is time to go.

> HOW THE EMBASSY CAN HELP

> The Embassy, by regulation, cannot enter into any case, conduct any
> investigation, or act as a lawyer for any personal mishap or
> employment dispute experienced by a U.S. citizen. We cannot
> investigate, certify, or vouch for employers. It is up to each
> individual to evaluate an employer before signing a contract, and to
> use common sense when traveling this far, including keeping
> sufficient funds available to return home should the situation become
> untenable.

> The Embassy can assist Americans in a variety of ways. The Embassy
> offers notary services, renews passports, assists with absentee
> voting registration, and stocks basic U.S. Federal Tax Forms.

> We can provide phone numbers of Korean government agencies you may
> have to deal with. If you find yourself in need of legal help, we can
> provide a list of attorneys; however, we are unable to recommend any
> specific lawyer from this list. In case of a financial emergency, we
> can receive and disburse funds sent to you from a source in the U.S.,
> usually much faster than a bank or wire transfer.

> Finally, we encourage all U.S. citizens to register with the Embassy.
> Registration allows us to contact you in the event of a family
> emergency. You can also sign up for our monthly ACS newsletter by
> going to our main page

> We hope that this information has been useful. If you have any
> problems, please contact the American Citizen Services Branch at the
> U.S. Embassy, 32 Sejongno, Jongno-gu
> Seoul 110-710. Our telephone number for basic information is
> 397-4114. Our Fax number is 02-397-4101.

> American Citizen Services is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and
> Friday from 9:00-11:30 a.m., and again from 1:30-3:30 p.m. We are
> closed on Wednesdays and on both U.S. and Korean holidays.

> Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Korea!