South Korea General Facts for English Teachers
After you get the certification from American TESOL Institute, you will be offered ESL job in Korea. So, it is obvious that you are expected to respect the local culture and heritage once you are there and being a teacher in school, you should behave in such a way that the students will look up to you as an ideal. South Koreans are quite proud of their rich cultural heritage and you are also expected to follow certain local etiquettes. Check out the following dos and don’ts and try to follow them when you join any South Korean school as an ESL teacher:
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Wear decent dress for business occasions. Men with dark suits and white shorts are preferred and women should wear light color dresses.
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Men with jewelry are not accepted. Only a wedding ring or watch is well accepted.
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Don’t sit until and unless you are asked to sit
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Food is first served to elder most people and they begin the eating also.
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Never eat with your hands
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Don’t keep your chopsticks crossed on the chopstick rest.
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Take initiative when you are in a group even if you do not know what to do. Ask someone to help you.
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Do eat each and every item that is served to you
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Don’t make fun of Korean cuisines. The local people are very proud of their own preparations.
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Gifts are reciprocated in South Korean culture and so do not give any expensive gift to someone who cannot reciprocate that to you.
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Red, pink and yellow are the preferred colors for wrapping paper. Don’t wrap with black, green and white wrapping paper.
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Give out gifts using your both hands
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Shake hands when you meet someone. The traditional South Korean greeting is bow. Whenever a person of lower status meets a person of higher status is expected to show respect by bowing and the person from higher status takes the initiative for handshake.
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You are expected to bid farewell to every individual when leaving a social party.
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Bring flowers, chocolates or fruits for your host when visiting someone’s home.
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Try to be punctual always.
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Take off your shoes before you get inside the home.
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Send a note of thanks to your host on the next day.
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You can discuss sports specially soccer, nation’s economic conditions, personal hobbies or international achievements comfortably with the South Koreans. Don’t discuss the Korean War, communism, socialism, personal matters and politics with them.
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Don’t get surprised if someone asks personal questions like your age or salary.
