Teaching English abroad is still one of the most popular gap year or post-graduate activities on the schedule of many young people. Most leave their pop togs, skate wear and hip hop clothes at home in favour of more simple attire. Locations like Thailand, Laos, Goa, the African continent and South America are popular thanks to their cultural richness and the value of English language learning.
But there are some unexpected benefits to choosing economically powerful countries like Japan, Korea and China.
The traditional Asian location is arguably Japan. The JET government program has been effective in bringing native English speakers into the everyday school environment. However its success is disputed. Needlessly high wages (compared to very low wages of Japanese teachers), low morals and an antiquated educational system have made English language one of the least effective subjects in state high schools.
In recent years Korea’s education system has undergone an impressive overhaul. English language is valued throughout state schools. Native English speaking teachers tend to be provided privately via non-government companies. As such, competition is fierce and standards high.
For the native English-speaker, Korea is a land of opportunity. Low cost of living, rife native culture and a young but mind-blowing underground world of beat-boxing, rap poetry, DJ’s, hip hop clothing, graffiti, animation and K-Pop (the most bubblegum of pop genre’s!) are attracting innovative young foreign minds.
Korean youth culture is still finding its voice. So far the voice it chooses is urban. In Seoul’s underground nightclubs the attention is focussed on rap battles – largely in English. Urban fashion floods the eyes and the familiar accents of Liverpool, London, New York and Vancouver crash into the ears.
The influence of the west on Korea’s urban scene is clear, but so far these kids are moving very much in their own direction. To them the urban scenes of the west are simply inspiration. Though emulated initially – from emulation comes innovation.