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All foreigners who come to teach in Korea are different, and therefore have many different expectations. Some are professionally trained teachers with a wide range of experience and training. Others hold degrees in unrelated fields, and are teaching in Korea because they want to experience another culture. Most expect to be treated professionally and to make a lot of money. While it is true that teachers are respected in Korea, and that salaries for ESL instructors are relatively high, it is important to keep in mind that you will face many challenges.
Many situations will arise that will confuse and possibly frustrate someone unfamiliar with Korea. If you make an honest attempt accept Korean culture as it is and recognize that you are an outsider looking in, you will be able to deal much more easily with strange or uncomfortable situations.

Always remember that foreigners are still somewhat of a novelty in Korea. You may frequently find yourself the focus of a great deal of attention (this is particularly true outside of Seoul). Groups of school children may shout "hello" at you from across the street, and you may find that people stare at you in restaurants or on the street. While this will most likely cause you a great deal of discomfort at first, it is important to come to terms with it. It is not mean spirited, and you will often find that being 'special' has more advantages then disadvantages.

Relationships (both personal and business) may seem a great deal more complicated in Korea than you are used to. Most Koreans have a very close relationship with their family, friends (from high school or university) and coworkers. Members of this inner circle must always be treated with great concern and esteem. Strangers are often treated with indifference. A person's age is also important. Older people are often deferred to, and most Korean's are acutely aware of the ages of those around them. An age difference of only one or two years may have a significant impact on a relationship.

As a foreigner in Korea, you are not expected to be aware of the subtleties of Korean culture. However, your efforts to understand will lead to a much more enriching experience in Korea. Always remember that Korean society is much more conservative than Western society; you should always try to be sensitive to cultural norms and expectations.

Teachers are often expected to participate in school events such as a school trips and English contests, even if they are held on Saturday. Try not to think of this as overtime work. Meetings, dinners and trips should be announced well in advance to give the teachers time to prepare and plan, but sometimes your boss will spring a dinner on you with no warning. However, if you are not available, simply inform your employer politely and it will not cause any problems. It is important to be flexible when working in Korea

Some school directors do not speak English very well, and it may be very difficult to communicate. Staff meetings are often conducted entirely in Korean. Many of your coworkers will not be able to speak English either, so you may have difficulties calling the school. This may result in you feeling somewhat excluded and isolated. Don't hesitate to ask your supervisor or the other Korean English teacher to translate for you. You will find that your English-speaking coworkers will go out of their way to assist you. They will do everything they can to assure that you are comfortable in your new job. Try to get along with your co-workers, and learn Korean for fun. While you should not feel obligated to learn Korean, even a little Korean will make your stay here much more enjoyable. Koreans will feel more comfortable with you and will be eager to be your friend. If you like teaching English and meeting other people, you will enjoy yourself and have no problems here. Whether you have a positive or negative experience teaching English in Korea is dependent on your attitude. With a little effort on your part, your stay in Korea will be a very enjoyable and enriching experience.

If you have any difficulties with your employer, it is important to keep a few things in mind. Koreans are very flexible with regards to their work; working conditions and hours often vary depending on the situation. This is in contrast to the Western way of doing things, where working conditions and hours are firmly set in advance. However, most schools have had a great deal of experience with foreigners, and are aware of this difference. If you do find yourself feeling that your boss is being unreasonable, do not get angry. Politely state your position to your employer, and explain why the situation is a problem for you. Do not shout or use bad language, as this is very disrespectful in Korea. It is most likely that the situation is the result of a misunderstanding. As the Korean language is not very precise, many things are understood without being said. While a Korean may understand what is going on, it will most likely cause you to feel confused. Do not hesitate to ask direct questions regarding situations you don't understand.