Rick's Guide to How to Get and Keep a Foreign Worker

1) Do not assume the foreigner already knows Korean culture. Telling him after the fact is helpful but is bad timing.

2) Don't assume the foreigner knows the Korean language or wants to learn it. Most foreign ESL teachers only come to Korea for a year and hence don't have much need to learn the language.

3) Fluency does not happen overnight. When someone is immersed in a new language it still takes 5 ~ 6 years to become fluent.

4) Everything needs to be translated. When a teacher stands up and announces something or when a sign is posted on the wall, it needs to be translated. When there is information announced over the PA, it needs to be translated. When there is a meeting or a worship service, it needs to be translated. Please understand that hearing a sermon translated versus preached by a native speaker are not the same thing.

5) The contract is the law and is set in stone. A contract is a legally binding document that must be followed by both parties. The only way a contract can be changed is by the agreement of both parties. Changing or disregarding the contract by the employer without consulting with the employee results in distrust and sometimes with the employee leaving mid contract.

6) Not fully disclosing all of the requirements of the job (surprises) can lead to resentment. Also, telling them they are late with doing something they were never told to do is not good.

7) The Bible talks about taking care of the widow and the foreigner. It is not easy being a foreigner. There is often depression, discrimination, along with the understanding that they are now very limited with what they can and cannot do by themselves. They will needs assistance with simply things such as phone calls, obtaining food or toiletries, getting clothes, opening and keeping a bank account, etc.

8) Culture difference. In Korea when someone makes a mistake or is angry, often the reply is a smile or mild laughter to lighten the mood. In other countries this means you are making fun of the individual.

9) In Asian culture things are planned last minute. In Western culture things are planned far in advance and almost never change.

Make sure both parties know these items and both know that they need to be flexible.

(It's not fun being the first....)