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English Teachers in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) #2

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active church membership; and nonviolent peacemaking.

MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

English Teachers in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) #2 in Pyongyang, North Korea

Term: 
One or two semesters
Date Opened: 
February 16, 2011
Date Required: 
March 1, 2013

 

Synopsis: 
MCC is seeking two native-English-speaking Canadian teachers to teach English at two middle schools in North Korea. In addition to providing English teaching and training, the opportunity to live and work in North Korea will serve to build bridges of understanding between countries. Responding to the request for English teachers is one of a number of ways that MCC is engaged in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), but the English teachers would be the only MCC workers actually resident in the DPRK.

 

Qualifications: 
  • Teaching degree/experience required. Training/experience in teaching ESL preferred.
  • Native English language ability required.
  • Ability to plan lessons, prepare handouts/exercises, and exams required.
  • Teachers should be able to adapt teaching style and goals to DPRK wishes rather than insisting on reforming the system.
  • Openness to assuming occasional extra tasks assigned by the host school, such as taping listening materials or giving a talk at another institution.
  • Genuine interest in and sensitivity to North Korean students and colleagues, as well as a gentle spirit in encounters both in and out of the classroom.
  • Willingness to experience life from a completely different perspective necessary.
  • Experience in working or living in a tightly controlled environment a plus.
  • Previous international experience required.
  • Patience, perspective and the ability to accept personal and professional restrictions required.
  • Canadian citizenship required.
  • Due to limitations in local medical facilities, it is important that the teachers are in excellent health.
  • Background and/or interest in DPRK issues desired.
  • Korean language ability an asset.

 

Assignment Description: 
This is a short-term service worker assignment of two 3 ½ -month semesters. MCC is looking for two teachers, preferably a married couple without dependent children. The assignment is only open to Canadian citizens. Service workers will begin their assignments with MCC orientation in N. America, followed by MCC NE Asia/DPRK orientation in Beijing. The first semester runs from the beginning of April through the end of June, and the second from the beginning of September through the end of November. Service workers opting for two semesters of teaching would be given time for language study and vacation during the summer.

The request for teachers comes from a training centre in Pyongyang, DPRK that is looking for English teachers for two of its middle schools. Middle school students in the DPRK have up until recently been studying English from Korean teachers only, not from foreign teachers. The move towards inviting foreign teachers to teach at the middle school level indicates a new push or interest in equipping North Korean students especially in spoken English. Middle schools in the DPRK are for students ages 11-17. At this point it is not certain which age groups the MCC teachers will teach.

Teachers will be expected to teach approximately 5 hours of class to students each day Monday through Friday, with the possibility of some Saturday classes as well. The teaching schedule may undergo minor changes but teachers would most likely teach one lesson plan to 6 different classes during 45-minute class periods each day. Class size averages 25 students. Teaching curriculum will be provided by the schools with some possibilities for personalizing by the individual teachers.

The teachers will be provided with an apartment, most likely in a hotel setting. Only very simple meals will be able to be prepared in the apartment, with most meals eaten in a relatively small selection of restaurants. Groceries can be obtained from diplomatic shops. Fresh produce can also be purchased at these shops, and possibly also at a market with assistance from Korean hosts. Transportation to and from the school will be provided, as well as for personal shopping needs. Interaction with North Korean citizens outside of the classroom will be limited. The teachers should come with low expectations about getting to know their students or other Koreans they engage with on a personal level. There will be opportunities to interact with some of the few expatriates living in Pyongyang, which include English teachers placed in Pyongyang universities by the British Council.

The teachers will be supported and supervised by the MCC NE Asia Representative resident in Beijing, China, a 1 ½ hour flight away. Teachers will have limited access to the internet. Telephone calls outside of the country will also be limited due to very high cost.

 

Duties: 
Prepare lessons and then teach approximately 5 hours each day Monday through Friday, with the possibility of additional classes on Saturdays.

Take opportunity for language study prior to assignment and again during the summer break. Vacation time would need to be taken during summer break. Teachers will be encouraged to take their vacation outside of the DPRK. Additional opportunities to take a short rest leave from the DPRK will be provided each semester.

Be patient and respectful, listen and learn.

Other duties as assigned.

 

Location Description: 
Pyongyang is the capital city of North Korea, a country also known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). It is a clean, well-planned city. Due to economic constrictions, fuel and electricity are sometimes in short supply and can limit transportation and heating systems. Foreigners should expect limited freedom of movement outside of certain areas though within the diplomatic housing area, hotels, and restaurants, it’s possible to meet each other. Foreigners have access to certain stores which supply their basic needs. Korean Catholic and Protestant services are held regularly and it is possible for foreigners to attend, though interaction with members of these congregations is limited. Depending on the current expatriate population, there may be opportunity to enjoy small group fellowship. Winter lasts a full six months in Pyongyang. It can feel very cold without adequate heating. Teachers will need to bring along lots of warm clothing to layer, heavy winter jackets, and may even require gloves in the classroom during the coldest months. Television broadcasts only Korean programming which is also quite limited. There are health facilities available for foreigners. Teachers should be prepared to entertain themselves with reading, writing, and other indoor activities most evenings.

 

Challenges: 
In the winter months the cold, both inside buildings and out of doors, needs to be planned for and accepted. Apartments, though simply furnished and decorated, generally have heated floors.

Entertainment will be quite limited. Teachers are encouraged to bring along books or other things to pass their time in evenings when they are not preparing lessons.

Foreigners are not given many freedoms within North Korean society. Interaction with students in the class itself has proved to be the most rewarding thing for teachers to the DPRK.

Despite the isolation experienced by the DPRK and difficult foreign relations, foreigners invited to the DPRK are well-looked-after by Korean hosts. Physical safety is not a concern.

Communication with others outside of the country is somewhat difficult. There is not likely to be internet service in the apartment and teachers may need to travel to one of the UN offices or an international hotel for access.