Do I have to learn Korean?
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It's not necessary. But I highly recommend that you learn as much as you can. More Korean You are able to understand, the less paranoid and alienated you feel. Alienation and the paranoia which often accompanies it is 90% the result of the foreigners inability to understand what is happening around. Even a little ability will make a difference in how comfortable you feel.
Some school directors can speak fluent English but some can't and maybe very difficult to communicate with them.
A teacher may ask one of the Korean teachers to translate for him/her. Also staff meetings are conducted entirely in Korean. You feel excluded during the meeting if you can't understand a word. Being able to speak/read/understand Korean is not a requirement for the job, but you should be prepared for this.
Our advice is that you should try to get along with your co-workers and learn Korean from them. Even if they are poor English speakers and sometimes they might disturb you and intrude into your personal life, but they will help you as best they can.
