ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the professional development situation for Native English Speaking Teachers (NESTs) in Korea regarding pedagogy, considering how all parties may benefit from NESTs that are given the opportunities to develop professional skills, which may in turn reduce high levels of stress that tend to appear in the classroom. As professional development may be one way to reduce stress among novice NESTs, it is essential to examine the different options available to the teachers during their teaching contracts. Internal and external sources played a role in NESTs' personal and professional development, though the negative aspects seemed to have a larger impact, affecting motivation and stress. Private language schools in Korea are popular among parents and students alike. Many schools hire Native English Speakers (NESs), who are often preferred by parents and students because they offer native language models and a link to English-speaking culture.
