Korean Job Discussion Forums

poet13 · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:10 am Post subject:

"If I just wanted the certificate, I would just buy one online, but I'm trying to improve my teaching, so I want to take a decent course."

I'm not shill for KEI, and I'm not dissing the ITTT cause I don't know diddly about it, but if you're interested in being a being a better teacher, go KEI.

When I started, and even when I finished my course, I took it for the money. I didn't choose KEI because I wanted to read and study so much, I really just felt guilty about buying a cert online.

In retrospect, I am SO glad I did. I am a very different teacher than I was before the course. I have a much better understanding of what makes the little [Mod Edit] tick (sorry, boys school).....I mean, how to engage, and keep engaged, my learners.

I feel strange giving props like I have to KEI, cause I just don't do that, but I really did have a good experience with them.

meangradin · Joined: 10 Mar 2006

A poster mentioned something that caught my attention; bascially, ITTT uses the 'Engage, Study and Activate" model. I just read Jeremy Harmer's "How to Teach English," which is based around this style, and in fact, uses these very terms. Is this book used in the program?

Also, I am thinking of taking the distance TESOL diploma course from VCC (Vancouver Community College) as it can be used toward a Masters from the University of Leicester. Does anyone have any info/feedback about either courses? The two drawbacks of the VCC course are the cost and the time; approx. $5,000 and 9 months. However, I hear it is without comparison.

poet13 · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:13 am Post subject:

Yes, ESA is encouraged as the latest teachign methodology. However, many other teaching methodologies are explained as well. Their strengths, weaknesses, purpose, etc.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

it's full of stars · Joined: 26 Dec 2007

I'm interested in this thread because I've been thinking about taking one of the online courses to bump up my money and to improve my teaching with the studnuts.

I've read that a number of people have completed it and been given a raise so chatted about it with my co-teacher. Imagine my surprise when she told me that I wouldn't get a raise if I completed this. I asked to clarify, even if it was a one hundred hour certificate in teaching young learners, not a replication of something I already have? I already have a tefl cert (120hrs + observed prac). The answer is no, I'm at the top of my pay scale and can't get a raise for another year. Eh?

Apparently (I'm at level 1 in EPIK) I have to work for another year at my current level, before becoming eligible for the 1+ thingy, that means no raise until Sept 09. My contract finishes Sept of this year and I've been toying with the idea of re-signing.

Basically I was thinking I could do a course, re-sign for a year and get a 200,000 bump in salary (niceuh). No, you are not a permanent teacher, you are on a temporary contract so you don't get a raise every year.

What do you think?

If anyone has any information that refutes what my co-t says, please post it, along with relevent links. Very Happy

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

The information regarding your pay raise and level bump is specifically for foreign teachers teaching English. Your co-teacher is misinformed. The big three EPIK, GEPIK, and SMOE all accept training TESL/TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificates that allow foreign teachers to receive this benefit. It can be verified through the local provincial office of education. We have worked with many students in all three agencies and no one has been refused the raise and/or level increase based on what your co-teacher is saying. In Korea the government recognizes all certificate programs that are legally registered and operate under the guidelines that have been established. This is the current guidance on this matter.

If you need more assistance you can send me a PM and I can speak with your co-teacher about this.

Darkness · Joined: 12 Oct 2006

I'm in the process of taking this ITTT course, it can be completed fairly simply, or it can be drawn out and very informative.

This course you will get out of it, what you put in....

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

it's full of stars · Joined: 26 Dec 2007

I wanted to take a course with a different specialisation, like teaching young learners. I wanted to take this course so I would get a raise. I don�t want to repeat what I�ve already done. I didn't get a raise for doing my current TEFL, I've had it for 2 + years so it was taken into account in my base salary when I started. I've only been in Korea for 6 months and change.

But it seems there are no 100 hour young learners courses, anyone know of one?

Now, according to the co-t, I won't get a raise until Sept 2009, because I'm on a temporary contract, not a permanent contract like a Korean teacher (because I'm not a special person Sad

) and because I'm at the top of my pay scale.

The point of my post is to say that I'm surprised that I'm not getting a raise even if I re-sign and to ask for advice about young learners courses (100 hrs +) that aren't a repetition of the generic TEFL/TESOL certs . Sorry if I wasn't clear before.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

poet13 · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:32 am Post subject:

Is there anything after 1+?

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

agoodmouse · Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Location: Anyang

daz1979 · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Location: Gangwon-Do

How fast can you complete the course and how long does it take to receive your qualification?