Job Discussion Forums

Isiod · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 3

This may be silly, but will a years TEFL at a public school in South Korea mean much to an employer in S.A. (Argentina/Chile), especially as opposed to a one month TEFL certificate. I realise they are quite different, but wondering about employer's perception.
At the moment I am applying for teaching jobs in South Korea. I was hoping to go straight to Argentina but thought I might enjoy it more next year with a bit of cash in the bank.
Suggestions Please.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Sorry, but my first suggestion is learning how to spell experience.

The main thing here is that you are a native speaker and have either experience or a TEFL.

But be aware that finding a job beforehand is difficult.

Isiod · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 3

I purposefully spell checked my post (obviously forgetting the title), knowing the common criticisms on this forum.
I realise it is necessary to turn up in S.A. first, but a year in Korea will help my chances a fair bit while there?
Cheers

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

It's not really an 'either/or' question, but your experience certainly carries a lot of value. You didn't mention other qualifications...?

I think you'll be fine...at worst, you'll have to do a demo class to prove your salt.

Isiod · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 3

Cheers for the advice.
I have a BA (Hons) and an Associate Degree in Speech (which I hope is worth something)

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Huh. Well, do you feel you know your stuff? If so, go to it. I'm not really sure what TEFL in public schools in Korea is all about.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

It is how well you get along with your supervisor. If you demonstrate that not only do you know the info, but you can teach it in a fun entertaining way and if necessary have the appropriate visa, you-ll get hired.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 7:33 pm Post subject:

Getting kind of tired of hearing me harp on the "Training vs Experience" question yet, guys?

Experience counts, certainly. So does training. Those of us who hire teachers generally are hoping for both. But if this doesn't happen, we compromise. It makes me interview people a lot harder if they are unqualified, because I don't really know exactly what they've been doing in the classroom. And I know that there are plenty of places where they may have gained experience where, realistically, they could have gotten away with anything. It's great to have an experienced teacher, but unless they worked somewhere I know the director, and can call her for a chat, I don't know "experience doing what?" Coming in late? Coming in drunk? Playing hangman? Killing time by telling long winded stories? phoning in sick?

A CELTA, Trinity Cert, SIT Cert, or anything else is only a beginning, but at least I know what it is. I don't have to guess what you were doing, or to try to find out.

If I hire somebody with a cert but no experience, in 6 to 12 months they'll have both.

If they only have the experience, that's all they're gonna have.

In-house training is well and good, but if you do a cert, I can dedicate my time to training you many hours every day, for a month, without interruption. Once you're working, neither one of us has the time.

I would get the cert, and the experience.

Best,
Justin