Job Discussion Forums

[cmcstar1]

Hi, my name is Christina. I'm a newbie here...a third year university student in Oregon. I'll be graduating with a degree in English next year, with career aspirations in high school education. I recently discovered this unique opportunity to not only gain valuable teaching experience to help with my application and future teaching career, but to also fulfill my desire to travel abroad before life gets too complicated for me to do so (mortgage, family, career, children...). Two birds with one stone, in a way. I'd also like to save up some money

I'm considering looking for jobs in Korea, since I have family there that I've never met before. I'm only about a quarter Korean, but I'd like to experience the culture and maybe learn something about my late grandmother's life.

This idea is very new to me, and I have some basic concerns that I hope someone can help me address.

1. If I invest the money to get my TEFL certification, can I feel confident that I will be able to find a legitimate job somewhere?

2. Will I be able to save money working in Korea? Is the cost of living so high that a typical salary would be eaten up by expenses, even if I live pretty frugally? I understand that this is a common problem in Japan, but I haven't heard much about Korea.

Thank you so much for any assistance you can give.

[Glenski]

1. In Japan, you don't even need a TEFL certificate to start work in most situations. Since you have no experience, you're really eligible to work only in conversation schools (eikaiwas), or on the JET programme. Neither require certification.

2. Saving money is up to you. Yes, location plays a big role, as does your rent, but ultimately it's up to you. Ask yourself these 3 questions:

* Do you find it easy to save money now?
* How much money in debts will you have to pay after you graduate?
* Are you a meat-eater or vegetarian?

With a basic eikaiwa job, you make 250,000 yen/month before taxes. Half of that is gone to basic necessities. JET ALTs make 300,000 yen/month, and many have much cheaper (or no) rent to pay.

[Gordon]

You may want to post on the Korea forum, this forum is for everywhere except Korea. Having said that, you will have no problem saving money in Korea even if you like to shop and party. Things cost less in Korea than in America, travel is also cheap there.
A TEFL certificate is not needed to get a job in Korea, but it should help you with your teaching (that is the purpose of them).

Most of the jobs in Korea is with kids, but you should have a few HS groups too.

Do you speak any Korean? That will help outside the classroom, but will have no bearing in getting a job as you will be expected to use only English.

[cmcstar1]

Thank you both so much for your replies. I'll take this post to the Korea forum. Sorry to bother you guys here, I didn't realize this was the wrong place for Korea questions. Nonetheless, you were really helpful to me. Thanks again.