Job Discussion Forums

[fortunate son]

I am an attorney from a top 50 law school who recently got laid off. I love to travel and I'm getting my ducks in a row to head to Korea. Even if I get another legal job here, I'm pretty much over the constant anxiety and stress of getting laid off with no notice, so the prospect of a year-long contract and being paid to live in another culture excite the shit out of me. Plus I've always wanted to teach, and have, kinda. I have 6 months of experience teaching the LSAT and I'm working on my online TEFL Cert from i to i. My undergraduate degree is in philosophy (magna *beep* laude from a top 15 public university).

Just a few questions:

Will my JD allow me to possibly get a Uni job? If not, will I be able to command a higher rate from a public or hagwon? Is there a demand for Westerners to teach Legal English? I'm more than willing to pay my dues at a private or public school for a year or so and then go to University.

What sort of pay should I expect? Should I demand airfare paid for up front?(instead of reimbursement).

Does anyone know anything about CDI/Aclipse? I have an interview with them on Monday.

I'm more or less dead set on Seoul if I go to Korea. What are my chances at nabbing a decent job there, starting within the next few months?

Is there a decent network of expats in Seoul that I could possibly hang out with?

Should I look into other countries? How viable is Europe, or Japan, or even Russia?

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

[johnson430]

Hello and welcome fortunate son,

You are either a CCR fan or you parents are loaded...or both.

I don't think a J.D. is going to be that important in teaching English abroad.
Let me explain. (I might be talking out my rear)
A J.D. from an American university is considered non-scholarly.
If I am not mistaken, a J.D. in the US is a 3 year program and is not like getting an MA or PhD where a thesis or dissertation is needed for graduation requirements. Your J.D. pertains to law and has nothing to do with English or primary/secondary education.

That being said, I think a BA in English or Ed. would get you better pay than a J.D., if you plan to TEFL.

You stated you were doing the i-to-i online program.; from my research I have surmised that a program that doesn't have 100+ hours of training plus additional time teaching students is a waste of time and money.

This next statement is not directed at you specifically but to anyone who is wanting to take an "online" teaching cert.

I am a certified high school English teacher in Texas and I am appalled at these "online TELF training" classes. The reality is that no "good" school is going to hire a poorly trained teacher. ie: someone who has taken an online cert w/o observable teaching practice of at least 6 hours.

Moreover, if you had a child and were paying money to have your child learn another language would you want the most qualified person doing the job or someone who took an online class and never stepped foot in a classroom?

Teaching isn't a glamorous job but if done well it can be very rewarding.

My suggestion to you, if you are a fortunate son and have the resources, is to pay the money and do the time to get CELTA or SIT TESOL certified.
You are going to find yourself more prepared in a month-long program than an "online scam."

Good luck.

Mr. J says:
Teach because you want to change other people's lives not just your own.

[naturegirl321]

There's a separate Korea forum. Just one thing, the won is going down.

AS for the JD, I had a friend who did that. And she did it after her BA, so the OP, I think, should have atleast a BA.

Wherever you go, try to avoid recruiters.

The fact that you have a degree and are a native speaker will get you jobs, not high paying ones, but they have enough benefits. YOu might also want to try contacting unis in the US that have schools abroad. Better pay that way.

FOr uni jobs,. you'll have to submit references and transcripts. Take longer and is more difficult than institutes. BUt you have less housing, but no housing, but more vacations.

Airfare is usually half after one semester, half after the second. CDI is an institute. Aclipse is a recruiter. There are TONS Of expats in Korea.

Europe is harder if you don't have a passport from an EU country. The new EU and non EU countries are possible. BUt they usually pay as much as ASia. Think average of 700 usd a month. Except in ASia you get housing and flights.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

Discussions regarding living and teaching in Korea should take place on the Korean board. This thread is now unlocked with the understanding that a renewed focus on Korea in the thread will result in its no longer being available. Your cooperation is appreciated.

[Glenski]