Korean Job Discussion Forums

[munster]

I've been thinking long and hard as to whether I should teach in Korea or not. I wanted to get the right experience to later teach in another country. I didn't want to teach kids in a Hagwon because I heard that you don't really learn anything from that.

What if I took a TESOL course in Seoul and then got a good gig at a public school? I already have a degree in Spanish, which is a language degree, unlike people who might have one in something other than a language. This might be to my advantage since I studied language well with emphasis on grammar and pronunciation. I studied other languages as well. Part of my major included at least two required courses in linguistics and one in translation so I might just have some of the right preparation for this after all. The only issue is accomodations and the course which would be expensive probably.

If I go to teach I want to do it right with the right credentials and preparation even though my stay might be no longer than a year.

Any thoughts on this approach? Thanks. M.

[spyro25]

just an idea, but why dont you try to get some work teaching spanish, perhaps in korea? i'm not sure how many jobs there are or how much they pay but they may not be as crappy as a lot of the english teaching jobs in korea. just a thought anyway. it would be interesting to hear how teachers of languages other than english in korea were treated.

[jmbran11]

You can't teach Spanish unless you are a native from a Spanish-speaking country (if you need an E-2 visa).

My husband, who has a degree in sports and no experience teaching, was offered several public school jobs by recruiters. The only "credentials" required seemed to be a photo and getting your documents in as soon as possible.

If you want those jobs, take a nice photo and apply with recruiters (or directly with the school board). I'm sure the public school teachers here can give you the hook-up. I wouldn't worry about TESOL certification unless you go through a quality program.

[munster]

In fact, I happen to be a native of a South American country with documents from that country. I'd be coming from the United States so I don't how that would work out but I never taught Spanish either so I'm not quite sure how I would pull that off.

As far as the certifications go, I know that the usual comment is that I have to have white skin and a heartbeat and a degree in anything. I just hope that teaching for the first time and teaching kids at that would be a waste of time. I might just go for a cert in South America and start teaching there. I don't want to think too much either. I realize that many people go to Korea for the money, which in itself is not a bad thing.

Thanks for your responses.

[hubba bubba]

But, do you now how to play hangman?

[munster]