Korean Job Discussion Forums

[crsandus]

Hi,

As some of you may know, I plan on going over to Korea sometime next year to teach English. I�ve been regularly reading Dave�s Forums and I would categorize myself as an �unqualified� teacher. When I say this, I mean that I have the necessary bachelor�s degree from a 4 year college and speak English as a native language from the states, but I do not have any teaching experience nor does my major relate to English (Computer Engineering).

I try to make an effort to plan major events in my life and I would like to do so with teaching English. My question is the following:

1. What books/online courses do you recommend I read or complete before I go to Korea? Psychology/TOEFL/grammar/phonics/teaching.

Some facts that may affect your answer:

-I don�t have the resources to take a college course in English or education due to a variety of reasons.
-I would prefer books or online courses (maybe one of those 100 hour TOEFL courses I hear about).
-My writing, reading and spelling skills are my strong points while my grammar is definitely my weak point.
-I�m already learning Korean.
-I've had younger siblings and have done tutoring in highschool and college, but my experience with kids end at that.
-I plan on applying to GEPIK or EPIK so I will be teaching children anywhere from K-12.
-My cultural knowledge of Korea is decent and my oldest sister is a Korean teacher. (I haven't dropped the news to my Korean family that I am going to Korea to teach so I won't be asking her questions until next year at the earliest).

[Bibbitybop]

Taking a classroom-based ESL course will put you ahead of most teachers here with a 4 year degree.

Already learning the language? Way to go. The Koreans are going to love you.

Why stop at EPIK or GEPIK? Apply for everything you can, include jobs in Seoul.

Teaching only happens through experience. Buying books and tutoring siblings or small groups helps, but most people here are thrown into it all at once. Just be confident that you can read, write and speak English. Since you have time, relearn grammar rules. We learned that in elementary school, right? Brush up for a week and you're set.

Good luck, apply for public school jobs within the month or two, enjoy the recreations you can't find in Korea and laugh at your friends stuck in an office job.

[PRagic]

Don't prepare, especially if you are planning on working for an institute. They get what they pay for, and they aren't paying for professional teachers. They know it, and so should you. If you take it too seriously, you'll have a rough time of it.

Going to work for a school? I still wouldn't prepare. Salaries are low, and the material is pathetically straight forward. Again, if they are going to hire people with no teacher training, they deserve what they get.

Come on over and enjoy your time. The system is set up for you to jump right in with no training whatsover.

[Whistleblower]

I recommend you buy the book "Learning Teaching" by Scrivener.

[Zark]

Volunteer somewhere where you will get some training. If in the States volunteer with Literacy Volunteers of America. They will give you at least 40 hours of training and you will get some teaching practice before you come.

Even more powerful - you will get a sense of the need for language skills and why people move to new countries.

I think just as important as grammar and ESL/EFL method - is learning to manage the teacher-student relationship and developing some skills in that area too.

Good luck! Don't forget to enjoy yourself as you do it.

[gsxr750r]

Zark, your bootcamp link kicks ass.

[passport220]

"How to Teach English" by Jeremy Harmer was the de facto textbook for my TESOL cert. class.

http://www.amazon.com/How-Teach-English/dp/0582297966?tag=dogpile-20