Korean Job Discussion Forums

kreitler7 · Joined: 07 Jan 2005 Location: Seoul

I taught in Canada for one year. I wouldn't recommend being a teacher in Canada or the States. The students in Korea are aces compared to the brats back home.

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

And the parents here in the states...

"What do you mean my son was misbehaving?"

"My daughter would never do that!"

"Why can't your teachers seem to do their job...teach?!"

"My kid is smarter than this!"

And forget about taking any kind of disciplinary measures--you could lose your job or worse. Sheesh.

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

I taught ESL in the US and made $23 an hour! They wouldn't let you work full time and get benefits, however. F*^#ing cheapos.

"Benifits? *ahem* *gurgle gurgle ahhh---em* Uh yeah, benefits. Well, uhh, we got a Coke machine in the hallway"

VirginIslander · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: Busan

willneverteachagain · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

you must be out of ur mind

happygirl · Joined: 20 Feb 2006

Yes, I've seriously considered it. I am in fact working on making it a reality. Had a phone conversation with the Director of Human Resources for one of the largest school districts in San Antonio, Tx last night. This is what she said....

"If you had a degree in Science or Math and met the qualifications to teach at the high school and participated in an alternative certification course you mght find a job. ESL positions require you to be bi-lingual. Without a degree in science or math or being bi-lingual, you would be at the bottom of the list."

I have a Masters and 2 years in Korea. Because I don't have a degree in Education or the qualifications to teach high school, I'm SOL. Might possibly, if incredibly persistant, get on with an inner city ISD (read - HORRIBLE DISCIPLINE problems).

If I decide to pursue this I'll need to go to work doing something else and attend class 2 nights a week and 2 Saturdays per month, while paying for this priviledge, for the school year. After passing 2 exams I'll most likely get a job. Kinda puts a damper on my plans.

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

Been there and done that. I'm from Orlando, FL and I taught there as a state certified teacher for a couple of years before coming to Korea. Orange County's public school system is one of the largest in the U.S. The starting pay is just what the op said (35,000). I enjoyed teaching there. It is a cuturally diversive city. The biggest problem is that you are teaching the students to pass the FCAT, which is a standardized test. Schools and teachers are graded upon their abilities of the students to pass this test.

The bottom line is Florida has a teacher shortage and they actively recruit qualified teachers from outside of our state. If you are interested in living in Florida, I would recommend that to anyone that wants to teach there. I wanted to travel and do some things while it was still an option for me. I was born and raised in Florida and have every intention to return there after my adventures in Asia are over.