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batesy67
Joined: 02 Jul 2007
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 Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:56 am Post subject: Teaching |
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Hi All,
My wife and I are currently thinking about making the big trip over to Korea. She is an experienced teacher (5 years) and I am an engineer (5 years).
We have done some research, and have come across the following course / courses
http://www.seeklearning.com.au/tesol-college/who-is-tesol-college.asp
Essentially we end up paying roughly $3000 to be trained as ESL teachers with certain skill sets, and we come out guaranteed a job in any of the countries my wife and I so desire.
My first question is, do we need these qualifications to teach in Korea? Or is a straight degree enough?
My second question is in regards to how easily it is to find work - especially in the bigger cities? My wife and I live in Perth, Western Australia and were hoping to move over around November.
Finally, and this is a lifestyle question. I love playing basketball - as I am 6'7 I assume I will stand out? However is there semi competitive leagues in the cities, and how do the foreigners fair?
I look forward to your replies.
Cheers
Jonathon |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:49 am Post subject: Experience... |
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| You'll be told a lot of things Jonathan, but if you are wise spend less money on the training and do your research coming over. With the experience you and your wife have, you should be able to both find suitable positions without worrying about the training program right away. $3000 is a lot of money for the type of pay you are going to receive right off the bat...That is my advice, but I am sure someone wanting to sell their course will come along and tell you different. I have a program as well, but would not try to slant you in the direction of our training unless I felt you could benefit that much from taking it right away, and it is a fully registered and legal company in Korea... |
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jay-shi
Joined: 09 May 2004
Location: On tour
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:52 am Post subject: |
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Do not, and I repeat, do not, pay anyone to find you a gig teaching here in Korea.
You have a degree, you'll have a job. It's a teacher's market right now and the demand exceeds the supply.
As far as basketball is concerned, I don't know. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:19 pm Post subject: right... |
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jay-shi is right, there are many options available to you to find employment without the need of a recruiting service...You can find all kinds of places for public school positions without any help from recruiters who are notorious for placing people in lousy jobs...Check out this link for the Seoul Ministry of Education website and you can apply through their office directly:
http://etis.sen.go.kr |
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tomato
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: I get so little foreign language experience, I must be in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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Your main problem will be learning to duck when you go through low doorways.
I am only 6' and I have had my head smashed several times. |
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The_Conservative
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching |
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| batesy67 wrote: |
Hi All,
My wife and I are currently thinking about making the big trip over to Korea. She is an experienced teacher (5 years) and I am an engineer (5 years).
We have done some research, and have come across the following course / courses
http://www.seeklearning.com.au/tesol-college/who-is-tesol-college.asp
Essentially we end up paying roughly $3000 to be trained as ESL teachers with certain skill sets, and we come out guaranteed a job in any of the countries my wife and I so desire.
(1) My first question is, do we need these qualifications to teach in Korea? Or is a straight degree enough?
(2) My second question is in regards to how easily it is to find work - especially in the bigger cities? My wife and I live in Perth, Western Australia and were hoping to move over around November.
(3) Finally, and this is a lifestyle question. I love playing basketball - as I am 6'7 I assume I will stand out? However is there semi competitive leagues in the cities, and how do the foreigners fair?
I look forward to your replies.
Cheers
Jonathon |
(I numbered your questions for ease of response)
1. No, you do NOT need these qualification. ALL you need is a B.A from a Western country (and it helps if you have a pulse as well  )
2. There are literally dozens and dozens of jobs. I had fourteen (14) job offers to choose from the last time I was looking for one.
3. At 6'7" you will definitely stand out. Explain plenty of stares (even in the bigger cities). I don't know about basketball, I do know some foreigners play for fun...but I don't know about any competive leagues (foreigners that is). Although if you come over on a E2 visa you may get into Immigration trouble if you attempt to play in a competition. Immigration is quite strict enforcing the visa regulations and an E2 visa strictly limits you to teaching English. There should be no problem if you just want to shoot hoops though.... |
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mrsquirrel
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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For you it might be a good idea to go and do some sort of TEFL course just to get your feet wet.
Your wife on the other hand should be fine. |
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batesy67
Joined: 02 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching |
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| The_Conservative wrote: |
1. No, you do NOT need these qualification. ALL you need is a B.A from a Western country (and it helps if you have a pulse as well )
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What about a BSc? 
| The_Conservative wrote: |
2. There are literally dozens and dozens of jobs. I had fourteen (14) job offers to choose from the last time I was looking for one.
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Wow. It sounds like a great place to experience a diff culture, save some money and have a blast doing it.
| The_Conservative wrote: |
3. At 6'7" you will definitely stand out. Explain plenty of stares (even in the bigger cities). I don't know about basketball, I do know some foreigners play for fun...but I don't know about any competive leagues (foreigners that is). Although if you come over on a E2 visa you may get into Immigration trouble if you attempt to play in a competition. Immigration is quite strict enforcing the visa regulations and an E2 visa strictly limits you to teaching English. There should be no problem if you just want to shoot hoops though.... |
No probs. I was thinking competitive but just out of the professional ranks... I am sure thats possible!
Thanks all for the comments. We have a week to make our choice on the english teaching course. I figure if we can both earn $3kAU a month, we will be happy. Is that possible? |
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chinook
Joined: 17 Mar 2004
Location: canada
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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I think you can easily make 2.2 million won or so. I am not sure what that is in Australian dollars. Remember that flight and housing is provided on top of that.
I wouldn't take the course, myself. I haven't done one so far and have made no less than 2.2 a month in each of my contracts.
I knew some professionally basketball players during my last contract (all foreigners) but I've got no idea what the non-professional scene is like. |
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tomato
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: I get so little foreign language experience, I must be in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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You might not benefit so much from the course anyway.
Someone once started a thread asking those who are certified in TESOL what we have learned from the course that we have applied in the field.
Those of us who answered the question had very little to say. |
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batesy67
Joined: 02 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:13 am Post subject: |
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| tomato wrote: |
You might not benefit so much from the course anyway.
Someone once started a thread asking those who are certified in TESOL what we have learned from the course that we have applied in the field.
Those of us who answered the question had very little to say. |
Hi All,
Thanks for all the help. When my wife and I get back from our trip (ahh the joys of free wireless), we intend to have a good look for work in Korea.
Thank you all for the words of wisdom, I shall hope to have a few more questions down the track.
Cheers
JB |
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Rteacher
Joined: 23 May 2005
Location: Western MA, USA
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