Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bassexpander]

Ok, I'm sick of reading all of the cries from TEFL course people who obviously want to pimp their wonderful do-all course that EVERY teacher should take. We hear how great the CELTA is, blah, blah, blah... but the same courses that cost 2 million won or more for 1 month of training. If you even want to take it in Korea, you have to get on a waiting list and HOPE they're even offering it in 6 months. Then again, they gouge you in Korea, and charge you well over 2 million 500 thousand won for the same course. Maybe it's actually 3 million now.

There are numerous other accepted courses, but the simple fact is that if the course states over 100 hours on the certificate, it can be about anything and be accepted.

These TEFL courses are becoming a real "cash cow" for some. It's obviously in their best interest to get Korean gov't officials to start using their name when complaining about "unqualified teachers." In fact, in the case of the CELTA, the gov't official dropping the CELTA name didn't even realize that the CELTA is meant for teaching adults, and not children, which is what he was making noise about.

Universities are even worse offenders. They can want in excess of 5 million won for their courses.

What Korea needs is a FREE or LOW-COST TEFL certification course. They can hire QUALIFIED FOREIGNERS to teach it.

We need to stop this money-grubbing cash-run by these TEFL folks, and offer some kind of gov't sanctioned course that actually applies to the situation most of us are in (teaching children).

[patongpanda]

You are right about the CELTA - it's mostly irrelevant to most of us.

Something like this would be far more appropriate.
http://www.teyl.com/
Although its not 100 hours so it wouldn't public-schoolers a pay raise.

Also, to play devil's advocate I can't see any point in a purely on-line course to learn teaching skills. If there's no practicum its a sham in my opinion.

[bassexpander]

I think there should be some kind of progressive weekend (Saturday or Sunday) course made available for teachers. Something nearly free. Something that would satisfy the needs of teachers here (rather than the pocketbooks of those offering the courses).

[oldfatfarang]

It's all been said before. If you want to just stay in Korea - do an on-line quickie/cheapie. It's all about 'face' here - if you have a certificate - any certificate over 100 hours. It's OK.

But if you're serious about TEFL - and want to go further - to countries that don't care about face - but about teaching qualifications - do the CELTA.
I did mine at International House in Bangkok - and can thoroughly recommend it.

[bassexpander]

No, if you are serious about teaching, get a REAL certification. Something that would help you teach in a classroom in the USA, or Canada.

Go to teachers college. Get an actual degree in teaching.

The CELTA is a quickie money-making cash-cow, IMHO.

Not saying there isn't value to it, but currently in Korea, it's the equivalent of sticking neon lights under your car. You can get teach just about anywhere in Korea - from a hagwon to a university - without it.

Do you feel it's worth it to pay $2,000 to $3,000 to stick neon lights under your car? I don't.

[oldfatfarang]

The CELTA doesn't need to cost that much. Just do it in your break between contracts. Thailand is the cheapest - course fees about $1,100.00 (USA), plus flight and some cheap accommodation and food.

The real cost is the loss of wages for a month (approx $2,000.00 USA & up). But, after a few years, you need a break from Korea anyway. I'd still recommend it for anyone thinking of teaching TEFL for a while.

[mindmetoo]

What Korea needs is an education system that can teach kids what they need for higher education without having to put them in night school. It's a mystery to me why parents stand for this. They pay taxes for this. If the tax payer funded education system was failing for a decade and was costing parents vast sums of money, you think they'd tear those politicians from office and put people in who could reform the system.

[OiGirl]

[hubba bubba]

Yes, unfortunately that would take PLANNING and FORESIGHT, two things that Confucius and the ancestors strongly oppose.

[ddeubel]

I agree that teachers coming here to teach, need more training. Same with Korean teachers. It is in the interest of the govt to provide some "assistance" but I don't think it should be free.

It never works if teachers don't pay and have some vested interest in gaining further credentials. I am trying to promote the govt setting up a course or accrediting existing courses with workshop components for their teachers. But teachers at the end of the day should pay for this, especially since in most cases it will give them a pay boost.

But money is better applied when you set people up for success. The key to better teaching (thus student success) lies in two things which are under the control of the educational community.

1) teacher training, more effective teaching skills and use of technology (labs and multi media which support weak skilled and non native speaking teachers). A focus on quality not quantity.

2. A rejuvenated curriculum which focuses not on testing/standardized outcomes but on teacher driven objectives.

This along with more English language promotion and penetration in the Korean business/social/administrative/media fields will help see the growth of a much more competent English speaking Korean populace.

DD

[tob55]

DD makes a great point for the current situation...

Most people attach value to the price tag anywhere in the world, so you could give away the training and people would take it lightly and see no usefulness in what they receive because it costs them nothing...If you think this isn't true, then take a look at the American welfare system and how it has disabled more people than it actually helps...

You start giving away training and soon people will be demanding more and more for free. The truth of the matter is that if you want to improve the quality of educators in this country then it should be a shared responsibility...I agree that spending several thousand dollars for a certificate that will yield you a small boost in pay and recognition probably isn't the way to go, but what DD mentions in terms of a Gov't sponsored program that allows for the instructors to do a portion of their training using technology, (i.e. computers) and a portion in an onsite environment would work well in Korea and other places...

I am quite sure you will never see a "free" program in Korea simply because the system is already too big and people in the EFL- ESL training business are never going to give up their earnings...IF there was a system where trainees and admins would share the cost of a reasonably priced program that would be followed with actual recognition by the Ministry of Education, then there would be a long waiting list of people who would sign up for the program...

I personally believe the latter of the things I mentioned will eventually be selected by the Korean Gov't, because it will give them the sense of security they seek with regard to the teaching qualifications of EFL - ESL instructors...

[ttompatz]

[contrarian]

A little over a year after I cam to Korea, I was in Thailand for 3 days. I asked about a CELTA course. I was told $650.00 US and that if I paid now they would issue the certificate and they didn't give a damn whether I attended or not. I should have paid, but I never did.

[Bibbitybop]

[bosintang]