Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Henry VII]

I have taught in Japan for a year and have since moved to Korea for about two months so far. I have been teaching Jr. High School and Elementary school students so far. While it can be enjoyable at times, it gets pretty hectic at a new school where I end up working 6 days per week and long hours.

I am looking to teach at a university after my contract is up. I have heard from some Koreans that a TEFL and two years of experience would get me a job at a university. From the looks of things though, an MATESOL is required both here and in Japan for nearly every university. I am ready and willing to take the classes, if I don't need to shell out tons of cash for them. The least expensive course I have seen is $15,000 and would require two trips to the United States for 4 days. My goal is to study for a PhD in Molecular Biology, so I would rather not push that back by paying off an MATESOL. That said, if the benefits outweigh the costs, I will go for it.

Is the MATESOL necessary for a university position in Korea or in Japan? Are there any that are reasonably priced? What can I expect as far as working benefits at a university over a hagwon or public school?

[renzobenzo1]

Have you read the FAQS and other posts...there seems to be tonnes of stuff around on this.

The short answer is NO to your question though. But obviously it would help get you higher up the list of candidates for the job.

[anyway]

A graduate degree is not going to help you(much), given your limited experience. It is certainly not going to make you a lot more money in Korea unless you work for a few select universities. Japanese unis are much more selective than Korean unis.

There seem to be many hagwon or public school jobs which pay the same or more than the majority of university positions. The benefits of a uni job are fewer teaching hours and longer holidays than a hagwon. If you have a long holiday, you could work a summer/winter camp and get an extra month's salary (twice a year).

My advice is always the same: send out as many resumes as possible (not to recruiters) and take the biggest salary you can find.

[makemischief]

[Hotpants]

Most unis will advertise for MAs, but if you can impress them at an interview, you can get in without one.