Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jimskins]

Hello there, wonder if anyone can help me with this one.
I 'm due to finish my TEFL MA in September and will then come back to Korea with the hope of getting a University job. Although I taught a year at a Wonderland Hagwon from 2005-6 i have no other teaching experience apart from this. From what I've read on here the only chance of getting a Uni job is to be in the country but I'm reluctant to come over with no job secured. I have a Korean fiance but the wedding is not for another 18 months and i don't think her parents will be too impressed with me sitting on my ass for months trying to get a job that may never come. In short (after all this whingy waffling ) I've got two questions:
1.Is getting a Uni job at this stage realistic?
2.Most of the Uni jobs recruit a few months ahead of an actual start date, how could I fill this time bearing in mind I'm gonna be on an E-2 visa for a while yet? What did everyone else do (especially in terms of interviews -I remember 'sick' days at Hagwons were an absolute no-no)?

The plan brewing in my mind at the moment is to a)get a hagwon job teaching adults (e.g. Pagoda/English Channel) to get more experience and keep us going until b)we marry and I get an F-2 visa so I can C)teach privates whilst attending/waiting for interviews /jobs to come up.

Whadda ya think?

[PRagic]

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan. If your degree won't be finalized until September, then you'll miss the fall semester hiring window. They should start hiring again for the spring semester in October through January.

The only problem would be getting a release from a hakwon job should you take a one-year contract. Don't know how that would pan out.

Good luck to you.

[PRagic]

And here are just a few links from a quick search...

Getting a Job -Hagwons, Unis, EPIK & Public Schools

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=20655

Contracts - Health Insurance, Pension, Severance etc.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=20651

5 questions about getting a job at a Korean university

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=6586

Public schools vs. hogwan vs. university

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=5641&highlight=University

University Pension and Severance (What is the law?)

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=574&highlight=university

[Jimskins]

Thanks for the info PRagic. It is a pain that I'm going to be landing just after one hiring window closes. From what I've read on here giving 1-2 months notice to a Hagwon is possible but i don't like pissing people off like that (despite the reputation many of these guys have) so I probably would stick it out for the full year. I probably need the experience.

Or should i be more ruthless?
Anyone else got a take on this?

[Snowkr]

OP

I was in the same boat as you finishing up my Masters in TESOL and wanting to teach university students but I was out of the country.

I think you have a good plan. I would also strongly suggest trying to get into a good public or private high school position if you can. That's where I am now and I highly recommend it.

[Jimskins]

Cheers for that Snowkr. I hadn't considered a public or private high school position. Can you elaborate on your experience any more. The universities also seem to ask for experience teaching adults, would teaching at one of the above places be sufficient for them?