Korean Job Discussion Forums

vox · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Location: Jeollabukdo

So I've gone around and around on this...

I've begun the application process for a one-year upgrade back home to tack on the B.Ed. onto my existing credentials. But everybody's saying the teacher's market is really bad back home so I'm not looking to go back there just yet for placement as a homeroom teacher.

But then again, I'm not sure that having a B.Ed in Korea (with TESL training) will improve my situation here. And with an F-Visa coming this month, I'm thinking that I may just do better to open a private business, and run a regular job plus legal extra teachings and consider re-training later down the road. Still there's the future to consider and I know that Koreans are really trying to change the demographics of their public school ELIs.

B.Ed.ers, are you getting to do more of the stuff that you were trained to do here in Korea (if you're in public school)? Or is having a B.Ed just a big fat waste of time in Korea? Set me straight, please!

Typhoon · Joined: 29 May 2007 Location: Daejeon

I have my B.Ed (Brock) and it doesn't make that much of a difference. At my school I don't get any more money (that may change this year, but I am not holding my breath). Also, some parents/schools act somewhat impressed by it (probably fake), but essential I am just another white monkey to parents and hagwons. I also have my F2 and that is what makes the difference in jobs and pay. If you are not going to teach in Canada I would not bother getting a B.Ed. There is no real advantage to having it Korea. In Canada you need it to teach. Here a BEd is looked at the same as a Bachelor of Arts and they don't understand that a BEd is mandatory for a teaching credential in our home country. If you are going to stay here and want to improve your job chances and the way people look at you you need to get a masters in something (education would be a good idea). I would say don't waste your time with a BEd unless you plan on teaching in Canada in the future.

ghost · Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Location: Many congenial places

I went back to University in 2001-2002 to get my B.Ed. in Education at the University of Windsor, Ontario. I chose French over ESL because there was and still is a high demand for French in Ontario. I got a job easily with the Durham Catholic Board, but resigned from the board after 4 months, because the school I was in had a bitch of a Principal who did not support me with all the problems I had with the students - the opposite in fact.

I also have a two year T.E.S.L. Certificate from McGill University (30 credits) from the McGill Faculty of Education and was able to get the Teaching Permit from the Quebec Ministry of Education to teach ESL in Quebec to francophones. I did some subbing in Montreal - but same problems, with class management problems.

The B.Ed. is useful for options. I would go for it. The training course is only 8 months in length (September to May).

However, the B.Ed can help you get jobs at International schools throughout the world. Those jobs may be hard to find, but they are well paid with good holidays.

Ghost in Korea

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

genezorm · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Mokpo

if you is interested in getting the bED i know that the good international schools in korea, that pay more than regular jobs, only hire certified teachers, i think it is useful

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

Go for it.

There's the pride in knowing that you are the best qualified chimp in the circus that non pro teachers can't appreciate.

vox · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Location: Jeollabukdo

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

The top qualifications in Korean ESL remain

-Blond(e),NAmerican,Female.

MA,CELTA,B.Ed don't supercede those unless you are in more of a,well,school school,which are in the minority.

I'm going home to do a B.Ed(Secondary)next year,but with an eye to teach in the U.K later.Having said that,I'm expecting admin and classroom management/discipline to be more of a problem than just the run of the mill stuff here.

Typhoon · Joined: 29 May 2007 Location: Daejeon

If you want to teach in your home country get it. If you are only going to teach in Korea don't bother. If you want to work in international schools (not in Korea) you will need two years of teaching experience in your home country after your BEd for any decent schools. Some desperate schools will hire without the experience, but most will not. You will have to ask yourself why the school is desperate (you can call on your Korean experience for the answer). As for international schools in Korea, they suck. The pay is low, the hours are high and the perks are aren't even close to other international schools. I know several teachers that quit their international school to work in hagwons or at Unis. If you just want the experience and to work with cool, good people the international schools here are great, but if you need to make money they are not the places to work in Korea.

BTSskytrain · Joined: 11 Oct 2007

worth getting if you intend on teaching for the long run. great ticket to have as it will open doors to much better jobs anwhere in the world. DOD schools and international schools in particular (both of these situations pay very well and the teaching conditions are usually very professional). you won't want to ride the korean hagwon or public school train forever. gonna get real old real fast.

runlikegump · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Location: Seoul

It's certainly worth it if you want to get into an International school here. They are certified by the government, but must hire accredited/ licensed teachers as a stipulation of their business standing. My school is on a calendar much like Canadian public schools, with time off in the summer, Christmas, and Spring, plus the Korean holidays. You also have the opportunity to teach subjects, not just ESL. A great gig, and the B.Ed was the ticket.

BTSskytrain · Joined: 11 Oct 2007

Hey runlikegump,

sounds like you have a good gig. i've heard some horror stories about the long hours and low pay in some of the korean intl. schools. care to shed some light on this. thanks.

runlikegump · Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Location: Seoul

Right place, right time. I'm at a new international school - not many students yet but grand plans for growth. Good management, plenty of supplies, books, materials. These kinds of jobs are definitely around if you have some patience to look for them, some experience, and of course, the B.Ed.

BTSskytrain · Joined: 11 Oct 2007

hey runlikegump,

your school wouldn't happen to be in need of a certified music teacher for the fall 2008, eh? i have 15 years of teaching experience, 3 of which were spent in korea so i know the korean scene quite well. keep me posted and have a good weekend.