Korean Job Discussion Forums

[crash bang]

so here it is wednesday at 3:00. normally, my first class of the day would be starting, but this being the first day of a five-day weekend, i'm home and packing for a trip to seoul and seorak-san.

without a doubt, the teaching is the best part of being here in korea. i actually miss doing it on my days off. i'm no world-class teacher by any stretch of the imagination. but i luuurve the shat out of it. when i first started 8 months ago, i wanted to teach adults, and looked at teaching youngsters as "just putting in my time" until i could get a job i really wanted. now, teaching kids is what i want to do. i'm even seriously considering going for teaching certification after i do 1 more contract, so i can do this back in the states, as opposed to trying to get on at one of those schools where they offer toefl and toeic courses

i love teaching kids. is that so wrong?

[caro]

There is nothing wrong with loving to teach. I'm glad to hear that someone teaching abroad does and not everyone is doing it for the money or to go on an extended vacation.
I just got back from teaching in Mexico and I couldn't agree with you more. I feel like I finally discovered what I want to do when I grow up. And I'm already grown up. Good for you!

[mistermasan]

i had a similar trajectory as yours. do you think teaching stateside wil be anywhere as nearly as gratifying?

what happens if a kid in america gives her old teacher an unsolicited hug?

end of career. possible placement on sex offender list, thus you cannot leave america anymore and where you can even live is regulated by pre-existing laws.

last summer i taught at a summer camp stateside. they enacted a rule that no male teacher will talk to a female student w/out a female teacher nearby. end of that dream for me.

[crash bang]

i'll jump off that bridge when i come to it

[Ya-ta Boy]

No, I don't think it's weird to have fallen in love with teaching...although I might have reservations about the sanity of someone prefering kids over adults.

Back in teachers college we secondary ed majors made fun of our friends with El(ementary) Ed majors who were taking Kiddy Lit and Kiddy Math classes. It's a mystery why some people relate better to students at the different age levels, but it's a good thing they do and the satisfaction level is the same.

Good luck.

[SuperHero]

Teaching is my hobby, the best part of this is that I get paid to do something I love to do.

[seoulteacher]

to the OP: considering getting teacher certification back at home (in the US)? Texas, like many other US States with teacher shortages, has 'Alternative Certification Programs' (ACPs). NB: I've also seen ads on Daves' Korean Job Bd for ACPs in Philadelphia and Memphis.

University degree holders can enter an ACP, which allows them to teach (usually paid as a regular 1st year teacher) while they simultaneously study at nights &/or on weekends for state certification.

Please note that not only US citizens, but also foreigners, can get jobs & study for state certification under these ACP programs; eg. in summer 2007 I spoke with this ACP ( http://www.txteachers.org ) and they said, "We've had Koreans & Filipinos come teach & do this ACP...no problem".

This ACP was highly recommended to me by two people who got certified thru it, and the website is very well-designed with clear & complete info, specifically on how to 1) enrol in this ACP, 2) get a job, and 3) get a US visa (if a foreigner).

The 1st year salary (in this Texas ACP) for masters degree holders = approx. US $ 40,000 (I believe its a bit less for holders of bachelors degrees).

I'm guessing that with ACPs you might get jobs in tougher school districts, and you'd have to research conditions generally re teaching public school in North America, but an ACP might provide a golden opportunity to get paid while getting certified as a Texas public school teacher (with recognition/transferability to other US States? &/or with acceptance by international schools worldwide?).

Good luck!

[tomato]

Crash Bang, I'm sorry you didn't listen to Mister Masan.
If you like kids, you're better off here.
I know because I like kids and I'm better off here.

[twg]

[spliff]

TEACH MANY PRIVATES...I DO...

[hari seldon]

[hari seldon]

[marlow]

[robot]

crash bang --

that's awesome. i was having this same conversation in the bar last night. though i love hanging out with my good buds in korea, touring the country and being on the scene, in so many ways it's just awesome being in class.

it's a show. over time, you get quite good at what you do, delivering the most important tips and tricks of English language learning, and when the students leave they're sincerely thankful, and to see them improve is amazing.

that might sound dorky. but just for context, i'm not easily impressed or anything, either. before i came to korea i played in a rock and roll band professionally. but in many ways, this gig is equally uplifting. we do make a big difference. i'm not saying that i'm the most amazing teacher -- these boards in fact contain some of the best instructors i've ever met -- it's just cool to hear someone echoing these sentiments. ^^

[Biblethumper]

I agree. Teaching is definitely rewarding in itself. Not a few times have I awoken with an exciting new idea that compels me to quickly write some note and search for something on the internet. And there have also been times when I have been rebuked by those less motivated, "No shop talk outside work."