Korean Job Discussion Forums

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

My uni is currently finishing up the hiring process, and this time around, and they're only interested in people with a long track record of staying in jobs. We've got MA applicants up the ying-yang, but I was told by the dept. assistant that this time around the school is more interested in hiring people with a history of experience in schools AND being rehired. That can be a public school or a uni.

Having an MA is almost secondary, because, it seems, everyone and their dog can get one.

Odd isn't it? Or maybe not?

They don't want people who will up and leave after a year, like a previous co-worker did. That really freaked my school out. She had good reason (got a good job offer back home at a public school, and family members weren't well), but the people in charge of hiring invested so much time in hiring her, they're now paranoid of it happening again.

On another note... I thought the Framingham program was something new? There's at least one individual in there who says they've completed the MA program there? Oh well, maybe he actually attended the place?

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

That was a worry, but they haven't actually shortened it yet. It just seems like the new contract language lays the groundwork for that to be a possibility in the future at some time. For now, we have no problems.

chriswylson · Joined: 20 Feb 2007

If you don't need an MA, why do you keep posting about it? You reek of insecurity.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

TBirdMG · Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Location: SF, CA, USA

Higher the Qualification, Greater The Mobility....

Candidates with advanced degrees and/or legitimized ESL certifications are provided greater opportunity, and hence, will encounter more mobility throughout their careers.

It actually makes sense for a uni. who wants to retain foreign staff for more than one year to look to experienced teachers with lesser degrees who have a track record of multiple years with the same employer. Unless Korea unis want to cough up real $ for a PhD in linguistics/ESL or a specialized subject matter, then the BA + 3 years in a high school PS or adult hagwon is the way to go.

Still, it's a compromise.

Bass, your uni. will probably end up with a seasoned teacher who manages a class well, but may not necessarily have a profound understanding of varied instructional techniques and/or language learning abilities that the advanced degree imparts.

But for many, and most, university administrations in Korea, creativity and diversity of pedagogical thought and practice is an afterthought. They're still focused on finding foreigners who will mete out the appropriate grades and not show up with soju breath. I would argue that most foreign teachers in Korean unis. perform beyond administrative expectations, and often under less than ideal circumstances.

There's nothing wrong with getting an MA that makes you a better teacher and earns you a higher salary. But unless you are seeking tenure, it may not necessarily help you in Korea....

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Well, I have to be honest -- and I think this makes sense to anyone -- sitting here working with just a BA while 10,000 MA applicants roll in does make me feel somewhat uncomfortable. It's more than that, though. I am interested in doing more with audio/visual teaching in the future. I'd like to do some research along those lines.

Also, a lot of this has to do with what PR has said, along with others. I have the time, so why just sit around? Luckily, I'm not the only breadwinner in this home, and we don't have kids yet, so maybe there's no time like the present.