Korean Job Discussion Forums

SFAcoustic · Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Location: NYC

Hey all,

Long time lurker, I've posted like one time ever. As the time is getting closer that I would be able to go to Korea, I'll stop being shy and finally ask some questions about, well, doing TEFL here! And to describe my own current situation, and see what people have to say.

I have been considering doing TEFL here for about 5 months. It is not the only idea I have, but as I inevitably have narrowed down what I am interested in doing once I finish school, this is one of two that I am considering. I could leave in about 2 months.

A little info about me: I'm 24, a guy, from NYC, and finishing my Master's in Biology this semester at Rutgers U. I've worked in several research labs, but can't see myself doing it as a career. I'm interested in eventually pursuing teaching as a career in the United States, teaching high school Biology in NYC or the suburbs.

I've traveled quite extensively. I've been to France 6 times (I'm half French), backpacked Europe twice and did Morocco for a month this summer. So I don't mind being away for some time. The longest I've been abroad at a time traveling is three months, this past summer.

Sorry if I typed too much above. Here are my questions:

1. The exchange rate. How is this treating you guys, I head a million won is around 750 dollars right now? Do you expect this to change eventually? This is a concern due to paying off student loans, I would have to convert the money each month.

2. Public school or hagwon? I was thinking of going with CDI because it seems more stable. Would public school be too rough for someone with no experience teaching?

3. Will my Master's degree in a non-TEFL field qualify me eventually for a university position?

4. The "adventure" aspect. So many people have said that Korea is somewhat dull and not exciting. As far as adventure, would this be a place to go?

5. Would you consider doing EFL in Korea a good place to learn how to be an effective teacher?

Thanks! Laughing

bogey666 · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Location: Korea, the ass free zone

EzeWong · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Location: Seoul

I've asked the same question about public vs private.

Most people told public school is the way to to go for first time in Korea. It's more stable, you don't have to worry about bosses stiffing you on contracts, and it's easy.

I don't regret it, I spend more time on Dave's than actually teaching sometimes. Don't get me wrong I love my job and do my work but they give you a lot of free time.

I'd check out EPIK, SMOE, GEPIK.

I knew a guy who did CDI. He liked it and the pay was good, just prepared to making photocopies a lot and working hard. In retrospect I'm a hard working guy so I should have done CDI instead, but I like to travel and the work to pay ratio is better at public schools in my opinion.

Believe me public school is easy, first few weeks you just introduce yourself, Use the textbook as a guide, get the kids to speak english and your golden.

However, unlike public schools, like you said CDI provides you a framework which is real good. Public schools you're on your own, but it's not hard. EPIK will give you a week orientation and some (very little) material to work with.

If you want a lot of extra time to explore Korea I really suggest Public school. If you're here to teach hard and earn money (which is almost terrible because of exchange rate as of right now) I'd definately do CDI.

EDIT: Oh and Welcome! Hope to see you posting around a lot Wink

poet13 · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 5:00 pm Post subject:

Welcome newbie!

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Get your certificate and apply directly to some universities. With the exchange rate in the dumps, they'll be hiring. I imagine that, much like the late 90s, people will be leaving in droves in the coming year. If you don't have any serious financial obligations in the States, then come on over. Don't send any money back, though!

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

If it's any kind of adventure you're after then choose your job carefully. CDI will pay well, but you won't get many consecutive days off. It's a pretty grinding job. As is a hagwon.

If you really put adventure and experience above greenbacks then you should try to get a public school or Uni job which doesn't require you to come in during Summer and Winter vacations. Then you can see the country, take trips to other Asian destinations, or just get home for a break.

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

South Korean Won Falls Beyond 1,400 for First Time Since 1998
By Kim Kyoungwha, Bloomberg (October 9, 2008)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aNjREldqywiY&refer=asia

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Ask around. If you have your MA and any certificate, you're nuts to work anywhere but a university. Your first job might not be in the best location or might not offer the best conditions, but you'll get more vacation, have a more flexible schedule, and will be able to jocky around for better positions once you have a year under your belt.

If you take any other type of job with an MA, you'll feel like a tool in no time flat. SNU has hired a few people from the US without university experience, so I imagine others have as well. I'd suggest targeting universities in Seoul (http://www.mit.edu/people/cdemello/kr.html).

Get a packet together and make multiple copies:

Diplomas

Transcripts

CV

Letters of recomendation

Cover letter (mention that you know a lot of Koreans and are enthrawled with the opportunity to learn about the Korean culture and language).

Letter descibing teaching philosophy (often not required, but looks good)
Picture (Very important: Clean cut, suit and tie, well groomed, serious expression with a twinkle in your eye will do it. Get it done at a studio and brushed up digitally if you have to).

If you have the equipment, it might not be a bad idea to make a short CD introducing yourself. Same rules as the pic apply.

Pepper all the schools with your stuff and hope that one bites.

plynx · Joined: 03 Jun 2008

mee · Joined: 08 Sep 2007

There is always a dark or degenerate side to every culture. It's like waste, it will always be there.

I find it surreal that articles will say something like this ' korea which has been a homogenous country for thousands of years is not always friendly to outsiders..'

What i mean is, it's the cognitive dissonance that people aren't illogical or everything follows a-b-c, when in reality it doesn't.

I mean, even in america, touted as this place of an immigrant country-which it is; is very racist and always has been. Some places are more openly racist like in the south and other places they just do it more passive-aggressively or don't express it blatantly or suppress it.

I've had waitresses or hostesses ignore me when i walk into an establishment, called slurs in school-even at work. Often it's condescension or derogatory treatment.

There is racism and prejudice everywhere. I even get the 'i don't give a rat's ass what you want or say to me' attitude from koreans (similar to americans, interestingly) until they find out I speak english and then thier face lights up and they are actually either impressed or surprised. I don't care for either considering I don't consider the language I speak to be or precursor to my worth as a human being and being treated with some respect. But people will be people and that is egotistical or prejudicial for many of them.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

waywardwanderer · Joined: 04 Dec 2005

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Or get your MBA and go corporate. Think BioTech or Pharm Companies.

zpeanut · Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Location: Pohang, Korea

Shauneyz · Joined: 26 May 2008 Location: The land of Nod

1. The exchange rate. How is this treating you guys, I head a million won is around 750 dollars right now? Do you expect this to change eventually? This is a concern due to paying off student loans, I would have to convert the money each month.

-- Right now, yeah, it's bad...especially for those that have been here for a long time and can remember when it was better. Me...I just got here a month ago, and while it's bad, I still enjoy my time here, I love my job, and I still feel like I get paid fairly well (2.3).

2. Public school or hagwon? I was thinking of going with CDI because it seems more stable. Would public school be too rough for someone with no experience teaching?

-- This, of course, depends. I love my hagwon..I love the hours, and it's a reputable academy. Unfortunately, there are a ton of horror stories, and they all pretty much come from the realm of hagwons. I have a friend in Seoul working for CDI though, and she likes it there....I also met about 10 of her coworkers, and none of them had anything horrible to say about it...which is a good sign.

4. The "adventure" aspect. So many people have said that Korea is somewhat dull and not exciting. As far as adventure, would this be a place to go?

-- Adventure is dependent on you, not on the place you go to.

5. Would you consider doing EFL in Korea a good place to learn how to be an effective teacher?

-- Back home, if I wanted to pursue teaching, I'd be in a classroom in grad school....instead of that I get to actually TEACH kids, and I think this benefits me more than anything.

----- 2 months ago, I was kind of in the same position as you (except I studied english and I only have a BA). In my opinion, you're ready...make the dive, you're only contracted for a year.