Korean Job Discussion Forums

[korea1]

I am thinking about teaching English in Korea, however, I have no formal teaching experience. Before I can even be considered for a job is there some sort of certification course I have to take (i.e. TESOL)? Is it frowned upon if I don't?
Also, what are my chances of landing a job in Seoul either teaching English or a college prep/SAT type course? What kind of credentials would I need to do that? I have a B.A. in psych and am a licensed dentist in the U.S. so I have a D.D.S. also. I have lived in Korea before for a year and am sort of familiar with Seoul and some of the surrounding areas. Thanks.

[bassexpander]

Why on Earth would a dentist want to teach English in Korea? Did you get busted for some kind of illegal practice?

I'm sure you have your reasons!

No need for a TESOL course here. Come on over!

Contact www.korvia.com

[korea1]

Yeah I figured that people would think it's something illegal, but no it's not. I have no violations or pending lawsuits or anything like that. Completely legal. The problem is I can't practice in Korea because the dental licensing test is only offered in Korean and I can't speak/read/ or write. The only other option is to practice on a military base where I can use my U.S. license but there are no openings right now. Also, I have a "friend" here that I would like to see so I am willing to take a pay cut for a while.

[bassexpander]

How long is "a while?"

Are you planning to backpack it here? Most contracts are 1 year in length. Once in a blue moon, you might find something for 6 months.

If you don't plan on living here for long, and wouldn't care if you ever got deported, then you're probably going to end up coming in on a tourist visa and finding illegal work.

I'm not recommending that, because it's illegal.

[xingyiman]

Why Korea?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Couldn't you get a job at one of the foreign hospitals here? Why on earth would you want to teach English unless you hate dentistry but happen to love teaching?

[korea1]

If I was in Korea it would be for a minimum of a year but probably closer to 1 1/2 years to 2 years. So I am not planning on being an illegal for that long. The reason for Korea is because I've lived there before for a year and liked it. As for the hospitals, I'm not too sure that's something I haven't checked. I would imagine the language barrier would be a major problem and of course I am not licensed in Korea. The only patients I might see are English teachers reading the blogs on Dave's ESL Cafe.

To Bassexpander:
I read one of your posts to another blogger regarding where he might find work and you said it would probably be in the countryside. Does that mean I should not even hope for a Seoul work location? thanks.

[Misera]

It's not hard to get a teaching position in Korea.. everyone is just wondering why a dentist would ever give up a position back at home or choose looking for a lowly paying teaching position over looking for a position as a dentist.

Edit: all you really need is a bachelor's degree (in anything) for the starter positions.