Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rittyboniti]

Hi, I'm looking for advice from those who have done their Masters in Applied Linguistics in South Korea.

Currently I work at a public school in South Korea and work some 50 -60 hours a week so I haven't been able to study.

However, next year I would like to start but am unsure which job would be the best for me. Should I do a job where I teach adults in the morning and in the evenings at a hagwon? I was thinking that this might be the answer because I would have the day free to study and that teaching adults would be pretty straightforward; I wouldn't have to do as many games and activities that I do now (and am quite sick of doing after almost 2 years).

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Rittyboniti

[bassexpander]

If you can do it part-time, count on about 1 to 2 hours per day, with some catch-up time on the weekends. My class at the University of Missouri take between 8 and 12 hours per week, maybe. It depends on the week and what is assigned.

You currently work too many hours, but if you get a regular public school job, you'd be better off, I think. I'm not a fan of teaching adults. A public school job would give you more regular hours from which to plan your schedule.

My degree will be Master of education in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in learning and instruction and a focus in TESOL (M Ed). It sounds good, anyway. I joked that they worked hard to get every buzz-word possible in there. I know at least one other person on Dave's signed with them recently. Total cost will be about $13,000 or so, including most books (my estimate). It will take at least 2 to 2 1/2 years for most, I'd say. They also have a 1-year program in Technology in Schools (Fast Track) that can be done if you aren't working.

http://education.missouri.edu/academics/online-programs.php

[sojusucks]

I haven't finished a masters, but I've looked into several programs:

-The University of York - TEYL (teaching English to Young Learners)
http://www.york.ac.uk/celt/teyl/ma_teyl.htm

--The University of Leicester - TESOL & Applied Linguistics (6,075 Pounds)
http://www.le.ac.uk/education/distancelearn/dltesolindex.html

Also, check out the following if you are on a budget:

-- UNISA -- There is a list of education degrees in different areas
(http://brochure.unisa.ac.za/brochure/showlist.aspx?d=l_2_7)

[rittyboniti]

Thanks for your advice and the links. To be honest I really don't know who I want to work for in Korea anymore

[gangpae]

Your lack of job opportunities aren't because of a lack of education, but rather a ficked up economic system. Let's hope Obama is socialist, which unfortunately I doubt he is, and maybe you can get a job at the Ministry of Whatever.

[Hotpants]

For enough time to work and do an MA, you either need gov. school (sign up to GEPIK/EPIK now before you miss the boat) or a normal uni gig. Forget a split shift hagwon - that will leave you exhausted, and how are you meant to study if you have to hang around in a noisy hagwon during your break?

Don't rush into a decision about an MA course. Check out as many courses and compare options - the ELGazette usually has some good listings (if you happen to have that!). Some of the MA courses are also astronomical and don't necessarily look exceptionally better than the next option. Likewise, a 1 year distance MA done part-time is dubious.

I'm doing Open University 'cus of cost (2 mill won per module - 3 modules required between 2-6 yrs) and quality of reading material, but has some limitations/is more expensive for signing up if you are not a UK national. I'm hoping that the fact that it's mainly a distance course will be recognized, and I probably wouldn't do a PhD which was distance.

I also don't advise an MA if you are still in your first couple of years as a teacher. The more experience you have, the better for your assignments. I thought I had quite a few years behind me, although there are a lot of people on my course who have been in education for 20-30 years plus, and I find they have a lot more wisdom about analysing ideas against the shift of trends over time.

Good luck.

[jackson7]

I'm currently doing the M.S.Ed.-TESOL at Shenandoah University and it's requiring similar time from me as Bass' program is of him. You got more buzz words than me, Bass! I am happy, though, that I'm getting an M.S.Ed. rather than an MA. Just my preference as an educator and researcher. The research actually shows that distance learners (especially in grad programs, I would imagine) spend MORE time on their studies than do traditional students. There was a couple great threads about 6-8 months ago regarding graduate degrees in TESOL. BTW, my program including books, tuition will also be about USD 13,000...or around 1 bajillion-gazillion won.