Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hopefullykorea]

I was wondering, I'm getting ready to finish up my teacher certification in the US and was thinking how many US Teachers had made their way to S. Korea to teach?

Do you employ the same methods (ie - lesson plans, rubrics, etc) into the classroom? Is it pretty much the same universally? Or does your employer tell you how things should be done?

[John_ESL_White]

All the certified teachers go to Japan.

j/k

go for an international school. www.iihs.kr is a start. do not apply at a regular PS and definately stay away from hagwon.

The only place you'll feel comforatble is at an international HS. Good luck.

[Kikomom]

Will DOD schools be opening once the military starts allowing dependents over?

[Joe666]

Does cerifiable count!

[Ya-ta Boy]

I'm a certified teacher, I'm not in Japan and yes, I do make lesson plans and rubrics and the rest of it: I tell 'em what I'm going to teach 'em, I teach 'em, I tell 'em what I taught 'em. It works. I work with adults. I especially make sure I them why we are doing an activity--review 'if' clauses, for example. The students like knowing why they are being asked to do something.

[PRagic]

If you're certified, my best advice would be to get a couple of years experience in the US and your MA knocked out before you make a move overseas. With the certification and experience, you'll have a lot more options. Hong Kong, for example, is a great place for qualified, certified, and experienced teachers.

DOD schools are fantastic in Korea or elsewhere, and pay, including the housing allowance, is really good. International schools are another option, as another poster pointed out. For most of these positions, you need experienc and your MA to qualifiy if you're American.

If you're a certified teacher, most would probably agree that you will want to avoid the public school and hakwon (institute) teaching jobs in Korea.

[Straphanger]

[SandyG21]

I am certified to teach.

The USA - all states are doing massive teacher layoffs - very little chance of any jobs here.

To get an International job - they typically want 2 full time years - in the classroom - subbing doesn't count.

You must do in person interviews - either at the schools or at job fairs - all of which cost money.


Having a teaching license is no golden ticket to having a teaching job - even if you are in the more in demand areas of high level math or science.

[hopefullykorea]

[mld]

Hi,

I'm certified but in Canada. I'll assume the differences probably aren't all that much between the two.

In my experience (a year and a bit) at a hagwan, it's very different from the experiences I had in practicum settings. Rarely am I asked to plan lessons (and at my school when foreign teachers are asked to plan, it's generally so that the plans can be used for multiple classes). Generally, we are given lessons plans that have been written by Korean teachers (in English, which in my case is good English as most of our Korean Teachers lived in the U.S. for a long time). On one hand it takes the stress off of making them, on the other they're not always suitable for our classes. As for rubrics.... well, I'm not sure I've ever heard the word.

From the impression I get (and by all means, if someone can correct me please do), most of us foreign teachers are here, not for our teaching skills, but for our English skills. The teaching skills are surely a bonus (and usually are rewarded with a higher starting salary - at least at my school), especially when it comes to things like classroom management, but in reality, most foreign teachers (again, in my experience) are given many classes to teach and the amount of prep work that would be required back home would be greatly time consuming. That being said, if you wanted to put that time into things, I'm sure you would not be stopped (again, I'm sure others have different experiences).

During my time here, I have been told to do things differently than I want to, but more often than not, my school has allowed me to do what I want to when it comes to my class and I find that success with the kids brings more leeway in what you can do - and also allows others to try new things in the class as well). That being said, this is my school, which overall, I tend to think is very accommodating to native English teachers compared to many of the horror stories I've heard about...

Good luck!

[harlowethrombey]

-I make lesson plans although my coteachers usually just glance at them. They're more for me so they are abbreviated (usually only a single page, but still written as if they will be read by the administration).

-Things like classroom management and public speaking skills will help you here. Even if you have good students they will be talkative and easily distrated in an ESL environment (I remember Spanish class in high school and not giving a hoot).

-I try to in 'western style' which is to say constructivist, group activities. It's a different format from most of their classes (which are typically lectures followed with silent book work) so the students get a kick out of it.

-As a certified teacher you (should) will get a bit more respect from your coworkers. Whether or not this is justified is debatable, but I've read/heard many things about coteachers treating their FTs like children, but I think the degree and certification helps establish you as a more 'legitimate' teacher.
My coteachers seem to trust my judgement. I also have years of experience teaching HS and ESL so it may be that, too.

Anyway, your certification will bump you up the payscale and should give you at leas a smidge more respect. I work at a PS and I love my job, my school and my coworkers. International schools sound like a fun gig, too. But, yes, with your qualifications you shouldnt go for a hagwon.

Good luck

[Geckoman]

[SandyG21]

Dod requires 2 full time years of teaching in USA too - not subbing.

The problem is that there are massive layoff for teachers in the USA - so getting a full time job - there is major competition - unless you are certified in high level maths or sciences or some areas of Special Ed - for instance the emotionally disturbed or behavior disturbed. Being bilingual - Spanish - may help get a job in the USA - but still extremely competitive.

[Snowkr]

I was under the impression that ESL, like special ed., is a high demand area for teachers in the states... maybe some moreso than others.

Are certified ESL teachers losing their jobs in the states too? I can understand why maybe music/art and other subjects may be in danger, but ESL??

[Snowkr]

I was under the impression that ESL, like special ed., is a high demand area for teachers in the states... maybe some moreso than others.

Are certified ESL teachers losing their jobs in the states too? I can understand why maybe music/art and other subjects may be in danger, but ESL??