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funky monkey
Joined: 05 Nov 2008
Location: UK
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 Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:33 pm Post subject: Tefl and SMOE |
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Hi there
Just a quick question... SMOE have changed their policy now and require TEFL when you come to teach in Korea. I have signed up for the course, and was wondering if many people have completed the exam. Was it difficult? I have read one thread on here, but cant seem to find much information about the exam itself.
Im doing the course without tutor support which means I have to do the exam. If i paid more money for a tutor, there would be no final exam but continous assessment.
My next question.... I have an interview with SMOE in 2 just under 2 weeks. Im not sure whether to do the exam before i have the interview. I did read somewhere that if i failed the exam, i could pay the extra for a tutor and complete it that way. Im not sure that this is the case though. If i failed the exam before my interview, that wouldnt go down well in the interview, but if i failed after the interview, i could just go on and use a tutor to grade my work and get certification that way.
Im not saying that I will fail, im just trying to cover all eventualities. Any advise would be really appreciated. Thank you  |
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funky monkey
Joined: 05 Nov 2008
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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| oops any advice woule be appreciated* |
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alphakennyone
Joined: 01 Aug 2005
Location: city heights
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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I recently finished my TEFL cert and got it in the mail - after receiving an offer for pay level F - 2.2 mil a month.
I emailed my recruiter asking if, since I haven't signed the contract yet, if I could get a new one reflecting the TEFL cert and get pay level e (2.3 mil a month). She said it's impossible, etc etc, and "maybe" I can get the new level after I come to Korea with SMOE. I think I've heard similar stories on this board. Straightforward process? |
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Ukon
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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| They require a TEFL now? Cool...I got mine! |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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| I can bet you that from now on, then new KTU battle cry will be, "They don't have REAL teaching qualifications... only TEFL certificates!" |
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EvanD85
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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Well, crap. I don't have TEFL. Just an English and Secondary Education degree and experience teaching English as a foreign language. :\
Does this mean I won't be able to teach in a public school in Seoul? I was planning on going in March. I guess hagwon would be the only way to go now? :\ |
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Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject: Re: Tefl and SMOE |
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| funky monkey wrote: |
Hi there
Just a quick question... SMOE have changed their policy now and require TEFL when you come to teach in Korea. |
What...? I got the job and told my interviewer I do not have a TEFL certificate and probably would not get one. Sent in my signed contract this afternoon. |
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egrog1717
Joined: 12 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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Since when?
I've been here since last August... Had my evaluation class yesterday for contract renewal... Scored perfect and was told my new contract will be here as soon as they finish writing it, lol...
Don't have anything other than my H.Ba, my 9 months here, and some volunteer teaching experience back home... Nor was I asked/told that I needed a TEFL cert. to re-sign...
Someone might be tellin you fibs OP... |
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Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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| egrog1717 wrote: |
Someone might be tellin you fibs OP... |
I think this is what might be happening.
During my interview, the interviewer really made it seem like I needed a TEFL cert. When asked if it was necessary and in the job requirements, she responded with: "Well... SMOE is in high demand and we can have a lot of choice in who we choose for the job" and "Your recruiter didn't tell you?" No direct answer.
I immediately followed up the interview with a call to my recruiter, and she said, "It's just a suggestion. Don't worry about it, just tell them you've been thinking about taking an online course, it's not a requirement."
And upon a second reading of my contract, nowhere does it say SMOE hires are required to have TEFL certs. |
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egrog1717
Joined: 12 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
| egrog1717 wrote: |
Someone might be tellin you fibs OP... |
I think this is what might be happening.
During my interview, the interviewer really made it seem like I needed a TEFL cert. When asked if it was necessary and in the job requirements, she responded with: "Well... SMOE is in high demand and we can have a lot of choice in who we choose for the job" and "Your recruiter didn't tell you?" No direct answer.
I immediately followed up the interview with a call to my recruiter, and she said, "It's just a suggestion. Don't worry about it, just tell them you've been thinking about taking an online course, it's not a requirement."
And upon a second reading of my contract, nowhere does it say SMOE hires are required to have TEFL certs. |
Nope, not a requirement (Not even for the new Aug. start-date contracts that are starting to trickle around...)
Though having one does give you an automatic 200k boost in pay |
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JDUB34
Joined: 17 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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actually my recruiter just told me that they have filled all the H level (no TEFL) jobs for SMOE. TEFL cert wasnt required for the H level jobs but since they are all filled, the recruiters were told by SMOE to only recruit G level (TEFL cert) candidates.
I just got my contract (H level) from SMOE by the way... see you guys in August! |
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alphakennyone
Joined: 01 Aug 2005
Location: city heights
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| Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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Damn, I bumped the thread and no one answered my Q...I didn't want to make a new thread.
I just got my TEFL certificate (not because it's mandatory, but because I wanted the pay bump), but after I received my contract, which I haven't signed yet. My recruiter says she can't get a new one from SMOE reflecting what my salary should be but it "might be possible" to have it upgraded by SMOE after I arrive.
Anyone done this before? |
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JDUB34
Joined: 17 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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| alphakennyone wrote: |
Damn, I bumped the thread and no one answered my Q...I didn't want to make a new thread.
I just got my TEFL certificate (not because it's mandatory, but because I wanted the pay bump), but after I received my contract, which I haven't signed yet. My recruiter says she can't get a new one from SMOE reflecting what my salary should be but it "might be possible" to have it upgraded by SMOE after I arrive.
Anyone done this before? |
I was told the same thing by my recruiter. She told me that I would get the salary "bump" once I get the certification. |
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