Korean Job Discussion Forums

bish · Joined: 09 Jun 2007

I'm 27 with a CELTA and 2 and a half years experience in TEFL. I enjoy my work and would like to continue in teaching and I know I need to add to my qualifications.

In the long term it would be great to be working on the international school circuit and I know I should get my QTS/PGCE as well as an MA in order to do this.

What would be the best route for one to go down? Would it be better to do an MA in TESOL followed by a PGCE or the other way round?

Thiuda · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: Which first? An MA or a PGCE?

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

I'd say do your Masters first as it'll open more EFL doors for you, both here in Korea and elsewhere (ME for example). Having said that though, having a PGCE under your belt will also open proper teaching doors for you. PGCE would be quicker, but would mean a year FT back in the UK as opposed to 2-years for your Masters. I nearly signed up for a PGCE after I graduated, but thought better of it.

I'll have my MSc (hopefully) by the end of next year - just the small matter of a dissertation to write first though.

I've been toying with the idea of doing a DELTA after that, but that's dependent on whether I choose to return to TEFL in the future. I'm hoping my masters will open other doors, so I wont need to. Either way, you're unlikely to ever be out of work with a PGCE.

AgentM · Joined: 07 Jun 2009 Location: British Columbia, Canada

I've got a related question, is doing an online masters manageable with a typical ESL job in Korea? In terms of time? Also, do you need a PGCE to work at an International School as well as a Masters?

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

AgentM · Joined: 07 Jun 2009 Location: British Columbia, Canada

Thiuda · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:14 pm Post subject:

bish · Joined: 09 Jun 2007

Thanks very much for all the advice so far. Very helpful and I will probably follow it as I am inclined to think that doing the MA first will be better.

I currently have 2 years of experience with Adults (6 months in China) and Children (18 months in Korean public schools). I know this is technically enough to get on most MA courses but do those who have done/do MA's usually start with more? Would it be advisable to get a year or 18 months more experience?

Thiuda · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:49 pm Post subject:

bish · Joined: 09 Jun 2007

Thanks Thiuda.

Another question I have is for people who have returned to the UK to do a PGCE after spending time in Korea.

Is this likely to effect one's chances of getting funding for a PGCE as well as increase the chance of having to pay international student fee's?

How can one prove they have been "ordinarily resident?" Would bank statements, the electoral register and proof of yearly visas be sufficient proof that the stay abroad was only temporary?

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

I was in the same boat as you, I did my B.Ed first (Canada's version of the PGDE). My reasoning was, I wanted to be teaching outside of ESL/EFL. Unfortunately, the job situation in Canada for teachers is over saturated. If you are from the UK there are tons of jobs. Moreover, you should be able to get that degree FREE. I worked with someone who went back to the UK and was able to get that done with state sponsored money. If you saved up some bucks working in Korea first, you should be fine.

Here's the thing about an MA: if you do an MA online, it is most likely in TESOL. Do you want to be pigeon holed into teaching ESL for the rest of your career? I am not sure what your undergrad is in, but if you are seriously looking at the International School circuit, they want an MA in your teaching area, not just in some random area. Also, an M.Ed would be useful as well. There are a lot of programs out there that do M.Eds. Also, you should be aware that a lot of the good International Schools offer professional development in the way of having professors from schools offering MA/M.Ed come and teach a certain amount of courses per year. I have heard Seoul International School is doing this. Also, some of the American International Schools in Dubai do this.

I would say, look at what you want to do with your career and make your decision based on that. Considering you are from the UK, your tuition is free isn't it? My one year education program was $6500 just for the tuition. I would love to have had free education.

Oh yeah my last piece of advice:

I am certified to teach middle/high school. However, you will notice one day when you are looking for International School jobs that most of them fall into the elementary level. If you can stomach teaching the little ones, I suggest you go for that type of certification. There are just that many more jobs out there. I will be taking an additional course to get certified for elementary school to open my chances of jobs in the future as well.

bish · Joined: 09 Jun 2007

Good post Mr Pink. Thanks.

It's possible to do a PGCE followed by 2 years of an MA in Education but I am thinking that even though I could probably get funding I could do with saving a bit more money here first.

With that in mind I may do 3 years more teaching over here and then go back to the UK with an MA in TESOL, some money in the bank, more work experience and more academic experience. I think I could then do a PGCE with an MA in Education.

I know the direction I want to go in but it's choosing the order that is difficult for all of us!