Korean Job Discussion Forums

[thedubester]

Hello all,

I am very much interested in teaching ESL in Seoul starting early next year. However, I do not have a Bachelor's degree. I will be registering for a TESL course in early September and I have been told by many friends that that is sufficient.

Can anyone recommend reputable hagwons/ institutions in Korea that are more likely to accept a teacher with only TESL and no Bachelor's degree?

In the employer's eyes, is taking you TESL course online still considered to be equal to attending a course in person?

How long does it usually take from the time of application to receiving a response, and then getting an offer?

Please give me some tips in the application process. Thank you!

[CentralCali]

Reputable hagweons don't hire those lacking a baccalaureate.

[andrewchon]

You've been given very much an outdated information. There were times when someone of your type could teach ESL in hagwons illegally. Not now. Seoul is swamped with over-qualified economic-refugees oozing CELTA/TESOL/teaching experience qualifications. If the money is not the issue, but making a living teaching then there are other countries that don't demand degrees. Vietnam, Kambodia, Mongolia etc.

[E_athlete]

maybe if you lie about experience you may have a shot in Korea or Japan. But it's true though that with the world economy in the toilet the competition is growing like never before. The more you wait the more jobs disappear. For starters I wouldn't aim for Seoul but rather a more rural location. Ask around with recruiters to see what they say.

[Carla]

[T-dot]

you can't.

[fraukoch]

[Carla]

Oh, and they have a reward for reporting illegal teachers now, so anybody you meet could turn you in for cash..... Something to think about.....

[Fishboy]

Hello all, I've been reading various different discussions about the "can I teach without a degree",

I have been reading a lot of stuff on the forum and I keep seeing the same questions being raised about "degrees", I have a lot of friends from Ireland who are teaching in Korea at the moment, all of whom have degrees. I have technical qualifications and served an apprenticeship as an electrician I then went on to do many more add on technical courses (electronics and communications) I have no such degree but have ten years experience and other qualifications in my field, I have thought at kinder garden level as my mother has a pre-school and I have helped out a lot there, which means I could add that to my resume, when I left high school I was given an endeavour award for excellence in English. The bottom line I suppose is I want to gather as much info as I can from the wealth of experience and knowledge of the users on this forum. I'm heading over to Korea in November to join up with 2 life long friends as we are meeting up to celebrate our 30th birthdays together, I'm really looking forward to that, I want to experience Korean culture first of all, have a look at the city and talk with the people and get an insight into the whole deal before just arriving and doing the (bish,bosh,bash) approach !! , so people are things going to change so some other intelligent people with a desire to teach who don't have a degree (even if that degree is for some micky mouse course that has nothing to do with teaching !!) can, and their own qualifications will be recognised ??, seems a bit silly that someone who got a degree for painting a picture (fine art) !! can teach and someone in a very technical and high tech environment with an excellent command of the English language can't , I think all qualifications should count and then it should be taken from an interview level, not having a go at anyone just highlighting the situation a lot of people are probably in.

Cheers, from the land of saints and scholars

[dragon777]

Yes, i can remember when i used to be in that position...many moons ago.

Oh what a life it was! Good luck matey......