Korean Job Discussion Forums

Samurai Blur · Joined: 20 Aug 2009

Hey everyone, I've been hanging around and reading for a couple of weeks now, when I finally decided to join up. I have a question that I just cannot find an answer for and was hoping some of you experienced people could share your insight.
I'm currently working on my BS in English and will continue on to get my MA. So what I'm wondering is, really, what good will the MA do for me? I realize that with the economy being so bad that it's best to be well qualified for a job, and with the foreigners in Korea being able to teach with a BA in Philosophy and such I thought maybe I could stomp out some of my competition by going on to grad school before I bother to go there and teach. What good will this do for me? Will it help me in the way I expect it to, and will it land me a higher wage? I mean, surely it helps to have an actual English degree instead of some nonsense one, right?

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

A BS in English? Science of English?

Anyway, an MA will open up a better opportunity to get a university job.

Samurai Blur · Joined: 20 Aug 2009

latereducator · Joined: 29 May 2009

Well, in my case, I did my MA before coming to Korea. Having the MA earned me a higher wage and qualified me for university jobs, which typically offer better conditions (i.e. salary, hours, vacation) as well as, in my opinion, a better overall experience than the alternative. What's more, these days more and more people going over to Korea have a higher level of education, so, in the interests of keeping up with the market, it may be prudent to go for it.

I'd say, if you're already thinking of doing an MA and you have the stomach for another year or two of study, stick with it. It's awfully hard to go back to school once you're out earning a living for a while. You'll also reap richer rewards as a result.

Good luck!

Samurai Blur · Joined: 20 Aug 2009

Latereducator, if you don't mind me asking, how much do the universities pay these days, and how much vacation time do you get versus the pay and vacation at an academy. Also, I want to work somewhere that has adult students (I don't really like kids). Are there places to start and get experience (like the academies) where I can teach adults. I assume I can't just get a uni job fresh off the plane with an MA and zero experience..

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

Even having an MA won't guarantee a good job in Korea. It will greatly increase your chances though.

latereducator · Joined: 29 May 2009

You'd be surprised. I've been involved in hiring several times, and in one of those cases, a complete newcomer was chosen over several candidates with experience. It all depends on the school, so never write yourself off just because you don't have a lot of (or any) experience. Besides, if you do an MA, you should have a chance to do some teaching as a TA, which should give you a little resume material.

As for academies, there are jobs that cater to adults, but, as they are academies, most of them have higher classroom hours (often 30 + preparation periods) and shorter vacations (usually 2 weeks). In my reckoning, universities are generally preferable based on the number of class hours (usually 20 or less per week) and the vacation period (anywhere from 4 weeks to full semester breaks off). One huge advantage to academies, though, is that they tend to offer housing more often than universities do.

As for what to expect, it's a little hard to break it down easily, as there are so many post-secondary schools in Korea, and they occupy so many different strata, not to mention so many different cities and regions in Korea. To boil it down, though, you can probably expect anywhere from 2 million to 3+ per month at most schools, depending on the prestige of the school, where it is located, the department you'll be joining, the type of courses you'll be teaching, the number of hours you have to work, etc., etc.

I'll give you a rundown of my own experiences. I worked at an academy my first time, teaching middle school students and was paid 2.3 million/month for 40 hours/week with 2 weeks vacation and housing. My second job was at a national university in Gyeonsangnam-Do, where I taught 18 contract hours/week (+ overtime) for 2.5 million/month with full summer and winter vacations and housing. My current job is with a private university in Seoul, which pays me around 3 million/month for 9 hours/week (+ overtime) with full vacations but no housing.

To really get yourself started, try doing a search of the Korean Job Board with Messages Posted By 'University' and 'College' and compare the results. Check what is required by each school against your qualifications, then apply. However, you should be wary, as many universities have affiliated language academies on campus, which should not be confused with actual university departments. You'll see what I mean once you do a little digging.

Hope this helps.

buildbyflying · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:22 pm Post subject:

If you're set to get an MA I'd go with applied linguistics. You an take that in several directions. The English degree is actually quite versatile, and even considering a general English MA wouldn't be a bad idea either.
You could teach ESL, linguistics, composition, grammar, reading, etc.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Another thought is to consider how long you will plan to stay in ESL. If it's under 5 years, then I'd get an MA in something that will prove more useful to you when you return home. An MA/TESOL is great, but if you don't have the teaching certifications for back home, it doesn't do you much good.

An MA in anything is currently enough to help you get your foot in the door for an interview at a university in Korea (or at least get you looked at). Many schools seem more concerned that you just have a higher level of education.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Do the MA in Journalism. Seriously. Great for teaching at the university level as you'll be able to do creative writing programs. Great for the private sector, too, as qualified editors are more and more in demand at large banks and financial houses. MA in English will help you get a university job, but it will limit your options.

morrisonhotel · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Location: Gyeonggi-do

Sorry to hijack the thread but what opportunities are there for lecturing at a university in Korea? I only seem to see teaching EFL.

Also, OP, have you considered doing a distance-learning M.A? I've just finished my application for doing a second M.A. (this time in English lit.) via distance-learning whilst I'm out in Korea. Combining work and postgraduate study seems to be very attractive to employers.

Samurai Blur · Joined: 20 Aug 2009

Carla · Joined: 21 Nov 2008

Khenan · Joined: 25 Dec 2007

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

I'll be interested in seeing what my MA in Teaching (English) and experience will do for me once my feet hit the ground. It hasn't helped me land an adequate job from my home country this time around, but my job search has been fairly narrow in terms of location and age group.

I would recommend as someone else did that you get the MA in something besides TESOL if you want to use it back home. If you like teaching, I'd go with a MA Ed. --- The difference between that and my MA-T is that the MA-T is designed in my state to fill the shortage of English Language Arts and Math teachers by pulling in people with other related work experience. The MA Ed. is for currently certified teachers and the MA-T adds the certification for those who don't have it. --- Anyway, if you want to add TESOL certification on top of that, it is easy, at least in my state.