Korean Job Discussion Forums

MattAwesome · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

Hi everyone,
Let me introduce myself first. This is my second year teaching in Korea. I worked at YBM ECC in Bundang last year, and now I teach for SMOE. I work at an elementary school on the westside.
I have been dramatically happier since changing over to public schools. I also did a TEFL cert class to get that little pay bump every month.
I started teaching in Korea because I really didnt know what direction my life was going in. I have had thoughts about doing an MBA program and pursuing some business ventures. However, leaving this lifestyle, however not luxurious is going to be hard. I really enjoy my job, the hours, pay, and amount of work I actually do. Helping kids learn and watching them progress is also very rewarding.
However great it is right now, how long can I keep doing this, not necessarily here, but in general? Will I ever be able to make enough money to support a family later on? I am only 24, so its not important now, but it could be a few years down the road.
I know some people with MA-TESOL and they dont make much more than me, work twice as hard as they are placed in areas like gangnam (SMOE).
What are my options with a MA-TESOL? I suppose I can work at a university, but the pay doesnt look much better. I know there are more lucrative opportunities in the Mid-East, but my hethen lifestyle probably wont work there Smile

is MA my best bet to make a career out of this for the long run? What happens with I am older?
Thanks for reading, and I hope answers to this thread can help out a few people more than myself.

runthegauntlet · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Location: the southlands.

I'm in a similar spot. I even worked at an ECC my first year!

I'm on again, off again about the MA. I even filled out an application for a program back in the States six months ago but never sent it in because the won was floating around 1500 and the cost would be too high at that point. I'll be interested in some replies as well.

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

Hi Matt

It depends where you're from, where you want to live and who you want to teach. People from USA/Canada seem to think here is best and go the MA/PHD or B-Ed route and stay in Korea at Universities or International schools . If you're British you could go to CELTA DELTA/PGCE route and get either management jobs at adult schools or teach kids at international schools. I know a guy who recently got a management job in Spain for c 50,000 euros p/a with the CELTA/DELTA route. There are career possiblities in TEFL with qualifications and experience.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I was also thinking about an MBA before doing what I'm doing now: an MA in Applied Linguistics. I don't plan to stay in Korea forever with it though: I'd like to work in other countries at a university level. I'll grant you that the pay isn't that much better, but the hours are less (if you settle down and get an F visa you can do privates) and the vacation is awesome.

MattAwesome · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

Im American, so i dont get the luxury of getting to work in Europe very easily.
How can I start / raise a family on what im making now? there is no way. would I have to go home to teaching English at a university level after i hot my 30s 40s? what are the MA holders doing now with families? I dont know any.

waynehead · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Location: Jongno

I'm in a similar boat, I'm 27 and am planning to start an MA in the next couple of years.

My near-long term goal is to get my MA and get a high paying job in the middle east, but as someone previously mentioned I worry about lifestyle problems there.

I don't want to stay in Korea forever, I'm single and I plan on staying that way for a while longer.

I'd appreciate hearing from others who've done/considered following a similar path.

Ultimately I'd like to wind up with a good position in Europe, but I'm American so that may be hard to come by.

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

Guys, an MA in anything will get you a university job here. Get an MA in something else more useful once you go back home. My MA does about jack-all for me back home without the previous BA + teaching certifications to go with it. That's another 2 years, easy....

bish · Joined: 09 Jun 2007

Sorry bassexpander. Can't really make out what you are suggesting.

Are you saying don't get an MA in TESOL, just save up until you go home and do an onsite MA in something else.

Or

Are you saying get the MA in TESOL, get a University job here and then get another MA later, should you go back home.

???

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

bish · Joined: 09 Jun 2007

Thanks bassexpander, sorry but your original post was just a little unclear.

I agree with you. While I am strongly considering doing an MA in TESOL, I also have doubts about it's value should I want to get out of this specific area of education in the long term. I may even want to get out of education all together, in which case the MA in TESOL is not likely to be too impressive to employers.

I may spend the next 2-3 years on seriously learning Korean while saving money and considering which MA or course of training/retraining is best for me.

iggyb · Joined: 29 Oct 2003

bass and I and others have discussed this in at least one recent thread:

If you have a mind to accept a career in education, I'd say go with an MA Ed. or a MA-T (teaching) like I just finished: Do a program that certifies you to teach in public schools in your home state/country.

From there, you can go the PhD route or stick with a career in public schools. With an MA, you can find some community college jobs in the US too. And you are marketable in Korea and other ESL-hungry countries around the world...

My wife is Korean, and this route is keeping opportunities for us as a family open in both the US and Korea....

runthegauntlet · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Location: the southlands.