Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HookedX]

Hello. My girlfriend and I are moving to Mokpo in November after signing with a hagwon for 2.2 each. We're already locked in and everything, so even if it sucks...well then it sucks. I just want to know if that's decent with an MA but no teaching or ESL experience, outside of university I haven't really found anything that discusses what benefit (if any) is found in holding a master's degree.

[janydc]

It depends on what your MA is in. Through EPIK you get 2.2.w/ an MA. I also have a MA but it's not in Linguistics/ English, which would increase the pay grade.

[HookedX]

It's in International Affairs, so that makes sense. My girlfriend has a BA in both Spanish and French, so we didn't really expect those to add a pay increase either considering there probably isn't much demand for either language in Korea.

[andrewchon]

No, they are not the major L2 in Korea, but some High Schools offer those languages as subjects. Koreans will do and study anything that'll set themselves apart in job market.

[PigeonFart]

Multilingual European countries would see her BA in French and Spanish as a positive thing, even though she wouldn't be teaching them. They would see her Multilingualism as making her a more effective teacher.

But this is Korea. It's a Monolingual country, with only a handful of Bilinguals (who speak English badly). They can't think that progressively when it comes to languages.

[Ukon]

You can do better than that with a MS....at the very least get a boost at public schools.

[xingyiman]

I would look for a reputable private school. The worst you could possibly do is 2.5.

[Murakano]

2.2 is pretty standard for a newbie with just a BA............but I know quite a few people who came started here on 2.3/2.4 mil (quite easy to get) without any experience but they negotiated their pay/contract and weren't low balled with the first offer.

I think the OP could have done much better, especially with a MA and if working for a public school. You could have got the same pay along with less stress, less working hours and tons more vacation time.

[Chet Wautlands]

HookedX,

You could have done a bit better. That having a been said, 2.2 isn't terrible, you are in a good area, you get to work with your girlfriend... It should be a good year. Enjoy it!

[bassexpander]

I first made 2.2 in 2002 with just a BA.

[catchshime]

Not that it makes a difference for you after that fact, but FYI in case you want to change after a year...

My friend got 2.4 with just a bachelor's, though she had some relevant teaching experience. This was, of course, with a reputable hagwon however. She is also living in a nicer area of Seoul, so I'd say it's a pretty good deal especially with how the Won continues to rise (and the dollar continues to tank...)

[hellofaniceguy]

No one can use you or force you to sign for 2.2 with a master's! One must be desperate for money when BA's get 2.2 also!

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Mokpo will be cheaper than Seoul, so consider that your raise.

[frankly speaking]

The issue is that you don't have any relevant EFL experience, so you probably can't or wouldn't do any better than someone with a BA.

The only real difference is that you are able to do scholarly research, so that you probably could find out teaching methodology and other skills sets required for this field faster and more profound than someone without an MA/MS.

However without relevant classroom experience, you might find it hard to find jobs that pay better. 2.2 still isn't so bad. There are a lot of jobs that still are 2 million for newbies. I started with less 1.8 but that was 10 years ago. After you learn a few things and makes some good contacts you will probably make a lot more than that next year.

I don't know why people think that just because they have some irrelevant advanced degree that entitles them to more money.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Huh? That in teaching you shouldn't be rewarded for more in the way of formal qualifications? Good god man, education would have no reason to exist!