Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JediMindTrick]

Hello,

After being refused a visa to Australia to live with my girlfriend (and losing about $2000 in the process!!) we decided that the only way for us to be together was to move back to Korea or Japan. We worked in Korea for a franchise hagwon for a year before I went to England to complete my masters, so I have a little experience.

I would like any advice you guys have on what kind of jobs, and benefits, I should realistically be able to get in Korea. My MA is in International Development & Business, so I'm not sure I'd be able to get a university teaching job. I have been looking around, thinking maybe SMOE may be the right path to take, I dont think I could handle teaching kids in a hagwon again....We are looking to go over early next year. Any ideas??

Cheers

[jon1981]

I don't have a lot of experience here yet, but I know a guy who has about the same credentials as you do (MA plus one year at a Hagwon). His girlfriend has her BA and one year as well. They now work at a university here, they told me the thing that clinched the job for them was that in addition to their experience they did one of those quick 40 or 60 hour Tefl certificates back home before they left. Pretty well any certificate should be good for Korea, they don't seem to be too picky about accreditation. Having said that, anywhere outside of asia seems to want at least a minimum of a 100 hour certificate (not a weekend class) with observed teaching experience from one of a handful of recognized institutions.

Good luck!

[eliross]

Yeah, if you can afford to be on the ground in Korea right now for a month or so you should be able to find a university job with out too many problems. They are hiring right now for late Feb/March.

The kicker is you have to be here to interview. You also may need to provide your own housing. I know PLENTY of Uni's that hire people who do NOT have their masters degrees. I am currently working in a University without a masters degree.

With a degree you can look for 20 hours or less a week of work plus five or more months of vacation. A decent university will ask you to do a class demonstration and maybe even ask you some grammar questions. Some uni's will just hire you when you prove that you're white, can speak English without an accent, and can dress yourself in a suit.

If you want some more info you can PM me.

[JediMindTrick]

Good advice about doing one of those short TEFL courses before I left, thanks. It seems like having something like that under my belt, however basic the course, would improve my chances getting a uni job. I am more and more coming around to the idea of going to Korea for a while before I intend to start work, the only problem being is that my girlfriend's contract would be up a while before mine (she would be applying for a SMOE or reputable hagwon job). I have already sent out a couple of uni apps with no replies. Watch this space!