Korean Job Discussion Forums

[h_v_fisher]

I've been interested in making the move to Korea for a while. For three years I've been teaching English composition classes and literature surveys at a 4-year private college in North Carolina, as a full-time "visiting lecturer." That job is being phased out after this year because of the economy. Before that, I was an adjunct at a community college, teaching the same classes, for four years. I've worked as a tutor for both of these schools' academic assistance programs.

I have an M.A. in English with a literature concentration, and a B.A. in English with a concentration in writing. No TEFL or TESOL certification of any kind; no K-12 experience or certification, either.

Is it possible to find any adjunct-type college teaching starting in September, which may in turn lead to a full-year contract starting next February/March? I'm under contract and teaching classes here 'til mid-May, so current jobs aren't a possibility. I'm thinking that I can handle EPIK if it gets me in the country, but all I've read here makes me think there are better opportunities out there that fit my skill set and interests.

Any feedback, advice, or harsh reality checks would be much appreciated.

[naturegirl321]

It is harder to get a uni job while outside of Korea, but not impossible.

I had four years teaching experience at two unis in Peru. I applied to tons and tons of Korean ones. Got 8 phone interviews and was offered five jobs.

So you could do it. Just be persistant

[h_v_fisher]

Thanks, Naturegirl321. At least there's hope, right? ... What was your timeframe for those applications? I'd prefer to start in fall because I'm not guaranteed to have enough adjunct work stateside to pay my bills after June. But if I have to wait a year, I'll do what I have to do.

[naturegirl321]

[frankly speaking]

Schools traditionally hire in March for the year. You can find work after summer but more contracts will be offered when the school year begins in March.

School terms are different in Korea than in the US.

With your qualifications and experience you should be able to find some university gigs, but as Naturegirl said it is easier to do it in Korea. Often they like to interview you personally. University gigs don't always offer airfare though.

[h_v_fisher]

Thanks. I was hoping some universities might run on the western schedule, and might be hiring for August / Sept. - but I'm not seeing anything of the sort. Maybe I'm early...?

I thought EPIK might work to get me started in country, but it looks like if I start with them in September, my timeline for getting a uni job is going to stay out of whack for a year - not to mention all I'm reading here about visa / job-switching headaches.

[maingman]

Op


http://www.hal.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~ssh/korea.html



goood luck!

[naturegirl321]

I'm pretty sure that SOME uni jobs start in Sept. Not as many as March, but there must be some. Maybe there's even less competition. Just keep your eyes on the job board. And have your docs ready. Jobs should start popping up as early as May, even as late as Aug.

[Mr. Pink]

There are always openings for late August/September. The reason is that people leave their jobs halfway through their contract (like some go back to university) or others don't perform well enough or do something to make their administration let them go mid-contract. I would suggest just keep checking the job boards.

With NA university experience, that should impress some of the better programs in Korea; however, I am unsure if those are the schools that only go for Ph.Ds.

Alternatively, don't give up hope. With your qualifications, I think foreign language high schools would probably love to have you on staff. Especially if you can help with SAT prep or AP Liter/Language.

[sjk1128]

There are 16 foreign teachers at my uni, and they all started their contracts in the fall (of different years). I'm the only one whose contract began in the Spring.

It's early to look for ads for fall. Some people are still scrambling to fill openings for spring. Check the job boards April-August for fall jobs.

Good luck!