Korean Job Discussion Forums

OBwannabe · Joined: 16 Feb 2008

This question is for those who have a teaching certificate and have taught back in their home country after teaching abroad. Especially in Korea.

I know most provinces in Canada(I'm a Canuck) take previous work experience into consideration when determing where a permanent teacher belongs on the pay grid.

e.g., my friend's wife worked in a early childhood prevention program for 3 years. She then left her job to study for the teaching certification. After graduation she landed a permanent teaching position and was credited for her 3 years experience. So she started on a 4th yr teacher's salary.

I'm certain I will go back home to study for my Ed. degree one of these days. Probably sooner rather than later. I would be much more excited about it if I knew they would count my years taught in Korea when considering salary.

Anyone been down this road before?
Would both/either Hakwon and public school count?

Cheers

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:29 am Post subject:

Certified Teacher in Canada (Ontario).

Worked 11 years in Korea.

I am out of teaching now but when I was still an active Teacher I checked up on this. You can sometimes get credited with some teaching experience abroad but typically Hakwons will be a hard sell. It might help you land a job as it is teaching experience but it most likely will not bump you up the starting pay scale.

alistaircandlin · Joined: 24 Sep 2004 Location: Seoul

Hi,

I returned to the UK to do an MA and my teaching certificate after teaching two years in Korea. I started my first teaching job on the second tier of the pay scale as a result of my experience as a TEFL teacher in Seoul and Incheon.

In my case I didn't ask for this: my school just started me higher on the scale, so it was a nice surprise. I suggest you might tried negotiating with employers about this after being offered a job. Maybe you won't get the same pay scale as you would if you'd had the teaching experience in Canada; but maybe like my employers, they'll do the decent thing and start you a level higher than a regular newly qualified teacher.

Best of luck with it anyhow,

Alistair

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

I think they want experience taught in accredited schools.

It also depends on the school board. Some school boards also will have a maximum. I did my B.Ed at Brock and thus I know the District School Board of Niagara will only give a max of 5 years teaching experience to experienced teachers.

Considering that it is a buyers market when it comes to teaching, I would be surprised if any boards were willing to give experience credit to those who taught in Korea and aren't ESL specialists. I guess if you had an MA in TESOL or something like that it would endear you for ESL teaching jobs.

I am guessing you most likely don't want to teach ESL when you go back though...

Right now if you can teach French or have Special Ed Part 2 or Specialist you can get a job no problem. Other than those two things, good luck.

Lao Wai · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Location: East Coast Canada

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

I have two years of hogwon experience on my teaching license. Find and complete the relevant paperwork for your state or province:
http://licensurepublic.dpi.state.nc.us/Licensure%20Forms%20pdf%20format/Form%20E.pdf

OBwannabe · Joined: 16 Feb 2008

Lao Wai · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Location: East Coast Canada

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

Two years at hogwons in Korea bumped me two levels up the teacher pay scale in Virginia.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:30 am Post subject:

thegadfly · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

My years in Korean hakwons was counted toward my years of experience on the pay scale when working in the US, at the time -- however, different schools I applied to had a different maximum number of years -- at the time, Detroit would accept up to 9 years our of state, whereas the school I actually worked at only counted up to 5...and I really don't think I can find a job in the US now that would count all my years of experience off the bat as a new hire....

I would say if your total experience as a teacher is less than 10 years, Korean teaching will probably count, but if you have been in the game more than that, I would like to hear about places that will give you credit for your experience....

Jessiegirl · Joined: 30 May 2010

Hey everyone!

This goes out to the people who are from Ontario.

Do school boards care if you taught at a university or would they prefer to see someone working in the public school in Korea? Most of my experience is at the university level, so I'm wondering if I should switch. Would they consider my experience not applicable since I worked with university students instead of children? Would they accept my teaching experience prior to receiving my teaching certificate?

Thanks:)

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

8 years in the US + 2 in Korean hogwons + 1 in Mexican private school, all on my pay scale in a new US state.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

I can't speak for Canadian schools, but in the US it will vary from district to district.

When I was offered a job by the Baltimore County public schools, they were willing to give me credit on their payscale for all 5 years of my teaching experience in Korea (hogwon and uni, I've never worked for a public school here) as long as I could document it.

Another district in upstate New York was willing to give me credit for 2 years on their pay scale because they "wanted to give me something", and asked for no documentation.

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