Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Baluda]

I'm a certified high school teacher with 6+ years of teaching experience. I also obtained my CELTA certification a few years ago.
Does anyone know if there are decent paying teaching positions for certified secondary school teachers in Korea ( offering over 2.7 million a month+ housing)?
I've checked into EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE etc..., and it seems that none of them are willing to accept any of my previous teaching experience since I didn't teach within a Korean school board... They wanted to start me at a whopping 2.2 per month (I made more than that teaching at a school in Korea 6 years ago without any teaching credentials..)
No wonder licensed teachers don't go to Korea!
Anyway, if anyone's got any insight into decent paying jobs for licensed teachers in Korea, please let me know.
Thanks!!

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Baluda]

Thanks Patrick,

Your insight is very much appreciated!!

[PatrickGHBusan]

Most welcome.

[Mr. Pink]

I was just talking to my wife about this situation yesterday.

I work at an international school and I like it, BUT I am always working. I work through every prep I have, through lunch and if I don't have an extra-curricular or meeting after school, I work until my contract says I can go home. I get home and usually do hours of work each night. Some of this is because I am new to the school and have to design lessons for all my classes (something that will be easier next year). Some of it is because I am nuts and believe in having my students do a lot of work (I teach English and believe that the students should do a lot of writing.).

I worked in ESL for years and rarely did I take my work home with me at night...usually only if I had a major assignment to mark or an exam. It didn't happen often. I didn't work weekends either. I was making over 3mil a month back in 2006...if I had stayed at that job I'd be at 3.5mil or so now.

Here is why it is worth it for me:

I don't have any bosses that aren't foreigners. The atmosphere is like an American charter school. We aren't given last minute notice on things, everything is well planned in advance. I haven't had one "dinner" or a last minute dinner sprung on me, like I used to working in a Korean school. Everyone speaks English. In fact, the school rule is English only. This is for ALL the staff and students. This means I can communicate with ANY staff in the building, especially any of the office workers. Try having that experience working in a Korean school.

I guess having my daughter go to the same school for FREE is also why it is worth it for me. I wouldn't want my daughter to go to a school where the language of instruction wasn't English, as when I do go back to Canada I want her to transition smoothly into classes there.

If you want an ESL job, they are out there. Good ones are looking for licensed teachers and do pay more, but those jobs are very hard to find as they usually go by word of mouth when there is an opening. Like a current employee will try to get their buddies in before recruiting at large.

[sigmundsmith]

That seems strange that you wouldn't be put directly on 2.7 per month as you are a certified teacher with 6+ years experience.

When I was working for SMOE I had two friends start at the same time. One was from US. and the other Canada and both were certified teachers and the first time to Korea and teaching esl. Both went straight to 2.7.

Maybe smoe has changed their policy. In that they want more experience in an esl environment.

In my experience too certified teachers usually last no longer than a year and then move on. Not always the case I am sure but that is my experience.

Two couples I know work at international schools - one in bangkok and one in singapore. Both couples were here for one year and they wanted to leave korea so badly. Both couples have been in their respective international schools for more than 2 years and really enjoy it.

So like someone else said maybe you should go along that path as well rather than straight esl.

[crazy_arcade]

I'm 3/4 through my b.ed (have a b.a and tefl and taught in Korea for a few years) and have already interviewed with one international school.

So, yes, there are options...including foreign language highschools and universities. Most other institutions don't respect credentials/experience.

[Scott in Incheon]

If you are not set on Korea, you should check out the Hong Kong NET scheme. One of the best overseas teaching jobs out there...good salary and vacation...and you are put on the same salary scale as the other HK teachers so you get annual raises.

[Mr. Pink]

[D.D.]

Why would you want to go to Korea with those credentials. Come to China it's much more fun and there is many international schools to teach in.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Baluda]

I would definitely consider doing a couple of years in Hong Kong. I've also looked into teaching in the Middle East. My main reason for going back to Korea is that my girlfriend lives there (she is Korean). Otherwise, I wouldn't even consider teaching in Korea as an option...ahhh relationships...By the way, I'd like to thank everyone for their advice! Very much appreciated!!

[crazy_arcade]

I've actually been looking at both Singapore schools and the Hong Kong net program. Only problem is that my s.o. wants to take English classes while I'm working - that's gotta be mighty pricey in either of those two places, right?

[Weigookin74]

[Baluda]

Weigookin74:
I'd rather sweep the streets of Korea/pull a vegetable cart behind me than be exploited at a Korean school for 2.2 million won a month. At lest the sweeping/vegetable cart gigs would get me a little of attention...maybe even 15 minutes of fame on KBS! Sounds like a great story to me:
"A licensed Canadian teacher decides to clean Korean streets and sell vegetables next to ajumas instead of teaching at a Korean school."