Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wakethenight]

Hello Everyone,

I will be graduating in May with a BA in Latin/Classical Studies. I do not have any teaching experience, though I plan on teaching Latin in the States eventually. I was wondering if I would be better of doing the TALK program for 6 months starting August 2010 and then applying to EPIK for March 2011? Or should I just apply to EPIK?

In TALK you learn to teach while teaching (15 hr a week), while also participating in cultural experiences. For someone with no teaching experience, I figure this would set me on the right path to becoming a good teacher. I know you get better accommodation and money with EPIC, but I'm more concerned with being a good teacher than money since I'm young and $1k is still a lot to me

I am afraid that if I apply to EPIK they will not accept me because the only thing on my resume is clerical work, but I truly would love to teach in S. Korea learn the language. I also do not want to join EPIK and have no clue how to teach a class. I looked into TEFL classes, but all the classes that offer practicums are to expensive.

So to sum up:
1) Would TALK before EPIC aid me better in my teaching career?
2)Would EPIC accept me with no teaching expierence and no community service on my resume (I am though a president of an academic club)?
3) Would my chance of getting chosen by EPIC increase if I do TALK first?
4) If anyone out there answering this has done EPIC with no teaching experience, did you feel overwhelmed or did EPIC help you learn to teach?

Thanks in advanced! I know this is a little long

[thoreau]

1) Would TALK before EPIC aid me better in my teaching career?

The TALK scholars I've spoken with have been very happy with the program. You are paired with a Korean who helps you navigate your Korean experience. In addition, there is a very long (1 month?) training competent. You seem a bit worried about your lack of experience. If this translates to lack of confidence in the classroom it could be disastrous. The TALK program may give you a bit more confidence.


2)Would EPIC accept me with no teaching expierence and no community service on my resume (I am though a president of an academic club)?

Experience has never been a reason for EPIK to turn down an applicant.

3) Would my chance of getting chosen by EPIC increase if I do TALK first?

Probably not.

4) If anyone out there answering this has done EPIC with no teaching experience, did you feel overwhelmed or did EPIC help you learn to teach?

I had teaching experience before EPIK but I regularly talk with about 8 teachers who didn't. If you work in an elementary school you really don't need any experience since they use a canned curriculum. Most likely, you'll be a human tape recorder and perhaps play a few games. A few other teachers do more.

My friends who teach at middle-schools and didn't have experience had a bit of a struggle at first. But they quickly developed tools and found resources on the internet. We also have a group file sharing account where we all contribute lessons and worksheets.

There is another aspect of TALK that you didn't mention that to me seems important. In TALK, you only stay in the school for the hours you teach - a max of 15. In EPIK you might be forced to stay in school for 40 hours even if you're not teaching. On a sunny day that is an important difference.

With TALK you'll be earning less money but you need to commit to only 6 months. If you have any doubts I think TALK would be a good fit. I wish I'd had picked it.

[ACT III]

I've given a lecture to a group in the talk program and they seemed well, not taking the whole teaching thing with any level of seriousness. If you want to develop as a teacher do some sort of teaching cert with some real class time. Like the trinity tesol, celta, or maybe one of those tefl programs in Thailand. In the end would it help you getting into epik? I don't see why not.

[oskinny1]

[shostahoosier]

[TheUrbanMyth]

The TALK program is intended to be for applicants who DON'T have a B.A but two years (at least of) of university.

I don't know if they'd take you with a degree.

I'd just go to EPIK straight off. Most people with a degree here have/had no experience either at one point. It doesn't matter.

[thoreau]