Korean Job Discussion Forums

[GreenlightmeansGO]

I never thought I would make a post like this, but I have a Korean friend who is in a spot of trouble money-wise and is thinking of teaching English. She, however, has no degree...

What, if any, are her options?

[furtakk]

My girlfriend and two other Korean friends do.

They are currently in university, but none of them have completed a degree. I'm sure it's sketchy, but it seems somewhat common practice. My girlfriend in particular has worked at 2 or 3 different hagwons and has had a number of privates.

[ttompatz]

[rickpidero]

My friend doesn't have a degree and does tutoring. Although his English is really good because he studied in American for awhile.

And, many college students tutor on the side.

[schlotzy]

There are some teachers at my school who teach without degrees I think. However they have some sort of certificates for studying aboard in Native English countries. Not sure if it's legal though...

go with ttompatz on this one

[oldfatfarang]

I once worked in a hagwon with a Korean uni student who was teaching English. I was told not to tell the parents that she hadn't graduated ( yet?).

Basically, hagwons are the wild west of English education. I also had a friend who was told to tell the parents that he had degrees in teaching and education. His hagwon even advertised on their front door that he had these bogus degrees (lol).

[riverboy]

Why not? There are plenty of foreigners who do!

[Yaya]

[T-dot]

Its illegal for Koreans to teach in any academy or school without a degree.

These shady hagwons will not report any employees to the MOE without a degree.

Another option that is illegal, but common is to go the private tutor route. Parents dont normally ask for a copy of a degree from their tutor.

[Whitey Otez]

I've worked alongside a few illegal teachers at reputable places, if it's unlawful to teach without a degree. The most recent time, the teacher had to provide the same sort of criminal background check that I did, and for the record she was the most proficient and beloved teacher at the school.

[toniyellow]

I think they can do it legally, and in public schools. I was told there is some kind of english proficiency certificate to become 'instructors'.

I work in a public school and have four coteachers. Three are English teachers at my school who teach multiple grades, and one is an 'English instructor' who works at another school three days a week and my school two days a week, only teaching 4th grade.

The 'English instructor' is the second oldest of them all but is treated like she is the lowest - they will not share things with her or eat lunch with her.
Her contract sounds like mine - she was told she also has to come in and deskwarm during summer vacation.

One of the regular coteachers lied to her in front of me to deny they had any spare books for her. I asked her why later since there are spare books and she told me Mrs Lee is a nice person but she did not go to university, and the English teachers are very upset. She gave me a long lecture on Lee Myung Bak's educational reform and how it is the root of all evil and if they give any help to the instructors they will steal all the real teachers jobs.

I know Ms Lee lived in the USA for two years, and worked a a hagwon for a while. Her English is almost perfect and she is actually the best coteacher to work with as far as I am concerned, willing to try anything new. But she has no degree.

[curiousaboutkorea]

[Samurai Blur]

My girlfriend is teaching English at an academy in Daegu for the summer break right now. She's been in college in the states for two years now, and her English is really good, but she has no degree.
I'm sure your friend can find a way. She knew the owner of the academy she's teaching in.

[Yaya]

[EuroFunk]

it's possible to teach English without a degree by going through an internship program. They are usually sponsored by the big programs (GEPIK, EPIK) that allow Koreans and people with 2 or more years of university education.

I seem to be having a hard time finding a place to work.