Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KeepingItReal]

Hello Everyone...
I had some questions that maybe folks with University experience could help answer.
I have 3 years teaching experience (but mostly teaching kids in Korea) and I recently finished my MA-TESOL degree. I would love to apply for a university position, but honestly....I don't know how to spot a good deal since I've never tried before.
I haven't taught adults before and haven't been published yet, but I'm currently in the country so I can do face to face interviews. Do I stand a good chance at getting an offer? What should I be wary of regarding these places? Any advice on applying?
Thanks so much!!!

[ttompatz]

[frankly speaking]

The only thing that I would add to what Tom said, is to spend the next few months either volunteering or trying to teach some classes with similar themes as used in University.

If you have been teaching younger learners, you might not have experience with academic or thesis writing. Brush up on your skills. At least show that you are up to date on current changes in style of writing and also brush up on some of the latest trends in education theory as well as EFL as a whole. They might not ask, but if they nit pick that your experience doesn't match what they want you can at least talk as if you know.

Also teaching adults isn't really the same as University teaching. Adult classes usually focus more on business communication or field specific jargon, university classes aren't always like that. You will have some field specific focus but you will also need to be slightly academic. Writing a business proposal is a lot different than a research paper. Not just format, but also style, and language.

Good luck. I hope that you get what you want. I personally will never work for a Korean university again. Other countries are better for university work.

[KeepingItReal]

Thank you both SO much for the advice. It looks like there are some things I can do to move the process along in the right direction.

I've been seeing some job ads on Dave's, although not a ton. Do most of them usually come later in the summer?? I don't want to get too anxious and apply for stuff out of desperation.
"frankly speaking," I'm curious why you would never work for a Korean university again... Honestly, I don't picture myself staying here long term, but I'd like some university experience on my resume and I've got school debt to pay off.
Thanks again!

[mimi_intheworld]

Great questions, and I'm interested in the answers as well. I'm not in Korea (yet) and am just starting to gather background info on where I'd like to work and at what level. I have an MA in intercultural studies, a BA in English, a teaching certificate from the State of Texas and 4 years of classroom teaching in English, reading and ESL, both in Texas (grades 7 & 8 ) and in the UK (years 9-11, including exam prep). A million years ago (11) I taught informal English conversation lessons in Bangkok at university level as well as a few lessons of business English for surgeons and staff at a Bangkok hospital.

I thought it would be nice to get into a university, but like KiR, I too am unpublished and have been out of uni for 7 years now. So I have a couple of questions (so far). Please forgive me if they're redundant; I'm just getting into this career path in any real sort of way.

Tom, what is an Employment Wanted package? What goes into it?

How might one begin to network/get her name out there while still in the US?

Frankly, why wouldn't you go back to a Korean university? I know every country has its pros and cons in teaching - I would never go back to an English comprehensive school, for example - but I wonder what your experiences were that you say other countries are better for uni work?

[frankly speaking]

The highest pay that I have ever found in University level in Korea is 2.4 million won. They lure with great hours and good vacation package however during the vacations I had mandatory meetings once a week and almost mandatory winter and break classes (I could have outright refused but it would have made for other problems) So my 4 months holiday a year, I only had to work a few hours a week but I couldn't just leave and go somewhere.

I am one of the few that actually prefer Hagwon teaching. I have had 2 very good experiences, and 2 average, and only one pretty bad one. The university was just a grind though. Not enough autonomy in the class, unmotivated students and a lot of pretentious aholes flaunting their degrees.

Publications aren't going to matter too much for most entry level Uni jobs. As stated above, you won't have much luck applying from abroad.

The best option is to come over and stay for a few months, or get a job in a good academy and apply for teaching jobs the following year.

You really do need a few years of actual EFL teaching (current not 10 years ago) to get any kind of decent job.

[mimi_intheworld]

[makemischief]

[ttompatz]