Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kjane]

Is the teaching experience gained at university language centres "unigwons" generally valued/accepted as "years of experience at the university level" when applying for university jobs?

[PRagic]

Nope.

[Bibbitybop]

You have to ask: Am I teaching credit courses at the university in which I make my own lesson plans? If so, then yes.

[PatrickGHBusan]

It depends....

Depends on the quality of the Unigown. Depends on your duties in that Unigwon.

Typically however Hakwon/Unigown work does not count as 1 year of experience for each year you worked there. This is unless you can provide tangible proof of what you did as a Teacher (professional level lesson plans for example, recommendations from these employers...).

If you mean does your Unigown job mean you gain experience towards some sort of seniority at the University that houses the Unigown then the anwser is typically no.

[kjane]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm a qualified B.Ed teacher who's looking to be in korea for a while. I've already done 2 years at a hagwan (where I can make good money). A Masters TESOL is most likely in my future. Basically I need to decide whether to take this low playing language center "unigwon" position (2.0).

Is changing to a low paying "unigwon" worthwhile experience in the long run?

[PatrickGHBusan]

Again it depends on the unigwon!

It can be good experience or it can be useless experience...

If you want a good university position, get that MA otherwise you will always fall short of the better positions.

[GENO123]

If you are happy at a place then it is good. If you are not happy then it isn't. Quality of life is what counts ( this of course would include money) , not just the contract.

[PatrickGHBusan]

That is true GENO but the OP wants to know whats best to get valuable experience that would lead to a University position. In his or her case, that becomes the priority.

[KoreanAmbition]

I was at a unigwon, and it was "considered by hiring staff" as equivalent to or worth more than the same time someone else spent teaching university credit courses. That was because of the university it was attached to. Therefore, I would say there are a few (equals probably 3 max) out there that would look really good on your resume.

However, in general, as others said, it's probably not.


Now, if you're comparing your situation to working at a hagwon, the unigwon will almost always give you a LOT more vacation.

In the end, if your potential new employer doesn't valuing a unigwon, they're not going to think any higher of a hagwon. On the other hand, if you are good at selling yourself, you can possibly make your unigwon experience sound better and therefore be more valuable than a hagwon. A unigwon is still dealing with university students...so if you can convey that you can easily transfer over to teaching credit courses, then that's what a hiring department will be looking for.