Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hotwire]

Edited due to conflict of interests.

[BoholDiver]

Only true for E-2 teachers. There are enough newbies out there that they don't need an experienced teacher.

F teachers are doing as well as ever. Maybe even better.

[Radius]

no you're not overreating. These kids are over here and convincing their facebook and myspace friends to come on over, too. when will it end is anyone's guess. I think the first thing that will happen is that they'll close the doors on new teacers so they dont have to pay the airfare and opt to interview/hire people already in the country (like Japan is doing now.) and second, they will eliminate most people as they can with degrees other than teaching. im relieved to say i fit both descriptions...you just have to be willing to accept the lower wages, or they WILL find someone else to take it.

[eamo]

[Radius]

[eamo]

[BoholDiver]

Visa time, visa BS and nonsense, F teachers have usually been here longer, they are more stable, frequently have children and a better home life, simply take a housing allowance and deal with newbie issues themselves, etc etc.

The list of reasons is long.

[thegadfly]

Hotwire,

Yes, you are over-reacting.

Things ARE getting more competetive, certainly, but please back off of the hyperbole -- ESL teachers are not slaves, migrant workers, or even foreign 3d workers in Korea -- ESL teachers are paid a relatively high wage for safe work in safe conditions, are given many benefits that the ACTUAL 3d workers do not get. Comparing ESL teaching to the conditions that 3d foreign workers endure is insulting to the 3d workers.

Things ARE getting worse for ESL teachers in the current climate, but it is nowhere near as bad as you are claiming, and the exaggeration undercuts your point.

Yeah, suddenly you have to have something on the ball in order to get a good job -- maybe even to get an adequate job. Welcome to the current world economy.

[Hotwire]

[fugitive chicken]

I've had a little bit of say in hiring my replacement for my school (GEPIK) and they truly don't want to pay anyone more than 2.3 mill. They prefer to go with the less experienced teacher so that they can pay them less. This has included turning down someone with an MA in ESL who would get paid far more if they worked as a teacher in their home country.

[creeper1]

I remember the threads from around 2 years ago with guys on here moaning and whining about the new visa regulations. "Who is going to jump through all these hoops? They will never be able to get anyone to sign a contract here. Wages can only go up"

Shows you what they know.

From the above post it would advisable to not be overly impressed with your TEFL. Tell you what, leave it off your CV.

[thegadfly]

TEFL certified and 3 years experience used to be VERY qualified, but it no longer is, which means the field is more competetive, which I have also agreed it is...but, come on, it isn't all THAT qualified, in the scheme of things, is it?

The hyperbole to which I referred was:

[Whistleblower]

Continuing professional development is best if you want to get better and better jobs. I am taking a year out of teaching to do my MA in ELT. Hopefully afterwards I will be able to return back to Korea for a Uni job.

[David Gerrington]

I've also been applying for about 6 weeks. Of about 100 e-mails sent out, 90% don't even bother replying at all, despite seeng adverts every day for TEACHERS WANTED ALL OVER KOREA etc etc.

This is tough, seriously tough.

[Junior]