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sluggo832004
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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 Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:54 am Post subject: How realistic are my chances as a Black Teacher?? |
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Ive heard different stories about Korea.
I am a African American Teacher with 3 years Teaching Experience. I worked in a Inner city school with at-risk students for 3 years. I have tutored some students with English as well. I have pretty good classroom management. (although I seriously doubt Korean kids are as bad as some American innercity kids)
But I keep hearing that they only want Abercrombie and fitch models.
I will still apply to agencies. But am I wasting my time? How good are my chances?
I also heard gone2korea and Korvia were good recruiters. |
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Radius
Joined: 20 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:59 am Post subject: |
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| sure it is possible. It just might take longer due to the market these days. |
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mohair_blues
Joined: 23 Aug 2010
Location: Bundang
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 6:08 am Post subject: |
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Dont limit yourself to agencies only, look around and apply directly to schools.
There are some schools that do their own recruiting/hiring.
I know of one in Bundang, but not sure if I can recommend that school. Heard too much negative stories from previous teachers. |
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sluggo832004
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 6:10 am Post subject: |
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| mohair_blues wrote: |
Dont limit yourself to agencies only, look around and apply directly to schools.
There are some schools that do their own recruiting/hiring.
I know of one in Bundang, but not sure if I can recommend that school. Heard too much negative stories from previous teachers. |
Are recruiters that bad? And where can I apply directly at? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 7:48 am Post subject: Re: How realistic are my chances as a Black Teacher?? |
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| sluggo832004 wrote: |
Ive heard different stories about Korea.
I am a African American Teacher with 3 years Teaching Experience. I worked in a Inner city school with at-risk students for 3 years. I have tutored some students with English as well. I have pretty good classroom management. (although I seriously doubt Korean kids are as bad as some American innercity kids)
But I keep hearing that they only want Abercrombie and fitch models.
I will still apply to agencies. But am I wasting my time? How good are my chances?
I also heard gone2korea and Korvia were good recruiters. |
Licenced teacher with more than 2 years in the classroom (verifiable?).
Look to the international schools and international school job fairs (pay and benefits are MUCH better than ESL) and you can literally pick and choose your country to work in.
Note that Taiwan will pay upwards of 88000 TWD + benefits for licenced teachers while ESL teachers in language academies get about 55,000 and no airfare and housing.
The situation is comparable to Korea with salaries in the $40k+ range plus benefits like housing, medical, pension and airfare.
Next bet would be the public school intakes for the March 2 start (beginning of term 2011).
Your absolute last choice should be a language academy (hagwan) in any country if you are certified.
Note that subject teachers with home country certification can also make salaries in the range of RMB10k per month with benefits in China and 60k Baht + benefits in Thailand.
Just suggesting that you, as a non Caucasian, should cast a broad scope when looking at working as an expat in the education field in Asia.
The beginning salaries may be a tad lower in some other countries but the NET (jingle in your jeans at the end of the month / savings) can often be MUCH higher due to differences in cost of living and opportunities for supplemental income opportunities.
Look at the whole package, not just the base salary.
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sluggo832004
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 7:58 am Post subject: Re: How realistic are my chances as a Black Teacher?? |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| sluggo832004 wrote: |
Ive heard different stories about Korea.
I am a African American Teacher with 3 years Teaching Experience. I worked in a Inner city school with at-risk students for 3 years. I have tutored some students with English as well. I have pretty good classroom management. (although I seriously doubt Korean kids are as bad as some American innercity kids)
But I keep hearing that they only want Abercrombie and fitch models.
I will still apply to agencies. But am I wasting my time? How good are my chances?
I also heard gone2korea and Korvia were good recruiters. |
Licenced teacher with more than 2 years in the classroom (verifiable?).
Look to the international schools and international school job fairs (pay and benefits are MUCH better than ESL) and you can literally pick and choose your country to work in.
Note that Taiwan will pay upwards of 88000 TWD + benefits for licenced teachers while ESL teachers in language academies get about 55,000 and no airfare and housing.
The situation is comparable to Korea with salaries in the $40k+ range plus benefits like housing, medical, pension and airfare.
Next bet would be the public school intakes for the March 2 start (beginning of term 2011).
Your absolute last choice should be a language academy (hagwan) in any country if you are certified.
Note that subject teachers with home country certification can also make salaries in the range of RMB10k per month with benefits in China and 60k Baht + benefits in Thailand.
Just suggesting that you, as a non Caucasian, should cast a broad scope when looking at working as an expat in the education field in Asia.
The beginning salaries may be a tad lower in some other countries but the NET (jingle in your jeans at the end of the month / savings) can often be MUCH higher due to differences in cost of living and opportunities for supplemental income opportunities.
Look at the whole package, not just the base salary.
. |
Some of the things you listed must have a catch to it or something. Sounds too good.
So you wouldn't recommend a recruiter? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 8:25 am Post subject: Re: How realistic are my chances as a Black Teacher?? |
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| sluggo832004 wrote: |
Some of the things you listed must have a catch to it or something. Sounds too good.
So you wouldn't recommend a recruiter? |
The only catch to the gravy train is home country certification (as a licensed teacher) and 2 or more years of verifiable classroom experience. Most ESL teachers have NO home country certification as a state/province licensed teacher (in any capacity) so they are stuck in the ESL rut.
Would I recommend a recruiter = no.
Recruiters are like used car sales men. Look at many, see what they have on offer, check out the package and then if you are interested, do your own due diligence (check out the school) and sign on the dotted line.
Use as many as you need to find the job you want, in the place you want with the benefits that you want.
If you are looking at the public school system in Korea then the 2 listed above in the thread are OK or you can do direct to GEPIK or EPIK via their websites (google them).
I give a nickel's worth of free advice based on a couple years of experience helping other teachers in Korea (and other countries). Take it for what it is worth. Feel free to ignore me at your leisure.
But I strongly suggest that when you are evaluating the various options be aware that:
Your color IS AN ISSUE for most of the planet (not always in a negative fashion)
There are other options for licensed teachers (outside of ESL).
Look at the whole picture and not just the base salary when you evaluate wanted ads, offers and contracts.
IF you are NOT licensed as a teacher in your home country then you will want to get some kind of certification as an ESL teacher before you start sending out your resumes (it will make you more competitive).
Just make sure that you get a minimum of 100 hours (120 is better) and an observed practicum (6 hours or more) if you are looking at a TESOL cert.
If you do insist on Korea as your country of choice, then look at the public school system. Personally I like GEPIK but there are other choices (EPIK, CEPIK, etc.) They are all comparable in one way or another.
Don't be mislead by the "low pay" on the scales.
Pay is based on 22 classes per week and you can often get supplemental classes (still within your 40 hour week) to bump that up to 28 (with an additional 500k won per month in your pocket).
When I was working as a teacher with GEPIK (left last year) I was making 3m won per month + 6 weeks annual vacation and the other usual benefits.
Now I do consulting for 2 (different) POEs (in Korea) and I am working as a teacher in Thailand (with a salary of 60k baht, just about 4 months of paid annual vacation (allowing me to continue my consultancy in Korea), a 3 bedroom house (not apartment), medical, ALL VISA COSTS paid for, and the only loss was that I have to pay my own airfare back and forth between Korea and Thailand.
Again, advice = look at the WHOLE PACKAGE and not just the base salary.
. |
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 3:45 pm Post subject: Re: How realistic are my chances as a Black Teacher?? |
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| sluggo832004 wrote: |
Ive heard different stories about Korea.
I am a African American Teacher with 3 years Teaching Experience. I worked in a Inner city school with at-risk students for 3 years. I have tutored some students with English as well. I have pretty good classroom management. (although I seriously doubt Korean kids are as bad as some American innercity kids)
But I keep hearing that they only want Abercrombie and fitch models.
I will still apply to agencies. But am I wasting my time? How good are my chances?
I also heard gone2korea and Korvia were good recruiters. |
ttompatz is an authority and almost always pretty spot on.
If you have a real teaching certificate and verifiable experience, you have so many more options than us regular folks who have just a pulse.
Maybe the benefits sound too good to be true because you've been looking at benefits for people with no experience (the vast majority of ESL teachers in Korea).
As for the "do they only hire Abercrombie models" question....thats hardly the case. Looks do seem to factor in...but if you came here and looked around at many of the foreigners you'd probably agree that it's slim pickings... |
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ThingsComeAround
Joined: 07 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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Hello
As a man of color working in Korea at the moment, I can tell you that being black doesn't necessarily disqualify you from employment, however being overqualified (having a degree in teaching, ironically) does.
I've sat in on the interview/resume process when my school wanted to hire a new teacher. The Head teacher was given a budget maximum of 2.1 mil to hire a new foreign teacher into the school, and that was a push. The principal didn't see the value in having someone with some experience over hiring a pulse, thinking things will run exactly as before. This is the main problem people with experience face when they want to work in Korea specifically.
Ttompatz gives great advice, however as he mentioned he isn't in Korea at the moment. The reality is that there are jobs, but our value in the minds of employers hasn't increased at all. Even applying directly, a school may want to hire a recruiter for "paperwork", which I translate to giving a local work when it isn't necessary.
My overall assessment is negative, however that shouldn't stop you. With patience and persistence, you can find what you want. |
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sluggo832004
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:58 pm Post subject: Re: How realistic are my chances as a Black Teacher?? |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| sluggo832004 wrote: |
Some of the things you listed must have a catch to it or something. Sounds too good.
So you wouldn't recommend a recruiter? |
The only catch to the gravy train is home country certification (as a licensed teacher) and 2 or more years of verifiable classroom experience. Most ESL teachers have NO home country certification as a state/province licensed teacher (in any capacity) so they are stuck in the ESL rut.
Would I recommend a recruiter = no.
Recruiters are like used car sales men. Look at many, see what they have on offer, check out the package and then if you are interested, do your own due diligence (check out the school) and sign on the dotted line.
Use as many as you need to find the job you want, in the place you want with the benefits that you want.
If you are looking at the public school system in Korea then the 2 listed above in the thread are OK or you can do direct to GEPIK or EPIK via their websites (google them).
I give a nickel's worth of free advice based on a couple years of experience helping other teachers in Korea (and other countries). Take it for what it is worth. Feel free to ignore me at your leisure.
But I strongly suggest that when you are evaluating the various options be aware that:
Your color IS AN ISSUE for most of the planet (not always in a negative fashion)
There are other options for licensed teachers (outside of ESL).
Look at the whole picture and not just the base salary when you evaluate wanted ads, offers and contracts.
IF you are NOT licensed as a teacher in your home country then you will want to get some kind of certification as an ESL teacher before you start sending out your resumes (it will make you more competitive).
Just make sure that you get a minimum of 100 hours (120 is better) and an observed practicum (6 hours or more) if you are looking at a TESOL cert.
If you do insist on Korea as your country of choice, then look at the public school system. Personally I like GEPIK but there are other choices (EPIK, CEPIK, etc.) They are all comparable in one way or another.
Don't be mislead by the "low pay" on the scales.
Pay is based on 22 classes per week and you can often get supplemental classes (still within your 40 hour week) to bump that up to 28 (with an additional 500k won per month in your pocket).
When I was working as a teacher with GEPIK (left last year) I was making 3m won per month + 6 weeks annual vacation and the other usual benefits.
Now I do consulting for 2 (different) POEs (in Korea) and I am working as a teacher in Thailand (with a salary of 60k baht, just about 4 months of paid annual vacation (allowing me to continue my consultancy in Korea), a 3 bedroom house (not apartment), medical, ALL VISA COSTS paid for, and the only loss was that I have to pay my own airfare back and forth between Korea and Thailand.
Again, advice = look at the WHOLE PACKAGE and not just the base salary.
. |
Can you pm me your email or facebook?? |
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sluggo832004
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the feedback guys.
I just want to go to a place where I can use my skills, get paid, and have a little fun while im still young. I guess I will keep applying in Korea, taiwan, and other places.
Not that i dont mind paying my dues, but I feel that being experienced with Highschool kids, why not use that to my advantage? lol |
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Fishead soup
Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Go with GEPIK or any other public school gigs they hire lots of South Africans. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 7:40 pm Post subject: Re: How realistic are my chances as a Black Teacher?? |
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| sluggo832004 wrote: |
Can you pm me your email or facebook?? |
same name @ yahoo.com
ttompatz |
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sluggo832004
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 8:00 pm Post subject: Re: How realistic are my chances as a Black Teacher?? |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| sluggo832004 wrote: |
Can you pm me your email or facebook?? |
same name @ yahoo.com
ttompatz |
cool............. |
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ThingsComeAround
Joined: 07 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Fishead soup wrote: |
| Go with GEPIK or any other public school gigs they hire lots of South Africans. |
not as many Black/Indian SA as you think
Many more cute Brit/Dutch/Africaan SA  |
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