Korean Job Discussion Forums

[veac]

I graduate after the summer 2011 semester with a science degree. I have no teaching experience but I have tutored college students in math and electronic coding. Basically I have a year to complete any teaching preparations. I don't want to be that new english teacher who shows up with just a psychology degree and a smile on their first day in the hagwon.

Would anyone recommend taking an online TESOL course? americantesol.com offers a $300 60 hour self-paced certificate. Would I get 100,000won more every month with this certificate? Would $300 be worth the knowledge learned despite any pay increases?

There won't be much of a culture shock to prepare for, I've lived in Ulsan for 3 months last year.

Is there anything people wish they would've done before their first year teaching in Korea? Any advice is good advice

[mc_jc]

Koreans don't really expect foreigners to teach- they are just 'window-dressing' to attract people to their schools for the sake of making money.
As for the public school system in Korea, public schools are given substantial funds to finance their foreign language program- much of it is given to other departments (if not pocked) with a lamb's share given to the foreign teacher.

If you want experience before going to Korea- why not volunteer at an outreach center or community center that proivides English language programs to immigrants. You only need to sacrifice two days a week and a couple hours a day.

Trust me, if Korea expected their teachers to have 'experience', they would've risen salaries for such experience.

[SteveSteve]

I've never tried those online courses, but I've heard many people say a lot of good things about them. The problem is that online courses are not recognized outside of Korea, which may be a factor if you plan to teach in other countries. IMO, CELTA is the best way to go but there are cheaper alternatives that may be just as good.

If you don't want to splurge a lot of money taking courses, then I highly recommend buying Jim Scrivener's Learning Teaching. It's about 30 bucks and it's filled with practical information about teaching English, either abroad or in your home country.

As far as the pay increase, it depends on the school. I think public schools offer more based on your credentials and experience. However, I'm not sure if Korean public schools will recognize an online degree. Hagwons are hit or miss. They will probably offer you roughly 2.0-2.1 because you're a new teacher. But you might get lucky and find a school who will offer more because of a certification.

It's really cool that you got a taste of the country last year, but I wouldn't dismiss culture shock quite yet. I don't know the purpose of your visit last year (work? visiting family? just for fun?), but Korean work and education culture is completely different than the US. Visiting here is one thing, but putting up with the BS that comes with a teaching job takes a lot of patience.

Good luck!

[Poker]

It's quite expensive, but you should think about doing the CELTA. It would be better for you in the long run.

[veac]

mc_jc, thanks for the reply, I'll look into this. I know little may be expected but I guess really what I am worried about is standing in front of 20 kids on my first day and thinking "now what do I do!?"

Are there hagwons that just say, "here are your students, now teach them english"?

[ttompatz]

[veac]

[veac]

[mc_jc]

[tottenhamtaipeinick]

veac you sound like myself. I am heading over in a few months and I did a TESOL course online from linguaedge set me back only $280 and it seems well worth it. I am currently working in the development field and conduct meetings etc with Council, Government and wealthy Clients though the thought of teaching kids feels more daunting.

I cant speak from experience but I can say what I will do before I go. Read a book on teaching English, finish that 100hr course and just ask ppl on tips for a few lesson plans once I know the age group and level. Having looked up a bit so far I am more worried about the boss of a hagwon and getting along with a co-teacher than teaching. No 1 obviously expects you to be an expert teacher if they hire a newbie but remember you are an expert English speaker and thats all that matters.

Just make sure you smile and show confidence. Honestly given we will be newbies with low grade students how hard can it be to go with the flow and teach some basic English?

Please anyone correct me if I am wrong

!

[veac]

[Troglodyte]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[nathanrutledge]