Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jangma]

I am an 18 year girl in Scotland.

I'm a current Photography student (and I finish in 2012) and I'd like to go into teaching in Korea but I don't know what grades I'd need and what course to do in college or university. I left school at 16 to do Photography and Fashion in college, but recently my heart yearns for English Teaching in foreign countries.

If anybody in the UK can help me or guide me to what universities and what courses (Do I do English or Teaching?) would best suit someone just starting out from spending years doing another thing?

I've searched and searched but I end up getting lost.

[Murakano]

any Bachelors degree in any subject is sufficient. It does not have to be in teaching/English language/literature.

The same pretty much goes for grades too....as long as you have a pulse and a BA/BSc then you`re good to go.

[Junior]

U will probably have to wait for some of the americans to leave Korea before positions begin to open up for Scots. Koreans love americans I'm afraid..

[jangma]

I don't know what a BA or BSc is. :S
As far as I'm aware Scotland has a completely different way or names for those things. hah.

@Junior:
All the Koreans I've met seem more interested to talk to me than my American friends because I am from Scotland.
Asking if I have an accent mostly haha

[Chris.Quigley]

You need a four year degree (or just a degree) in any subject and a pulse. In addition to that you might want to get a 100+ hour TESL certificate. This certificate will increase your employability and your income if you work for a public school in Korea. Some countries require a CELTA.

Sadly, race, age, appearance and nationality are also important factors in whether or not you get hired. (In that order)

If you want to teach in China, the standards are lower. But, having never worked there, I don't know exactly how low they are.

All in all, you are likely looking at 3-4 years of education before you can go abroad. But you are still young!

[jangma]

Ah, just a degree is alll I need from Uni? That doesn't sound too bad considering my Photography course is 2 years in college then 2 years in uni for a degree.
My friend already suggested to me getting a 100+ hour TESL certificate, so I will certainly get that too.

Yeah, I heard especially about the age. If it true people over the age of 30/40 get employed less? I really want to teach in foreign countries until I'm old. haha.

My friend teaches in China right now. She said the kids are very fun to work with. I'd love to try Korea first (as I am learning Korean I feel I will have a slightly easier time finding my way around) which is why I posted in here.

If I don't leave Photography in 2012 to do a different course, I definitely have 4 more years (I wasted my time in fashion or I'd be in university next year) or so before I can have a solid plan.

But I am young, and I like to plan ahead about my future. I was stuck between teaching or photography, but after lurking here all summer I feel I have made the right choice in choosing teaching.

edit:
Thanks for all the information :)

[ttompatz]

[oldfatfarang]

Don't worry OP. Your photography skills will serve you well in Asia. It's an unbelievable place to practice your hobby (or passion).

Stay in school. Get a degree. And then think about coming to teach TEFL. TEFL isn't a career (as such), and when the novelty wears off, we all have to go home (or somewhere else) to get employment. That's when your degree will come in handy.

Good luck Scottie.

[Geumchondave]

you might have some difficulty with your visas if you do a 2 year degree - I did a 3 year which is the standard for English Universities, because we dont have that mixed subject year like the US and everyone seemed to think that it wasnt a real degree and took a little while to explain that a 3 year course was a valid BA hons degree - so you might need to look into what degrees they will except but if it is a BA hons or a BSc you should be excepted regardless of how long the course is.

As regards Koreans loving americans and scotts not finding jobs im going to have to disagree with that - Everyone at my school loves the british accent and I have no trouble finding work out here - from what Ive heard schools like to keep things varied and will normally hire and american for a few years then a south african for a few years etc etc - and given that there arent that many UK residents out here your accent is probably a rare commodity

[jangma]

I didn't mean the name degree, I meant BA and BSc names. haha. I don't ever hear people with degree's here say that.

I think I understand a lot more now.
My college offers a 2+2 on the course I do right now (photography) which is two years in college and after that you go straight into the third year in that field in University.
Not to mention my college and university are a mere 10 minute walk away from each other. It's probably the only reason I still live in the North-East.

I'm glad I have 4 or so years left to prepare myself. I'm still rather young and all that.

I really can't thank the people on the forum enough. I've reinforced my life plan for the future after reading a lot of threads here and getting nice replies here. :)

edit:
@Geumchondave
hmm, I'll definitely check it all out after my classes tomorrow. Or I'll ask my friend who is in China right now teaching :S
Also I find it sad that my Scottish accent is weak due to being in an area where our accent is weak. :'(

[edwardcatflap]

[wiganer]

[morrisonhotel]

As you're Scottish, check out the University of Stirling's or Aberdeen's education courses. They both offer a variety of education degrees (QTS) as joint honours with other subjects (admittedly, none are TEFL/TESOL, but you can do QTS as a joint degree with English which might be useful given the preference in some countries for education or English graduates). If you like the idea of lots of debt, by all means go to university in England. Of course, the other route would be finishing your degree in photography then doing a PGCE or CELTA.

[jangma]

[wiganer]