Korean Job Discussion Forums

dyc · Joined: 16 Dec 2010 Location: Vancouver

I'm not talking about the online TESOL/TEFL courses that are a dime a dozen. I mean in-class, 100+ hour courses that cost ~ $900-$1500.

1) Other than getting bumped up a pay level for EPIK/GEPIK and making yourself look more attractive for a job, does it really help your everyday teaching? At which grade level do you think that TESOL education really kicks in?

The reason why I ask is because I've heard from some public school teachers (elem and middle school) that they felt their TESOL education didn't really help them very much if at all in the classroom.
I was planning on getting a TESOL cert at first, thinking that it'd really help me out for when I start teaching abroad. But now I'm second-guessing myself - should I shell out roughly $1k just so I can look more attractive to potential employers and have some knowledge?

2) Is it worth it to get a TESOL at all for a hagwon job? I don't want any snide answers regarding working at hagwons.

EDIT:
3) Are 60-hr TESOL/TEFL certs looked at at all? What I mean is, even if it won't bump up my pay scale for EPIK/GEPIK, would they make me more desirable? These are more attractive just because they're a lot cheaper and the schedules work much better for me than 100-hr TESOL diplomas.

jameshudson1979 · Joined: 21 Jan 2010

I think having a 100 hour + TESOL certificate is essential if you are even semi-serious about teaching. It will open your mind to different teaching methods and you will learn a lot about how to understand your students needs and keep them interested and motivated.

I've not worked in a Hagwon (but I know many people who do and enjoy it very much) but have experience teaching in several countries where my TESOL cert was vital in getting a good job. You might find you love teaching and want to pursue it in other countries and with a good TESOL Cert (Celta, Trinity, S.I.T etc..) you will be much more employable.

nomad-ish · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 4:29 pm Post subject:

if you're just looking for the pay bump, i believe an online tefl program is enough for that. however, an in-class tefl/tesol/celta program is looked upon as being more useful in the long run.

i'm almost finished my 120 hour tefl certificate, but it was an online program. i believe the in-class one is more helpful, but i also think it depends on if you've done any esl/efl teaching before. if you haven't any experience in this area, i think you'd find both routes useful. if you have experience and plan on being in this field for a while, i'd invest in the in-class program.

i don't regret choosing an online program for this -- albeit, some potential employers in other countries have specified no online programs, but there's only been a few of those. most seem willing to accept the online tefl program as long as it's 120 hours and accredited.

i'd check with your hagwon/public school about what qualifies you for a pay bump and then i'd figure out roughly what i plan to do after korea.

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

Either do a 100 hour online course or do the CELTA. IMO there is no middle ground.

Yes, even the 100 hr certificate will help you. At a minimum, you'll get a whole slew of ideas for little games and activities to do, reinforcement on the basic grammar rules, little bits and pieces on how to deal with kids/students/etc.

Doing an in class certificate OTHER than the CELTA just seems like a waste of time to me. CELTA is the most widely recognized, and you can ask anyone who has done a CELTA - it's the best. If I had to choose (and pay), those are the only two things I would do.

The 100 hour course will pay for itself in a few months, but a CELTA won't pay for itself for a few years, unless you can leverage a larger pay raise/land a better job, but if you're in it for the long haul, CELTA all the way.

Kwangjuchicken · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 5:16 pm Post subject:

Or you could do an MA in TESOL. I think there are only about 70 trillion people now who have one. Shocked

dyc · Joined: 16 Dec 2010 Location: Vancouver

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

silkhighway · Joined: 24 Oct 2010 Location: Canada

I just wrote a post on this. What do you want to get out of it? I think to drop a couple thousand dollars plus lost working/vacation time is a pretty serious committment.

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

diver · Joined: 16 Jun 2003

winterfall · Joined: 21 May 2009

Not really, if you really try at it and slave at the hours. You can learn on the job / free teaching sites. And in the case of Korea probably the best thing for you. Since most of what you'll learn in those TESOL programs IMO don't apply to Korea. They've probably made some adjustments to cater to the local culture but they wouldn't have gone all the way

Now if this was something your sure you want as career, yup go for it

jurassic82 · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Location: Somewhere!!!!

I have been in Korea for about five years now and I don't think a TESOL really holds much wait hear when finding a job. I know it sounds bad but your picture when you send your resume will hold more value than a TESOL or TEFL certificate. I would recommend doing a course if you have apprehensions about teaching and/or have no teaching experince. I think it would be very useful in that regard and help to give you some ideas for planning lessons and activities to do in your class. $1000 sounds really high. I would just do one of the cheaper 100 hours or more courses. I have seen them advertised for around $200 to $300. If you were to work for a public I would recommend it to for the pay increase.

Also, I don't think it really holds much wait in the future either. If you were really serious about being a teacher for the long haul I would do a CELTA or work towards a masters. Anyways, that's just my 2 cents. Good luck on your decision and to teaching in the future. Cool

dyc · Joined: 16 Dec 2010 Location: Vancouver

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

I took the course in Thailand where the cost of living for the month of the course was low. My first job was at a public school that paid a bonus for the qualification of having the certificate so my actual cost outlay on the TESOL certificate was paid back out of my public school bonus within the first year.

As far as the course, I think it varies greatly on the competence of the trainer conducing the course. I spent month with an experienced TESOL teacher with a good attitude. A real teacher who was interested in my development. I had a lot more confidence and real TESOL teaching technique when I started my first job.

With the pay bump, the course basically cost me nothing but the time and effort to learn. For me it was a no brainier, well worth it!