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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Matt_22
Joined: 22 Nov 2006
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 Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:10 pm Post subject: Coming back in search of a Uni position: Good idea? |
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I did a one-year stint at a hogwan in Seoul in 2007, and have since picked up a MA in International Studies, as well as another four solid years of ESL teaching experience, including a recent gig teaching elementary English at an international school in Indonesia.
I have also started a teaching certification program in ESL (in person summers, distance in fall/spring) through The College of New Jersey, so I will have a K-12 certificate by next spring and could turn it into an MA in TESOL the year after if I so desired.
Right now I am doing fine with the international school work. I am on a one-year contract, and am investing myself into it 100%. I like the holiday breaks and savings opportunities that international school work affords me, but I am afraid about the stress of it all long-term. For example, I work 9 hour days standard, but often take home another hour during the evenings, several hours worth on weekends, and there are enough extra-curricular responsibilities and commitments to really be depressing. To be honest, I prefer working with adult students as well.
I hadn't put much thought into Korean Uni work before, but maybe I should. From what I have read, the work load seems much lighter than that at an international school, and there seem to be decent opportunities for savings. Are long-termers really able to translate that into a career? And with my qualifications, would I have a chance to get in the game in a year or two? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 2:16 am Post subject: Re: Coming back in search of a Uni position: Good idea? |
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| Matt_22 wrote: |
I did a one-year stint at a hogwan in Seoul in 2007, and have since picked up a MA in International Studies, as well as another four solid years of ESL teaching experience, including a recent gig teaching elementary English at an international school in Indonesia.
I have also started a teaching certification program in ESL (in person summers, distance in fall/spring) through The College of New Jersey, so I will have a K-12 certificate by next spring and could turn it into an MA in TESOL the year after if I so desired.
Right now I am doing fine with the international school work. I am on a one-year contract, and am investing myself into it 100%. I like the holiday breaks and savings opportunities that international school work affords me, but I am afraid about the stress of it all long-term. For example, I work 9 hour days standard, but often take home another hour during the evenings, several hours worth on weekends, and there are enough extra-curricular responsibilities and commitments to really be depressing. To be honest, I prefer working with adult students as well.
I hadn't put much thought into Korean Uni work before, but maybe I should. From what I have read, the work load seems much lighter than that at an international school, and there seem to be decent opportunities for savings. Are long-termers really able to translate that into a career? And with my qualifications, would I have a chance to get in the game in a year or two? |
With an MATESOL you can land a decent uni position with a remuneration package similar to what you would get from a decent international school.
With an unrelated MA and incomplete certification you are just like every other MA applicant with a few years of TEFL under their belt.
-remuneration package not much better than you get with a hagwan (~2m per month with no benefits) even though the class hours are lower (12 instead of 30)).
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Matt_22
Joined: 22 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:09 am Post subject: |
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Is it possible to climb the ladder very far in the Korean University path?
Also, do universities typically provide things like housing, health insurance, pension, and completion bonus? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:54 am Post subject: |
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| Matt_22 wrote: |
Is it possible to climb the ladder very far in the Korean University path?
Also, do universities typically provide things like housing, health insurance, pension, and completion bonus? |
Not without a PhD (and there are still restrictions because of your visa - a tenured (E1) position really isn't tenured since your job is tied to your visa - lose the visa and your "tenure" means nothing).
and usually:
i) no to housing,
ii) No NHIC and
iii) yes to pension (usually a private pension and not the NPS)
iiia) and if they enroll you in the private pension they are exempt from providing the completion bonus (which is not really a bonus but your entitled severance).
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Matt_22
Joined: 22 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:52 am Post subject: |
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| So in other words, university teaching is not a good idea for a career path? |
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drydell
Joined: 01 Oct 2009
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:09 am Post subject: |
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mostly no - uni ESL = good conditions but nowheresville for the future (plateau). ..
Korean profs pay hundreds of millions of won in bribes to secure a position (not an exaggeration) foreigners think they can just waltz in and have a secure long term position - mostly no... |
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valkerie
Joined: 02 Mar 2007
Location: Busan
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| Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| Matt_22 wrote: |
Is it possible to climb the ladder very far in the Korean University path?
Also, do universities typically provide things like housing, health insurance, pension, and completion bonus? |
Not without a PhD (and there are still restrictions because of your visa - a tenured (E1) position really isn't tenured since your job is tied to your visa - lose the visa and your "tenure" means nothing).
and usually:
i) no to housing,
ii) No NHIC and
iii) yes to pension (usually a private pension and not the NPS)
iiia) and if they enroll you in the private pension they are exempt from providing the completion bonus (which is not really a bonus but your entitled severance).
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I agree with the first part, but to provide a different experience: I work at a uni and know about ten people who work at different places here.
More than half get housing provided. (Not always such a great option but it is there.) Everyone gets NHIC. Pensions split between NPS and private. My place is the latter so no severance, but we do get a completion allowance. Oh and I can get back all the pension I put in. That's a bonus for me as being British I lost everything from other jobs I have had. |
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jlb
Joined: 18 Sep 2003
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| Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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At the uni I work at (and I know the conditions well at a few other places in town, which are similar to mine), I get free housing. It's quite rare for unis not to offer housing, and if they don't, they will usually give a much higher salary or housing allowance.
I also get National Health Insurance, where my school pays 1/2 the premium.
My school uses the Korea Teacher's Pension, which means I only contribute money, not my school and for the first 5 years, I get a 5% "bonus" when I withdraw my money. In year 6, it goes up to 50% bonus and more. |
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nw25th
Joined: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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| errrr....I get health, pension, housing stipend, and a bonus.... |
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