Korean Job Discussion Forums

[braindrops]

I've been seeing a lot of university jobs posted lately, and I have a friend who I think would be good at teaching at a university level. Problem is, he doesn't have an M.A. He does have a B.A. from a top-15 U.S. university (graduated with honors). He was admitted to a good med U.S. med school but came to Korea instead (long story...I was surprised when I first heard he was out here too). I wanted to recommend that he try applying for university jobs, but I don't know very much about them.

I heard that in the past, not all universities required M.A.s, but that unis now have tightened up considerably on the M.A. req. But I've also heard that there are still programs that don't necessarily require an M.A. if the candidate has other qualifications. I just want to know whether my info is good or not, and whether my friend should bother applying.

My questions are:
1. Are there programs that hire non-M.A.s?
2. What would the profile of a competitive candidate without an M.A. look like? (Assuming there are unis that would consider hiring non-M.A.-holding candidates)
3. If you were to try applying, even with a slim chance, what hooks might you advise that would help employment prospects at a uni?
4. As an E-2, what other employment options should he look into if he's ruled out for uni positions? (I think this was asked in an earlier thread, but can uniwons be used as stepping-stones to full-blown unis?)

If someone has taught or is currently teaching at a university and can provide some insight on this matter, that would be awesome. Thanks.

[Whistleblower]

If your friend has no Certificate in EFL such as the CELTA or Trinity, then he might as well decide not pursue this route. He would be competing with those that are either married to a South Korean as well as having an MA in ELT or TESOL.

There are plenty of language schools that would be happy to employ him. However, with limited teaching experience, no postgraduate qualification or a minimal certificate (CELTA or otherwise), he has more chance of learning Japanese in his local bar than being employed with a Uni.

[I'm With You]

[PatrickGHBusan]

Poster above would be the exception for the better positions but it can be done without a MA.

Without a M.A. to have a realistic chance you need:

Relevant and referenced experience
Certificates in EFL-TEFL
Be applying from inside Korea (provides you with a substantial advantage)

Then it will depend on what the University needs (English Instructors or a more demanding position), the timing, the number of applicants, the time the school has to fill the position....


Unigwons can be a good option for a M.A. less applicant.

Hakwons can be a good route too.

[edwardcatflap]

You have to marvel at some of the things these directors get up to. That guy's clearly sending out two messages.

To the students - We don't think you need a teacher with any training or experience in TEFL to teach you. You're not important enough/not paying enough money to justify it

And to the other teachers that already work there and might have MAs/CELTAs - We don't value training or experience at all, we don't think they're necessary to do your job and we can replace you any time we want with someone with neither.

Basically the guy is a director at a university. And he's saying he doesn't see the point of formal qualifications. Not having a go at you I'm With You but he sounds like an idiot

[sublunari]

No. You do not need these things to work at a university. I just got a swank university job a month ago. Here are my qualifications:

--2 years of experience in the country.
--F2 visa.
--I was in the country at the time of hiring.
--My wife's family lives in the same city as the university.
--I did not bomb the interview.

I'm also a young white man of average appearance. I did not graduate from a famous university (although the school was perfect for me!), I do not have any certificates, and I do not have an MA. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain from applying for these jobs, regardless of your qualifications.

[Malislamusrex]

If you have an MA it's much much much easier.

1 years experience at university opens a lot of doors to people, but without it you are not that employable.

People with no MA's with university experience are employable.

I would rank it in this order.

top trump card - PHD
1. MA + university experience.
2. university experience and BA
3+4. MA + no years experience - BA + teaching experience (it's a 50 / 50)
5. others

You are in the other pile.

[jvalmer]

If you're willing to work in smaller towns/cities then a university job can be had with just a Bachelors.

[Guajiro]

[Malislamusrex]

I'd go with that.

[Econo]

What about B.Ed + MA in progress +7 years experience in public schools and teacher training. A related undergrad and MA(MEd TESOL) must surely be weighted more than some unrelated BA and MA? What about connections, they might trump them all(with the exception of a related PHD). What about those of us with publication in journals or verifiable research?

[Otherside]

[Swampfox10mm]

[World Traveler]

[Fraser]