Korean Job Discussion Forums

[guymontague]

I fell in love with Korea when I had the chance to go a few years ago. I got off the plane and like many places I have gone around the world I was a little mystified by it at first. The next morning I woke up and went outside, and it was like a bolt of lightening. I can not explain it with any degree of reasoning that would make it sound like it did not come from a lunatic.

I fell in LOVE with Korea. Absolutely!!!

I knew I had to get back there. The problem I faced was almost impossible to overcome, but only because I felt I was too old. I had a degree but only an Associates degree. I did the cowards approach and tried to find a quick and easy way instead of simply applying to an undergrad program and getting my degree immediately I tried to accomplish it in the afore mentioned way.

After alot of research, and I mean ALOT, I settled on the TaLK program. I felt it was my only option to gain experience in Korea as a teacher and actually be trained to teach. I am sure that is not a very accurate assessment of the program. I applied the first time very quickly without giving much consideration as to the whole program and it's requirements. Not surprisingly, I was not accepted. I rallied myself, collected my documents, researched teaching in Korea, Lesson plans, etc. When the window opened again, I applied again. I had higher hopes as I had really done my homework. I did not expect success, as I am almost forty, but I really hoped. Second time was also a failure. I took that one harder as I was so close but then asked to provide a third letter of reference, and while I was doing that I was put on the waiting list. It may as well have been an immediate failure. I wished they would have just outright denied me isntead of giving me hope because I put my life on hold for a dream I was not sure I could ever achieve. Round three obviously did not go well either as I am posting on here. I applied early, maybe that was the problem, but it did not matter. After passing the minimum qualifications for the program twice before I was not even allowed into the starting gate. I was absolutely crushed. I cried as I had never cried before. I became so angry.

I honestly felt that TaLK was my only option to ever gain a teaching job in Korea. I am going to be forty two by the time I graduate with my bachelors, and I long felt that I would never be accepted by any recruiter, or by this time after my rejection, a hagwon.

Now that I have read the SMOE has decided to phase out Native English Speakers by 2014. I feel that is the last nail in the coffin of my dream. I have been taking Korean classes from a very good Korean friend who advised me early on to make my way to Korea and simply try to find work.

Perhaps it is the fact that no one in a position in the TaLK program gives a crap about some poor, undereducated, late starting guy. It could be the fact that I have only myself to blame for starting so late in life with a real dream, or perhaps this overly dramatic rant. I admit it, the shock is just washing over me. I wonder how long it will be before those pushed out of the public school system will overwhelm the Hagwon system. I know I am not the most qualified, nor the most desireable person to have teach children. That said, I never expected to get rich, never expected to marry a Korean woman, nor did I ever intend to come back to the US if I made it there. I wanted to stay as long as possible.

Now I find myself being plagued by the desire to find some hagwon and try my luck. I resist only because I worry if caught it will be the final nail in my dream as I will never be allowed back.

I have been shot at in Iraq, frozen in Afghanistan, and terrified for my life. But never have I been so disillusioned by anything, and I voted for Bush in 2000.

I know the silliness of this post, so please excuse it, but does anyone have any words of wisdom they would impart?

I really do admire the tenacity of the original poster. I am trying not to give up but, do I really have an alternative.

[guymontague]

I fell in love with Korea when I had the chance to go a few years ago. I got off the plane and like many places I have gone around the world I was a little mystified by it at first. The next morning I woke up and went outside, and it was like a bolt of lightening. I can not explain it with any degree of reasoning that would make it sound like it did not come from a lunatic.

I fell in LOVE with Korea. Absolutely!!!

I knew I had to get back there. The problem I faced was almost impossible to overcome, but only because I felt I was too old. I had a degree but only an Associates degree. I did the cowards approach and tried to find a quick and easy way instead of simply applying to an undergrad program and getting my degree immediately I tried to accomplish it in the afore mentioned way.

After alot of research, and I mean ALOT, I settled on the TaLK program. I felt it was my only option to gain experience in Korea as a teacher and actually be trained to teach. I am sure that is not a very accurate assessment of the program. I applied the first time very quickly without giving much consideration as to the whole program and it's requirements. Not surprisingly, I was not accepted. I rallied myself, collected my documents, researched teaching in Korea, Lesson plans, etc. When the window opened again, I applied again. I had higher hopes as I had really done my homework. I did not expect success, as I am almost forty, but I really hoped. Second time was also a failure. I took that one harder as I was so close but then asked to provide a third letter of reference, and while I was doing that I was put on the waiting list. It may as well have been an immediate failure. I wished they would have just outright denied me isntead of giving me hope because I put my life on hold for a dream I was not sure I could ever achieve. Round three obviously did not go well either as I am posting on here. I applied early, maybe that was the problem, but it did not matter. After passing the minimum qualifications for the program twice before I was not even allowed into the starting gate. I was absolutely crushed. I cried as I had never cried before. I became so angry.

I honestly felt that TaLK was my only option to ever gain a teaching job in Korea. I am going to be forty two by the time I graduate with my bachelors, and I long felt that I would never be accepted by any recruiter, or by this time after my rejection, a hagwon.

Now that I have read the SMOE has decided to phase out Native English Speakers by 2014. I feel that is the last nail in the coffin of my dream. I have been taking Korean classes from a very good Korean friend who advised me early on to make my way to Korea and simply try to find work.

Perhaps it is the fact that no one in a position in the TaLK program gives a crap about some poor, undereducated, late starting guy. It could be the fact that I have only myself to blame for starting so late in life with a real dream, or perhaps this overly dramatic rant. I admit it, the shock is just washing over me. I wonder how long it will be before those pushed out of the public school system will overwhelm the Hagwon system. I know I am not the most qualified, nor the most desireable person to have teach children. That said, I never expected to get rich, never expected to marry a Korean woman, nor did I ever intend to come back to the US if I made it there. I wanted to stay as long as possible.

Now I find myself being plagued by the desire to find some hagwon and try my luck. I resist only because I worry if caught it will be the final nail in my dream as I will never be allowed back.

I have been shot at in Iraq, frozen in Afghanistan, and terrified for my life. But never have I been so disillusioned by anything, and I voted for Bush in 2000.

I know the silliness of this post, so please excuse it, but does anyone have any words of wisdom they would impart?

I really do admire the tenacity of the original poster. I am trying not to give up but, do I really have an alternative.

[moonhaus]

try Jeju ESL consulting

i've used them twice and they are great.

Also, you might try one of the public language high schools. they teach Japanese, chinese and English, and SOMETIMES, recruiters have direct placement opportunities with them.

but like everyone said, keep trying. you're way more qualified than half the jokers teaching in this country.

And also, take your time finding a job that you feel cinfident about instead of just taking the first one that pops up. It can take time, but the last thing you want is to get here and then have to leave again because your employer screwed you.

[andrewchon]

guymontague: What's stopping you from converting your associate degree to a full bachelor?

[T-dot]

Take a better photo and try again.

As a female, you do have some advantages over other potential recruits.

[Weigookin74]

There are rumors of SMOE and others cutting the budget completely by 2014. But, who knows? Maybe...maybe, not. Seems there's still hiring. I've been hearing doom and gloom for various reasons over the past couple of years. But, now it seems we keep surviving.

As for the looks comment, I took a trip to Gwangju last autumn and met a couple of fat bald foriegners hired to teach in a public school. One even had thick nose hair protuding out (trim that buddy).

I have definately seen more young and attractive foriegners and less older ones. There is some ageism, but there are still opportunities out there. As for me, I'm an early to mid 30 something who does fine.

[NohopeSeriously]

Show your boss that you are willing to learn Korean and mannerism. You boss will instantly trust you or be kind to you. It works for me.

[isitts]

[Who's Your Daddy?]

[Times30]

Most likely you weren't actually born in Canada.

From what I know, EPIK looks for strictly born in the country people. The reason, albeit thin, is because it makes it easier for them to filter out people who may not be fluent.

Surely there are people such as yourself who have just as good or better profiency than us. However, to make it easier for recruiters they make a no "immigrant" policy.

Anyways, I would try to apply at Hagwon. Although, it might be just as hard or worse. But certainly give it a shot.

PS. I am a Chinese American who has worked at EPIK for 2 years. It's definitely not the ethnic background itself. There are a LOT of chinese and gyopo's in the program.

[guymontague]

andrewchon... I am working on my Bachelors, however, I have stopped short of finishing my degree in education because I would have been unable to complete my degree and remain in the US. I am more concerened about being too old once I graduate.

[ttompatz]

[guymontague]

ttompatz I have been reading about SMOE and the phasing out of native speaking teachers by 2014. Has this really made an impact thus far? Do you exxperience many problems associated with age?

[TheUrbanMyth]

[ttompatz]