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XD_Kimba
Joined: 09 May 2012
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 Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 8:31 am Post subject: Applying for Universities - where am I going wrong? |
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Hi all,
I've trawled the various conversations about finding work at universities but I still need some advice.
Some background: I'm English and living in the UK at the moment (yeah I know, not being in Korea is an issue, but I'm not able to do anything about that at the moment!), I have a Masters in TESOL from a UK uni, I also have a DELTA (though I know that counts for nothing in Korea). In addition I have 4 years teaching experience, ranging from teaching kids to business English to pre-sessional English at a UK university. Regarding documents, I've got everything that's asked for, including a CRB check (UK version of CBC). I've not got my documents Apostillised yet... is that my next step??
I've applied for every job I've seen on here and a couple of other sites and looking at the job descriptions it seems I fit everything they want - so what's with the lack of responses??
Any advice or reality checks would be gratefully recieved. I'm really excited about going to Korea but I'm not willing to take a job teaching kids (if I wanted that I'd stay in the UK)!
(Btw, feel free to tell me if you think I'm sounding like a spoilt brat  ) |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 3:23 pm Post subject: Re: Applying for Universities - where am I going wrong? |
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| XD_Kimba wrote: |
Hi all,
I've trawled the various conversations about finding work at universities but I still need some advice.
Some background: I'm English and living in the UK at the moment (yeah I know, not being in Korea is an issue, but I'm not able to do anything about that at the moment!), I have a Masters in TESOL from a UK uni, I also have a DELTA (though I know that counts for nothing in Korea). In addition I have 4 years teaching experience, ranging from teaching kids to business English to pre-sessional English at a UK university. Regarding documents, I've got everything that's asked for, including a CRB check (UK version of CBC). I've not got my documents Apostillised yet... is that my next step??
I've applied for every job I've seen on here and a couple of other sites and looking at the job descriptions it seems I fit everything they want - so what's with the lack of responses??
Any advice or reality checks would be gratefully recieved. I'm really excited about going to Korea but I'm not willing to take a job teaching kids (if I wanted that I'd stay in the UK)!
(Btw, feel free to tell me if you think I'm sounding like a spoilt brat ) |
Want a uni job then come back in December and start applying when they are looking. The school year runs from March - December.
You are applying in the middle of the 1st term. Unis and regular schools, by and large, aren't hiring. (most high schools are discontinuing the use of native speakers - so the bulk of PS jobs are in the elementary/middle school age range (5-15 years old). If you want adults and a fall (or sooner) start then look to Europe or China.
Language schools (hagwans) are 90% kids (k to 9) and
| XD_Kimba wrote: |
| I'm not willing to take a job teaching kids |
so you just cut out that huge chunk of the available job market.
Lastly, until you have those required documents with apostilles scanned and attached to your applications, just about every recruiter will ignore you since you are not ready for them to begin your paperwork.
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 4:18 am Post subject: |
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As ttom said you are applying at the wrong time of the year for University positions.
Since you do not want to teach kids, your best bet now if you want a summer start is a Hakwon or Unigwon that teachers adults.
Those are not as numerous as Hakwons that teach kids but there are some. |
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XD_Kimba
Joined: 09 May 2012
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 4:50 am Post subject: |
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Right, so get apostilling, think about waiting til December and have a look at hakwons/unigwons. I have seen loads and loads of adverts for unis over the past month and I've applied for them all, so surely it's not that impossible to get a job at this time?
Also, I know I'm cutting out 'that huge chunk of the available market' but sorry! I don't like kids!  |
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Son Deureo!
Joined: 30 Apr 2003
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 5:56 am Post subject: |
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| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| As ttom said you are applying at the wrong time of the year for University positions. |
Not 100% true. Many universities are actually hiring now for teachers to start in the fall for the second term of the school year. I was hired in mid-June to start at the end of August at my college. A quick look at the Korean board shows quite a few schools that are hiring now, including Seoul National University (http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=53107), Sungshin Women's University(http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=53106), and Kyungnam University(http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=53105). More uni jobs tend to hire in November/December to start in early March, but the second best time to be looking is May-mid June.
However, that window of opportunity is closing fast and most unis won't even look at applicants who aren't in the country because they usually insist on being able to interview you in person. Plus, if you don't have all your docs for your E-2 visa together, no employer can seriously consider hiring you. If you were in country right now with your apostilled degree and criminal records check, I'm sure you'd be getting some interviews with your credentials.
You don't like kids but want to get hired from overseas? You could probably get a job at an adult hogwon like Pagoda, YBM, or Wall Street, but the downside there is split shifts. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 6:47 am Post subject: |
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| XD_Kimba wrote: |
Right, so get apostilling, think about waiting til December and have a look at hakwons/unigwons. I have seen loads and loads of adverts for unis over the past month and I've applied for them all, so surely it's not that impossible to get a job at this time?
Also, I know I'm cutting out 'that huge chunk of the available market' but sorry! I don't like kids! |
It is not impossible but it is not optimal either. This becomes more important considering the rather important disadvantage you face by applying from abroad too. Anyway, first step would be to get all your documents in order and ready. |
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XD_Kimba
Joined: 09 May 2012
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the input guys, it's much appreciated  |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 1:51 am Post subject: Re: Applying for Universities - where am I going wrong? |
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| XD_Kimba wrote: |
| Some background: I'm English and living in the UK at the moment (yeah I know, not being in Korea is an issue, but I'm not able to do anything about that at the moment!), I have a Masters in TESOL from a UK uni, I also have a DELTA (though I know that counts for nothing in Korea). In addition I have 4 years teaching experience, ranging from teaching kids to business English to pre-sessional English at a UK university. |
Why are you applying to teach in South Korea with these qualification, especially when you know the DELTA doesn't mean much here? I would apply in a country that provides better working conditions for those with your experience. |
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XD_Kimba
Joined: 09 May 2012
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| Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 4:14 am Post subject: Re: Applying for Universities - where am I going wrong? |
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| sojusucks wrote: |
| Why are you applying to teach in South Korea with these qualification, especially when you know the DELTA doesn't mean much here? I would apply in a country that provides better working conditions for those with your experience. |
Good question. I've been thinking for a few years (since I finished my MA really) that I'd like to get some more travelling done, I'm still in my mid-20s so I don't have anything solid tying me to the UK. I want to work in universities in the long term but in the UK, due to my age mostly I think, I'm not being given any opportunities at unis, and the jobs come up very rarely. So I want to go away, get all the travelling out of my system and continue to work in the career I want to do for the rest of my life.
As for why Korea... I like a challenge. And as I said, I don't have a lot of responsibilities at the moment so I'm not worried by low pay/poor conditions, the experience of being somewhere completely out of my comfort zone is more imperative to me. I visited a few places in Korea earlier this year and it left me feeling like I wanted to discover more and really wanted to get back. I've worked in European countries before, but I'd like to see how different it is working in a completely different culture.
Basically, in my life now I can either stay working at a small language college, going through the motions, keeping my routine and not progressing, or take a leap and do something different - if it doesn't wrk out after a year or so, at least I can say I did it and it's something to add to my CV! (Can you tell I've had to justify this choice a lot recently?? lol) |
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seansmith
Joined: 31 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 4:33 am Post subject: |
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Your Masters in TESOL plus DELTA plus UK uni experience is an impressive combo of qualifications that 99% of the teachers in Korea don't have. But that's all moot as you're not in Korea. You need to be there. As has been stated, some jobs are hiring for September but the bulk will be for March. I would think coming in December would be even a little late to secure a March position.
Here's what I did: flew in to Seoul with all documents on a one-way ticket just in time for Halloween. Then I rented out a room for the month of November in a cheap yogwan (simple hotel). I applied to every uni hiring, did a couple of interviews, and by November 10 had accepted a good offer at a top 10 uni. I realise that was quick and that I was fortunate. Later in November I signed on for a Winter Camp in January so I knew some cash was coming in and I could survive until the first uni paycheck.
You should be able to get an offer given your qualifications are stronger than mine: I have a Masters in TESOL but no DELTA. So the moral of my personal story: get there in early November - of course with all documents prepared. And if you get offered nothing? That was my paranoia. I was prepared to teach at an adult hogwan like ELS or Pagoda and then continue looking for uni work while there. If that happens it's not ideal. Still, you're only in your mid-20's and can view the experience as paying your Korean dues (one of these being only 10 days holiday in one year!). Teaching adults students is interesting in that they teach you about Korean culture, whether they're intending to or not.
If you do get hired at a uni it's going to be a shock to be stuck in a rotating cycle of 1st year English conversation classes. If you want to be challenged, shoot for the universities that offer TESOL Certificate programs, MEd TESOL Programs, and Bachelor of Education programs. In those you can actually apply what you've learned in your Masters in TESOL and DELTA courses.
If Korea doesn't work out, then you could be teaching EAP at a uni anywhere in Europe, a continent that acknowledges and understands the DELTA qualification. |
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