Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gorf]

I'm considering leaving Korea in a few years to pursue a Master's program so that I can find work in a university. I'm interested in getting a TESOL, but there's a problem: My alma mater only offers a certificate in TESOL, not a full M.A. program. I'm not 100% dead-set on returning to my old school, but it would be nice, due to the ease of application, knowing my way around the campus, living close to my family, living in a nice city, etc. Is there a clear advantage to a TESOL M.A. that I should go to another school or even another state to pursue it?

I'm aware that if I were to go for a degree in English, I'd be writing papers on Shakespeare instead of teaching foreign students, so I wouldn't be able to get a lot of experience at the university level. I know online programs are one way to learn, but I'm not sure of their weight, as far as finding a job. I'm open to teaching anywhere in the world at this point, so that's not a problem, even if it's Korea again. What are some options?

[ttompatz]

This may sound a bit like a silly season question but...

AFTER you spend the time, energy and money on the MA, WHAT do you want to teach and where is YOUR interest?

If your goal is simply to teach EFL / ESL then the MA in English won't get you very far. Do the MA/MEd ELT, MA TESOL or MA applied linguistics.

If your goal is to teach ENGLISH or Literature then an MA in English is a step in the right direction.

If your goal is just to land a UNI position, then why?

If future financial benefits and job prospects are your goal then a DELTA / Dip TESOL might better suit your end goal.

You don't need to answer me or answer here but you may want to think about your future goals beyond "Find work in a uni" (not the best paying option in this industry).

.

[timhorton]

[iggyb]

If you don't dread the idea of teaching kids, a MA in education/teaching that leads to certification in your home country is something to consider.

Being a licensed English teacher in your home country opens up more jobs in international schools than a specialization in ESL does. The MA opens up university jobs for ESL- (and being a licensed teacher looks good for them too).

This route also opens up a career teaching if/when you decide to go back home.

It would probably be a good idea to add one of those online TESOL certificates too while doing the MA.

With a MA in English or TESOL, you won't be eligible for most international school jobs. They require certification back home. From what little I've seen in Korea, you won't be marketable for straight literature teaching positions in university. Last time I checked, in each school I looked at, all the profs were Koreans with PhDs.

And you won't be too marketable for teaching jobs back home. At least in the US. You can find some community colleges who hire MAs, perhaps. But, you won't be eligible for public school jobs or professorships.

In short, I think you open up more opportunities if you get a MA in education - but not in TESOL. But adding a quicky online TESOL certificate does help.

I've been looking for teaching jobs outside of Korea these days. Take a look at the requirements for different jobs at sites like

http://www.seekteachers.com/
http://www.teachmideast.com
https://www.iss.edu/

It will give you an idea of the possibiities.

[ttompatz]

[Gorf]

[cheolsu]

[iggyb]

In the US, public school jobs require certification. A few years ago, you could get a job based on experience and have a temporary license while you take courses to get certified, but that isn't the case any more. They are becoming more and more strict on specific qualifications.

Being certified in ESL only greatly limits your options, because many schools want you to be certified in both English for secondary schools or in early childhood education and ESL. But adding an ESL or English certification isn't that difficult one you are certified in one of them.

Large cities and other places that have a high immigrant population will have hakwon-type institutes. Community colleges will too. Large universities often have such an institute on campus that they are loosely connected with. Some factories in the area I live have ESL programs. Needed qualifications will vary from place to place.

So, there are non-public school ESL positions, but finding ones with current job openings isn't easy, and many times they are part-time positions.

[ttompatz]

[cheolsu]

Right now, I'm doing an MATESOL as I plan on being in Korea for some time to come, but I imagine that I'll probably be back in Canada at some point, when I'd like to continue doing what I have been, if possible. I wouldn't want to go and do a B. Ed if I can find full-time work with an MATESOL and a DELTA (which I imagine I'd have by the time I go back to Canada). Is that realistic or am I mostly looking at part-time work, as iggyb mentioned?

Thanks to both of you for your insight.

[iggyb]

I'd google around. Pick major cities or areas where you might like to live and where you know there is a high immigrant population. Search for language institues. Search for large universities and language centers.

Use MonsterJobs and other job search engines and search for ESL.

That might give you an idea about how many jobs there are.

I've lived near Atlanta, Miami, and Honolulu. I've seen ads for TESOL jobs in institutes here and there. But I think getting certified to teach is the safer choice, because it opens up many more jobs and provides more stability, because immigration numbers are still rising and putting pressure on public schools to handle those with language deficiencies.

The MA in teaching I did took 12 months - including two summers. It would probably have taken longer if I had gone with a BA in education that also led to certification, and it probably wouldn't have look as good as an MA.