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For a first timer, is public school the way to go?
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jeremydc808



Joined: 16 Apr 2012

PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 11:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good to know. We are in same boat. Keep us updated. Even though I don't have teaching experience, I do have a few years working with children specifically so hopefully it helps bit even though chances are it won't. Wishful thinking.
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isitts



Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 11:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

AsianLatinaGirl wrote:
This is what a recruiter told me recently (since you don't have any teaching experience either) - If you don't have any professional teaching experience, you will have to teach at a private school for a year. Once you have one year of teaching experience, then you can apply to EPIK. She said EPIK was not accepting a Level 3. However, another recruiter said I can apply to EPIK. I have two bachelor's degrees and I'm working on my TEFL. Anyway, I would recommend teaching at a public school first.


I think if you have the TEFL cert, that'll bump you out of Level 3, even without the one year experience. But I'd check the salary scale. But you are right about them not hiring Level 3 anymore.
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AsianLatinaGirl



Joined: 19 Aug 2012

PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 12:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

@isitts The recruiter told me that I would still be a Level 3 with my degrees and TEFL.


@jeremydc808 I have teaching experience but it's not professional. I'm a Spanish tutor and do ministry work. I also use to work with abused/neglected children before transferring to another department.
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jeremydc808



Joined: 16 Apr 2012

PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 1:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Awesome! That's good to hear.
As far as the Epik situation goes, I hope I did not waste $$ on this course TT I am taking!
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AsianLatinaGirl



Joined: 19 Aug 2012

PostPosted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 3:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

@jeremydc808 I hope I didn't waste my money either. I don't want to teach at a hagwon.
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ThingsComeAround



Joined: 07 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Public school positives:
a) classes after lunch could = overtime
b) vacation time
c) school dinners w/ free drinks
d) greater degree of control over your syllabus

Public school negatives:
a) isolated native English speaker
b) mixed levels of kids in same class
c) housing security deposit
d) domineering co-teacher
e) no training
f) deskwarming (surprised no one mentioned this gem)

OP: Public schools and hagwons alike can cheat you. Not as common with public schools, but it may happen. Personally, I couldn't imagine why anyone with a full-time government job would drop it for a roll of the dice, but that's me. Good luck...
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PatrickGHBusan



Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -

PostPosted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

AsianLatinaGirl wrote:
@jeremydc808 I hope I didn't waste my money either. I don't want to teach at a hagwon.


Why not Hakwons? Just curious.
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jeremydc808



Joined: 16 Apr 2012

PostPosted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 12:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ThingsComeAround wrote:
Public school positives:
a) classes after lunch could = overtime
b) vacation time
c) school dinners w/ free drinks
d) greater degree of control over your syllabus

Public school negatives:
a) isolated native English speaker
b) mixed levels of kids in same class
c) housing security deposit
d) domineering co-teacher
e) no training
f) deskwarming (surprised no one mentioned this gem)

OP: Public schools and hagwons alike can cheat you. Not as common with public schools, but it may happen. Personally, I couldn't imagine why anyone with a full-time government job would drop it for a roll of the dice, but that's me. Good luck...



Thanks for the pros and cons.


As far as the government job goes........ I understand the confusion because of the job market BUT a year in Korea won't be the end all if I decide to come back (which I don't honestly).
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isitts



Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

AsianLatinaGirl wrote:
@isitts The recruiter told me that I would still be a Level 3 with my degrees and TEFL.


Um...no you wouldn't.

http://www.gone2korea.com/public-school-korea/epik/salaries.html
For Level 2...
Quote:
a) 100+ hour TEFL / TESOL / CELTA certificate plus a Bachelor�s degree in any discipline
b) OR Bachelor's degree in Education, English Literature, Linguistics, or Writing (e.g. creative writing, critical writing)
c) OR One full year of full-time teaching experience plus a Bachelor's degree in any discipline
d) OR, Master's degree in any discipline & a Bachelor�s degree in any discipline
e) OR, Valid Teacher�s License plus a Bachelor�s degree in any discipline


Last edited by isitts on Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:10 pm; edited 1 time in total
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cheezsteakwit



Joined: 12 Oct 2011
Location: There & back again.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 5:21 am    Post subject: PS Job ? Reply with quote

AsianLatinaGirl wrote:
This is what a recruiter told me recently (since you don't have any teaching experience either) - If you don't have any professional teaching experience, you will have to teach at a private school for a year. Once you have one year of teaching experience, then you can apply to EPIK. She said EPIK was not accepting a Level 3. However, another recruiter said I can apply to EPIK. I have two bachelor's degrees and I'm working on my TEFL. Anyway, I would recommend teaching at a public school first.


Took me a while to read thru pages of vitriol from the 'usual suspects', but i generally agree with iggyb's posts here.

I just want to respond to that line about you "will have to teach at a private school" for a year if you have no professional experience.

That's nonsense. I was recruited for a PS school back in Feb. and in my orientation class of about 50-60+ people, I may have been one of the only certified teachers. EPIK is NOT the ONLY way to get a PS job !

Contact Alistair at Korean Horizons - he recruits for NON-EPIK PS jobs & he's very helpful.

I've been here 6 months & am very happy. I've been to China for Summer break & Thailand will be my Winter vacation spot. The vacation time at a PS is a big selling point.

The free time during the day is great as well. You just need to use your time productively to further your skills. Not worrying about your next paycheck is a plus as well.

As for hagwons ? I don't know much about them & I don't WANT to know about them. I wouldn't change a thing so far.
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ThingsComeAround



Joined: 07 Nov 2008

PostPosted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 7:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jeremydc808 wrote:

Thanks for the pros and cons.


As far as the government job goes........ I understand the confusion because of the job market BUT a year in Korea won't be the end all if I decide to come back (which I don't honestly).


My pleasure.
If you are unhappy with your job, that is perfectly normal and that is the main reason why I ended up in Korea. Don't assume that the job will be there for you when you feel like returning...
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AsianLatinaGirl



Joined: 19 Aug 2012

PostPosted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 10:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

@PatrickGHBusan I've read too many bad things about them.


@isitts and @cheezsteakwit Thank you.
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PatrickGHBusan



Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -

PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 3:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

AsianLatinaGirl wrote:
@PatrickGHBusan I've read too many bad things about them.


@isitts and @cheezsteakwit Thank you.


Well then you may be selling yourself short asianlatinagirl. What you read may not be representative of the reality, especially if you have never worked as a teacher or worked as a teacher in Korea!

PS have advantages but so do Hakwons....
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iggyb



Joined: 29 Oct 2003

PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree. PS still end up the better choice, but hakwons are better in some ways - primarily in how much control over the class and material you have and how this makes it more like teaching. Some get that in PSs - maybe especially in high school and less so in elementary school - but hakwons generally throw you in to sink or swim. You have the ability to experiment and sink or swim...
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jeremydc808



Joined: 16 Apr 2012

PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 11:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

PS seems to be the logical choice for a "newbie." With experience comes confidence.
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