Korean Job Discussion Forums

[obti]

Hello,

I've been considering TEFL for the last few years and have done my fair share of research, I'm due to finish uni next March probably with a decent 2:1. Having settled on Korea as my first stop I initially planned on completing a 4 week intensive Celta course here in the UK, however I'm begininning to wonder if this is worthwhile.

I've stumbled across this agency recommended on a few sites http://www.gone2korea.com/. One I'd like to know if anyone knows if this is a good/worthwhile agency to go through?

Secondly they recommend completing a 120 hour online course, stating that this is sufficient training. I'm a bit supprised by this, mostly due to the fact that it is an online course. However, it is a lot cheaper than doing a Celta course. My thoughts are that if this is sufficient then I will be saving money before diving into a career which I have no experience of and therefore may tumble into and discover that I do not enjoy.

Is the online course sufficient for teaching and securing a job in Korea?

[YTMND]

[Keeper]

The CELTA was worth it to me. Teaching is how I make a living. Are you the same or just passing through?

The people who don't see the value in a CELTA tend to be the ones who didn't take it. Still it all comes back to what you intend to do with your life. If you are just going to work a year or two teaching then don't even bother with a certificate.

[obti]

I'm not expecting a university job, just a standard teaching job probably towards the younger years hopefully in a public school if not in a hagwon. I'm just suprised that a simple online training course will be sufficient to get a teaching job at a private or public school, although I guess the main thing is that english is my first language.

I'm considering this as a career until my mid 30s (currently 21), however I want to test the water. So if an online certificate is acceptable to land a job then I'll save myself the �800+ and go for that rather than a celta (which I can always complete at a later date.)

Another thing, is it difficult to get public school jobs in Seoul?

Mainly I want this type of job as a way to fund a long but slow tour around the world, so I probably won't be staying in any country longer than one year.

[obti]

So it sounds like you guys don't recommend getting any certification at all?

[YTMND]

[Airborne9]

[cheezsteakwit]

Is the online course sufficient for teaching and securing a job in Korea?

Yes. From what I've read in numerous threads , (here in the Korean Job forum, as well as the International Job forum ) a CELTA seems to have more value in OTHER countries. Korea doesn't seem to value it, or even know what it entails.

To get a PS job in Korea, the 100-120 hour on-line TEFL cert. seems to be a new requirement added in the past year or so. An on-line TEFL , a college degree and a passport from 'one of the seven' is all you need for a PS job in Korea.

I don't believe hagwons require a TEFL cert., but I don't have any experience with hagwons. Someone else can chime in on that topic.

I hear Seoul & Busan are competitive , but keep in mind, it's a small country with a fantastic train system. If Seoul doesn't work out, it's not the end of the world.

The KTX can get you there very quickly and hostels / guesthouses are pretty cheap options. I pay 20,000 Won ($20) a night to stay at the Blu Guesthouse in Hongdae (a fun town in Seoul) & it's quite comfy.

Good luck

[young_clinton]

An online course might help you to understand the teaching structure being used and communicative teaching concept which is generally what is used nowadays.

I don't think anybody hiring is likely to accept an online CELTA or TEFL as being legitimate for training or teaching experience.