Korean Job Discussion Forums

[flash viego]

Is EPIC the only way to work at a public school?

I do have a learning disability, so school was never easy, however laziness and immaturity were the main reasons for my bad grades. I needed a 3.75 my final 16 credits to graduate with a 2.03, and I got exactly that.

I'm hoping that the fact that I did will at the end, and that this was nearly 20 years ago(wow!) will be considered. In years past, I had been not even allowed to apply for certain teaching jobs, or schools to try to get certified as a teacher.

I think that's a shame, because I am very good with people, especially kids. I have run thousands of tennis groups, and private lessons over the years. Even though it's not the same as teaching English to Koreans, I am a master at group management, and creating a fun atmosphere.

I am interested in public schools for a number of reasons. Firsltly, I am a very professional guy. I feel like the public schools would be a better environment for me to operate in.

A Hagwan Parallel to whayt I've been doing is just like an indoor tennis job, which is the worst. The hours are all over the place, and the owner could care less about professionalism or anything else than squeezing as much money out of you that they can. Having hours all over the place is also something that I have done for so long, and I would say is a mahor reason I am getting out of tennis. To me, the Hakwon doesn't seem nearly as appealing as the public schools.

I am incredibly serious about this being a career now, and am wondering even more if I should take this course at Oxford seminars. It is offerred the month of March Saturdays, and Sundays, 9-6, and costs $1200. I have the time, and would love the training, but I would probably have to dig a major hole to afford it right now. I can make it work if it is going to make a big difference.

Can anyonn advise me on this?

This website, and all you people are great. I can't wait to someday share what I know with other people trying to do this.

Cheers. and thanks for reading.

[earthquakez]

[flash viego]

So, the recruitersare not supposed to ask for transcipts, but EPIK will?

Sounds like I'm screwed in that scenario.

[Soldier]

Good ideas in your post, I commend you.

I took the TESOL course, offered by Oxford Seminars; great course recognized by EPIK and others. That said, it is just a starting point and you will have to fine tune your classes to each grade and level. Expect multiple levels in each class, prepare accordingly.

Stress how you matured and have become dedicated towards your work, show it in your teaching experience as a tennis instructor. Show that you have become industrious in your day to day work. It appears that you are mature and not lazy.

You may want to demonstrate your leadership qualities in your work as a tennis instructor, also stress group management in your work.

Just like a commissioned officer and a senior non commissioned member of the military; as a teacher, you are going to lead from the front. That is why I stressed the importance of leadership skills, there will be a question like it in the interview. It will be on classroom management. How well can you handle a class that could 'go south' on you? Behavoir is important, you muct remember that you are in charge of many students.

In this profession, you are a 'captain', so it's important to carry your bearing accordingly. Show confidence, and the interviewer, the co-teachers, the principal, and mostly the students will be impressed.

Stress all the good you have done since university. Show good work habits and good time management skills.

Show why you are the perfect candidate for the job. You have the raw experience, not bundle it up and present it as a package to the interviewer and the school.

Cheers.

[ttompatz]

[Weigookin74]

I had emailed a co-ordinator for SMOE a year ago out of curiousity. I'm EPIK. Their GPA requirements were higher, I think. I asked them if my GPA being less than that would impact me if I decided to apply. I have some years of EPIK experience. EPIK never asked for GPA when I first came over. Anyways, SMOE said if my reference letters were less than stellar, they would fall back on GPA's. My GPA was low because I had to work a lot to get through school and couldn't always focus. (I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth.) But, I am good with kids and have thrived as a teacher here.

[Weigookin74]

But, I should add, I do have some "A"'s and many "B"'s in my transcipts too. I never applied. So, I'll never know. But, I guess it can't hurt to apply. It does suck that GPA's can sometimes turn you into a second class citizen, even with some western companies. Experience can sometimes over rule that.

[Soldier]

I'm sorry...but just to be clear...not fully understand...are SMOE's GPA cut offs higher than EPIK's?

Just looking for confirmation.

I know that some employers back home like the military and graduate schools consider grades, transcripts. Yes, they look at mitigating circumstances WRT low GPA's. I believe that EPIK and SMOE do the same, I know EPIK does for sure.

Anyway FV, I recommend that you stress how you matured since uni days, you are a hard worker, flexable, willing to learn, and dedicated to your work.

Cheers.

[PRagic]

Ok, somebody was bound to ask, but why Korea? Why not Brazil? Seems more tennis friendly.

And we have to be frank. You may get here and be placed in a school with no proximity to tennis. Might be no tennis for a year or two, actually. Never can tell.

You will be asked at some point in your search some very direct questions. Why the career change now? Why teaching English? Married? Kids? But you're 42! Why were your grades bad? Learning problem? Why, you got good grades when you had to. Must be drugs and drinking, or maybe just lazy (lets be honest, wouldn't that thought creep into your head?). How many times have you changed jobs over the past 5 years? Why? Trust me, you'll get asked all these and more. Not saying you need to divulge anything on this board, but be prepared.

[flash viego]

[quote="PRagic"]Ok, somebody was bound to ask, but why Korea? Why not Brazil? Seems more tennis friendly.

And we have to be frank. You may get here and be placed in a school with no proximity to tennis. Might be no tennis for a year or two, actually. Never can tell.

You will be asked at some point in your search some very direct questions. Why the career change now? Why teaching English? Married? Kids? But you're 42! Why were your grades bad? Learning problem? Why, you got good grades when you had to. Must be drugs and drinking, or maybe just lazy (lets be honest, wouldn't that thought creep into your head?). How many times have you changed jobs over the past 5 years? Why? Trust me, you'll get asked all these and more. Not saying you need to divulge anything on this board, but be prepared. [/quote





Those are some great points, and questions. I have no problem divulging information here. My goals here are to find out what is going to happen, and to perepare myself the best way I can.
Firstly, it appears that Korea is the best place to teach, at least initially, based on the amount of jobs, and support from the overall system, ie: free housing ,airfare,bonus, etc.
I am getting out of tennis because it is not something I can do forever. My body isn't what it used to be, and it is a taxing,physiical job The hours are all over the place. A typical teaching day could start at 7 am, and end at 11 pm, for 4 hours of work. 6 days of work is standard in the tennis industry, and franklly I'm burned out. I t has been tough to have a normal social life with those hours, but I think I can explain why I'm not married etc. Someone's opinion of that is nothing I can control.

Quite frankly, I am a little more lost now than I was before I posted this question. From what I have now learned, it seems like if I want to work in a public school, that my grades are going to be an issue, and I will have no control over where I go. I would rather play tennis in my free time than anything else. It's just a big part of my life, and I think that's healthy. I think it would be a great way to make local friends also. I'm for sure up for a few beers, and dinner with friends, but I'd rather have my tennis, and just have one bar/ restaurant to go to, as opposed to needing to be in a thriving bar/ restaurant/nightlife scene.

Now I'm thinking maybe I need to go the Hakwan route. I've also realized that it's not the best decision to do the Oxford seminars course which is offered in my hometown. I just can't afford it. I think I'm going to do the ITTT online course, mainly to do something,more for my self preparedness, rather than looking good on a resume.

I figure that as long as I get a job where I am not abused terribly, or the school doesn't close etc, that I will be fine. I am a very disciplined worker, and all of my bosses anywhere I have been, have been happy with my performance, because I put that as top priority in my life.
I have also worked for some shady tennis club owners. The negatives I have heard about Hakwans seem to be almost ecactly the same kind of stuff that goes on in an indoor tennis club. I don't think I want to do a Hakwan forever, but maybe that's my only choice.

I still have about 7-8 months before I plan to go, so I can prepare, and do anything I need to during that time. I have a seasonal tennis job that ends Aug 12, and then I'm ready to go.

Please, anyone feel free to tell me anything you want, I am hungry for information, and appreciate anything that will help, especially realities of my shortcomings, and the reality of difficulties ahead.

One thing is for sure, I am determined on doing this, and I am going to do my best to make it happen, whatever it takes.

[andrewchon]

Try GEPIK, they have schools that don't care about GPAs.

Korea is not a tennis mad country. I don't think there's been many ranked players. But there are courts everywhere. Almost all are clay courts. Some public schools are 'tennis' schools. Elementary across the river from mine is one and they host the local tournaments and so on. Korea is hungry for success. There will always be some kid willing to give his all providing a right coach can be found. So, the question is: can you not just coach but, coach a winner? I had a chance to talk to one time coach of Jelena Dokic, and her opinon was that Dokic should've taken up Martina Navratilova's offer to coach her, instead of what she chose to do. Dokic's had a fair career but most will agree she's never fullfilled her potential. (Dokic is the most famous player from area where I used to live) Depending on your answer, choose one. If you want to teach English, concentrate on ESL.

[flash viego]

GEPIK seems like the way to go. A public school where I get to see the location first is very key. I care about that way more than money, or anything else. I would like to teach tennis there at some point, just on the side, but I want to fully concentrate on teaching English first. I would hope at some point, that a school with tennis courts would hire me to teach both. That would be an absolute dream.

I am wondering how early I can apply to GEPIK. I won't be ready to leave until late August. Being older, and not having good grades, I am going to make a video presentation, and possibly a video of myself teaching tennis.

I think I'm going to do the online certification with ITTT if the consensus is that it is a good idea.