Korean Job Discussion Forums

bmaw01 · Joined: 13 May 2013

Hello everyone. Are there any special education jobs in South Korea? I know that the disabled aren't treated that well in South Korea and especially Asia. Hopefully it's getting better.

My degree is in special education. I was a teacher's aide in New Jersey for 2 years. I've worked with children who were classified as learning, behavioral and emotional disabled.

Currently, I am in South Korea teaching ESL at a private school. I am going to finish my contract late August. I have been at this school for 2 years, and it has been a pleasant experience. The hours are long and I have to teach kindergarten and elementary classes. I believe the hard work was worth it. I've gained so much experience working with so many children at differing levels.

Finally, I have a Thai girlfriend who will be living with me in September. I have to keep her in mind as I plan my next move.

Thanks. Very Happy

andrewchon · Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 12:35 pm Post subject:

Public schools do hire special education teachers when such a students enroles at the school, i.e. need per basis. I think you'll need to speak Korean. I don't think money is that good.

Canadian Club · Joined: 12 Aug 2006

An International School might hire you. Advertise yourself to them and see what happens.

philthor · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Location: America

Are you a certified teacher? I saw what you studied, but, I don't want to seem stupid about this, I don't know if that means you're also certified. What subjects can you teach?

If your school will let you out a little early, the international school market might be available; however, from what little I know (I've been here for a year at an international school--a real one and not in name only), most international schools don't offer much in the way of special ed. Most international schools have already hired all of their people for next year, but things do happen, and someone with a background check already in the books who is also in country would be an appealing hire.

However, if you can teach other subjects, you might have an "in" which will offer the chance to also apply special ed skills as they are needed in many international schools.

bmaw01 · Joined: 13 May 2013

I am a certified teacher. My degree is in special education. In New Jersey I am certified to teach any subject k-6. If I wanted to work grades 7-12 I would have to take the Praxis for each individual subject. I haven't taken the test yet so I wouldn't be able to teach in that area.

This is New Jersey though. I don't know how my degree would apply to an international school. Would my special education degree suffice? As I stated I'm able to teach k-6 so could I do the same in an international school?

What about my time teaching in South Korea? I'm working at a school that uses Open Court Reading. It's an American curriculum. Does this count? My contract ends in August and by this time I will have spent 2 years teaching in Korea.

Finally, who do I contact about teaching in an international school?

Thanks for the help.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Canadian Club · Joined: 12 Aug 2006

Or apply directly to each school. You may have some luck- sometimes there are late openings, and some international schools do offer moderate spec ed programs.

bmaw01 · Joined: 13 May 2013

Thanks for the help everyone. It's appreciated.

I would like to find out if my special education degree will be enough for me to teach k-6. If I am qualified to teach k-6 in New Jersey, would that be enough for me to apply for a job at an international school?

Thanks Very Happy

@Canadian and ttompatz

Thanks for the tip guys. I will try applying as soon as possible.

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

philthor · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Location: America

All that matters is you're certified by a state in America. Your certification for k-6 is great. Like a previous poster mentioned, try TIEonline--it's how I got my job here. Also, applying directly might just work as there are sometimes last minute dropouts.

The two issues I see are your finishing time (but that's not necessarily a big issue) and having your documents ready that are needed to get a visa done quickly. Since you're leaving a job and will need a new VISA (you'll switch from an E-2 to and E-7), I think that means going through the whole process from the beginning.

Canadian Club · Joined: 12 Aug 2006

I work at an IB school in Korea and we have a spec ed teacher. Not all international schools are the same.

Edited to add: the teacher is a Westerner.