Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sabretooth]

Hello,

So I've been looking at jobs in South Korea, but after having several interviews I've come to realize that I don't know what to do in terms of teaching.
I have a BA in English which gets me through a lot of doors, (I'm also a native speaker from Canada) but I wouldn't know how to actually run a lesson.

So I've been looking into TEFL programs so that I can get a bit of experience and figure out how to actually teach.

I want to find a position for September 1st which means I can only take TEFL programs that last a month, but not many courses are offered right now in Toronto that only last a month.

The ones that are cost about $1,500.

There's one course offered online (yes I know online courses are garbage) however this one at least has twenty hours in person. Plus the whole thing is 250 hours and is accredited by Canada.
Located here: http://www.ontesol.com/tesol-courses.php
This is $1000 and means I can work in Canada if I choose to.

Or I could take a CELTA for $2500 which is being offered in my timeframe.
But is it worth it? I don't even know if I want to teach the rest of my life.

Any help would be appreciated.

Note: I know that having a CELTA wont get me more money than a TEFL will in Korea.

Thanks.

[Teechuh]

I did it before coming to Korea and, although I'm glad I've got it on my CV, I didn't find it that useful when it came to the actual teaching part. The course I did at least, was almost exclusively focused on how to teach grammar and that's something I've been discouraged from doing during my time in Korea. My co-teachers are of the opinion that they are there to teach grammar and I am there for speaking practice and pronunciation (as well as being an all round entertainer of course). I also only taught adult classes on my course, eager and studious adults, which wasn't that helpful when it came to a class of screaming children. Even with the TESOL the first two months were tough but then, like most people here, it just clicked into place and I got the hang of it.

[Ranman]

If you ever plan on teaching in Europe somewhere, then yes, getting a CELTA is a great investment.

If not, then a CELTA is not one bit better in Korea than a regular TEFL course.

[War Eagle]

[Sabretooth]

I'll be working at a public school for the record (hopefully).

So the consensus is to not bother right now?
Even if I have the time and maybe the money I should hold off?

[ttompatz]

[Sabretooth]

I guess it's not so much the money I'm interested in, but I don't know what I'm doing so I thought the CELTA might be the best bet for that.

I actually already fit the requirements for EPIK because I have a BA in English.

Also the only TEFL course being offered soon that's accredited is a 250 hour online one plus 20 hour practicum.

It has standard 2 accreditation in Canada...whatever that means. I'm in Toronto.

Anyway I appreciate the responses, I've heard bad things about online courses.

[ttompatz]

There are lots of on-line materials that can get you up to speed on teaching EFL to young learners.

I suggest you read your face off.
Come to Korea.
Work for 6 months.
IF you decide you want to stay in EFL for more than your 1-year contract then look at EFL courses in Asia (there are LOTS of them to choose one that suits your needs and budget (although they won't be useful when you return home).

Even a CELTA will only run about $2100 (including accommodation) in BKK.
You can add the YL module later at your convenience.

.

[Julius]

Celta ensured that I had lots of ideas of how to teach and was confident in my first-ever class.

Celta is best for adults but it still contains much that is applicable to kids.

Its a very practical course.

It is recognized in Korea to a certain level. GEPIK gives a higher pay grade if you have it.

It might not be as widely as recognized here as in other countries, but once you've got it you've got it and its superior to the others.

I can't recommend it highly enough.

[byrddogs]

Online courses don't offer much in the line of classroom teaching, but for Korea that doesn't matter so much. As ttom mentioned earlier that certification is geared to teaching adults. In my experience, it doesn't translate so much to young learners unless you get that specific component.