Korean Job Discussion Forums

AshScof · Joined: 31 Aug 2013

Personal Information:

-Graduated 2 years ago with a Bachelor's in Special Education.
-I am certified to teach in SC and OK (but have had trouble finding a job because Sped teachers can only teach in Sped classrooms).
-I have classroom experience as a student teacher (including a semester as the "main" teacher) and as a sub [but have not had a teaching job since graduation, just been Certified].
-Since graduation I have worked as a 911 Dispatcher, at a family member's business, as a substitute, and am currently unemployed.
-Do not have a TEFL
-I have never traveled outside of the country.
-I am a 24yo female.

I want to teach in South Korea or Japan (I guess they are the best place for first timers). Preferably a larger city with great public transportation (which I think is a pretty standard there). My main concerns are not being cheated (which I know can always happen but I expect there are ways of minimizing that) and safety. I am also confused about a medical screening? I am overweight (but have lost 20 lbs in the past 3 months) but other than that I am healthy. So I am unsure what all a medical screening involves...

Any information would be helpful on how/what I am qualified for! I would also love to talk to some people to ask more in-depth questions.

andrewchon · Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 2:34 pm Post subject:

Get TEFL then.

Get your docs ready.

Worried about getting cheated: you got a spec. ed. degree and no job, you've already been cheated. Lose the prejudice about the East.

Worried about your weight: I've seen many as big as hippos, black and white (no offence!) working here. If you're not picky, you'll get work.

Worried about safety: any particular concerns?

Pinehurst · Joined: 14 Aug 2011

You don't need the TEFL to start at Level 3 with GEPIK if you have a teaching certificate.

http://gepik-tek.weebly.com/pay-scale.html

I am thinking it is the same with EPIK.

AshScof · Joined: 31 Aug 2013

Drew345 · Joined: 24 May 2005

If you are Special Ed qualified, you are gold for a job with the department of defense , which has many bases in Korea and Japan.
I am trying to get in as a math / physics teacher, but they are looking for mostly Special Ed teachers this year.
The website is:
http://www.dodea.edu/
and the forum is:
http://teachers.net/mentors/DOD/posts.html

The first thing to note is dont take a position in Korea before applying to DODEA, or you will just have to move back to America to get a job with them. They only hire from US, not overseas (a bit oversimplified, but that is the jest of it).

andrewchon · Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 3:13 pm Post subject:

About the medical screening: basic stuffs. Not blind, can hear, chest x-ray, color blind test, blood pressure, blood sample, urine sample. Sort of like an army physical without the psych test.

AshScof · Joined: 31 Aug 2013

andrewchon · Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 4:09 pm Post subject:

I'd go with the DOD job.

About losing the prejudice: Ever wonder about 'blondes have more fun'? or the song "Momma tell me why! (some people have all the fun?)" I think it's easier to understand if one has lived through it. You've had two years of irregular work and so I thought you might have figured out by now that the fear of 'being made a fool of' holds back many young and unemployed. Hence 'lose the ...' advice. Can't drive? You are putting obstacles on your way. Don't worry about what you can't do, think about what you CAN DO. Cool

AshScof · Joined: 31 Aug 2013

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

Drew345 · Joined: 24 May 2005

South Korea is a great place for not having to drive. If you worked on a base, you would live near the base, though I am not exactly sure how that works (maybe on base?)
Anyway, not driving is a benefit of living in Korea, not a worry.

actionjackson · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Location: Any place I'm at

Drew345 · Joined: 24 May 2005

You just missed the DODEA hiring phase for this year, but they seemed so desperate for SPED that they may be able to place you anytime you complete your application. I'd put a question on that teachers DODEA forum link with your details.

Again, big point: if you ever get a foreign visa in your passport, you have to move back to America to get hired by the DODEA. It seems to be for some kind of tax reasons (you are effectively still on American soil while you are overseas).

Drew345 · Joined: 24 May 2005

you can also try to get into the international school system.
They don't have as much special ed opportunity, because they are private schools and really don't have to cater to that need if they don't want to (US and DoD schools must meed that need by law).
Still, many private international schools do have special ed centers.
Search Associates is a nice place to join and start looking for International schools. They will have job fairs in the states this winter. They are still posting openings for this year, but mostly in Egypt. Many teachers seems to be fleeing the civil unrest there.

Next question would probably be, what is better, DoDEA school or International School. That is generally a more difficult decision: better pay and benefits with DoDEA, better students with International schools).

12ax7 · Joined: 07 Nov 2009

Is your certification valid outside of your home state? Did you look at jobs in different US states? If you haven't already, I'd do that if I were you. I'd start with Alaska since few people want to move there. You don't need to come halfway around the world.