Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Constantine_Dragas]

So, I've been looking into teaching overseas and generally I'm finding myself gravitating towards South Korea. I am a 28 year old single male with a M.A. in History and I am alternatively certified to teach high school (social studies and history) in the state of Texas. I don't have any teaching experience beyond what was required for the alternative certification program. I'm currently working as a contract technical writer in the Dallas area.

I haven't completed or submitted my EPIK application but I have jumped the gun a little by getting a copy of my Masters degree apostilled and sending in the forms for an apostilled FBI background check.

Right now, I'm not sure how to best proceed in order to maximize my chances of getting in. I don't have any type of TESL certification and this is, I think, the biggest problem for me. I live in the Dallas area and there really aren't any reputable local programs. There is a site for Oxford seminars but I've heard bad things about it.

There is a CELTA program in Austin but that would require me to drop everything spend about a month there.

I would really appreciate any advice. How important is having a TESL certification for the EPIK program? What else should I be considering?

[ttompatz]

Your masters is not relevant to the process and getting an apostille on it is overkill.

You need to get an apostille on a certified true copy of your bachelors degree.
You need the FBI check with an apostille.

AFTER you have those in hand you can either:
a) use a recruiter to walk you through the process or
b) go direct to EPIK to get it done ( http://www.epik.go.kr )

Teaching experience isn't really an issue for EPIK. They are entry level jobs.
A TEFL cert isn't required if you have state certification to teach (but you might want to read up on teaching EFL pedagogy).

.

[TheRaininspain]

[ttompatz]

[TheRaininspain]

ttompatz knows a lot more than I, and, in fact, I've used your name, ttom, in searches to find more reliable info. I'm just relaying what the EPIK coordinator told me recently. Maybe it does not directly apply here. Maybe she was wrong, I would like to know.
If there may be there are cases where apostille is needed on a masters degree, then I thought it should be discussed here; even if it may not apply to this particular question.
Disclaimer: I am a newbie to this forum and I have not posted before this. I've lived in Korea on two or three different types of visas, but not an E-2. I am here seeking information right now.

[hogwonguy1979]

well ttom he is going to need to have a degree apostilled for an E2 so why not just get the MA done since he's going for the higher pay? I never got my BA apostilled when I extended my E2 just my MA.