Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Katie26]

For those of you who may internet know me, you’ll know that I have already taught in Korea for nearly 2 years. But this isn’t a question about me, it’s about my younger sister who’s still currently being approved by Dave’s to join the forums.

My sister is 20 years old and really wants to come over and teach in Korea but she hasn’t got a university degree.

I’ve told her that she needs one, and the two recruiters http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/ and http://teaching-english-korea.org ALSO told her she needed one, but someone on yahoo answers told her she doesn’t and now she’s convinced that you don’t!

Let’s just say she did come over here, would it be possible to find a job (in a kindy or something) without a degree?

Katie

[shostahoosier]

She can look at the TaLK program if she has 2 years of undergrad or an associates degree. Otherwise for a legit teaching job she needs a degree.

[ThePoet]

Do you really NEED a drivers license to drive a car?

Do you really NEED to be over 18 to vote in an election?

Do you really NEED to have the credentials you say you have when you get a job based on those credentials?

Of course, people say they can do all three given the right circumstance, but in each case, if you are found out, you could face arrest. Good luck to your sister though.

[hogwonguy1979]

Yeah she COULD come to Korea on a tourist visa and teach IF an employer wanted to go under the table with taxes, pension, health care but then she'd be held at the whim of employer on not getting paid, maybe being ratted on to immig which would mean a time in a prison cell followed by a huge fine and a deportation order along with a lifetime ban on entering Korea

Like I said it's POSSIBLE, some people have done but very illegal and lots of risks in doing it

man some people don't read any info here before posting this kind of stuff, we really don't need idiots like you coming here making it worse for people who are here doing a good job legally

[Lucas]

[CentralCali]

Some people don't listen to people who know. Those are the people who will come to Korea, work illegally, get caught, detained, fined, deported after payment of their fine, and then wonder why nobody warned them.

You've already discovered your sister is one of those people. You've spoken truth to her and she's elected to believe BS. Let her find out for herself.

[wes1989]

[Cacille]

I doubt she's old enough, mentally, to teach here personally, simply because of her reliance on Yahoo Answers over reputable website information.

Simply put, a degree is necessary for IMMIGRATION. I just looked at the immigration document today, it says it on it. It's nothing to do with what places, but actual E2 visa.

As other people said, she could come in and under the table. But really, she sounds way too young if she wants to do it, because it's stupid and sounds vaguely like a teenage girl who wants to be whiny and wants the world to rest at her feet when she requests it. I know she probably isn't, but it SOUNDS like something a mentally-too-young person would want.

To teach in Korea, you have to prove your worth, and a degree gives you a small level of respect. The TALK program is the ONLY way she should come to Korea before finishing her degree.

[Weigookin74]

Yes, you do.

[NilesQ]

The degree is a visa requirement not a job requirement. You cant get a teaching visa without the degree.

The best kindergarten teacher I worked with during my 6 years in Korea was a 19 yo guy who hadn't finished high school and had a fake degree. I've seen MEd holders who have broke down and cried due to unruly students. The degree doesn't mean you will be able to do the job well, but you need it to get an E2 visa.

PS: Some university positions wont consider you without a masters degree, and the TALK program will allow degree in progress students to work in Korea

[Los Angeloser]

NO! You need to be an ethical person with good morals, you know, like most Koreans. The media doesn't talk much about the specific requirements of Korean Immigration. Even though the media avoids telling the Korean people about the basic 4 year degree requirement, the media complains that we aren't education or lit. majors.

Now, if you think you're King Cool and teach at this or that university and get paid this high amount of bookoo bucks while exchanging it wisely which includes many months off each year but you still aren't "qualified" even when you have that Masters degree or PHD.

Those with two year degrees ain't any worse than those with masters/PHD's unless you consider slim pickens for pay as worse off? We're all pretty much scum, and if you have that special 2 year degree you can be accepted through the back door(YOU ARE TRUELY UNQUALIFED BUT THE KOREAN MEDIA DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE YOU WORK ON THE CHEAP AND THAT IS FOR THE BETTER GOOD OF S. KOREA) but you might have to go to Dokdo and praise the island on promised day(s) off while being seen worldwide as you're now a propaganda tool. Congratulations, and have fun on Dokdo!

[thepogue]

"and a degree gives you a small level of respect"

I agree 100% with the above based on what I've read below...wow....pretty sad and juvenile.


"we really don't need idiots like you coming here making it worse for people who are here doing a good job legally"

"I would have no problem tipping off immigration about it."

[Troglodyte]

[I'm With You]

[Francis-Pax]

Do you need to breath air to teach English in Korea? Yes.