Korean Job Discussion Forums

Mulberry Madness · Joined: 07 Oct 2013

Hello. I'm applying to teach with EPIK. I have a BA in Linguistics, but I want to get a TESOL certificate to give myself a refresher on certain issues in teaching ESL topics and have the best understanding possible on methods and such. I know some people will say do the CELTA, etc., but I can't afford that right now, so I know I'm not getting the best of the best.

My question is: I know I'm going to do the cert, but all I can afford at the moment if I also want to save money is an online course. I have the option of doing one with an in-class component or a 120 hour course with no in-class component that's half the price. I'm nowhere near an in class location, so add on travel and accommodation costs. Does anyone know if, with a Linguistics degree, I'd still look appealing to EPIK and get sufficient knowledge with just the online course?

Thanks!

Zalithian · Joined: 26 Mar 2013

TEFL/TESL cert is required now no matter what your degree is. At least that's what my coordinator told me in November. How strictly they enforce it, I do not know. I got my degree in linguistics and had no plans on doing a useless online cert. In November I got an e-mail stating that all MOE/POE's said they want all new teachers to have a certificate unless they have a teaching certification already. I ended up doing the cheapest one I could find. It was 160+ hours online only. Quite useless. Luckily I minored in TESL. I don't know how useful any of that would be for teaching 10 year olds, but oh well.

Mulberry Madness · Joined: 07 Oct 2013

OK, thanks for the info. Not exactly what I was hoping to hear. haha But, eh, what can you do? It was actually the process of filling out the application that made me want to take a course, but I handed it in without even indicating that I was planning on taking one since I didn't know if a not-yet-started course should be included. Oof! Hopefully I'll get to the interview stage and can let them know then that I've taken a course.

euluhawk · Joined: 23 Feb 2014

There's one a groupon that's been floating around for a while that's either 150 or 160 hours TESOL/TEFL for $70 (says original price is $600...). If you can afford that, it takes like two weeks to finish and it's something to put on your resume.