Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sab2197]

After spending the majority of my 20s working in a field I hated, I decided I needed a change. I had started to become interested in ESL teaching after some stints as a tutor. A friend of mine informed me I could teach English abroad with the qualifications I already had. I wanted out of my previous profession so badly I immediately jumped ship and came over to Korea. I know without a doubt ESL teaching is what I want to do for the rest of my life. The only other time I felt such a sense of fulfillment from my work was during the times I tutored. I really don't know why I didn't pursue teaching earlier in life!

But anyway, my quick leap from one job to the other meant I wasn't really trained for my current position. I did one of those silly online TEFL certs, but without any opportunity for observation or student teaching, I feel it was a useless certificate to pursue. I have been contemplating the idea of going back to school for an M.A. or M.S. in TESOL Education. I know with a graduate degree, I would be eligible to teach at a community college back home as well as universities in Korea. But most importantly, furthering my education would give my teaching skills a much needed boost. But the idea of accumulating even more student loan debt makes me sick to my stomach. I will be 30 next month. At this stage of my life, is it foolish to pursue yet another degree?

Also, I do want to teach in other countries and was hoping to be able to spend the majority of my 30s doing just that. That would mean by the time I wanted to settle back down in my home country, I would be in my 40s. My home country is the United States, by the way. How difficult do you think it would be for me to find a job as a teacher once I enter my 40s?

As an aside, I know no one can tell me what I should and should not do with my life. Nonetheless, I think it could be extremely helpful to hear the opinions and criticisms of other people as these could unveil other problems and obstacles I had not previously considered regarding furthering my education and time spent teaching abroad. Thank you in advance for your input

[ttompatz]

While I support your idea of further education I question the value of your plan.

Obtaining a MA/MS in TESOL is fine if you want to work at the tertiary level as a "guest lecturer" or if you plan to go into research.

An M.Ed TEFL or MA.T might be better if your interest lies in the classroom.

Even cheaper yet and opening more doors might be a post grad certificate in education (PGCE) or a grad DipTESOL. It would start to open doors into mainstream teaching and international schools.

There are LOTS of different paths that are available.

I strongly suggest, before you think about the course, that you think about the end game. Decide what you want to do when you get "all growed up" and then find the course/program to get you there (since different programs go in different directions).

Putting aside the US ethnocentrism in regards to the superiority of getting graduate level credentials in the States (at great cost) there are a number of decent graduate schools/programs in Asia where:
- the costs are less (both school costs and living costs),
- you can work while you learn and,
- you may qualify for funding rather than taking on huge student loans to get where you want to be when you finish.

I know there are a lot of folks on here that will tell you that a degree earned outside the US is useless, a waste of your time and money.

A point of fact - on most of the planet - it really makes no difference where (as in what country) you get it.

If it was the case (not US means not good) then why do they allow the Irish, Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and South Africans to obtain an E2?

If:
- the uni you choose is legitimate (the coursework),
- your research is sound and
- you are published (thesis) in a peer reviewed journal(s) ...

Then:
You will not be treated any differently in the field than any other candidate (other than perhaps by your US peers who may also share that same ethnocentric view in regards to non-US universities).

And yes, I speak from experience. 3 undergrads and 5 graduate/post doc credentials and none of them were from a US university and it has never been an issue (working in the States or abroad).

.

[sab2197]

Thank you so much, ttompatz. I am so glad I asked my question on this forum. You're right-- I never even once considered the possibility of obtaining a degree/certificate outside of the U.S. I also didn't have as clear of an endgame as I thought I did. Thank you for pointing that out as well. I know my interest definitely lies more within the classroom, so thank you for noting which degree would be the most appropriate for classroom work.

Thanks again

[PRagic]

I finished my MBA when I was 32, worked for a couple of years, then started my Ph.D. when I was 34. Didn't move over here permanently until I was 27, a bit later than some, but four years in the Army is, well, four years lol. Anyway, I finished the Ph.D. by 39, but was actually teaching at university full time already when I was 37 and ABD. Got my first tenure track job right after finishing the degree and have never looked back.

And this was definitely a transition. I did a lot of different ESL related work over my years in Korea, and this paid the bills and then some. My Ph.D., like my Master's, is in a totally non-related field, and nothing I do now is even remotely connected to ESL. For me, it was a change I needed as I quickly found out that teaching English wasn't my bag. Major props to those who do it, just not for me. Sounds like you've found your calling, always a good thing.

Don't sweat your age so much; rather, concentrate on moving forward and improving your credentials as you go. A lot of people put down distance degrees, but for someone like yourself concerned about debt and time away from income generating work, it's a definite option. I have several friends who are doing great work in ESL here, and a majority of them did their MA TESOL/AL degrees in a distance program. Work as you go, pay as you go. Then there are additional certs like the CELTA and DELTA that you can knock out.

Good luck to you.

[sab2197]

PRagic, thank you very much for your reply. Distance learning does sound like the path that would be more ideal for my lifestyle and wallet, haha! Both you and ttompatz have made me realize there are far more routes to furthering my education than I had realized. Do either of you or anyone else on this forum for that matter have some specific schools/programs I should consider researching?

Thank you again. You guys have been so very helpful and I really appreciate it

[ttompatz]

Path defines the program choice not the other way round.

Pick your end game then look for the program to get you there.

DON'T look for a program and try to make it fit the endgame. You'll always be disappointed (unless of course collecting pretty wallpaper is your endgame).

.

[PRagic]

My input wouldn't be much good to you here as none of my degrees, including my undergrad, are ELS related. There have been multiple threads on distance/on-line programs over the years, though. Try looking them up. The search function isn't always the best, but you can search using Google, too.

[sab2197]

Thanks again, ttomatz and PRagic. I definitely want to focus more on late elementary education, like 4th through 6th grade. That was the age group I tutored back home and the age group I have most enjoyed working with since I've been in Korea. However, I could also see myself wanting to work with adults as I get a bit further along in life. I am especially interested in the community college/night school atmosphere for working professionals or recent high school graduates who need to brush up their English skills for jobs and further education. I know these are two completely different ends of the spectrum. It would be nice to find a program that delved into some adult education as well. Do you think I would have any luck finding a program that dealt with both age groups or would I do better just sticking with one age group?

I will be sure to do a search on different TEFL programs on this site. I bet there's even a sticky on continuing education

[ttompatz]

[sab2197]

Thanks, ttompatz. I was thinking as far a licensure goes I could do what my sister did and apply for a provisional license to teach in public school when I get back home. I would give me three years to meet state licensure requirements and from what my sister tells me, it only ends up being a class or two, contingent upon a state evaluation of college trascripts. She went that route with only a B.S., no formal education in teaching, and several years experience as a substitute teacher. I'm not sure how this process would change (if at all) with a graduate degree, but it certianly could not be more involved than what she went through. A graduate degree for teaching public school does seem like overkill, but again, I want to find a degree that will give me the option of teaching at a community college later in life.

Anyway, thanks for giving me some food for thought here. I definitely have some more thinking to do but at least now I have some resources for furthering my education

[Troglodyte]

I would recommend doing the CELTA. There are authorized centers in Vietnam where you can do it in a month. You can do it in Seoul but the cost of living in Vietnam is lower. CELTA is probably the most common job qualification (other than being an native speaker). It's very widely known (except in Korea). If you have experience and you've already read up on theory then you probably won't learn a lot of new stuff from the course BUT it will definitely open doors for you (which is probably the No. 1 reason people take the course). A word of warning though - it's intensive. It's a 1 month course but you'll be working at it from morning to night for that whole time. Another benefit if Vietnam is that you can have a bit of a beach vacation afterwards.

If you decide to do the CELTA course, I would also recommend doing it at an International House school. IH is a large international franchise. When one IH school is hiring, then all of the schools in the franchise get a job notice because they have a strong preference for hiring internally or hiring people who did the CELTA course at one of their schools. So basically once you get in, it's very easy to keep getting jobs in other countries at other IH schools. They also have very good work conditions and the job benefits are either standard or slightly better than standard for the country the school is located in.

Working for the British Council is also good for the same reasons (and for the good pay) but they unofficially have a preference for Brits (but they DO hire Americans).

There are a few other international franchises but IH is a good place to get started.

[Weigookin74]

I've heard much of the world prefers CELTA but many Asian countries ask for TESOL or even nothing?

[sab2197]

Thank you so much Troglodyte. That's very good information! I appreciate all of the feedback given on my post. Everyone has been so helpful!

[ttompatz]