Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rm7]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to decide which Masters to go for: online (e.g. Birmingham) or on-campus Korea (e.g. Sookmyung, Korea Uni).

My decision will boil down to which provides the better future job prospects.

I've read through the forums and read up as much as possible on the topic. Understandably, most discussion revolves around opinions, rather than facts. I wondered if there's anyone out there with first hand experience, e.g. that works on a hiring board, or has landed a job/been rejected for jobs based on their type of Masters?

Or even anyone who's personally experienced stigma regarding their online MA TESOL or on-campus Masters done in Korea?

My plan is to teach English at universities in Korea for a few years, perhaps elsewhere after that. Cheers for any help guys.

[ttompatz]

I can't speak specifically to the topic of "Korea vs on-line" but this (from Dave's International Board) may be relevant:

[LPKSA]

Earning a MA from either a brick and mortar or an online institution comes down to how much you are willing to sacrifice of your time, and how ambitious you are going to be.

Brick and mortar route is beneficial in that you are engaged in real conversations, with your classmates and professors, so there is more flexibility, and it might be clearer in understanding what is expected of you. Online route is beneficial as well, because it requires motivation, and you are more or less on your own, regardless of being in an Internet forum (which is essentially what it is.).

Either route you take, make sure the University holds credibility.

A lot of Academic Scholars out there have Online degrees.

If you are concerned in the Brick and Mortar route, have you considered looking into Framingham State University? They have a brick and mortar program in Seoul. I am not sure exactly where in Seoul it is. I met a Canadian man in Texas last year who did this program. This was at an interview with Aramco in the Middle East. I don't know if he was hired by Aramco or not.

If you do go the Online route, it's good that you are teaching. Some people who go the online route have absolutely zero teaching experience, yet they are still admitted by the University, which speaks volumes of the University itself.

[Bollocks]

I am taking an online course from a Brick and Mortar UK Uni whilst teaching in Korea.

It's nice that I'm getting paid and accruing experience while studying, but bear in mind that from your employers perspective, you are studying while working - and not the other way around.


Studying at a Korean Uni will grant you bonus points to the Korean F visa system - but that's of little use if you plan to work in Taiwan or Okinawa down the line.

You know how your students can fail to say a single bloody word and you still have to mark down a score of 70% minimum? I'm told it's like that all the way up the chain. So your degree is guaranteed without much effort on your part - which is nice.

Unless you are an employer looking at potential job candidates.

[metalhead]

Easily answered - if you were hiring people, and there were two candidates, one with a Master's from China or Korea, and one with a Master's from North America/decent European country/Australia, who would you look upon more favorably? You can see how flawed the education system in Korea is, so why would you want a degree from the same corrupt system?

[Fuzzy_Dunlop]

I have an MA TESOL from Korea and have been granted interviews at (and offers from) post-secondary schools in Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.

I can't say for sure that the Korean MA got me those offers (I have other qualifications) but I can say for sure that it didn't disqualify me either.

The Qatar offer was from a school that specifically requires an on-site MA. The Bahrain offer was from a school that said they prefer on-site degrees, so I guess they would accept online degrees as well. The other schools never really discussed my MA during the interview so I don't even know if an MA was required at all.

My Korean MA seems to be more of a hinderance in Korea than anywhere else to be honest.

[ttompatz]