Korean Job Discussion Forums

[brian42]

I am seriously considering moving to Korea for graduate school(full time). I know a degree from the states in TESOL is better overall, but I have been studying Korean for several years and want to improve my Korean ability whilst doing my MA TESOL simultaneously. Two birds with one stone right? --- plus I just like Korea.

I have looked at several threads, to name a few:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=105356&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=193509
http://www.waygook.org/index.php?topic=10020.0

but, there hasn't been much information on the programs of these schools themselves, only information that the programs exist. The ones I am largely interested in are SU, KU, YU, and Sookmyung. I'm sure someone on this forum has had a chance to attend these schools, can anyone share their experiences with me? I have heard that Sookmyung has a very outstanding program, but I would also think that the ones at SKY would be more respected and have better programs, just maybe familiar to people on this forum.

Sookmyung states that all of their classes are 100% in English. Honestly, in order to further my Korean studies, I'd like to take a majority of my classes in Korean, and avoid Sookmyung. English education classes in Korean, Ironic right? I am a 3+ IRL level at the moment, so graduate school in Korean shouldn't be a huge problem.

Another thing I was curious about was if any or which of these schools have a decent Practicum included in their TESOL ( English Education/ Applied Linguistics etc etc) program?

I appreciate all responses and experiences you can share with me and the rest of this forum.

--Brian

[thekorean]

I'm starting Sookmyung's MA TESOL program next week. I can't really tell you much since classes haven't started, but the program info is at http://www.tesolma.com. Look under Contact > Message Board and flip backwards through a couple pages to find course syllabi for this semester. Again, class hasn't begun yet, but I already have "pre-reading" to do before Day 1, and that pre-reading consists of reading/skimming two different books totalling 600+ pages and writing an essay on each.

I also did my TESOL certificate at Sookmyung and it's highly regarded in Korea, not sure about elsewhere.

[brian42]

thekorean,

Thanks for pointing me towards the course syllabi, very helpful!!
I don't know if you are female or male --- but, would it be weird going to a Women's College as a male?
Also, if you get the chance/have the time at some point during/after your classes, please post here again or message me how they end up going.

Brian

[brian42]

Bump for any information about Korea, Yonsei, or Seoul

[sigmundsmith]

I'm sorry to sound negative but you want to do an MA in TESOL in a Korean University but want it taught in Korean?

Come on. If I wanted to do an equivalent graduate degree to teach Korean language should that be taught in English? That is just stupid.

Now, I know you want to improve you Korean language skills and that is good to have that skill. But you do realize that the majority of students who attend these graduate programs are Korean? So, they want to improve their English language skills.

My suggestion to you that if you want to improve your language skills, walk the street, meet and make friends with Koreans. But to do an MA TESOL, that won't help your language skills.

Also, any male can attend any graduate school program at any university (including a Women's university) in Korea. It is only restricted to undergraduate degrees.

As for the SKY TESOL programs... they don't even come close to what Sookmyung Women's University offers regarding the quality of education. How do I know? I did it a few years ago and it was a great program. Most MA TESOL (around the world) don't offer a Thesis/Practicum component ... just course work. Whereas, Sookmyung does.

So, to improve you Korean language skills ... find a Korean friend!

To get educated in TESOL ... you need to do it in English!

[brian42]

Sigmundsmith,

I agree that my expectations are pretty unrealistic, maybe even stupid. However, my expectation isn't a TESOL degree 100% taught in Korean (I think I did a poor job at phrasing my first post), I'm hoping for one that just isn't 100% English. It's not my sole goal to get a MA degree in TESOL to help me learn Korean, it'd just be an added bonus if some theory classes were taught in Korean or at least a few lectures every now and again. Of course, my number one motivation for taking the TESOL class is to learn how to teach English.

One of the instructors at the language school I learned Korean at attended the TFL MA at the Monterey Institute for... I can't remember if it was Chinese or Korean.... and when he went through, some of the theory parts of the classes were taught in English. So, I assume the same thing can be/is done elsewhere.

All of this aside, if Sookmyung really is the best school by leaps and bounds, then this would far outweigh the alternative of possibly being able to practice some of my Korean at the same time while taking classes at other schools.

It's good to hear you hold Sookmyung in such a high regard. Having attended, I know you say it is a lot better than Seoul, Korea, and Yonsei; What have you heard of these about these schools that makes you think it is better? Do these schools not have a practicum and Sookmyung does, or what criteria are you basing this on?

I also heard that at Sookmyung there are a lot of night classes for people working at the same time as going to school there. When you went through was there a big proportion of people working at a school and going to class at the same time?

"But you do realize that the majority of students who attend these graduate programs are Korean?", Do you remember the ratio of foreigners and native students that were in your classes?

Also, What opportunities are there to possibly teach at the same university you attended classes at after graduating in an adjunct position in order to get some experience under your belt in the Korean Education system?

"Also, any male can attend any graduate school program at any university (including a Women's university) in Korea. It is only restricted to undergraduate degrees.", Even though you can attend, was it really weird being in all Women's University? I mean, I can't complain too much about the ratio, but... still curious how that was from a personal standpoint.
I doubt it's as bad as being the only guy in a Yoga class. (my bad attempt at humor for the day)

Sorry for the lengthy response, and I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to this post.

v/r,

Brian

[SeoulNate]

Why in the world would you want theory classes to be taught in Korean? The material will be in English, the terms are in English, you are going to be expected to use English 100% during your practicums etc.

Makes zero sense whatsoever to take a TESOL MA in a language other than English.

If you want to learn Korean and take Masters courses many universities offer degrees in teaching Korean and should have similar methodology to a TESOL course minus the depth of material.

[brian42]

Seoulnate,

Thanks for the advice, but as a L2 of Korean, I don't think I would able to complete a degree in teaching Korean, nor would getting a degree in Teaching a Foreign Language give me the credentials I need to teach English.

As far as not making sense, let's assume that half of the teachers in the program I attend are native English speakers, and the other half are native Korean speakers. If every so often in class, the native Korean speakers, had to explain some sort of linguistics theory that wasn't exclusive to English, which language do you think they would explain it best in? They could explain it in their native language properly, or they could being restricted to explaining something in English, even though they weren't comfortable/capable of doing it well, just because some slogan at their school advertised all courses as taught in "100%" English.

I don't really want to argue if I'm right or wrong, or stupid; I'm just hoping to get some responses from people who have attended Sookmyung, Seoul, Yonsei, or Korea university for TESOL.

Brian

[SeoulNate]

[brian42]

SeoulNate,

Thanks for clarifying about professors speaking English in class. I guess I formed a little bit of a prejudice from trying to watch some Korean university TESOL lectures on youtube. Some of the lecturers sounded like they needed English classes themselves, and weren't making a lot of sense when teaching their classes. As you said, if I end up in these classes, then I picked the wrong university.

Being an instructor, do you mind elaborating a little bit on the TESOL program at the University you are working at? -- very curious to hear anything at all about some of these programs to help make an informed decision.
If you don't feel comfortable leaving a comment on a public forum about somewhere you work, feel free to PM me.

[sigmundsmith]

I have an idea, why don't you look at the SKY university programs and all other programs in Korea that offer an MA in TESOL? Go and speak with the teaching staff at the respective universities. Gauge what they offer for you that meets your needs.

I gave my feedback and suggestion from my own personal experience. So, I think now is a good time for you to go out into the big wild world and find more specific details for your needs.

I don't know how old you are but you're asking very childish, redundant questions that you could find the answers yourself by making a phone call or sending an email direct to the source. You get some feedback here and then you do your own personal research.

You're talking about so many variables ... studying an MA in TESOL in Korea; want some of it in Korean to improve your language skills; to work at the same university that you want to study at; and the list goes on as you continue to add more questions to each response.

So, contact them directly and make your choice.

[brian42]

Sigmundsmith,

Call me crazy, but in my opinion mentioning someone's age on an online forum is pretty childish.
And while some of my questions may be superfluous, redundant implies that you answered my questions before or I'm just asking the same things over and over again.....
I am by no means saying you have a obligation to answer a single one of the questions I asked, but it seems to me with all of the effort you spent writing about how redundant my questions were, and telling me to go meet Korean friends, you could have written a pretty decent blurb about your experience at Ewha as a graduate of the program.
Well, it was good to hear from you that Ewha is best TESOL program in Korea. I'm just going to assume that it's the best because you attended it. You're number 1!!

I think in the future I'll just skip asking questions to graduates of the program I am thinking of attending, and instead I'll just figure out the personal cell phone number of the Department chair and call him during dinner time.

Brian

[SeoulNate]

Elaborating on what Sigmundsmith said,

The two best programs in Korea for TESOL are at Sookmyung and SKKU, bar none, and they, along with the SKY universities, all have mandates that the program be taught in 100% English. Professors can get fired / not renewed for breaking that mandate.

Could you find some program out in the countryside that would teach TESOL in Korean? Probably, but you would be better off getting an online degree from some degree mill in the west as the Korean degree from such a university would amount to a roll of toilet paper when it comes to getting a job.

[PRagic]

OP,

You've gotten some great insights here. Pick a program, apply, get accepted, and come on over. A good piece of advice is to spend less time settling on a program that it would take to complete one.

You more than likely won't be able to get a job full time at university coming in, but you are allowed to teach a certain number of hours on a student visa so you may be able to get some experience built up in your first year of the program.

Once you're in the final stages of study, you can apply for some university positions. Your basic level of Korean proficiency, particularly if you can back it up with bonafide proficiency test scores, might help you get a foot in the door (emphasis on 'might'). The important thing is that you'll be here and you'll be able to keep your ear to the ground where it comes to position openings at universities.

Best of luck to you. I have at least one buddy who did his MA TESOL here, and the degree has been sufficient to keep him employed by universities.

[brian42]

PRagic ,

You may be absolutely right about me spending too much time trying to settle on a program, instead of just jumping into the deep end of the pond. However, my personality tends to be a little more on the air of caution and research based on past experiences. I joined the Military without too much thought when I was younger, and now I wish I had spent a lot more time reading up about it and deliberating before I took the plunge.
Thanks for the advice about teaching while in the program as well, all of the job ads I've seen on Dave's Korean Job board all ask for 2 years of college teaching experience, so I have spent a lot of time thinking about how to get my foot in the door. It seems like a little bit of a paradox to me, supposedly you can't get a university job without two years working at a university.

SeoulNate,
Thanks for the advice. I have no intention to go looking for universities in the countryside, I'm looking for the best programs / trying to make comparisons.
Thanks for recommending SKKU, I hadn't even heard of it up until this point. I will definitely look into that university.

Thanks for the insight,
Brian