| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
seoulonmind
Joined: 25 May 2004
|
 Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:28 am Post subject: Is it possible to make a career out of esl Korea (Lifer) |
 |
|
Hey you guys that have been in Korea for a while now. Just to give you some background, I graduated High School in Spain through an exchange program. After I returned to the USA, I was an area representative for foreign students for the exchange program (volunteer) while I was in college. When I graduated from college I was offered a job teaching ESL in Russia, but that was in 1997, and the offer sounded shady even though it was from my "boss" with the exchange program (She was then a VP with the program, one of the bigger exchange programs). Now I have decided to quit my job with the University I work for (a tech job), and go and teach a few years in Korea and then maybe some other countries. The thing is I am 29. If I just did it for a few years, what would I do when I got back to the USA? But if I were to do it like a lifer, do they keep teachers older than 40? I hear they want you to be between the ages of 23 and 34. I am approaching my 30s so that is why I have to move on it now. I am determined and excited. Comments would be appreciated.
Bri |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
calypso
Joined: 31 May 2004
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Have you been to Korea before? I think most lifers are here because they like Korea, not because they love teaching. Make sure you like Korea first. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
the_beaver
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I can't see a time when I'd quit my job. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seoulonmind
Joined: 25 May 2004
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
calypso
I have been to Japan, not Korea. I have also been to Mexico (Mexico City, I could live there). I think I could handle Korea. I know ALL about culture shock, from when I was an exchange student. I think I could adapt to Korea well. But then again maybe I will think it is a shit hole. Anyway, I will at least do a year.
Bri |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seoulonmind
Joined: 25 May 2004
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
the_beaver:
Why not? Myself, I am the adventurous type, and just need a change. Plus I am burned out in the tech industry. When I was in Spain I thought privates and substituted in an academy. I want that experience abroad teaching again. My major isn��t even in a technology field anyway, I am just good at it.
Bri |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
the_beaver
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
| seoulonmind wrote: |
the_beaver:
Why not? Myself, I am the adventurous type, and just need a change. Plus I am burned out in the tech industry. When I was in Spain I thought privates and substituted in an academy. I want that experience abroad teaching again. My major isn��t even in a technology field anyway, I am just good at it.
Bri |
5 months paid vacation gives me plenty of time to do something when I feel that I need a change. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seoulonmind
Joined: 25 May 2004
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
| people really get 5 months paid vacation over there? WHERE ARE THOSE JOBS? Are they universities, or hagwons? All the ads I see say all Korean national holidays and one week in the summer and one in the winter. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
the_beaver
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
| seoulonmind wrote: |
| people really get 5 months paid vacation over there? WHERE ARE THOSE JOBS? Are they universities, or hagwons? All the ads I see say all Korean national holidays and one week in the summer and one in the winter. |
Some universities. To get them you first get in the country and get some experience and move into a university job and work your way up the university hierarchy into a good university job (some other good jobs doing other stuff are around too but I don't know much about them). Sometimes you get lucky and get a really good university job easily but generally you make contacts and friends and hear things and, if you're really smart, you follow the Beaver's advice on scoring a university gig. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seoulonmind
Joined: 25 May 2004
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 6:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
Beaver:
i believe that thread is in the FAQ because I remember reading it like twice because it had SOOOOO much good information. Thanks, I have to tteach at a Hagwon first, I think I will do YBM, I have been in contact with them, and there is also a school that has a good reputation (Yale Language) but its not in Seoul, and I want to be in Seoul. Its in Degau.
Bri |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seoulonmind
Joined: 25 May 2004
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 7:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
| ohh and Beav, I dont think you mentioned how you scored that uni job. Do you mind recounting? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
the_beaver
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 7:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| seoulonmind wrote: |
| ohh and Beav, I dont think you mentioned how you scored that uni job. Do you mind recounting? |
For my first university job I read the ad here on Dave's back in November 1999 and prepared all my stuff (resume, samples, passport copy, transcript copy, photos, etc.) dressed up all spiffy and brought everything and talked to the coordinators and other teachers (as a means of showing them that I'm not some maladjusted freak) and, because I was the only one to show up in person and I seemed normal, I got the job -- three other people were hired with telephone interviews but they were all way more qualified than I was (they have MAs to my BA).
I did my best while I was there and while I wasn't the best teacher they had I was a steady performer. After leaving that job I studied, got another job (which wasn't as good) and went back after a 9-month hiatus (as I did my best right up to the end I had no problem getting back in).
At the end of my second year I left again and took a year off and did stuff. Then, through a friend, I heard that my present university was hiring so, with his recommendation, I was cleared to go in and I prepared like *beep* -- my portfolio had improved immensely since my first job with letters of recommendation and, because computer skills 'wow' the administrative masses, I was hired for Seoul (rather than the other campus outside Seoul) and I beat out hundreds (literally) of more qualified people.
I did it all by basically doing what I wrote in my how to score a university gig post. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Real Reality
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 7:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
the_beaver,
What is the turnover like?
Are you on a token-track or tenure-track? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seoulonmind
Joined: 25 May 2004
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 7:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
Would someone comment on the age question I raised about working in Korea? I was a little concerned about that.
Bri |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ryleeys
Joined: 22 Dec 2003
Location: Columbia, MD
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 7:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Well, I know that as a 22 year old, I get no respect from my boss, any Korean teacher over the age of 30, or my children (they see me as too young to be a teacher). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seoulonmind
Joined: 25 May 2004
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 7:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
ryleeys:
I dont get what you mean about Korean teachers over the age of 30. can you elaborate?
Bri |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
