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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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 Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 4:37 am Post subject: |
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There is a very peculiar (in my opinion) attitude here that 'anyone can teach'. It isn't only that they will hire any white face, but that many many Koreans' greatest ambition is to become a prof at some prestigious university, even though they have never taught before and don't know if they would like it or be any good at it.
So will your teaching certificate do you any financial good in Korea? Probably not. Will it do you any good in the classroom? Almost certainly. |
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ratslash
Joined: 08 May 2003
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| Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 5:44 am Post subject: |
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| goodpoint ya-ta. although the extra money would be nice, one should think of the benefit that a 'proper' teacher could bring to a school and more importantly the benefits to the children. |
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turtlepi1
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
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| Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not sure I agree with those that think the BEd piece of paper "makes" one a better teacher. (but I do believe that one should obtain the relevant training for the career they choose)
Granted, I don't have a BEd but I do have 7 years teaching computer science and business courses at a college/university level. I have teacher training courses as part of professional development, etc. (I never really planned on teaching children so a BEd didn't really follow my career path.)
The point I want to bring up is (especially for knowledge acquisition at a entry-level) who is the better teacher?
An actor or a Phd?
I don't think there is a simple answer to that question. A Phd definitely has more subject matter knowledge, but the actor is able to gather the pertinent information and if they can deliver it at a rate that is ahead of the students, their ability to entertain and involve the student goes further in creating an active learning environment. |
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Clutch Cargo
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Location: Sim City 2005
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| Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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| A teacher should be miles ahead of the student in terms of knowledge about the subject matter, otherwise you are learning and fumbling alongside the student and may not be able to lead them through the learning journey with enough of a concept of the big picture to do them much good. |
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turtlepi1
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
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| Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Clutch Cargo wrote: |
| A teacher should be miles ahead of the student in terms of knowledge about the subject matter, otherwise you are learning and fumbling alongside the student and may not be able to lead them through the learning journey with enough of a concept of the big picture to do them much good. |
Not really true.
There is a requisite amount of knowledge a teacher must have beyond the student but after a certain amount the bridge between the two is often lost. This doesn't happen with great teachers but happens with many professors.
I often have students teach new students the stories after we have gone over it once or twice and they are excellent at the job. And as for language acquisition, people learn better from someone at a similar level guided by a teacher than learning from a native speaker directly. |
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Clutch Cargo
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
Location: Sim City 2005
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| Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I often have students teach new students the stories after we have gone over it once or twice and they are excellent at the job. And as for language acquisition, people learn better from someone at a similar level guided by a teacher than learning from a native speaker directly. |
Your point has some merit and is backed by some research and anecdotal evidence, but can only go so far ie. the student who has recently learnt a book will first have to learn another book before having anything new to offer the newer student.
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| A Phd definitely has more subject matter knowledge, but the actor is able to gather the pertinent information and if they can deliver it at a rate that is ahead of the students, their ability to entertain and involve the student goes further in creating an active learning environment. |
Depends whether you're in the 'teacher as actor/entertainer' or 'teacher as learning facilitator' camp. I'd rather be taught a foreign language by a professor who was able to use some pop culture materials to reinforce learning.
| Quote: |
The point I want to bring up is (especially for knowledge acquisition at a entry-level) who is the better teacher?
An actor or a Phd?
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I think that the teacher of entry-level students (of whatever subject) should have as much experience and knowledge of the learning process and learner types as possible because concepts are being taught.
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There is a requisite amount of knowledge a teacher must have beyond the student but after a certain amount the bridge between the two is often lost. This doesn't happen with great teachers but happens with many professors.
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This is a good point, and a good teacher will also not intimidate students with their knowledge. However, a trained teacher should possess a fairly comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter and an understanding of how humans learn. They can balance learner needs and measure them against their previous teaching experience to enable the students to feel that they are both being challenged and that progress is being made. Don't forget Vigotsky's Zone of Proximal Development. |
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chronicpride
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 9:50 pm Post subject: Re: fully qualified teacher - what kind of money? |
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| ratslash wrote: |
not just money, but what kind of contract should i be thinking of accepting once i am a fully qualified teacher in korea? which schools are best to approach for this?
may have to come to korea in the future to work there. depends on what my better half makes me do!
currently studying in england for a three year teaching degree which will give me qualified teacher status in england and enable me to teach in schools in england. the age range i am studying is 7-14 (upper primary/lower secondary - not sure the proper names of the schools in america and canada - would those ages be elementary and middle school?)
anyway, let me know what you think!
take care. |
As others have mentioned, if you are only looking at the hagwon market, then don't worry about qualifications. Selling yourself into the more lucrative side of ESL in Korea, like govt and business gigs, it looks better to have some credentials. But that side of ESL is still very much 'who you know'.
If you are putting the time into getting qualified, don't use Korea or Japan as a measuring stick. I'd recommend making yourself qualified for other lucrative markets, as well. SE Asian markets, not really lucrative(although Vietnam is getting hot), prefers for you to have CELTAs or TESOLs. The fattest cats in Hong Kong that pull equiv. of over 6mil Korean Won/mnth (and that's just at the schools), usually have a PGCE cert, plus a TESOL or CELTA.
If I was in the UK for a couple of years, I'd get an RSA CELTA and look at the UK schools that offer PGCE programs. |
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jaganath69
Joined: 17 Jul 2003
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| Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2004 10:09 pm Post subject: |
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| justagirl wrote: |
| You cannot work at a DODD school unless you are an American and have the full qualifications required by their program. A lot of specific course work is necessary, so even if you have a teaching degree, you may not be qualified. |
Not sure what you are on about, but I just accepted a job with defence and am not a qualified teacher or an American.
Cheers
Jaga |
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ratslash
Joined: 08 May 2003
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| Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 12:44 am Post subject: |
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thanks for advice peeps.
take care. |
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