Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alphalfa]

...for Koreans.

The Masters program in question is English Education.

What are some minimum requirements you think are necessary for applicants whose native tongue is not English?

Some or all...

- decent English-speaking ability NOT "I go lunch"
- ability to express opinions clearly in discussions and debates
- decent English grammar strength
- A minimum TOEIC score of 850
- an improvised classroom demonstration that shows teaching ability
at the time of applicants' interview.

If anything, the applicant's English speaking ability(proper prounciation..)is a critical item especially when teaching phonics. Koreans for example have difficulty with b and d sounds , f and p sounds.

My Korean co-worker is considering this Masters' program. She is weak in many areas of the English language and in the classroom. This is just an observation on my part not to be critical of her. For example, I asked her
" What grade level students are you most comfortable teaching?" Her answer "Middle school" . I would expect applicants to answer in a complete sentence form-- " I feel comfortable teaching middle school students "

Your thoughts...

[Smee]

[visviva]

[Big_Bird]

[Son Deureo!]

[alphalfa]

Yes, it was a practice interview and the results were rather weak in nature. At least now she has some things to think about to prepare herself for the interview.

Oh, this just in-- She told me the interview will be conducted in Korean not in English. She has a written composition(in English) prepared and wants me to correct any mistakes.

It seems odd that the university has not established a certain base line for English conversational skills as a requirement. Taking a test to assess the students' conversational skills during the program is good but if the test result is below par then a number of difficulties exist for the person in the classroom(their current job).

My point is people in the English education Masters' program(especially current teachers) need to have acquired a descent level in their English speaking ability. My current co-worker has not in my professoional opinion and it shows. This is constructive criticism on my part and their is no harm in giving it and receiving it. It's not meant to deflate the person but rather to encourage them.

Obtaining a Masters' in English Education in order to receive a raise in current salary is all good and well provided you have demonstrated a noticeable improvement in your English speaking ability upon completion of the program. Otherwise it is not warranted. Demonstrated ability and performance in a teaching environment are what should 'count'.


BTW I'm still not sure whether I should proof-read my co-workers written composition. It would be a false representation of her ability, I think.

[stumptown]

One of my middle school students asked me to read a paper so she could practice for a speech contest. It was a paragraph long and was filled with the wierdest mix of grammar and terminology. The title was "Abraham Rinkeon" I asked her where she got it and she said "Naver." I think she just cut and pasted it at random. Nice stream of consciousness poetry maybe, but I gave it back and said you have to write it yourself. One of the lines "Sudden beam of light borrow the book "Washington at Jyo" pray for all the people "Noesipoonyu". I asked what that last quote meant. No response. The ones who wrote it themselves did a pretty fair job.

[The Great Toad]

This reminds me of the Korean English Master's fool factor - my old boss in the Main Land got his/her Esl or ENG Edu MAsters in the states - but she still stunk at English - She took me aside and would not back down when I had an exercise done which included the sentence -

"We all love the police, because they protect us."

She was like, "No you are wrong you need to fix police." The funny thing was she would not back down until the other Korean teacher [who I also gave my MORE than MASTER level tips too] said I was right.

I have but a bare clue on Korean lingo- but I admit it. A Korean who tells me he/she has a masters in English equates in my mind to good American 8th grade student or a 15 year old US punk who sleeps in class, got a "C" in High School English, and reads novels on his own. I'd rate any any any US / Native ENglish 4 year B.A. speaker against the best Masters / PHD Korean any day for raw knowledge [how the language is said and works] - now teaching social skills might shoot the Korean ahead- maybe.

[Keepongoing]

I graduated from San Jose State University (MATESOL). we had many Koreans, Japanese, Chinese and Thai's in our program and they did very well. There was one Korean man that they dismissed from the program because he was unable to follow th lectures and to successfully complete the assignments. His English ability got him in but was unable to keep him there. They should have had a better screening process in place. Obviously someone felt they would givehim a chance, he probably had a good TOEFL score.

I suggest your friend seeks out other Koreans. In our University we have Korean's who graduated from schools like Temple and McGill. They woulld know better than any of us.

[jaganath69]