Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Nabi]

Hi All,

I'm thinking of sending off some applications for uni positions over the next few months. I'm concerned whether it's worth it though. Most of the advertised jobs are asking for a Masters degree. I am 1 subject short of completing my Masters in Applied Linguistics (will be finished by June next year) but I do have a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics and a Bachelor of Teaching degree. I also have 2 years teaching experience in Korea.

Would I be wasting my time and money sending applications? Or would I still be considered for a job seeing that I'm so close to obtaining my Masters and already have a postgrad certificate in Applied Linguistics?

Kate

[ilovebdt]

As you are that close to completing your MA and you have experience teaching in Korea I would go for it.

For the jobs you are particularly interested in I would suggest you e-mail or call them and explain your situation and see what they say.

Good luck

[SuperHero]

Read this thread and listen to what the_beaver says.

i got my first university job with just a B.A. I got the second one with an M.A. in progress (applied linguistics (TESOL)), and my current job with the completed M.A.

[the_beaver]

I was talking to some hagwon teachers last weekend and I don't know what the mystique is surrounding getting a university job. The majority of university teachers that I know only have a BA.

In general (except with a few schools) a well-written cover letter, good resume, good interview, and a good demonstration lesson will be the deciding factors.

[Gwangjuboy]

[Manner of Speaking]

Just outa curiousity, where'd you do the postgrad cert? Was it a half-decent program?

Great avatar, by the way.

[dzeisons]

Good question Nabi

As other guys have mentioned you don't need a Master's to get a uni job but some positions (probably the ones you mentioned) may require masters and they don't consider other applicants. I was in a similar position as yourself at the start of this year- although I had finished my degree I couldn't receive the actual piece of paper until the end of April (and wanted to get hired starting March 1). I only applied to places requiring masters and a few unis kept quizzing me about how I had finished my degree but hadn't received the actual piece of paper yet etc. (although I had explained this in the cover letter and it was clear in the resume). I think with the hooplah regarding fake degrees etc. they seemed reluctant to believe my situation. Anyway one (great) uni accepted me in the end but I think probably because they had trouble filling their positions. I reckon it would be worthwhile sending out your resume even for the positions which specify that they will only conisder Masters holders. Good luck.

[Nabi]

MOS,

I did the Post Grad Cert at Newcastle University in Australia. It covered the basics, the structure of English, second language acquisition, curriculum and methodology as well as a teaching prac. The first two subjects had a strong academic focus while the last two subjects had a practical focus, so it was a good balance. You have a choice of studying on campus, by distance or a combination of the two.

I'm not sure how other courses operate but with the Newc Uni programme, if you study by distance the lecturer sends you all the required readings for the course so you don't have to outlay any extra money on textbooks. In fact, for one of the Masters courses instead of photocopied readings I was sent an actual textbook.

I don't know how it stacks up against other Applied Linguistics programmes but I've been happy with both the Post Grad Cert and the Masters programme at Newcastle Uni.

You recognised Bob Downe. You must be an Aussie then.

Anyway, hope the info helps.

Cheers,

Kate