Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Metsuke]

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=11710

[BigBlackEquus]

Yes, it does.

[VanIslander]

I'd recommend it to many people, but not to any present ESLers in Korea unless they really want to get out of this country soon.

The pay for the full-time job you'd have to work is HALF of what is in Korea, about 900,000 won to 1.2 mill won ($ 900 u.s.). One could easily live on that much in Korea AND save $ 30,000 u.s. in a year and a half, thereafter going to a decent university of one's choosing.

Their tuition is over 4000 British pounds (over $ 7,000 u.s.). Will they accept payments out of paycheques, and do you get paid enough from the work to cover the degree?

The two-week intensives each year are where? in America or Poland? How much do they cost? What if one wanted to change jobs, would it affect the graduate student status? Are the jobs supervised or simply a marketing gimmick to get more employees, tied to a 18-month contract?

I'd recommend one ask a lot of questions and crunch a lot of numbers before accepting it.

Is the Master's program brand new as it seems to be? How many students will be in the program? Forget about "accredited", that's a non-starter. What independent reviews can you find of their program or kind of program? (once one gets details, details, details) Are there tenured PhD's teaching and grading? etc etc. In what ways is it a "distance" degree? What coursework is done while teaching? (certainly all the coursework isn't done in only 2 weeks a year)

There are two trends at play here: (1) the new ESL master's programs tied to very old colleges to lend an air of tradition even if the program is run independently off campus; and (2) graduate degrees tied to work contracts, where employees are contracted longer and their money stays with the organization in the form of educational expenses.

I have heard some bad things about both of these trends; maybe this program is exceptional.

But remember: 20 clock hours means your 50 minute classes are NOT considered one hour! And you ain't gonna have a free penny when all is said and done.

That said, if you want to spend a year and a half in Poland and get a master's degree out of it to take back to Asian universities (where it'd be likely accepted), then it sounds like an attractive option.

[Wrench]

I wouldn't mind doing it. I am polish soo I don't need a visa, I speak the language as well. But I want to stay a little longer in Korea.

They pay is OK, but you also have to realize Poland is fairly inexpensive and the countries around Poland are cheap as well.