Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Drizzt]

I'm curious--what is the best kind of teaching institution in Korea if you want to improve as a teacher?

What I mean is oftentimes we as ESL teachers get jobs in which we have very few opportunities to grow professionally...

Case in point:

I've been working in China for about a year now, and I find myself limited to teaching "oral English". It's seems nearly impossible to find positions that offer a wider variety of subject matter (such as English composition, or reading comprehension, test prep, etc.).

While I definitely ENJOY teaching oral English, I want to diversify a bit.

Another matter--from my experience in China, you are never observed or given any kind of feedback regarding your teaching methods, style, etc. I consider myself a decent teacher, but there is always room for improvement. I also do conscious self-evalutions, but sometimes only a third party can see something that you're blind to. At the end of the semester, I allow my students to opine about the class, but I don't think that's enough.

Since I plan to work in Korea next year, one of my top considerations is what type of institution is best for me to further a professional career as an ESL teacher. I should add that I prefer dealing with adults, although high school isn't so bad either.

So...should I go private or public? Hogwan, university, high school?

My current qualifications:
BA (Spanish/International studies)
CELTA
1+ year teaching college and high school in China

(BTW, I am aware it's possible, however difficult, to land a uni job in Korea with only a BA)

Thanks for any tips!

[Paji eh Wong]

[deessell]

Have you thought about the British Council in Seoul?

[Drizzt]

Thanks for the tip Paji, I will keep that in mind...

[xtchr]

Hmmmm, I think you may be in for a bit of a rude shock in Korea with regards to professional development (I'm referring to hagwons, and public elementary schools). A teaching 'improvement' is when your class chants nonsense VERY loudly in unison, as opposed to just the regular loudness.
And 'feedback' is of the type - you play too many games/not enough games. You use the book too much/you don't use the book enough.

[ujgnawg]

In my humble opinion, the best way to "fatten the old EFL toolbag" is to check into a real brick and mortar school and get an assistantship in a master's program. You will be teaching freshmen EFL classes with a whole staff of professionals guiding your every move. And, in addition, you will be doing tons of research for your master's thesis. Believe me, if you are as serious as you sound, it will put you on the right path to success.

Of course there are a million excuses not to do it, but in the end it's much easier to just do it than to try and explain to employers why you didn't. For the effort that it takes, the rewards are expotenial. Of course the school that you choose is very important--ask around!

[Drizzt]

Ujgnawg,

It's funny you should mention that, since that's exactly what I plan to do--after I save some money!

In fact that's the reason I'm making the switch from China to Korea; I want to save enough money so I can get a master's in applied linguistics in the traditional school setting (I'm somewhat skeptical of the on-line degree). In fact I found a good program at San Diego State that has quite an extensive TA program for AL grad students.

The problem is I'm still working on paying off my undergraduate degree, so I forecast at least 2 years in Korea before I can even think about returning for my masters. In the meantime, however, I'd like to prepare myself as well as possible.

[EFLtrainer]

Yeah, don't hold your breath. I have known of *one* hagwon in Korea that had a staff development program. Few, indeed, are interested in staff development that goes beyond finding activities on-line and reading the occasional article or book. Hell, few are even interested in that.

Should I ever be in management, I will insist in some degree of professional development that is verifiable.