Korean Job Discussion Forums

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

Some info please.

I want to teach at a uni here .
I'm sick of "Ronnie and Rhonda saw a cat" and I want to get some decent vacation time.

What EXACTLY do english teachers do at Korean universities???
At my small Hagwon I teach only conversation classes (conversation textbooks, free talking, question and answer free talking from textbooks, preparing for university interviews , and academic essay writing).

I only teach a few little kids, some 7 kid elementary and middle school classes, many 1-2 student private conversation classes, an beginner adult class, and a businessmen class. I do not teach grammar. In fact, as a native speaker I don't have a clue about grammar rules. (That didn't stop me writing an 85,000 word masters thesis though).

QUALIfications: I hold a double BA (PSYCH & Sociology) , a Masters in Regional and Resource Planning (1st class honors) and have 1 year studying toward a Ph.D.
I have taught in a Korea Hagwon for 1 year now. I also teach adults in my toursim business in my home country. I have a lot of experience developing , designing, implementing and evaluating staff training programs in businesses.

What are my chances of getting a uni job teaching English (conversation??) in Korea?

What are the criterian for getting these jobs???
I am single and 48 years.
Will my age and maritial status work against me????

Do I need a reference from my current Hagwon when I apply, or can that wait until the uni expresses interest????? (I don't want to get fired because I'm 'looking' for another job).

Any help would be appreciated. If there has been any other threads on this I'd appreciate it.

JZer · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: South Korea

Well, many Korean University jobs are glorified Hawgwons. You have to teach kids in the afternoon. That said, you do get 2 months off a year which is worth it.

Sorry to say but I think many universities want younger teachers as well.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

With a Master's and previous teaching experience, you should definitely be applying for university jobs. Universities get no shortage of applicants, but I've heard some lament that they don't get enough qualified applicants. I'd agree with SuperHero that your chances of getting something are very good if you apply to several schools.

This is especially true if you are willing to work at a university in a small town in the provinces. There are many universities out in the countryside that routinely hire people without Master's degrees simply because no one else wants to work there. If you don't have a problem living somewhere like that, then your chances would be outstanding.

That said, you shouldn't be afraid of applying to universities in the big cities, either. If you can make a good impression in your interview, you have a good chance anywhere.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

I forgot to add: I'm a New Zealander and don't have a North American accent. Is that a problem getting a uni job.?

I notice many hagwons prefer north american accents but I'm not sure if this is because accent preference or simply money (NZer's have to pay into govt pension with employer).

Also application photos. I have several. The one I was hired on in My hagwon looks very serious. I have a number 1 haircut, shirt/tie and black jacket (Not much smiling).
But I have others of me and my younger students now. We are all smiling and having a good time learning english etc.
Any ideas??
(I don't know how to post these photos onto daves, Any ideas???)

Keep the advice coming. I appreciate it.