Korean Job Discussion Forums

starela · Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Location: incheon

STUDYING AND TEACHIN IN KOREA:
Very Happy

hello, would like to get any information about studying and teaching in korea. There is a University in Daejeon called Woosong University and they are offering a MA TESOL program for native and non-native English speakers. I'm interested in it - would appreciate any feedback or information about studying and teaching at the same time or about woosong univ. There is also the question about what visa I would need. Has anyone done any studying and teaching in Korea?

Thanks .... any info. would be helpful.[/b]

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:26 am Post subject:

... every minute.

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

i would get a ma tesol from a more recognized western university -- it will be more expensive, but will have a lot more value. i've seen a lot of these ads where you teach practically for free for two years and then they give you an ma in tesol from a korean university that no one has ever heard of. it may help you if you want to stay in korea forever, but back home it will be worthless. the same could be said for a lot of correspondence or distance ed ma's in tesol. most schools in the states don't recognize those as accredited.

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 7:01 am Post subject:

Better to easily save $30,000-$40,000 u.s. over two years and then go get a quality master's at a recognized, reputable university program.

There's no shortage of jobs in Korea for anyone with a bachelor's degree. No shortage.

fusionbarnone · Joined: 31 May 2004

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

skdragon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003

The Australian universities are some of the best options for most people in Korea who need the MA for the University job. Due to government cutbacks and lack of staff, many Australian universities can only afford part time faculty, and this has led to great competition. USQ and UNE are offering 8 course Masters (although are getting the degree mill rep, even in Australia). The University of Western Sydney has done away with their thesis requirements to match USQ and UNE in terms of the 8 course masters. University of New South Wales has reduced course load from 8 courses down to 6 to attract more students.
If you need the MA for work, and not for doing later postgrad work (like doctoral level studies) opt for a coursework masters from Australian universities.
The Masters you will do in Korea will generally follow the U.S. model, 8 courses or so with thesis and thesis defence. The Woosong one follows the US model. So, it is a lot more work than something like the 6 course University of New South Wales MA TESOL. Also, there are some dual degree possibilities with US universities and the Woosong MA.

gang ah jee · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: city of paper

Yeah, I checked out the faculty on the Woosung MA TESOL-MALL (ugh), and only one of them shows up on the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) and Google scholar, and even then that's just an acknowledgement (i.e., not a citation, but a 'thanks for your help'). What this means is that none of them seem to have any peer-reviewed publications in established journals. This doesn't necessarily mean that it's a poor quality programme but given the options available to study with well-recognised scholars and teachers in the field, Woosung would not be a first choice for me.

edit: insert plug for Victoria University of Wellington MA programme administered by Paul Nation and priced at 11 million won for international students.