Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Optional Toaster]

I really don't understand just getting a quick certificate. To get a TESOL certification (where you can actually teach in the U.S.) requires a minimum of 21 credit hours along with a Praxis II if you already have a teaching degree. Somehow I think that the TESOL certificate that you can get in virtually no time shouldn't qualify or be necessary. I really think that a hagwon that employs a teacher with a bachelor's degree (aside from an education degree) should train their teachers.

I'm currently getting my master's in education and the more I learn the more I realize how little I know. I really have to respect the people who've gone to Korea with a bachelors and have become really great teachers.

[laogaiguk]

[Karabeara]

Actually, I saw far fewer jobs requring any sort of TESL certification this time around. It seems to me that many people are catching on to the fact that 90% of the TESL's out there are a joke (perhaps higher).

My friends hired at uni's in Seoul didn't need them.

[xingyiman]

[laogaiguk]

[I_Am_Wrong]

a lot of tesl/tesol courses tell their students that they are required certificates to teach in Korea, Japan, Taiwan etc. A lot of people that don't have degress take these courses thinking that they can teach on it alone.

Furthering your education always has value; whether it's a tesl course or whatever. However, I highly doubt that they will start denying experienced teachers without a tesl. I almost have two years experience in public schools now in Korea, I highly doubt that I'm not going to be able to teach here next year because I don't have a certificate. What is the tesl certificate going to teach me about my work in Korea that I don't already know?

[laogaiguk]

[schwa]

[laogaiguk]

[I_Am_Wrong]

Oh, I in no way meant that getting a good tesl/tesol/celta certificate won't teach you anything. I just tend to write things on here rather quickly so I usually don't fully explain myself. I had an amazing co-teacher at my first school here (and I mean really amazing!) and I learned tons from her. I don't want to do an online quicky tesl certificate. If I was going to do one then I would take the time to do a proper certificate. However, I think that after this year I will do my one year education program back in Canada.

Experience is very important but, obviously, furthering your education towards the field you're working in is also incredibly important. I think it's important to realize that; no matter how much teaching experience you have and how much education you have in the field, you can never know it all.

[laogaiguk]

[schwa]

I was just teasing.

Aside from the learning benefits, where a tesol/tefl/celta can pay off here is for someone headed into a public school job with graded pay levels. If it kicks you up into a higher bracket, it more than pays for itself.

[laogaiguk]

[I_Am_Wrong]

haha. I've thought about doing a quickie one just because my school has told me that I would get bumped from 2.0 to 2.2.

[Hollywoodaction]