Korean Job Discussion Forums

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

Which teaching certificate/course is better for getting a teaching position at a Korean University - the CELTA or a TESOL ??

I already have a masters degree (sadly, not in an English-education related subject).

I want to take a CELTA or TESOL course in Thailand.
Are these Thailand certificates recognised as being worthwhile/ necessary for teaching at Korean Universities?

I know I can get a uniwon job now. But I want to teach Freshman Courses or higher.

Any advice appreciated.

Lemonade · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: South Korea

You don't need a TESOL or CELTA cert. to teach as a professor at a university here in Korea. You'd be shocked by how many Korean "English" professors here who aren't even familiar with Cambridge publications or TEFL certs.

Zark · Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 2:32 am Post subject:

Doesn't hurt to sweeten the pot with a little training. Just sets you ahead of the crowd a little bit.

CELTA or TEFL Cert - either one is fine as they won't have much notion of what they are about - other than that you put a little extra time into getting ready.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Don't need either, but they could make a difference if it came down to a decision to hire either you or someone else with those qualifications. That would probably be only the case at some of the top-tier universities.

Having said this, most of the top-tier universities are NOT the best places to be working, and definitely won't be in the next year or so.

Save your time and your money. Plant yourself on the beach in Thailand and relax. That will make you a better teacher.

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

I really like the idea of the beach in Thailand (my dream).
But, why are top tier K. Univerisites not going to be a good places to work in the next few years. Is it this Uniwonisation???

I work in a Hakwon now and I've only had 8 days proper vacation in 14 months. I'm buggered. And the school has refused to refund my last years overpaid taxes. I've had a gutsful.

Perhaps Uni's are better employers????? more holidays ????

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

The only good part about SOME of the top-tier university programs is that 1) you had to have the MA and experience to get the job and 2) there is USUALLY a good chunk of vacattion time.

However, the pay has decreased and the hours increased at SNU and Korea U. I believe Ewha insists on a summer camp, and the pay isn't all that great.

By contrast, Catholic university just upped their salary to 2.7 PLUS housing for a 12 hour schedule (more than Yonsei, Ewha, SNU, and Korea U.). Check out Cheju National...possibly the worst pay in the country, and that is isolated.

If you have the MA and are desparate for a univeristy job to get the vacation, go for the best name you can BUT look for the best salary and conditions as a prerequisite (I know, a no brainer). If you don't have the MA, then go for jobs at universities or university branches outside of Seoul/Pusan. Get some experience and then move.

Two things are happening now. 1) there is seriously increasing competition for the UNIWON jobs. Why? With department pay reductions and the imposition of term limits, they are more attractive jobs. Most provide housing, vacation, and you don't have to grade anything or deal with the political B.S. and Korean ego in a department. 2) Some of the most experienced teachers are simply thinking about picking up shop. I know of several people looking to move to Shanghi, Hong Kong, Kowloon, or even Bangkok (where they'll trade the higher salary for a kickin life style and some elbow room).

Korean universities will begin to feel the impact of their decision to 'go cheap' and to squeeze the life out of their foreign instructors. Korea has always had an iffy reputation at best in the ESL market; that rep. is now getting worse. The university positions are not longer viable long-term employment options, so there is very little if any motivation to contribute to them once employed. Enough said.

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

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

Thanks for the advice. I forgot to mention I also have 1/2 a Ph. D. (not completed - never will be).

I've spent a lot of time on my bum, studying. So I do not want to spend more time and money studying for quals. that are not required.

Sounds like a Uniwon might be the place. But don't you have to teach split shifts and kindy at these "university' positions.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Don't know what you major was, but great none-the-less. Go for a uniwon that doesn't require teaching kiddies and that gives you some time off to live a bit. With your qualifications, I'd suggest Yonsei's institute or the institute at SNU. SNU offers housing (new, albeit sequestered on campus and you'll probably get a smaller unit if you are single). Yonsei is probably more prestigious, and they do offer great time off. The downside is that they don't offer housing.

You could also apply and probably get jobs at Ewha or Hongdae, two kickin programs that offer ample time off and little hastle.

Good luck! Let us know how it pans out for you.

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

thanks for the tips.
I'll keep you posted. I missed out on the recent SNU jobs. I don't have a North American accent and I'm a lot older than most Hakwon teachers. Who knows??? I'll keep trying. My take on all this is that I'm hopelessly overqualified for reading Ronnie and Rhonda and asking free-talking questions like: What did you do in the weekend?"

sonshine20 · Joined: 17 Nov 2005

Any Uniwons to avoid, anyone?? Are the Uniwons from the major schools (Ewha, Yonsei, Seoul, Korea U, etc.) reliable in terms of being paid, sticking to contracts, etc?

The uniwon at Ewha is not the same as the "Ewha W" school (hagwon?) which is the subject of many negative posts here, right???