Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Papa Smurf]

Hello everyone

I've been lurking around this board for a few months now but i've finally registered.

I want to teach English in Korea next year. What i'd like to know is what sort of position i should be applying for.

Im a 24 year old English man, and I have a BSc Computing and Management Science. I also studied A Level English Language, but i only managed to get a D grade.

Having read the FAQ it seems Hagwons are my most accesible option. Is that right? If so what sort of salary, schedule and benefits should i be expecting, given that i want to teach in Seoul (my girlfiend lives there)?

I am considering going for a CELTA qualification or at the very least i'd like to do a short course to give me some idea of how to teach a class. What would be the difference in the quality of job and salary i could expect if i had a CELTA in Seoul?

I apologise if i've trodden over some old ground here.

Thanks

[Roch]

[Son Deureo!]

Do you have a Bachelor's Degree? Is there blood coursing through your veins? Yes? Congratulations! You're qualified for an English teaching job in the Republic of South Korea.

By far the easiest and most prevalent jobs available for someone with your qualifications (i.e. no experience whatsoever) is a kiddie hogwon. Post your resume on Dave's or email your friendly neighborhood recruiter and your inbox will soon be flooded with job offers. As for what conditions you can expect, read the following on what I feel you have good reason to expect and demand:

[Paddycakes]

To the OP: You have an employable degree, why come to Korea?

Job qualifications are basically just a hole and a heartbeat.

[Papa Smurf]

Ah the humour

Thanks for the replies.

Why do i want to go to Korea? The reasons in no particular order......I'm not ready for a career in Computing just yet. That can wait. I like Asia, I like (most) Koreans, I like the idea of living in a different culture, I like being a foreigner, I like Korean food, I have a few good Korean friends who live in Seoul that I've met whilst backpacking and i have a Korean girlfriend who is going back to Seoul soon.

I'm shooting for a February start.....is that a good time?

Cheers and beers

[Ya-ta Boy]

Hakwon peak seasons are during school vacations (Jan/Feb and late July/August)

For a hakwon job, any time is fine because they are hiring all year round, but applying a month or so before peak times would be even better.

[PRagic]

And I would suggest putting the CELTA on the back burner for now. It will not increase your pay at a hakwon. If for any reason you decide to stay in teaching, then it might help you obtain university level positions, although the MA is better in that regard.

[tzechuk]

Where did you get your degree from?

Not trying to be discouraging - I am a fellow Brit myself - but darned those ignorant Koreans, they prefer the North American accent(s), which means that they sometimes discriminate against us Brits.

I am married to a Korean man, so it's easier for me to get a job (no visa run, no airfare blah blah blah are huge incentives for haggies to hire me). What has made it even easier, though, is the fact that I have a MSc in International Business from the Uni of London. My friend, whom I helped when she first set up her haggie, showed my masters degree cert to all the parents.. quite embarrassing, really.

Having said all that, I am not saying that you won't get a chance - I am more than positive that you will be able to get a job here.. just be prepared that some parents might complain about your accent, which is bloody annoying, to say the least.

Good luck!

[PRagic]

With the new TOEFL format, however, the Brits are staging a mighty comeback. All English accents are being incorporated into the listening portion of the exam, so parents and students are now eager to get in on some non-North American action. Bout time, if you ask me.