Korean Job Discussion Forums

jules128 · Joined: 05 May 2006

While I've read over and over that you dont need a tesol cert. or need to know Korean, I'm stuck here until at least January and have the opportunity to take a free class at my uni. Unfortunately they are both on Tuesday nights so I have to pick one. Would it be more beneficial to take the TESOL certification class or Intro to Korean class? Which do you think and why? Thanks!

Sina qua non · Joined: 20 Jun 2006

That's a tough choice; both are desirable.

However, even though the TESOL course can provide a formal certification that would benefit you, I voted for the language class because speaking the language can open many doors for a person over here. It can also show a person the existence of certain doors that they wouldn't have otherwise been able to know about if they didn't speak the language.

Woland · Joined: 10 May 2006 Location: Seoul

The TESOL class, easily.

A big chunk of your time here will be spent "on the job" (as it would be anywhere). The TESOL certificate will make you better able to do your job well, which should lend itself to improving the quality of your life here. It will also simply make you more professional, better at delivering the goods of language learning for students.

Knowing the language would also be helpful, but there will lots of opportunity to learn that here, too. Professional training, though, is harder to come by here. And you can get by, at least in Seoul, on minimal language skills initially. It's not all easy, but doable.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

TESOL. If you are motivated enough, you can learn Korean using a multitude of sources, the net being one of them. I suppose the same holds true for the TESOL, but with that, you will get some accreditation (even if it doesn't mean a lot) and as was already stated, you will learn something that will help you do your job.

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

Take the TESOL. It's more portable.

jinks · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Location: Formerly: Lower North Island

If you're up for taking a Korean class in your home country, then you will easily tap into the language here in Korea. Take the TESOL (my vote), it will give you a greater insight into your work and you will often refer back to stuff you learned / discussed on your TESOL course during your teaching career. TESOL will also give you a greater edge when applying for jobs in Korea. An introductory Korean language certificate will give YOU a sense of acheivement and worth, but potential Korean EMPLOYERS (especially in hogwans) don't care if you know Korean or not, sometimes they prefer it if you don't.
You could just go to the library and pick up a teach yourself Korean book, don't aim too high, just learn the Korean script. Knowing how to read Korean when you arrive will accelerate your language learning and help you find your way around.
Good luck!

RobinH · Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 7:52 am Post subject:

Get the cheapest, shortest TESOL course you can find. After you get here, if you think this teaching thing is for you, get a CELTA certificate. It's MUCH better and much more valuable/marketable worldwide.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Get the TE$OL.

It will bump up your salary.

Learning Korean won't.

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

I voted TESOL because it will help you more in the long run.

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 5:06 pm Post subject:

You will be sooo thankful IN the classroom to have learned some in a TESOL.

Korean language skills you can pick up outside of the classroom if you want (you certainly will NOT need any Korean in the classroom, unless you use the less effective transaltion method)