Korean Job Discussion Forums

[happeningthang]

hey all,

Just a quick query ...

I'm looking at teaching positions in Seoul for the near future.

Just looking at the recruiter's posts here in Dave's they all seem to be asking for a FOUR year qualification as a minimum requirement. Is that a rigid qualification? Pretty much all of the undergraduate degerees here in Australia are three year courses, and (of course) that's the qualifaction that I hold. Is that a problem for Korean employers or immigration?

Any help?

In Appreciation,

Paul

[whatthefunk]

You should be okay. Is it a bachelors? If so, you're in the clear. They probably won't check transcripts, so if your degree says bachelors on it, its okay.

[FierceInvalid]

From what I understand, technically the requirements for a teaching visa are:

1. A four-year degree

OR

2. A three-year degree with a TESL certificate course that had at least 150 hours (or something - I forget the exact number).

In reality, I think more than a few people slip by with a 3-year BA. I know a couple of people myself. Also, my info is a couple years old. Don't know if it's changed.

[Harvard Material]

You should contact Immigration Paul. I met a great guy from Australia who was caught working on a tourist visa; his 3 year degree wasn't acceptable at the time, and Immigration would not allow him an E-2 visa. The hakwon kept working him until he was caught. Terrible situation.

However, a 3 year degree from Australia was acceptable about 6 weeks after he had been deported back home , following the bust at the hakwon by Immigration. This seems to change at Immigration often...the 3 vs. 4 year degree criteria.

I would seriously urge you to contact Seoul Immigration and get the facts yourself. Otherwise, you may be in a precarious situation down the road. E-mail them direct and you will get your answer direct from the horse's mouth.

Best of luck.

[rapier]

I have a 3-year B.A and I've never had any problems. I'm on my second contract... Mind you I also have a 150 hour TEFL cert...-although its never been an issue.
If you're worried about the 4 year thing, then don't mention it.. just tell them you have a degree, its good enough.Every hagwon owner has friends at immigration anyway.

[happeningthang]

Man I love this forum.

Informed responses, and immediate replies to questions that are making the stress of working away from home a lot easier to deal with.

Thanks for the help people I appreciate it.

Cheers

Paul

[waterbaby]

I'm Australian, second contract, E2 Visa, 3 year Bachelors degree, no TESOL/TEFL/CELTA.

So, no worries mate! 3 year Degree come on over...

cheers,
wb

[Emma Clare]

I think it depends on which country you come from. I have a BSc (Hons) which took me 3 years, quite simply because that's as long as they take in the UK. I think the 3 year degree in most countries is the equivalent of the 4 year degree in the States.

I haven't had any problems with my visa processing. In fact, I got it stamped in my passport today!

[drcrazy]

I have seen this question so many times here. Someone asked what it said on your diploma, and I also would like to know. A BA is a BA no matter how long it takes. Although it is called a 4-year degree in the USA, I got mine in 3 years because I took summer classes. My best friend in college had changed his major many times, failed some courses, took time off, etc., etc., etc. and his BA took 10 years. But both of us (me 3 years him 10 years) graduated the same day and our diplomas look the same and say BA. What does yours say?????

[rapier]

why do Americans take a year longer to do the same degree as everybody else?

[gang ah jee]

[rapier]

Yeah, I guess a year devoted to cheerleading, hanging with your frat, and learning how to drink would be necessary. Plus the recovery time from those compulsory group trips trips to Mexico.

[drcrazy]

I did my B.A. in a private college, which is much more difficult than doing it in a university. For example, Freshman English required reading a novel a week and writing a paper about it, as opposed to in a university where they just write compositions such as "My Summer Vacation." In a university you can meet your math requirement by taking algebra 101, in my college the lowest level math course offered was calculas. Also, I had to take Biology, chemistry, and physics for my science requirements. Not to mention three psychology courses, sociology, history, philososphy, etc.,etc., etc. Never had to take bowling, but I did bowl for fun. By the way, all those math and science reqirements were for all majors, my BA was in FRENCH Lit. Then of course there were the teacher training courses and the practice teaching etc., etc., etc. I kid you not when I say that getting my PhD in Romance Linguistcis from The University of Illinois (#1 rated in the country) was much more easy than getting my BA in French from a private college. Oh, and my PhD took three years. Two years for courses and one for my dissertation. The MA (as is often the case regardless of major or school) was a one year no brainer So. let's do the math? Finished? from BA to PhD took me 7 years. So, I became Dr. Crazy at age 25. Fast enough for you? And, it would be nice if you were to answer my question about what it says on your diploma, than just to insult the American educational system. Oh, and I had to work my way thru college, never joined a frat. Yes I worked at Pizza Hut the entire 3 years it took me to do my BA. Had a TA position (PTL) for my MA and PhD.

[drcrazy]

Maybe I should say I was 26 when I got my PhD since I am in Korea.

[eamo]

I remember about 2 years ago Korean immigration didn't accept 3 year degrees on their own (no TEFL).

After about 3 million angry phone-calls from directors and recruiters they reneged and accepted any 3-4 year degree.

I just think it had to be explained to them that some countries do it in 3, some in 4. I don't think it means one student has a higher level of education than another.