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Dan The Chainsawman
Joined: 05 May 2005
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 Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:04 am Post subject: |
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What cert are they giving out?
GNSU Certified TESOL toilet paper?
or Celta? |
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butter808fly
Joined: 09 May 2004
Location: Northern California, USA
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:51 am Post subject: |
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TESOL toilet paper.... wow... now that sounds bad! ... even though its 3 weeks of tesol intensives, I am thinking that teaching 3 months of freshman English is definatly an asset.
*a bit worried about being outta a money making job for 4 months!* |
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Derrek
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:45 am Post subject: |
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| Milwaukiedave wrote: |
Derrick,
Insightful information, thanks for sharing it. I guess there are so many scam programs out there that you pay for, the government has to be careful to figure out how they are going to recognize TESOL certificates as a whole. It makes sense though. |
As of this time, Gyonngi-do requires over 100 hours of study in a course for it to be accepted. And it had better be printed on the certificate. I actually had this "what is required by Gyonngi" discussion with my boss and the Gyonngi administrator guy (he was on the phone and we talked). For now, it can be an online or in-class program.
Within the next year or so, however....
I fully expect the Korean gov't to, at the very least, make this a requirement. And, more likely, I expect them to require some level of on-site teaching component be a part of the program.
At the absolute worst, I see them ignoring all certifications obtained from companies not directly affiliated with an actual University or verifiable college institution. CELTA and TRINITY, for example, would be fine because they are under direct supervision of a REAL college/university. Certifications from actual verifiable Universities would be accepted, as well.
Companies like INTESOL, TEFL International, I to I, etc., would not be accepted under such a tough policy.
That's totally 100% a guess on my part, but I could certainly see it going that route. They don't allow university degrees obtained from web site companies, or companies providing them after just a few short weeks of study. Why should they allow TESL/TEFL degrees that aren't affiliated with a university? Some non-university programs are very solid, however, there is no way to prove that they are taught well at every location around the world. We have a former trainer from one of the above-mentioned programs who posted all about this in another thread recently. I wish I could share some of the PM comments we've made recently, however now is not a good time for it. |
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deessell
Joined: 08 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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IMHO it is a good idea to require teaching certificates, however if they are going to ask for them then they must accept a change in the current approaches to teaching. Most certificates I presume (I only know about the CELTA) use a communicative methodology, something which does not sit comfortably with most Koreans. They don't seem to realise that they need to reproduce the language themselves and that the teachers are more facilitators. They are used to learning "about" English.
Also most certificates focus on teaching Adults and jobs in Korea are mainly children. So I hope their course focuses on this. |
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moonbug76
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:37 pm Post subject: Another past program participant |
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The GSNU certificate program in provided by both Gyeongsang National University and the University of California -- Santa Cruz. As the certificate is earned through a University program (both in Korea and in the US) the issue that was previously brought up is not really a valid one for this particular program.
Yes, there were problems. Yes, the not earning any money for four months can be a little distressing. But all of this can be overcome. I managed to make it through this time period of making no money, and I didn't bring a lot with me. If you want to do a lot of outside activities though, I would suggest you try to plan accordingly.
If you have any questions I may be able to answer, just let me know. |
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LOGON17
Joined: 29 Mar 2005
Location: south korea
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| Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 11:40 pm Post subject: GNSU program, |
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| I was a part of this program and it was not a complete waste of time. It cetainly helped that the University of Califronia at Santa Cruz signed on. Korean is frustrating for Westerners and GSNU is more korean that other places. Dr. Shim is an autocratic idiot , but the program succeeds in spite of him. You are not obligated to work the camp if you choose not too. The certificates have proven to be valuable, but this program is not for everyone. Even one semester teaching at the college level looks good on a resume. Write me at my e-mail address, [email protected], if you want more information. Hello Moonbug and Lis. I miss you guys. |
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kitekid
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Location: usually at http://www.expatkorea.com/
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| Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 4:30 am Post subject: |
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Moonbug, Lis, LOGON17, et al...
it was all fun and games for a month and a half, but alas our time ended there.
hmmm...wonder what i can direct next  |
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purple_buddha
Joined: 18 Apr 2003
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| Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 8:24 am Post subject: |
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I've e-mailed the study abroad rep for Korea at UC-Santa Cruz. UCSC's website mentions only Yonsei University in Korea as having official academic ties.
Currently, UCSC's campus advisor is looking into whether or not Kyeongsang Nat'l University is making false claims about its TESOL certificate program. How much do you want to bet that KSNU is LYING?
If I hear anything more from UCSC confirming or denying KSNU's affiliation, I will post it here. |
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purple_buddha
Joined: 18 Apr 2003
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| Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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| According to the UCSC EAP advisor, this program IS sponsored through both universities and a decent opportunity for those who enroll in the program. |
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anyway
Joined: 22 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:51 am Post subject: |
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Decent opportunity? Doesn't sound like a resounding vote of confidence from the partner university, does it? I suppose that most people wouldn't know, but GSNU-UCSC TESOL Certification Program is the LONGEST certification program in the world. Five months without pay in Korea = US$10-12,000+ of lost income.
OK, you might pocket 300,000/mo. for teaching some freshman during the day between your cert classes (besides those you teach for free every evening) PLUS the 3,200,000 (US 3,000) for the one month hell camp. That makes a grand total of around 4,500,000 takehome for five months work.
Soooo, that means you actually pay around 5.5-6.5 million won (US 5,500-6,500) for some real cool certificates to hang on the wall. Yes, TWO certificates, one from each uni because UCSC wouldn't put their name on the one from GSNU, which should tell you all you need to know about the Korean end of the stick.
When applying to this program, make sure to ask for some contact email addresses of current or former attendees who, if satisfied, should be willing and able to answer a few questions. I bet there won't be any... |
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EFLtrainer
Joined: 04 May 2005
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Milwaukiedave wrote: |
My understanding is that TESOL is a very valueable if you want to teach ESL. I'm not sure how recognized it would be in North America.
If you have any questions you can pm me and I'll try to answer them.
David |
ESL (CAPS INTENTIONAL HERE) IS WHAT YOU WOULD BE TEACHING IN NORTH AMERICA. EFL IS WHAT YOU TEACH *HERE IN KOREA.* |
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EFLtrainer
Joined: 04 May 2005
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Hmmmm.... With training experience, I might be interested. Have contact info? PM me. |
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OiGirl
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: Hoke-y-gun
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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| EFLtrainer wrote: |
| Milwaukiedave wrote: |
My understanding is that TESOL is a very valueable if you want to teach ESL. I'm not sure how recognized it would be in North America.
If you have any questions you can pm me and I'll try to answer them.
David |
ESL (CAPS INTENTIONAL HERE) IS WHAT YOU WOULD BE TEACHING IN NORTH AMERICA. EFL IS WHAT YOU TEACH *HERE IN KOREA.* |
Are you talking this TESOL certificate or a TESOL degree? A TESOL certificate is worthless in North America. A TESOL degree is nice but not necessary to teach ESL. |
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Kenny Kimchee
Joined: 12 May 2003
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| Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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Update: looks like these guys are hiring instructors to teach this program:
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=16292
from the ad:
| Quote: |
Minimum requirements are a Master's degree in TESOL or a related field and 5 years ESL teaching experience two of which must have been in Korea. |
The ad says nothing about requiring previous experience teaching on the university level, either in ESL/EFL or in other subjects, leaving a good chance of hagwon teachers telling newbies how to teach at university. 
You would expect that they would have professors leading the course, or at the very least people with a proven track record (publications, previous experience in TESOL training, etc.), but it looks like any old Joe with a MA TESOL and a few years kicking around Asia can walk through the door and be a "trainer." Oh, and they pay a rockin' 2.0 a month.
You gotta hand it to the authors of this scheme, they really figured this one out - they're certainly the only ones who stand to benefit. The program participants will work for free and will be "taught" by unqualified instructors. The poor Korean university students will be "taught" by these trainees who most likely have never taught a day in their life and are sure to conduct more than one train-wreck of a lesson. The instructors will most likely be tossed into a cauldron of stress and confusion (according to a previous post, the old director left due to stress and disorder) for a measly 2.0 a month. Meanwhile, the directors are laughing all the way to the bank, having suckered people into teaching at some boondocks university for free. |
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Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee
Joined: 25 May 2003
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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The program looks like it is just a trick to get poor saps who don't know any better to teach GyoungSan university's classes for free.
To anyone thinking of doing the program - well there is this bridge in Brooklyn that I am selling ... |
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