Korean Job Discussion Forums

[GoldMember]

On Pusan web, the Canadian Institute of English is advertising a TESOL course to be held in Busan.
One of the contacts for the course is a Jason Lee (not his real name)
Jason Lee is a Ukrainian Jew, who speaks reasonable English with a Russian accent.
He has been "teaching" English for years by passing himself off as a Canadian.
He has aquired Korean citizenship, and uses the name Lee, in order to pass himself off as Korean (obviously not in person but via correspondence)
A search of the address where the Canadian Institute of English operates from, reveals other businesses operating from the very same office number, suggesting it is merely a serviced office.
Jason Lee also operates a Real Estate business, the web site is:
http://www.jasonleeglobalestate.com/

Peruse the web site, it just reeks of fishyness.

The degree administratiion office for this "Canadian" institute is:
The Canadian Institute of English
Avda del Carmelo, 29 - Villada
29620 Torremolinos, Malaga Spain

Maybe this course is legit, and recognized, however it would be best to tread carefully.

[teachergirltoo]

You don't have to worry. After several years of teaching I took this course as a refresher. It was enjoyable and interesting, but absolutely not enough to teach a person how to teach English. To do that a person definitely has to take a true indepth TEFL/TESOL or CELTA comparable course from a college or university. But for a brief overview it was fine. I met the man you mentioned above and he seemed like a nice enough fellow.

[some waygug-in]

I know the guy too, and have gotten on well with him. I never took the course though.

Whatever else he may be, he is a trained linguist who speaks over 5 languages. He taught himself Korean with a tape course and after being here only a year, he was conducting business deals over the phone in KOREAN! I have been here 6 years and my Korean is still nowhere near the level he had achieved, so he must know something about learning languages.

I hope this helps.

[tob55]

The key to making sure a training provider is legit is simply to check out their legal standing and authorization to provide such services in Korea. the company website and all other information should be able to be verified through the license, registration and authorization documents that should be available at any local city office in Korea. There are a number of people who simply set up shop to provide a service without going through the proper channels. While they often offer good services for what they advertise, they are not legal to operate unless they have gone through the verification of the Korean government and educational entities who are responsible for the oversight of their operation. I know because of my personal dealings with such a program, KEI - TEFL.

Every person considering training of any sort should do their homework first, before taking training. No slam to any providers, but there is justifiable cause to be suspicious of some of the companies popping up in Korea, just because someone wants to make money rather than provide quality education.

[Netz]