Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ezra555 · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: The United States of America

I've been tring to find out things about the SMOE payscale using the search button. After some massive tabbing, decided to just ask.

I work as a tutor here in the USA, and received 50 hours of training in developing literacy, phonological processing and the such. It's not an education degree or certification of being a full-out-teacher, and it's not TEFL experience, but i think it would be applicable. Would SMOE count this?

The reason why:

I found one post that seemed to indicate that to get the 100+ hour certification pay upgrade, you could combine courses (a 60 and a 40, for example). I'm thinking about taking the Oxford Seminars course (60 hours). Would the combination of my exp. and the certification give me an up on the payscale? An up in housing, location, whatever?

I want to start in Korea next August, and would like to further groom myself as an TEFL instructor before then (I'm not doing anything else but working!). Dishing out 3000-4000 USD (w/ living expenses, residence, air ticket) for a CELTA or IH Cert. just doesnt seem worth it, but they're the only 100+ hour certs. I know of in the US.

Thanks! Any help is appreciated!

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Spend $200 and take a 100 hour online TEFL course.

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

Unless you have a 4 year degree from the USA you will not be employable here for teaching positions. That is the base requirement for teaching English in Korea. Immigration sets the standards. You can find out the minimum requirements by visiting the immigration website. There is a sticky that has all this information in it. Look there.

Ezra555 · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: The United States of America

I have a BA. Sorry, I thought it was kinda assumed!

Any suggesstions for the online 100 hour courses?

Thanks!

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Allen · Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Location: Gunpo

Another vote for K.E.I.

Ezra555 · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Location: The United States of America

Thanks!

agoodmouse · Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Location: Anyang

KEI-TEFL didn't impress me. (Scroll to the page's bottom). It didn't teach me anything I hadn't already gotten from Highway to ESL and Harmer's Practice of English Language Teaching.

However, it's certified by many Boards of Education in Gyeonggi, which covers pretty much all of Seoul, and will increase your base pay if you work for a public school. KEI-TEFL served only that purpose for me.