Korean Job Discussion Forums

[marcm]

Hi- I'm considering taking an ESL job in Korea. I am overwhelmed with deciding where to live and what kind of position to look for. Probably my biggest concern right now is that I have no teaching education, certificates or experience. I do not want a responsibility I am not up to.

What is the best type of posting someone on my position to look for? Public school or private? Would younger students be a better place to start, maybe even kindergarten?

I'm about to submit a SMOE application and I have also responded to some private school emails. Any input will be appreciated, even advice off the topic of my main question.

BTW- I'm old- don't even ask. I already lost a posting with a private in Bundang because of my age.

Thanks.............mm

[fromtheuk]

Go for a public school. If you're 55 or over I think EPIK (one public school program) won't accept your application.

I'm 35 with GEPIK (another public school program, near Seoul). I have heard of people in their 60's working for GEPIK.

Try GEPIK, I'd advise whatever you choose, try a public school. You won't need to worry about getting paid with a public school job, regardless of what kind of experience you have.

[Colorado]

[Ramen]

[VanIslander]

If you don't want to make lesson plans (ps jobs all require lesson planning last I heard) then go to a franchise hagwon, one with a set in-house curriculum of books, teaching aids, multimedia.

All you'd have to do is have the students go through the books. Everything is clearly laid out and easy to follow.

My first hagwon job here was a franchise place and they seemed to just want someone to say hi and push computer screen buttons and check homework. Unlike what you say, I actually wanted responsibility, so I immediately told them I won't be using the computer and would be supplementing the two texts with lessons of my own, which slowed down their system, but they accommodated and it worked out. The teacher who had my job before me did pretty much no prep, was a t-shirt and jeans slacker who loved the lack of responsibility of the franchise system.

Your call. Those kinds of jobs are out there, and might make it easier if teaching isn't your thing but you want the pay and apartment and year overseas.

[mayorgc]

I say go to a PS with gepik. I had the exact same worries that you did. except i'm 25. i had a ton of support from the korean teachers though, so hopefully, youll get support too. i don't do too much too. lots of repetition and just convo with the kids.

[marcm]

I never said I don't want responsibility. I said I do not want a responsibility with requirements I cannot meet.

[marcm]

Colorado wrote:
[/quote]I think that's a legitimate concern.
What makes you think you are up to the responsibility of being a teacher here?

[marcm]

Colorado wrote:

[PRagic]

Don't sweat it, OP. Korea gets what it pays for, and it doesn't pay for experience or education degrees. If a bunch of non-education related BA holders can come on over, set up shop, and get by, then so can you. In many cases, even just a bit of maturity in a faculty lounge is most welcome.

[marcm]

Thanks for the encouragement. That said I am right to think that the younger the easier for someone with no teaching experience?

Also from the responses, it sounds like public school may be less demanding. Is not having any other foreign teachers a big negative?

[PRagic]

It's great to have questions, but you have to draw the line somewhere. The simple fact is that the English teaching jobs as they exist in Korea now do not require any specific background in English or in education. Thousands of people have taught over here and have either stayed on the capitalize on the market, or have moved back to their home countries to pick up a successful career in a non-education related sector.

If you want to enjoy your experience here short term, shoot for a job with housing, fewer contact teaching hours, NO split shifts, more vacation, and better pay. Get over to Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, China, HK, or where ever floats your boat while you're here, too, and make the most out of it.

[marcm]

[Draz]