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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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smartwentcrazy
Joined: 26 Feb 2009
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 Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:50 pm Post subject: Teaching University English Conversation courses.. |
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| I've settled on taking a middle-school gig in Korea, however, my desire has always been to teach at a college level. I possess a Bachelors from a reputable university, but it seems unlikely that I will be given an university position to teach with just a BA. But, I've read and heard of many teachers at the university level that were granted positions in Korea with only a BA. Usually these teachers were instructing English conversation university courses, in which the instructor basically formulates conversational activities that improve English conversation among college students. This sounds like my cup of tea. Can anybody give me some insight on how to acquire this type of job? Do I have to be physically in Korea for them to even offer me an interview? Can anyone forward me to some of these positions? If anyone can give me some insight on this, I'd really appreciate it. PM's are accepted! |
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Francis-Pax
Joined: 20 Nov 2005
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| Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:34 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching University English Conversation courses.. |
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| smartwentcrazy wrote: |
| I've settled on taking a middle-school gig in Korea, however, my desire has always been to teach at a college level. I possess a Bachelors from a reputable university, but it seems unlikely that I will be given an university position to teach with just a BA. But, I've read and heard of many teachers at the university level that were granted positions in Korea with only a BA. Usually these teachers were instructing English conversation university courses, in which the instructor basically formulates conversational activities that improve English conversation among college students. This sounds like my cup of tea. Can anybody give me some insight on how to acquire this type of job? Do I have to be physically in Korea for them to even offer me an interview? Can anyone forward me to some of these positions? If anyone can give me some insight on this, I'd really appreciate it. PM's are accepted! |
There is no formula for getting a university EFL job in Korea. Some universities have high standards for hiring (i.e. exclusively require a MA minimum and MA TESOL preferred) while other universities have very low standards for hiring (i.e. only a BA and no experience). As you can imagine, the conditions vary greatly depending on the type of people they are hiring. Some jobs have good pay, long vacations, and friendly administration. But those jobs are reserved for professional teachers that have relevant qualifications. The best jobs are not even advertised.
There are also a variety of university jobs that teach different courses. Some university jobs are basically hogwon jobs where you teach non-credit courses to kids and/or adults. Other university jobs teach language courses for academic credit (usually to freshman). And some university jobs are a combination of everything.
Most universities receive hundreds and hundreds of CVs for every job listing. Usually a secretary does an initial screening of people that they think are most suitable and hands it off to a director or coordinator. Then the pile gets filtered again until only there are about 5-10 applicants per opening. There are some rounds of interviews and things proceed until they get a teacher they like.
I was on a university hiring committee once and, to be honest, in many instances it boiled down to finding a person that was not a looser. We had so many people coming in casual clothes, without requested documents, late, unkempt appearance, etc. I might get flak for this on here, but there are so many loosers teaching English in Korea and it showed in our interviews. We had people that could not even articulate their teaching philosophy. There is such a lack of professionalism. Ironically, last year our university hired a guy who came in jeans, uncombed hair, and without requested documents. The director just liked him.
Try to get that university job. Apply at every opportunity, but don't kid yourself. You are not a professor, even if they bestow the title Visiting Professor on you and your business card. You are a contract worker that is temporary and easily expendable. The minute you rub anyone the wrong way you will not be renewed. The Korean professor will not consider you a colleague and generally look down on you. This is not everywhere, but it is the case at most universities in Korea.
There are some very good ones, but I am not going to tell you. And the people who work at those universities are not going to tell you either. Why? Because if you have been here long enough and are developing your career, then you will find them very easily. |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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| You'll need experience teaching at least high school or above, in most cases. FP makes some good points above, too. |
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Francis-Pax
Joined: 20 Nov 2005
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| Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:48 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching University English Conversation courses.. |
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| smartwentcrazy wrote: |
| I've settled on taking a middle-school gig in Korea, however, my desire has always been to teach at a college level. I possess a Bachelors from a reputable university, but it seems unlikely that I will be given an university position to teach with just a BA. But, I've read and heard of many teachers at the university level that were granted positions in Korea with only a BA. Usually these teachers were instructing English conversation university courses, in which the instructor basically formulates conversational activities that improve English conversation among college students. This sounds like my cup of tea. Can anybody give me some insight on how to acquire this type of job? Do I have to be physically in Korea for them to even offer me an interview? Can anyone forward me to some of these positions? If anyone can give me some insight on this, I'd really appreciate it. PM's are accepted! |
One other thing I would like to say is that if you try really hard and do the right things there is a good chance that you can teach at a university. However, it may not be better than what you have now. I would say that many of the university EFL jobs advertised on Dave's aren't really worth it. However, it could be a stepping stone to a better one, if you can survive the experience.
A lot of the teachers here in Korea that finally get that fourth tear university job wet their pants when they say they got the job, but the reality is that they will probably be dealing with very poorly motivated, immature, demanding students, and very poor administration. A public school or good hogwon might be better choice. |
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Francis-Pax
Joined: 20 Nov 2005
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| Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:59 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching University English Conversation courses.. |
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| smartwentcrazy wrote: |
| I've settled on taking a middle-school gig in Korea, however, my desire has always been to teach at a college level. I possess a Bachelors from a reputable university, but it seems unlikely that I will be given an university position to teach with just a BA. But, I've read and heard of many teachers at the university level that were granted positions in Korea with only a BA. Usually these teachers were instructing English conversation university courses, in which the instructor basically formulates conversational activities that improve English conversation among college students. This sounds like my cup of tea. Can anybody give me some insight on how to acquire this type of job? Do I have to be physically in Korea for them to even offer me an interview? Can anyone forward me to some of these positions? If anyone can give me some insight on this, I'd really appreciate it. PM's are accepted! |
Please also check out a thread I started dealing with these issues: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=125482&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 |
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bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
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| Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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| In my experience, the Freshmen are usually the most unmotivated. Older students start taking things a lot more seriously. |
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Hanson
Joined: 20 Oct 2004
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| Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I might get flak for this on here, but there are so many loosers teaching English in Korea and it showed in our interviews. |
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| A lot of the teachers here in Korea that finally get that fourth tear university job wet their pants when they say they got the job |
Another Pullet Surprise winner... |
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livinginkorea
Joined: 11 Jun 2004
Location: Korea, South of the border
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| Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:45 pm Post subject: |
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FC is pretty much spot on. The majority of 'teachers' here have little or no interest in teaching, numbers of people attending KOTESOL and other conferences reflect this. A lot of them are just passing through, paying off their student loan or trying to save for that MA they are going to do back home.
Only a few people are serious about teaching, try to be a professional, further their education and probably stay here long term. That number if growing bit by bit. |
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