Korean Job Discussion Forums

[warmachinenkorea]

Who has done a TEOSL or TEFL.... and which is worth it and reputable? My wife and I are thinking about taking a course to up the credentials, travel, and open more ESL oppurtunities. We have done a year here in Korea and signed on for another. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[Fishead soup]

From the title I was expecting another Steve Shertzer article. Disapointing
For a tesl course try to find something where people who have actually taught ESL oversea's watch you teach and give you good advice

[bassexpander]

A few quick notes:

A TEFL/TESOL is not necessary to teach in Korea. Can having one open doors? Yes -- maybe -- but the sad fact that having just about any piece of paper that says TEFL or TESOL on it will be considered of equal value to 95% of employers out there. Doesn't matter if you spent $199 on a 100 hour TEFL from an online company, or spent 2.5 million+ for a CELTA. As long as your certificate says at least 100 hours on it, and it's not from a proven TEFL/TESOL mill, the public school system, for example, will allow it and give you a 100,000 won raise. Hagwons know even less about what's good and what's not.

Generally, the better teaching jobs in Korea are universities, international schools, and with certain large companies. Universities look for MA's above all else (other than the occasional Ph.D, of course). International schools want certified public school teachers with experience teaching back home. Large companies vary, but more than likely, they'll want someone fully certified with public school experience back home, and/or with an MA in Education, TESOL, or Applied Linguistics. There are VERY FEW company jobs like that, and getting one is very competitive.

Side note: I got my university job based on a BA in Journalism, minor in English, previous experience at a Korean high school, a dynamite resume, solid interview, and a good demo lesson. I did not have ANY TEFL certification at the time. I have gotten one since then, but only for self-betterment and another feather in my resume cap.

2. If you are from the EU, and hope to teach within the EU, or elsewhere the British English system is respected, then the CELTA or Trinity are the way to go. If you are American, you will receive far less marketability for your money, as US employers could care less (if they even know what a CELTA is). Same with other TEFL/TESOL certificates, UNLESS they are the kind that are from a full university and equal to about half of an MA in coursework. Even those TEFL/TESOL certifications are not considered useful to US schools unless they've been completed in addition to all of the other public school certifications required from the BA in Education / teachers exams / PRAXIS, etc., on up.

Gotta run. Hope this helps.

[warmachinenkorea]

I'm a certified Special Ed. teacher from the States. So it should be useful for me.

[ddeubel]

bassexpander gives some good simple advice.

I'm not a big one for "credentials" - experience has shown me that there are much more important ingredients to being a good teacher than a piece of paper. I'm all for meritocracy in teaching and think we go FAR overboard with "paper".

that said, I realize the realities and how it can open doors and also bring in more $$$$ . In addition, it does many times lead to teacher development but usually provides the most benefit AFTER a teacher has some classroom experience (unless it provides it - which most online tesol certificates certainly don't"). I've found the best teachers will look after their own prof. development and get the paper as proof more than a learning experience. Sometimes the worst thing one can do in terms of developing as a teacher - is to get a masters / certificate too early...but that's another discussion.

Take a look at the courses I've listed HERE as being the most popular / substantial or lasting. I don't endorse any!!!! But lots of discussions here and EFL Classroom about many of them.

Cheers,

DD
http://teachingrecipes.com

[bassexpander]

[Hornbill]

You could always get a fake one in Bangkok. That's how much value I put on the TESOL certificate. It's a piece of paper that doesn't prove squat, which is why you don't need it in many places. But another reason you don't need it in those places is because the jobs aren't that great and turnover is high. Going to those programs with a high-powered cred is like going to a ditch digging wearing a tuxedo.

If you do a TESOL, be sure to go cheap. But make sure you get the 100-hour program at least. Better would be the 120-hour program in a place like Bangkok. This program has the 'observed teaching' option that is supposed to turn you into a teacher even more magically.

[litebear]

I have a question guys.

I'm booked up for one of those 100 hour TEFL courses but I won't be finished untill the middle of November.

Does anyone think I'd be able to mention this whilst applying to see if I could get the salary bump from EPIK/SMOE etc or will it be a lost cause without the certificate?

[proustme]

An observed teaching component (i.e. other experienced teachers giving you feedback on your pedagogy) won't make you a better teacher, but an unobserved, purely online TESOL will? If you believe you can't learn from others, you gotta get a grip on life.

[edwardcatflap]

[quote]You could always get a fake one in Bangkok. That's how much value I put on the TESOL certificate. It's a piece of paper that doesn't prove squat, which is why you don't need it in many places. But another reason you don't need it in those places is because the jobs aren't that great and turnover is high. Going to those programs with a high-powered cred is like going to a ditch digging wearing a tuxedo.

If you do a TESOL, be sure to go cheap. But make sure you get the 100-hour program at least. Better would be the 120-hour program in a place like Bangkok. This program has the 'observed teaching' option that is supposed to turn you into a teacher even more magically.




Yeah, it's people like this that convinced me not to become a CELTA trainer in the end. I'm training Korean teachers at the moment and they have a great attitude to learning from others

[bassexpander]

[VanIslander]

[edwardcatflap]

[quote]As far as I know, neither the USA, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, or South Africa will allow someone to teach at a public school with merely a CELTA.

What does that tell you?


So....you're saying someone with a qualification in teaching English as a foreign language to adults would not get a job on the basis of that qualification in a state school for native English speaking kids.

That doesn't tell me a great deal to be honest

[Hornbill]

[quote="edwardcatflap"]

[bassexpander]