Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Axiomatic]

Alright, you've probably seen a million of these posts, and mine probably isn't really anything different. I'm an American, graduated in 2009 with a double major in History and Cultural Anthropology and some practical experience from my education minor. I decided to work abroad for the experience living and working in a different culture and opted for Korea.

I'm currently teaching for Chungdahm Learning's April Institute, in Daegu. While I like my job I can't help but feel that I'm not really doing anything except presenting pre-planned lessons that are boring the students to death.

I'm really enjoying the work, I love working with children and I really am just happy to be here in Korea with a good job, so much so that I'm strongly considering spending more time abroad, possibly in China, Japan, or Thailand, but most likely in Korea.

However, because my lessons are pre-planned and the Korean teachers are teaching grammar, I have been told that if I deviate from the outlined courses that I can be terminated, so I haven't. I feel that because of this I really haven't got much of a clue on lesson planning and teaching grammar. Speaking, reading comprehension, and things of that nature I feel very confident about.

I do want to keep working in language education, and I really do want to improve my teaching skills, but I think I would probably prefer to find a different job working for a different school or company because I really find the ChungDahm atmosphere a little stifling. The kids rankle at half of the lesson topics, and there are no games or ways to make the learning really fun for the kids. Just warmup, practice some stuff and check reading comprehension, then have them practice speaking via short presentations or recording them speaking from a memorized script on a camera (some love this, most HATE it). Theres very little in the material that just seems to grab the kids, and I think that working elsewhere would be great.

Now, after all of that, the meat of my question is: I'm interested in working abroad more, but I'm not confident in my ability to plan a full lesson. I am considering taking an online TEFL course, just so I can have a bit of a refresher on lesson plans and grammar teaching. Are there any courses that I should stay AWAY from, and are there any that are recommended? I know its better to take an on-site course, but I really can't do that (my contract ends in December), due to time constraints. Acquiring TEFL certificate would be nice, too, but I'm not as worried about getting CELTA certified as I am about getting a basic refresher and a so-so certificate that might help me land a job thats a bit of a step up from an entry level Chungdahm position.

Any insight about online courses would be greatly appreciate. Sorry for the long post, and if you took the time to read it I am very grateful.

[ttompatz]

For a refresher, any one will do. Get a cheap one and make sure you actually do the work. Heck, you can actually download one from a decent torrent site (complete with 50+ hours of video lectures, workbooks and texts) for free.

If you want the bump up in salary for it, then anyone that gives you a certificate will be fine.

If you want more (planning to do this for a while or somewhere other than Korea), take a month off (Jan) and head for Thailand and do one in the classroom. Get Back to Korea in Feb and be ready for the new term start in March and Bob's yer uncle.

.

[Axiomatic]

I had considered the option of taking an in class certification in, say, Thailand or something, but I was concerned about the cost, particularly for lodgings, the time, and the flight costs as well.

(And I'd be worried I'd get distracted being somewhere I'd never been before and wouldn't work that hard, haha)

[ttompatz]

[Axiomatic]

Much appreciated information. I'll probably talk it over with my family a bit, see if they have a huge issue with me disappearing for an extra month before a vacation in the States. It sounds significantly cheaper than what I was expecting.

Out of curiousity, are there any places in the states that maybe to decent TEFL certs?

[toph]

Well I'm doing an online TEFL course right now through teflonline.com

It cost ~$340, and consists of:
1. 12 modules (aka units).
2. One quiz per module
3. 2 essays per module
4. And possibly a final exam (I'm not sure about this though, as it doesn't show up on the student page)
5. You need to pass the course with a 70% or better to get the certificate
(You also get automatically registered for a grammar course, and upon passing, you will receive a separate grammar certificate).

Korea will recognize any online TEFL/TESL/CELTA certification; just make sure they're legit and you're not getting screwed over yourself, and there are cheaper options than the one I'm doing (I just didn't know about them at the time -.-). Also, since you plan on maintaining a job in ESL, and you might go to countries other than Korea, I would personally recommend an in-class TEFL cert. But, if you plan on remaining in Korea, I would stick with an online course. They're much cheaper, and Korea will accept it.

[bobbybigfoot]

What do people think of Anaheim University's 15 week $900 course?

[K1020]

Hey, I'm considering taking a TESOL course at my University but I'm skeptical about the actual value of the certification. I've got a BA in English Lit and already tutor privately. Would a TESOL certification make a significant impact on the types of jobs I might get or the wage I can expect?
Cheers!