Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jeff]

Hey all,
I'm brand new to this whole ESL thing. I am graduating from Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in May. I have recently been checking out ESL options, most notably Korea (Yes, I'm heavily in debt.) I have a Bacehlor of Commerce with a double major in HR management with industrial relations, and marketing.
Can anybody tell me what the business english teaching options are like in Korea? Are the easy to get placed in? Also, I am considerring taking a 4 week intensive ESL certification course from Saint Mary's in July, which provides 80 hours of classroom and 15 hours of practium. The course costs $680. Is it worth it to do such a course, or is it just as easy to get a job simply having an undergraduate degree? I am also open to teaching just english (not business english).
If any of you would like to help me out, please email me at [email protected] , or PM me maybe... I would like to ask a few more questions as well.
Thanks so much for you time.

title edited by clg

[just because]

Getting these courses here are rarely initially linked to what your degree is(though it may help later on).It depends on the following:

1. Connections (these mean so much more here than qualifications)

2. Being in the right place at the right time which means to get one of these jobs you have to be here basically

3.You have lived in Korea previously. Most of the time the would prefer somebody with a couple of years behind them here.

Just come and teach kids for a year and scope it out while you are here is my recommendation.

[Jeff]

[just because]

I mean your business qualifications mean not much here.

[crazylemongirl]

this maybe teaching you to suck eggs but haver you checked the FAQ

[Juggertha]

I htink your business degree may give you a "slight" edge. Also an ESL course may help as well. Honestly though, its usually who you know.. and to get that you have to be here.

that being said.. ppl have lucked out.

[Homer]

Jeff,

Just because hit the nail here.

Your business degree will not make much of a difference in the balance since you have no teachign experience.

Thats just par for the course.

As for that intensive ESL course, thats up to you but I am not convinced it will make much of a difference salary wise once you get here.

As a (pardon the expression) wet-behind-the-ears new graduate with no teaching experience you should expect to get an "entry-level" teaching position, i.e. a basic teaching contract.

The business english you talk about is usually reserved for the better jobs and they tend to seek out more experienced teachers (thats from my experience anyway).

Most new teachers (except those with good connections) have to go through that first contract thats not so great. Its not bad either but like any field, the ESL field means that most newbies have to start at the bottom and move up.....

[Jeff]

Thanks for you thoughts. You've confirmed what I allready thought was true - I'm gonna have to get some experience if I want a decent opportunity to teach Business English. Thanks again, if I have anymore questions, at least now I know where to come.
Cheers

[Homer]

Good luck Jeff.