Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jparwhenuwhan]

Hey all,

I've seen some posts on here about the general merits of a TEFL (online or in person), but I was wondering if any one has some advice for my situation:

I'm in the process of applying for EPIK (a couple weeks behind but should have my application and letters to my recruiter by the end of the week). I spoke with my recruiter who said that I should get an online TEFL certificate in order to bump me up to the level 2 pay grade and because this year has been very competitive.

I am in the process of also applying for jobs here in the US (while working full time) and I am planning on studying for and taking the GRE this summer. I'm not sure if dropping $200 on an online TEFL certificate would be worth it or if I would have the time to focus on it. Does anyone know how long a 100 hour TEFL certificate takes doing it in your spare time like that? (100 hours, right?). And would it help my chances that much more? I'm really not that concerned about the slightly higher pay.

Additional background: I have a strong GPA (3.9) and a History degree. I taught English in France for a school year after college (part time) and I have been working as a paralegal for the past year and a half.

Any thoughts?? Thanks!

[JD_Tiberius]

To be honest, I wouldnt bother with it, not at this stage anyway. You want to get your application done as quickly as possible and have all your paperwork in place if you want an interview with EPIK. Starting a costly TEFL course now would be counter-intuitive to that goal.

So yeah, get your application and references in ASAP and worry about the TEFL course later.

[fergalreid]

I'm doing one through the Dublin School of English. SMOE require a 100 hour TEFL qualification at the very least in order to be considered for employment in Seoul.

It's a trying month of classes, I won't lie. Also I was very lucky to have mine paid for by FAS, the Irish employment agency. I'm glad I won't be going into a classroom cold in Korea. The few teaching practices I've had through TEFL have broken the ice on that already, somewhat.

Also, so long as you have it done and dusted and certificiates sent to them by August 1st (electronically, I believe), SMOE will consider you now for a job now.

[ttompatz]

IF you ARE going to come to Korea then your TESOL/TEFL cert IS worth the trouble and price.

Get your paperwork in to EPIK. You can still get the bump after you arrive. It will begin in the month following your presentation of your certificate.

It is also worth about $1200 in your first year (1.3 million won) for the salary increase.

.

[sallymonster]

If you want to work in Seoul, you must enroll in a TEFL course in order to be considered. The rest of EPIK doesn't require it.

I was told the same thing you were, and after I was rejected by my first recruiter during their screening process (because apparently that recruiter only wanted to recommend TEFL certified applicants for EPIK, as I found out later) I decided to spend the money on a cheap online TEFL cert in order to get an edge on the competition.

Even though my current recruiter doesn't require TEFL certification for its EPIK applicants, taking the course shows dedication and that your serious about the job (teaching), which makes you look better than other applicants. With all the competition this year (due to shitty job market in many countries including US and UK) you'll need any advantage possible. According to my current recruiter, GEPIK (which is like EPIK but a little more competitive since it's near Seoul) didn't accept applicants with just a BA for the February term. EPIK might accept you but you'll have a good chance of being placed in the middle of rural Gangwon province where it's much harder to recruit teachers (of course, it you want to be placed there it won't be a problem).

Also, the course pays for itself because you get a higher salary, and that certainly can't hurt. My online course (i-to-i) isn't very difficult at all, though it can be a little time-consuming (you have to do a lot of lesson planning type stuff).

Before you sign up for a course, though, make sure that going to Korea is something you really want to do, wouldn't want to waste your money, after all. Also, consider if you might want to teach in other countries after Korea, or if you really want some good teaching practice, if so you'll want to take an in-person course like the CELTA. I settled for an online course due to financial constraints, in-person courses are quite expensive so consider that as well.

Hope this helps

[oldfatfarang]

Getting an on line certificate is financially worth it in Korea. You get a good pay rise of 1.300,000 pa.

However, know this. On line certificates are useless for teaching in any reputable teaching position. Korea doesn't seem to know this, and so they pay the same extra money for an on line course as for a masters degree. Think about that!

Also, now this. These certificates are so worthless, that I've read an eslcafe teacher brag that they paid another person to take their course for them.

Worth thinking about.
Good luck.

[jonpurdy]

[ttompatz]

[jonpurdy]

EPIK 2010 Contract, Article 2, Section 3
Any new qualifications obtained after the beginning of the Term of Employment will not subsequently change the Pay Level during the Term of Employment; the Pay Level will remain that agreed to at the beginning of the Term of Employment.

So if you want the pay increase you need to get the TEFL before signing.

[ttompatz]

[Andro]

I think you can get around the TESOL certification if you have a degree in English Literature, English Composition, or Linguistics. I was told by a recruiter that I was eligible because of my English Lit degree.

[Triban]

I finished the test in 8 hours without previously studying. It is easy.

[young_clinton]

Go vacation in Thailand and get a real TEFL while your there. I don't think online TEFL's are going to be any better than online degrees are. TEFL's are important because you learn the basic structure of the English communicative teaching structure. Also you're introduced to teaching in general. Go to the TEFL institute in Bangkok, that's where I went for my certificate. They have an association with the SUNY system in the USA.

[oskinny1]

[hypnotoad777]