Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Charlie Bourque]

I'm finishing up my degree with a B.Ed/B.A. Joint Honours Specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language and a Minor in Linguistics from the University of Ottawa, and I'd like to know what kind of job I should aim for, and how I can expect the Korean job market to treat me.

I'm 25 and I've actually traveled back and forth to South Korea a few times -- I actually lived there with some friends for a year in 2004 on a Canadian tourist VISA -- so I have a rough idea of the conditions. I just wanted to know what you forum dwellers think I should expect.

I'd prefer jobs that offer financial stability, upward mobility (career-wise), and hopefully a decent schedule (9AM - 5PM) and vacation. Also, how will a 4-year degree specialized in TESL and fluency in Korean affect my chances at landing a job with the above-mentioned characteristics?

Any input is appreciated.

[meangradin]

if you've been her before, then you know the answers already; in general, Korea does not reward skilled workers anymore than newbs. Is it wrong? Absolutely, but that's just the nature of the beast here.

Your best bet is to locate a job in a private school, but I doubt this would satisfy your requirements, especially the upward mobility desire.

[littlelisa]

I suggest a private school (not hagwon) or otherwise, public school for a few years (to build up experience) and then apply for international schools. Do you have teaching certification?

[smurfetta]

If you have teacher's certification then you should be looking at international school jobs. Even without teaching experience, you should be able to get a job at one somewhere in the world. Start doing some research about international schools. Checkout sites such as tieonline, joyjobs, and international schools review for more info.

[furtakk]

You should have a good shot at an international school if you have a B.Ed. Maybe not in Seoul, but definitely in Busan, Incheon or the new one in Daegu. I had two friends who were straight out of teacher's college that got a job at one of the ones in Busan.

[Charlie Bourque]

Thank you for the advice.

Yes, because this is a Joint Honours Specialization in Arts (Linguistics) and Education (TESL), I will graduate next year as a certified teacher. I could here if I wanted to. I've chosen to teach in South Korea, with the possibility of a short stint in Japan, because I'm a bit of a travel-bug and enjoy applied linguistics. Actually, I'm hoping to perform a case study while abroad; hopefully, to write something towards my M.Ed.

@furtakk/smurfetta: What exactly is an International School like in South Korea? Just a basic public that mainly functions with English as it's first language? Sort of like immersion? Are the kids Korean or foreigners?

@meangradin: I wonder if it will affect my salary. What I mean to say is, I wonder if my credentials will have me end up towards the top of the pay scale. When I mention upward mobility, I mean ESL jobs not involved in actual teaching. For example, an older friend of mine became a Program Coordinator for YBM after a few years of teaching with them.


I'm comfortable teaching, so larger class sizes don't intimidate me. Would you say public schools are more stable and hassle-free compared to hagwons? Also, wouldn't public schools be more applicable experience if I decide to teach in Canada? What about teaching at universities?

Oh, and I'm looking at Jeju or Daegu to start with. I lived in Jeju for around a year and it was great. Er... well, the dialect makes communication a by hard, but whatever.

[smurfetta]

I personally can't tell you what an international school is like in Korea. I'm back at home working on my B.Ed at the moment. I used to work in a middle school in Korea. I would suggest that you join www.internationalschoolsreview.com and look up the reviews of international schools in Korea. But I'd also suggest that you not limit your job search to Korea only.

[Charlie Bourque]

Woah... Holy crap. Have you guys seen the websites for some of these international schools? They look like a resort for teachers. Look at this one: http://www.kis.or.kr/index.asp

Is it even feasible for me to get a job at KIS with nothing more than a B.Ed./B.A. and a few years teaching experience? Am I correct in assuming that "teaching experience" applies mainly to public schools, and not so much hagwons?

[smurfetta]

For a school like KIS, I think you need a couple years experience working in a western curriculum school to be hired there. Plus, I think they usually hire at fairs. But, it does not hurt to apply anyway.

In the case of KIS, teaching experience means teaching that you have done either in Canada or at another international school. Some international schools do count EFL experience but not all.

From what I've read, it is recommended to get some teaching experience at home for a couple years before trying the international market. However, I hear that it is pretty tough to get a teaching job in Ontario.

[Charlie Bourque]

Hmm... Then I suppose it's not really an option since I'll be heading abroad immediately after graduation. If I even taught in Canada at all, it would be back East in a French school. I'm technically qualified to teach in French and English school, since I'm a "balanced bilingual", and most of my family lives in South Eastern New-Brunswick. Either way, I probably wouldn't be doing that for years to come. Eh, I'm digressing -- sorry.

smurfetta, how do university teaching positions stack up against hagwon and public schools? Do most of them require an M.A., or would my Joint Honours be enough given that I have a few years experience?

It's my impression that university teaching positions pay only marginally more than public schools and you get fewer hours with better vacation. Is this generally true?

[smurfetta]

Charlie- I don't really know too much about University jobs. I'm sure another poster could pipe in and tell you whether you are qualified to teach at a university. I think from reading on Dave's, you may be able to get a uni job in a rural area with a BA. Not sure about honours degrees.

Personally, I think you should be focusing your job seach on international schools since you will be a certified teacher. You might even get work as a French teacher. Definitely, let the schools that you apply to know about your French skills because the more subjects you can teach the better. In the long run, international school experience will look better on your resume for when you do return to teach in Canada. This is just my opinion, though.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[frankly speaking]

People who are recommending you go to International schools clearly have never worked for one.

I don't see how you can get certified when you graduate unless there is a in classroom portion like student teaching in your studies. Your degree seems to be more academic and not classroom oriented. In the US you need to spend one whole semester teaching.

Even if your qualifications get you certified in Canada, it will only be as an ESL teacher. International schools abroad do not hire ESL teachers. You would be teaching normal subjects in English and need to know the material being taught. He would need either a Primary Education license or a subject matter license.

The other issue is that he really has no experience. Sorry but visiting Korea doesn't add to your credentials and I hope that you don't put it on your resume. Most international schools want at least 1-2 years full time experience.

Though your qualifications might get you an interview with a University job, you would be hard pressed to get a job without a few years experience. Especially since you will be up against many others with Masters and experience.

I think that your qualifications are a good start, but you still really only qualify for entry level positions. You need experience to get the best jobs.

Like others suggested, a nice private school would be good, but don't expect too much.

[furtakk]

I don't know how common it is, but I had 2 friends who worked at an international school in Busan straight out of teacher's college. They were certified teachers in Canada. I'm not sure what the OPs degree qualifies him/her for, but if it is a B.Ed (which includes a classroom portion as far as I know), then that is exactly what they had.

At the hagwon level, there are a number of positions that look specifically for people with education degrees. A lot of the times they are nicer jobs in really nice areas.

At the public level, you would get a boost in salary.

I don't have experience at the university level, but through hearsay and what I've seen from job ads, most require experience in Korea/ESL. I would say you don't have a good chance straight out of school.

[Mr. Pink]