Korean Job Discussion Forums

Hilda · Joined: 30 Jun 2010

Hello there,

I'd be so happy if any of you could help me out. I've been looking for a teaching job and have heard that one of the requirements is a BA from an accredited university. Now I possess the following:

- a New Zealand passport
- English as a native language
- MA in Clinical Psychology from a Dutch university (most classes/literature in English)

My question: will I be able to teach and will I be able to teach legally? What are my best bets?

Thanks,

Hilda[/b]

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Where was your BA from ?

If not from one of the "7" then it is NOT possible to get an E2 as a teacher in Korea.

.

Hilda · Joined: 30 Jun 2010

Well thanks... my degree is from a Dutch university, so not one of the seven. It seems odd to me though; I have a master, graduated cum laude, speak English fluently. Somebody tell me, I should be able to find a job in South Korea right?

Goon-Yang · Joined: 28 May 2009 Location: Duh

Not without a B.A, B.sci ,B.Ed or B.something from one of the 7. Immigration doesn't care about your masters. They care about your bachelors degree.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

recessiontime · Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 5:36 am Post subject:

a person with an MA in clinical psych wants to teach in SK?

Things must be getting really rough

Hilda · Joined: 30 Jun 2010

Haha, it's not because of a lack of opportunities here, I just want to experience something else... But I guess I'll have to aim my arrows at Japan.

recessiontime · Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 5:46 am Post subject:

Hilda · Joined: 30 Jun 2010

so what would you propose....?

recessiontime · Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 6:29 am Post subject:

http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/aspiring/eligibility.html

i think you might qualify for the JET program, there's an office in NZ. You'll be going to an interview, the entire process takes 6~12 months.

If you just want experience Asia maybe you can just visit. There are some hardships with being a teacher and it can get lonely in a country where nobody speaks your language.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

It depends on what you want. If you want a job making good money (e.g. to pay off student loans) then the options are Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong.

If you just want an interesting experience, then consider China. Many of the schools there pay very well by local standards. When I was there, the teachers ate out 5 or 6 times a week, lived in huge new apartments, and the school took us (staff, NOT students) on field trips a lot. It's a big country and there's lots to see and do there. But the money isn't worth much when you leave.

What language is your diploma written in? What about your transcripts? If they are in English, then you could always try applying for a visa. If you really have your heart set on Korea, give it a try.

It's been my experience though that Koreans don't care about your qualifications. They only want you to have the BA (from one of their 7 English countries) because it's a regulation at immigration. But if they don't notice it, or if you can argue that it was taught in English, maybe you can get away with it.