Korean Job Discussion Forums

[crocadoodledoo]

Hello!

I really want to get a job at an international school in Korea or elsewhere but it appears that I need a teaching licence to do this.

Has anyone done this online? I saw one where you recorded your classes but after many hours of searching, I can;t find it again. Texas seems to have a program like this, but I'm not American (I'm Canadian), so it looks like it won't work for me.

Most places require you to study on campus and do a few weeks of supervised teaching, but I was hoping I could get around that somehow.
Here are my qualifications in case anybody has been in the same position:
B.A. (Sociology and Religion) - Canada
M.A. (Applied Linguistics) & M.Ed. (TESOL) - Distance/Online - Australia (no supervised teaching practicum component)
+ 3 years of university teaching experience in Asia.

- I don;t really care where the certification/licence comes from, as long as it is acceptable for the international schools.

Thanks for your help

C

[Yucca Girl]

I'm not sure about programs in Canada, but I do know there are a few online programs in the states. One of which is Western Governor's University.

http://www.wgu.edu/education/online_teaching_degree

I have no idea about the overall quality of this particular program, but I do know it is at least accredited by NCATE (an agency that accredits teacher ed programs); however, I think it still does require a supervised student teaching practicum.

The problem I think you're going to run into is that I've never heard of any teacher certification program that doesn't require some kind of full time, supervised practicum. Alternative certification programs allow you to work in a classroom while taking certification courses, but that would of course require that you be in the country for a full school year to do that, and online programs that lead to teacher certification require the practicum as well.

Good luck in finding something that works for you!

[warmachinenkorea]

Like the above poster said any teaching program that is legit is gonna require some practice teaching or student teaching. In the US Education majors final semester is nothing but student teaching.

Most international school also want people with 2 years experince abroad and they really like international school experience. Teaching for EPIK or a Hagwon is not like teaching in a international school. Many more things will be required of you.

Go back and get a degree then look for the international school jobs.

[crocadoodledoo]

Thanks for the advice

I found one for Americans that seems perfect - it looks like you just write a test or two- If there are any yankees in the same boat, take a look here: http://www.doe.mass.edu/educators/resources.html
I sent an email, but I'm sure they won't accept me.
If I find something like that for Canadians, I'll be the happiest fellow ever

If anybody else knows another, send it over!

[smurfetta]

A couple of years ago, I searched for a distance B.Ed in Canada but had no luck in finding one. The only program I could find that would help me become a certified teacher was through the University of Phoenix. Basically, you do all your coursework online and then arrange to do your practicum at an international school. Then, at the end of the program you would have to fly to Arizona and write a test. I decided not to do this program when I found out that it probably would not be recognized in Canada. In the end, I left Korea and am now doing a B.Ed in my home province.

[CentralCali]

[Mr. Pink]

There are no online options in Canada. I hate to say it, but wanting an easy out is insulting to all the teachers who went through the steps to be certified. Sure, it would be nice to work and take online classes so that you could get your cake and eat it too. Canada doesn't work that way.

I had to go back to Canada to get certified. Would 8 months off really break your bank? I am assuming you are single. Apply for residence when you apply for your B.Ed program.

The practicum component is essential to being certified. It isn't a couple weeks either. In Ontario it is a minimum of 12 weeks. The B.Ed classes I attended were for the most part useless as I had already been teaching for 10 years and I have my own style of teaching. The practicum component though was priceless. Though each associate teacher I worked under had a different style, they had tons of ideas and suggestions on how to be a more effective teacher. Many of the suggestions in how to deal with kids that don't listen or are disruptive are gold, as in Asia you rarely have those types of kids and thus you'll really be in good shape in regards to your classroom management skills. Also the practicum part was good for networking. It gives you contact with experienced teachers you can hit up for ideas.

If you were wanting primary certification I might suggest you google Fast Train from George Mason University. You don't have to be American to take that, however, IMO it is way easier and cost effective to just take 8 months off and return to Canada. (Well more like a year off, but you get my drift.)

If money is really tight you might be able to work while doing a B.Ed. I worked part-time at the university for 6 months out of the 8 I was there.

[El Macho]

[Yucca Girl]

[smurfetta]

I agree with Mr. Pink too. Go home and do an eight month program. My program is 16 months and I wish it were eight months...

But, as Mr. Pink said, the practicum are so worth it. I learned so much from
my first practicum. Also, some of the courses I found to be useful too.

I know that UBC has a 12 month course and UNB has a B.Ed that takes about a year to complete. But, it seems like the Ontario universities have the shortest B.Eds which may be the way to go.

Now, that I am mostly through the program, I understand why you can't do your B.Ed online. In order for teaching to be consider a respected profession, it needs to be done on campus with a practicum.

[Mr. Pink]

[crazy_arcade]

I'm one week away from the end of the 12 month secondary option at UBC.
There's really two key parts to it of importance: 1. 15 weeks of practicum and 2. Assessment coursework

Everything else is pretty much filler - useful stuff here and there but practicum is the meat and bones.

UBC's program is a pretty intense year and you'll feel like you survived war once you're done practicum.

I don't see how an online/distance ed. program without a practicum portion could meet the requirements of teacher certification.

[Countrygirl]

crazy_arcade, do you know what is the work situation is in BC for elementary teachers? I'm seriously considering going to UBC but I'm older and with a family and I don't know if I should go back into office work and save myself the stress of student loans.

From what little I can find on the internet, it's 2 or more years subbing if you're lucky unless you can teach French. I wouldn't mind subbing for a while as long as I can support my family. Vancouver is so expensive so I need to do my part.

BTW Mr. Pink, where did you teach in Korea? At my school the one thing I got really good out of necessity was discipline and classroom management. In Korea every single class I've had students that don't listen and are disruptive. All this time I've been thinking that quiet Asian students are a myth like Sasquatch or the Loch Ness Monster.

[Son Deureo!]

There's another option for you if you're willing to take time off to do an on-site program to get your teaching cert. In Buffalo, NY, there are a few colleges (D'Youville, Medaille, Canisius) that offer M.S.Ed. programs leading to initial NYS certification. Once you get the NYS cert, you can apply through the Ontario Teacher's College for an Ontario certification.

When I did the program it was 12 months, but now they've cut the summer coursework component so it's only 8 months, one semester of coursework (6 classes, it's intense) and one semester with two 6-week practicums. It's perfectly acceptable to do your practicums in Ontario, and many students commute (the classes are all crammed into 9 hours of class each day, Monday and Tuesday) from Ontario.

I did one of these programs, and the majority of my classmates were Canadians.

The downside is that it's a bit pricey, at $20K USD.

[smurfetta]

Mr. Pink- I'm in BC at UVic. It's really a 14 month program with a 2 month summer break. I will have completed a total of 15 weeks in the classroom like the UBC program. It has been a pretty intensive program so far. I'm looking forward to being finished.

Countrygirl- I have a family and am not young anymore. I'm glad I went back to school. The teaching job market in BC is not that great but there are plenty of teaching opportunities elsewhere. Since BC and Alberta have an agreement, I can teach in either provinces. So, if you like teaching, then I think you will be glad that you went back to school in the long run. One bonus about being a student with a family is that you will likely receive way more bursaries than if you were childless.

OP- Another option is to train in Scotland and then apply for your Ontario certification. A couple of universities there are quite set up for Canadians. My cousin did that and he is now working as an elementary teacher in Toronto.