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dyc
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Location: Vancouver
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 Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:00 pm Post subject: Questions about GEPIK/SMOE, hagwons, teaching in general |
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So I'm a 22 year old student, receiving my Bachelor's in May 2011. I want to teach in Korea (duh). But I've got some questions:
1) I want to apply to GEPIK/SMOE, but I'm not quite sure on when the best times to apply are. From what I understand, jobs start in August and February - if I wanted to get a job in August 2011, when should I be applying? How about for Feb 2012?
2) How long does it take to get all the documentation together?
3) If I wanted to apply to both GEPIK and SMOE through a recruiter (e.g. Korvia), would I have to send in two separate applications with two sets of all the required documentation?
4) Are hagwons really that bad? Would I have a better chance at getting a job at a hagwon than through GEPIK/SMOE? What are some reputable hagwons?
5) As I mentioned, I'm 22. Is that too young? Would I be less likely to be hired? I am also of Chinese ethnicity (but born and raised in Canada) - would this be a problem?
6) My Bachelor's would be in Sociology (not English), but I plan to get a 100-hr TESOL. Even if I get a 60-hr TESOL (and don't get a pay grade raise), will that be more beneficial for my chance of getting accepted?
Thanks!  |
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jrwhite82
Joined: 22 May 2010
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| Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 10:21 pm Post subject: Re: Questions about GEPIK/SMOE, hagwons, teaching in general |
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| dyc wrote: |
So I'm a 22 year old student, receiving my Bachelor's in May 2011. I want to teach in Korea (duh). But I've got some questions:
1) I want to apply to GEPIK/SMOE, but I'm not quite sure on when the best times to apply are. From what I understand, jobs start in August and February - if I wanted to get a job in August 2011, when should I be applying? How about for Feb 2012?
You should start applying for your August job in May when they usually start offering up their job openings. However, you might have a hard time because most universities don't give your diploma right away. You will need a notarized, apostilled copy of it before you get a job, and before a recruiter will really start trying to place you.
2) How long does it take to get all the documentation together?
The biggest pain, is the FBI Criminal Background Check. This will take you around 12 weeks from the date you send it to them. So plan ahead for this. So the diploma you can do in person in a day if you want to drive all over the place getting it done. Recommendation letters are up to you. The E2 Visa process takes a couple of weeks as well, but that's at the very end.
3) If I wanted to apply to both GEPIK and SMOE through a recruiter (e.g. Korvia), would I have to send in two separate applications with two sets of all the required documentation? I think so, but it may depend on the recruiter. Do not apply to GEPIK or SMOE with more than one recruiter because a double application to the same program is an instant rejection.
4) Are hagwons really that bad? Would I have a better chance at getting a job at a hagwon than through GEPIK/SMOE? What are some reputable hagwons? They are hit or miss, just like the public schools are. I liked my hagwon and I like my public school. Hagwons are more teaching hours, usually at night or day with kindergarten. Public school has a lot of down time and more vacation. But you have more responsibilities (planning lessons, making materials, going to workshops, etc.) Most hagwons you teach straight from a textbook series and only supplement it slightly. Your coteacher will make or break your experience in a public school. Are they supportive? Do they not help at all? Again hit or miss. It's a roll of the dice! The other advantage of the hagwons are that they are always hiring and you don't have to wait for August/March.
5) As I mentioned, I'm 22. Is that too young? Would I be less likely to be hired? I am also of Chinese ethnicity (but born and raised in Canada) - would this be a problem? Some schools might not want to hire you because you are Asian and they prefer white people. Sad, but true. I find there is more discrimination in the hagwons than in the public school. But that's just my opinion. Mom's who are paying lots of money want their kids taught English by people who look like they speak English. Ridiculous I know...
6) My Bachelor's would be in Sociology (not English), but I plan to get a 100-hr TESOL. Even if I get a 60-hr TESOL (and don't get a pay grade raise), will that be more beneficial for my chance of getting accepted?
A TESOL will always help but is not required. Some argue that it hurts in the economy because it means schools have to pay more for you, when they can get someone for a little cheaper. I'd do it though, because it does mean more money, and it will help you out a bit in terms of figuring out what you are supposed to do. Because you probably won't be given much guidance when you first start. And that is usually the hardest part to overcome.
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Good luck! |
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gogophoto
Joined: 20 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 1:00 am Post subject: |
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I have very little to add over what jrwhite82 said, except that with GEPIK you can sort of work outside the main application process. That is, instead of sending in an application to GEPIK itself and getting placed, you can work with recruiters who are recruiting for specific schools. This actually happens quite a bit with GEPIK, and it is how I got my job. I believe it is Korvia that does the majority of recruiting for GEPIK schools, but there are many recruiters out there who have jobs that Korvia may not. It is okay to work with multiple recruiters on this, but make sure that when you actually send in an application, you only do it through ONE recruiter--as already mentioned, that will be an instant rejection.
As for hagwons versus public school, I've done both and I prefer public school. I made more money consistently at my hagwon (overtime), but I definitely worked for that money. I prefer down time, and don't mind deskwarming--it gives me a chance to work on one of my side-projects. Also, the daytime schedule makes me feel normal; I didn't like teaching in the evenings at all. So really, it is up to you: they are both a crapshoot, but you will always get paid at public school. You also might have a hellish coteacher and difficulty at your workplace. |
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dyc
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Location: Vancouver
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 10:52 am Post subject: |
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So I e-mailed Korvia and they told me that I should start applying in Feb 2011 for August 2011 (Fall term)... and that a 100-hr TESOL is now mandatory?
Damn.
Looks like I'll be applying for the Spring term then? I mean, if I wait until May/June to apply, what do you think the chances are of me getting into GEPIK? |
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meaghan
Joined: 24 May 2009
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 11:21 am Post subject: |
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| should be fine. especially if you're not too picky about location. |
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gogophoto
Joined: 20 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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| dyc wrote: |
So I e-mailed Korvia and they told me that I should start applying in Feb 2011 for August 2011 (Fall term)... and that a 100-hr TESOL is now mandatory?
Damn.
Looks like I'll be applying for the Spring term then? I mean, if I wait until May/June to apply, what do you think the chances are of me getting into GEPIK? |
Well as far as the GEPIK program proper goes, neither of those two things are strictly accurate; I have a public school job in Anyang without a 100-hr TESOL.
HOWEVER:
GEPIK is scaling back its program this year and there will be less jobs than there were before. Mostly these jobs are being cut from schools that have more than one Native teacher, but it still amounts to about 200 jobs out a current pool of 2300 positions that won't be there next year. To compound the issue, there will be many of those teachers who wish to stay in Korea and from what I have been told GEPIK will try to facilitate them by placing them in other schools. This will also decrease the number of positions available. Furthermore, in the last couple of years there have been many more applicants. As far as the 100-hr TESOL goes, I think this is Korvia saying that the job pool is big enough that you will be competing against others with similar or better qualifications and they are weeding out those who do not have at least the 100-hr TESOL. The situation has been the same in Seoul proper for several years.
And about the application date: many schools won't really be looking for somebody to hire until April for a start in August or September; however this year there are more stringent visa requirements. Korvia may just want you to get a headstart and make sure that when the time comes, you have everything in order. Also, unlike Seoul, GEPIK schools have openings throughout the year and hire whenever they need a new teacher. While the majority of positions will begin in August and September, I started my job in June and know several others who have started at nonstandard times.
Take away message: get your documents in order, and if you are serious about getting a job in one of the suburban cities near Seoul (Anyang, Gunpo, Goyang, Bundang, etc.) then get a TESOL cert. Being prepared and presentable early on in the recruitment process will almost guarantee you a job in one of the nicer cities in Gyeonggido, despite the coming job cuts. |
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bbud656
Joined: 15 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Honestly I found my job in a public school at the last minute. All these people go through hoops 6 months in advance, but people back out. in July/August there were so many recruiters looking to place GEPIK people for September. The nice thing is you actually get to know the location and a bit about the school. My advice would be picky looking for jobs 2.5- 3 months in advance (realistically there won't be much demand more than 1-1.5 months before you want to start because a lot of schools don't know how many teachers they need). You won't see a lot of public schools then because they won't be as desperate. If you can get a good hogwan gig, take it. If not, wait until about a month before September and get a last ditch public job. That advice worked last year, but I don't know how much worse the market will be this year. They said it was flooded this summer and I saw maybe 15 to 20 posts a day on CL. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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| bbud656 wrote: |
| Honestly I found my job in a public school at the last minute. All these people go through hoops 6 months in advance, but people back out. in July/August there were so many recruiters looking to place GEPIK people for September. The nice thing is you actually get to know the location and a bit about the school. My advice would be picky looking for jobs 2.5- 3 months in advance (realistically there won't be much demand more than 1-1.5 months before you want to start because a lot of schools don't know how many teachers they need). You won't see a lot of public schools then because they won't be as desperate. If you can get a good hogwan gig, take it. If not, wait until about a month before September and get a last ditch public job. That advice worked last year, but I don't know how much worse the market will be this year. They said it was flooded this summer and I saw maybe 15 to 20 posts a day on CL. |
I wouldn't worry too much about the market. Dave's is just one of many ESL sites on the Internet and over the last three days there were 41 job listings posted on Dave's alone. And a fair number of said listings were advertising multiple positions. |
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jrwhite82
Joined: 22 May 2010
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| Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 10:28 pm Post subject: |
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TUM is right about there being many jobs available.
However, they are starting to decrease the number of public school positions. So those might be a little harder to come by, exspecially for someone who is out of country with no experience or qualifications.
I think the 100hr TESOL will be a great thing to get to start you out. |
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dyc
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Location: Vancouver
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| Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:35 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the replies everyone!
I think what I'll do is check for any last-ditch PS jobs, and keep an eye out for decent hakwon jobs, but primarily look to apply for Feb 2012. I'm planning on taking a trip in August and thus it won't really pan our for me applying to GEPIK during that time.
I have another question though. I've read people saying "Apply directly to GEPIK instead of going through a recruiter." How do I do that? I can't find the official GEPIK site, unlike the EPIK site. |
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justpale
Joined: 29 Jan 2010
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