| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
seanpadraic
Joined: 19 Aug 2010
|
 Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:38 am Post subject: Am I getting the whole picture? |
 |
|
I have a BA in History and I am graduating with an MA in Adolescent Education in May. I have also worked at a overnight summer camp for the past 6 years. I would like to go teach abroad a year from now.
Will I have trouble getting a job?
Will I be able to repay my student loans (~$250/month I think) and still be able to save a bit of money?
Will my MA degree allow me to get a better job/higher salary?
Should I do an online TESOL certification?
Will jobs really pay for my airfare and an apartment?
I feel like I am viewing this opportunity through rose-tinted glasses. It seems a little too easy or too good to be true. I know the paper work will be a major headache, but what else am I missing? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
RMNC
Joined: 21 Jul 2010
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
1. No
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. Yes
6. Yes
The paperwork isn't a headache unless you try to do it all at the last minute. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
meagan8477
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| I am graduating with an MA in Adolescent Education in May. |
With an MA in Education you should be able to make around 2.1 - 2.3 million won per month.
| Quote: |
| Will I be able to repay my student loans (~$250/month I think) and still be able to save a bit of money? |
You can save 800,000 - 1 million won if you budget and live moderately.
| Quote: |
| Should I do an online TESOL certification? |
I don't think a TESOL / TEFL / CELTA certificate will get you any higher salary since you have the MA.
| Quote: |
| Will jobs really pay for my airfare and an apartment? |
Yes.
| Quote: |
| what else am I missing? |
Many people have had different experiences. Some love it, some hate it. I think it has to do with what you make of your time in SK. It also depends on the school you work at. Some are great, some aren't. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seanpadraic
Joined: 19 Aug 2010
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the replies!
A couple more questions:
If I am looking for a job that would start about a year from now, when should I start getting the paperwork together?
Is there anyway to know the quality of the school before accepting a job and flying over there? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
meagan8477
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 12:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Some things you can start gathering immediately. Some things are time sensitive.
The reference letters are good for 2 years.
The background check is good for 6 months, but depending on where you live, it can take up to 3-4 months to get (US). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
caribmon
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 3:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Recent grad with MA in Education should get 2.3-2.5M a month
If you are HOT, upwards of 3.0
Hit the weights hard and get a nice photo, resume that says "I can work anywhere and teach all students". |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djsmnc
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Dave's ESL Cafe
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| There has been talk of noobs coming here and getting low salaries and pushing salaries down for everyone else. I recommend staying home and making more money! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Oliver
Joined: 19 Apr 2008
Location: Seoul, Korea
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:19 pm Post subject: Re: Am I getting the whole picture? |
|
|
| seanpadraic wrote: |
I have a BA in History and I am graduating with an MA in Adolescent Education in May. I have also worked at a overnight summer camp for the past 6 years. I would like to go teach abroad a year from now.
Will I have trouble getting a job?
Will I be able to repay my student loans (~$250/month I think) and still be able to save a bit of money?
Will my MA degree allow me to get a better job/higher salary?
Should I do an online TESOL certification?
Will jobs really pay for my airfare and an apartment?
I feel like I am viewing this opportunity through rose-tinted glasses. It seems a little too easy or too good to be true. I know the paper work will be a major headache, but what else am I missing? |
You wont have trouble finding a job.
You'll be able to save money.
An MA related to Education may get you a better salary as it opens the door to better jobs. However, a typical hagwon or public school wont pay you a whole lot more. 100-200K more a month. Experience is key. Most employers want to see experience, so emphasise any experience you have on your resume. If it's not ESL experience it may be hard for you to go in with just the qualifications. Generally, you're a newbie so you should expect a lower salary, if you don't get lucky with a University job or something.
TESOL may not be worth it since you have the Masters.
Your Employer should pay for airfare and apartment. If they don't, walk.
Before taking a position talk to current teachers working at the school. If there are none, walk away. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Son Deureo!
Joined: 30 Apr 2003
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: Am I getting the whole picture? |
|
|
| seanpadraic wrote: |
| what else am I missing? |
What you're missing is that many Korean employers are less than honest. Your free housing could be a rundown mold farm. Your school might go out of business, fire you, or lay you off and not pay your for your last month's work. You might get fired during the 11th month, depriving you of your severance pay and airfare. Your boss might "forget" to register you for pension and health insurance while pocketing the deductions. You might find that all of your classes are being filmed at all times on CCTV and broadcast via internet to the parents of your students. Your two weeks of vacation time could be doled out to you at the rate of one Wednesday per month. Your 6 teaching hours per day could be spread over an 11 hour day. You may be required to deskwarm for hours on end after your last class is finished.
These are all things that have either happened to me, or to people that I know well that were working for hogwons in this country. If you're thinking about working for a public school, that's a different ballgame altogether, but that has its own pitfalls as well. I'll leave someone with PS experience to fill you in on that.
Note that I'm saying "might" and "could", not will. But you do need to do your due diligence and look for reports on the internet about potential employers (hint: if that Wonderland contract is looking good to you, you aren't doing your due diligence), and try contacting current and former teachers. Even this is no guarantee.
The business culture in Korea means that there are very real risks involved with coming here to work. I've been living and teaching here since 2001, and in spite of the problems I have found it to be rewarding to live and teach here, both financially and otherwise. But you would do well to beware and be aware before you sign that contract.
BTW, you mentioned that you have a Master's in adolescent education. Are you also certified to teach public school back home? If so, have you considered working for an international school? Those often pay much better than teaching EFL here does, and could let you live and work in a wide variety of interesting places as well. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seanpadraic
Joined: 19 Aug 2010
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I will be certified to teach in New York State when I graduate with my Masters in May.
I have considered teaching at an international school. However, everything I have seen has said that you need two years experience to work at one.
Is this condition more flexible than they let on? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| meagan8477 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I am graduating with an MA in Adolescent Education in May. |
With an MA in Education you should be able to make around 2.1 - 2.3 million won per month. |
Huh? This is how much you make with no qualifications. With an MA in education you should make 2.5 million plus. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Take my advice and go with public schools (EPIK, GEPIK, or SMOE) or a college teaching job. Stay away from the private schools called hogwans. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bobbybigfoot
Joined: 05 May 2007
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Shop around. You are well qualified. Taking a job for 2.1 million would just be foolish.
Consider Japan, China, Taiwan, Middle East ...
You don't need a TESOL. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
seanpadraic
Joined: 19 Aug 2010
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 6:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Are there other places besides Korea that pay for your airfare and accommodation? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Saxiif
Joined: 15 May 2003
Location: Seongnam
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 4:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Don't get suckered into the sort of job that people with just BA's get, you've got an MA in something education-related, which is pretty good, so don't settle for a crap job. Look for jobs at work n play as well as at Dave's. There's more jobs at Dave's but most of them are garbage, so look at other websites for some better ones. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
