Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mpange]

Hi-

Does anybody have the any info on the deadline for TESOL certification for SMOE? On the Seoul attachment application for EPIK it says January 31, 2011, but what if you're offered a contract before then? Do you have to have your certificate before the accepting a contract offer or before beginning the job?

Thanks.
.

[jonpurdy]

[Caffeinated]

You can get an upgrade after you've started your contract. Things might have changed tho since SMOE hooked up with EPIK.

[mpange]

As I mentioned, the requirement of a TESOL/TEFL certificate and the deadline of January 31, 2011 is stated on the SMOE attachment form for EPIK. I believe this is a new requirement for SMOE in 2011.

I am shooting for the March 1st start date, so would that be considered the beginning of the contract or would it be when you are offered the contract sign it well before March 1st?

In other words, if I'm offered a contract in say December for the March 2011 start date but I won't be finishing my TESOL until late January, will I still be accepted?

[mmstyle]

Just an FYI:

My husband was told by SMOE (JP, I think) that as long as he had his before he came to Korea, he would be fine. Once he arrived, they never said anything, but then did not pay him the pay bump, claiming that he had not finished before he signed the contract. He could have easily finished before signing but they told him it wasn't necessary. He went into the office and they refused him. However, the district supervisor did what JP promised when JP's office refused.

Moral of the story: do it asap. They may very well try to screw you. Public school is not the safe bet it used to be. We have been short changed in a few small ways (and some not so small).