Korean Job Discussion Forums

[anbrainblasta]

Hi
I did a 20 hour weekend tefl course before coming to Korea. Is this enough to qualify for the EPIK or SMEO pay bump as I intend to apply for the coming September intake.
Cheers,

[Troglodyte]

No.

[cragesmure]

I can't be very helpful - I'm at a uni language centre. I did a 100 hour course a couple of years back, and they gave me a bump (45 000 won/monthish) mid-contract. No harm in mentioning it and giving them a copy of your certificate. If you get an extra $40 a month, great. If not, it's only $40 a month. Can't hurt to try though, right?

[ecuebl]

I'm considering doing a weekend course for the teaching experience. Did you find it useful?

I've read that it is barely recognised because it is not for enough hours. Does anyone know if it is significantly useful in helping to get a job in the first place? Obviously can't count against but do recruiters/schools pay much attention to a 20hr TEFL certificate?

[fugitive chicken]

only a 100 hour or more course will give you the pay bump.

[geosdsd]

I have a similar question regarding TESOL/TEFL. I am currently looking into applying to a teaching program, but there are so many. Many have mentioned that the certificate is only as good as the instructors and the program. I am leaning towards Oxford seminars, but their program is only 60 hours long. How many hours total is the acceptable or preferred amount?

[Troglodyte]

I think that in Korea you need a 120 hour course to get an increase in pay. But on the upside, it doesn't really seem to matter you do it or with which school. So, if you just want better pay, find a cheap course that's recognized (easy enough to do).

There are a few good ones in Korea as well. Notably the CELTA. There are also a few TEFL certificate courses offered through Korean universities, some of which are co-issued by an American university. Decide how much time and money you want to invest in it. Decide whether you want to take a hard course with a more prestigious certificate or an easier one with a less valued certificate - or something in the middle. Then shop around. There's something for everyone.

[geosdsd]

I was looking into CELTA, but I've been reading in this forum that the CELTA is basically useless to teach in Korea. I've heard that CELTA is preferred to teach in Europe. Is this true?

[edwardcatflap]

Depends what you mean by useless. It'll give you the basic practical skills for teaching EFL but won't raise your salary any more than a cheap online alternative in most places in Korea. If there's any chance you might want to make a career out of TEFL you should definitely do the CELTA. Worldwide, it's the most recognised first qualification in TEFL. Everywhere outside the far East and East Asia it's the minimum requirement. If you just want to do a couple of years at a Korean high school then go back to North America to do something else, get the cheap online cert to bump your pay up.