Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sudz]

Hi guys.

I've pressed this topic quite hard on other forums, but I'd like to know specifically where I might stand in Korea.

I'm planning on doing an MA TESOL through Nottingham University. I'm entering the program by the 'non-standard' route, and entered based mainly on my 6+ years of experience.

I know that I won't qualify for language centers(well....as far as I know), due to not having a BA. I'm wondering though: might having just the MA TESOL qualify me to work in a university? I've heard little on this, and what I have heard has been somewhat conflicting.

[SteveSteve]

This is my interpretation of the immigration laws, but it may not actually reflect reality.

In order to get an E2 visa, you must show proof of completion (transcripts and notarized diploma) of a BA/BS/B.Ed/etc. For an E1 visa, to be a university instructor/lecturer/professor (and not just an English conversation teacher), you must possess a Masters in the field that you are teaching. So, if you're giving lectures in Engineering, your Masters also must be in engineering.

So, if you're going for the E1 then you might be safe. If you're applying as an English Language Instructor on an E2, then you may be out of luck.

Again, that's my understanding of it, and I might be totally wrong. Good luck

[Sudz]

Thanks for that! I guess I'll have to find out whether or not I'd be eligible for the E1

[ttompatz]

Get lecturer or visiting professor (E1) at a university.
This may be possible with an MA but you are unlikely to land a position in any Korean university without the BA to go with the MA.
(it is possible to land a uni position (E2) with just a BA and experience).

Teacher of a foreign language = E2.

For the E2 a bachelors degree AND passport (both) from one of: USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, NZ, AUS, S.Africa) is the requirement and K-immi won't care what else you have (MA, PhD, etc); if you do not have the bachelors degree you won't get a visa.

.

[Sudz]

Thanks ttompatz, you certainly seem to know a lot!

I'm wondering though, would most employers even ask about a BA if I had the E1 along with a MA TESOL?

[ttompatz]

[Wad]

Years ago it was possible to sneak under the wire with just a Master's degree (E-2). I think that immigration assumed if you had a Masters then you must have a Bachelor's degree. You only had to show the Master's diploma and transcripts. There is a woman at my university who has been there for 10 years and possesses 2 Master's degrees but no undergraduate degree. I'm not sure how this will work for her with the new regulations, but our contracts are 2 years so in that time things could seriously change...again! Maybe someone here has been able to get through the process with an apostatized Masters. I haven't read about it here, but stranger things have happened at Korean immigration.

Having said that, her husband also has 2 Master's degrees and a Bachelor's degree. They were suppose to go to the U.A.E. a few years back as a team. He was offered the job, but the wife was not due to a lack of an undergraduate degree.

I would say do the undergraduate, bust your ass, and you might be able to do a 3 year degree in 2 years from a UK or Australian university. I think in the long run it will come to sting you without an undergraduate degree.

[Sudz]

ttompatz - No intention of ignoring your advice, thanks again. I'm just trying to see what countries might be available to me - as you may have noticed from all of my other posts of this subject on separate forums. Wouldn't say that I have my heart set on Korea, but I would certainly consider it if a university position was within reach.

Wad - I've heard that it's quite possible to work in U.A.E with just a Master's, though perhaps this particular employer required a Bachelor's. Regarding slugging away at a BA: I'm thinking of going for the MA first, and then chipping away at a distance Bachelor's. Sure the lack of BA will pose some problems in the meantime, but I'd rather gain some post MA TESOL experience sooner rather than later, preferably at the university level. I know that (at least) China, Vietnam, and the Middle-East will be available post-MA (the Middle-East being more limited at the moment due to my lack of university experience).