Korean Job Discussion Forums

[matthews_world]

I'm in the final days of my contract and am looking to teach in the American school system.

There are pros and cons to each. Here are my reasons for teaching/not teaching in each:


My reasons to go back home:

- Job stability better in America.

- Teacher shortage, more jobs.

- Can't beat the summer's off.

- Starting salary higher but housing not included.

- Benefits such as 401K, paying into Social Security - which I don't do here, group insurance plans.

- Closer to family.


I love the culture here in Korea and I do just fine here. I'd like to finally be a real teacher for once and do what I went to college to become.

[the_beaver]

[Mashimaro]

[katydid]

Matthew...

I'm interested in knowing whether you were previously a licensed teacher before you came here, or if you are going to do something back home where you study for your certificate as you work, or if somehow you got an education degree online during your time here in Korea?

I'm just asking as I might end up doing what you are doing whenever I decide to get out of Korea.

Thanks and good luck to you!

[the_beaver]

[Mashimaro]

[CanadaCommando]

I think it all depends on what you are looking for. I taught back home, and I really enjoyed it. I really liked taking on classes like English Lit, Math, and History. For me, teaching ESL constantly as the only subject can get very grating on my nerves (please not I said FOR ME). I found that I was able to cover more interesting concepts with the kids, because I was not limited strictly to building language. Yes, you can be somewhat creative in teaching ESL, but when not sharing the same common native tongue, far more limits exist.

However, on the downside- In Canada at least, full time teaching gigs are VERY rare for a new teacher if you want to live in the city, most of us have to substitute teach for a few years to get seniority in our Teaching Unions. If this is not a problem for you, congrats! Also, you will of course only be able to explore new cultures on your time off...which isn't that minimal anyway.



However, if it is just the vacation and the hours of a regular teaching gig that attracts you back home, why not look for a High School gig over here? They are out there, and offer amazing vacation. That may prove the best of both worlds for you. They usually start around Feburary though, so ya got a bit of time to wait.

For Katydid: I don't recommend getting your education degree online. Because each state or province has it's own regulations and qualifications for teachers, it is often somewhat difficult for a teacher to switch states/provinces without having to go back to school and upgrading courses. I had one friend who taught for 2 years in Nova Scotia, only to move to BC and have to go back to school for 16 months to do the same job. I can only imagine that an online degree would prove even trickier.

Good luck out there.

CC

[Zyzyfer]

Other cons to teaching in the U.S.-

Need to be licensed
Need to update license
More start-up money needed

Actually, you can get a job without having a license, but it's not easy to get one, you have to study nights, and you may only work for a year.

[OiGirl]

[The Man known as The Man]

[gypsy trader]

matthews_world,

If you're looking for a 'real' teaching job in the state, have you considered places like charter schools, etc. I mention it only because the current public school system is held accountable to "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) requirements and teachers are pretty much required to teach to the test - so to speak. I do know of teachers who are able to work creatively with this requirement and still feel like they can teach, but I also know of teachers whose jobs are potentially jepoardized by it. Just a thought.

I wish you well in your search. There are some really dynamic schools out there doing incredible things with their students.
Good luck!

gt

[katydid]

I have heard of a program in inner-city Los Angeles that is looking for teachers. Ostensibly, it may be because no one wants to work there...some of the neighborhoods can be really rough, but it may also prtove to be a good chance to make a real, no matter how small difference in some child's life.

[matthews_world]

Korea was my first teaching gig.

I do need to get licensed, however.

In the U.S, most states have provisional licensure where you just need a 4-year degree and you just take a test.

I don't feel like a real teacher here in Korea. In America I'd feel like a professional and that I'm actually making a difference.

[rudyflyer]

Both Mrs Flyer and I have done high school teaching in the states and trust us its not worth it. Facillities can be terrible and supplies can be in short supply. We both shelled out a ton of our own money for basic items.

Then there is the adminsitrative BS, with No Child Left Behind and state standards you are basiclly teaching to a test. Not much flexibilty in doing things not related to the test. Also when it comes to discipling students like the hogwons here the parents rule and you will find having incorrigable students in your classes as the admin don't want to be bothered.

Next headache are the students. As I mentioned above you have discipline problems in the classroom. You also have to be mother and father to many of these students as their home lifes is simply awful. Most don't care about what you are teaching.

State bureaucracies/unions make it tough to get jobs even if you have years of experience here. I knew of a person who had years of experience at a univ here and because they had a low undergrad GPA they could not get admitted into a post grad certification program. Yeah there are plenty of jobs but you will be placed in some of the worst schools you'd ever imaginge. Conditions there can be so bad that it makes a hogwon here look good.

Summers off????? HA!!!!!!!!! You may be lucky to get a month off as districts now require you to attend continuing ed classes to keep your certification. Short hours??? forget them, I was at school most days from 7:30A-5P then have another hour or two of work at home, weekends were shot because of prep work. I was so tired I didn't want to go out and be lucky to catch a Cowboys football game.

Unless you are at a bad hogwon there is no way I'd go back to a US teaching position. We both have it too good here at our univ and I compare the work friends who teach at elementary schools here and hogwons and they have it far better than my friends who teach in the US

[Homer]