Korean Job Discussion Forums

[GreatUnderachiever]

Hello,

I have decided that the direction I wish to take with my life is becoming an ESL teacher. I would start in Korea and either make a life there or move on to other countries to teach..

Currently, I am a degreless24 year old, (approaching 25) and going to a red brick uni is not really an option This is for several reasons, mostly finanical.
Therefore I have decided to go the route of the Open University. I wonderded if anyone else had experince of teaching in Korea on an open uni degree? Was it looked down upon? I know here in England it varies between employers, some look down upon it while others appericate the kind of dedication it shows. What about K-immigration, could there be an issue there?

Also, I do now feel that time is of the essence. As I am 24 currently, i've spent a lot of previous years travelling and stuff and let my career and future direction get negleted. I know that age, apparently, is an issue when looking for a teaching job in Korea, 30 and above you could struggle to get work... Normally an OU degree takes 6 years. I am going to try and through myself into it as much as poissible and try and get it done in 3 - 4. Allthogh this could be difficult due to the way OU structure some of the module starting and finishing times. Not to metion the fact I am likely to be working full time at the same time. What would people think my chances are going into the market as 27, 29 or 31 year old?

As for the illegal route, it crossed my mind breifly but I really don't wanna go there looking over my shoulder.. espicallly if Korea could become my future home... i'm the kind to get easily paranoid when I know i've done something wrong.



Thanks in Advance for any advice!

[decolyon]

Oh man, I don't envy your position. I'm 27, have my BA, have spent 4+ years in Korea and worried I'm going to be considered one of the "old" guys going back for my Masters next year.

But enough about me and on to you. As for the open uni thing, I assume you mean one of these private/for profit schools that have most of their classes online or in an office complex somewhere? If so, I would beg you to find a way to go to a more traditional school. Regardless of the money or time, it will work out much much much better for you down the road than some of these diploma mills. If you're worried about money, isn't that what scholarships are for? Low interest loans? You say you're in the UK, and frankly I find it hard to sympathize when my British friends complain about the cost of university. We Americans spend a hell, a hell of a lot more than you guys do. I for one am still saddled with loans and I've been out for 5 years now. I may never get out of debt if I don't bank on MA scholarships. So stop making excuses about time or money.

Korean Immi will probably rubber stamp your degree as long as it is at least somewhat reputable. As for jobs, of course the better the school the better the gig. You're first year will probably be bottom rung hagwon standard. But that doesn't mean after a few years of putting in the time and effort (getting certificates, significant advancement) you can't eventually get in somewhere nice like an international high school.

Age didn't used to be a big deal. However will the collapse of Western civilization the last few years, it means more than it should. Realistically you're going to be 30 when you start job hunting in Korea (if you still want to do it at that point.) And that is not going to bode super well for you. A lot of employers want someone young and fresh faced. Younger also means they can pay them less. So you will get passed over for 22 year olds. Don't let it get you down though. A lot of places like to hire a more "executive" style of foreigner. One that doesn't need much hand holding and is less likely to be out getting hammered every night. Sadly, one thing that might help is making sure you look young and fresh. Physically fit, modern hair cut, well groomed means a lot here.

After a while you will settle in and if you're serious and making Korea home, you will probably take on a local as a wife. Well then my friend, in terms of work at least, you're on easy street. Those married to Koreans get a different visa than the rest of us and that visa opens up all kinds of doors. You wouldn't even have to teach if you didn't want. You can find any work you want (or can get hired for) or even start your own business somewhere. Now, a 30 something teaching hagwon and on an and E2 might be a sad state. But a 30 something, married with a nice house, on an F2 and owns his own hagwon is something completely different. You might even be considered doing down right well for your age should that be the case.

As for the illegal route... don't even consider it. Everyone on a fake degree gets caught eventually. And when they do they make life harder for everyone else. Once you do get caught, you will be banned for life from ever working in Korea again.

You also need to consider your criminal record. Even if you've never been convicted of anything, if you've ever been arrested it will show up on a background check and Korean immigration will reject you. Because in Korea "arrested" is the same as "felony convict serving 25 - life and broke out of jail and escaped to Korea so he could molest kids and *beep* around will all their pure blood women."

[GreatUnderachiever]

[myenglishisno]

You have solid goals but you ought to consider China. Four to six years down the road and that might be the next big market. Nothing wrong with aiming for Korea, however I just think that since you seem very serious about doing this long term that you should consider China (and learn Mandarin).

Anyway, as for the age thing. It is an issue, not so much with employers but in general. I'm 27 and get flak for my age sometimes, especially when I'm with a big group of English teachers where the median age is inevitably 24/25.

On the bright side, if you're 30-ish chances are there will always be someone around who is a little bit older.

[GreatUnderachiever]

[Milwaukiedave]

I didn't come here until after I was 30 and I did fine. I have no idea about open universities in England, but if it is accredited you should be fine.

I recommend finding a few books on Korea and doing some leisure reading before you come. It will help you quite a bit.

[decolyon]

myenglishisno makes a good point. There are a million more jobs in China and they are less strict about experience and such there. In Korea you need at least an MA to teach uni. You can teach uni with a BA in China. That's just one example.

So, five years from now China will be a bit more developed and cleaner and will have some great jobs..... that is until their economy crashes 15 years after that. It's going to happen, read up on it.

[GreatUnderachiever]

Not to metion, Japan's gonna lose a whole load of teachers..

[definitely maybe]

[GreatUnderachiever]

Ah well, started the degree now anyway. it will be another 3 - 5 years till I finish it as working full time. At best I could get there by the time I am 28. I figure that China would be a better option after i've done a couple of years of Korea maybe?

[GreatUnderachiever]

[Abacus]

I'm interested to know what degree you're getting because if you want to be a teacher then a BA in Education is far greater than any other degree. It opens more doors than anything else you can get. And there are numerous countries that only allow certified teachers teach ESL (usually the highest paying jobs).

[GreatUnderachiever]

[Draz]

You know you can work in China without a degree right? No one explicitly stated that, so you might not have put it together. Why not go to China and work there while you do your distance learning.

[morrisonhotel]