Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Heisenberg87]

I was accepted into the CELTA course recently but realized that the commute/costs would be too much of an issue for me at this point in time. From what I understand, having a 4-year degree and successfully obtaining an E-2 Visa is what really matters for finding a position in Korea but I would not feel comfortable flying around the world to stand in front of a class of children and have no idea what I am doing.

I also understand that the CELTA is mainly focused towards teaching adults and not children. I've seen alot of posts on boards claiming that the CELTA does not really prepare you for teaching Korean children and that new teachers, both CELTA qualified and un-qualified, struggle just the same.

I am now at a point where I am not really sure what to do. I've seen some job postings that offer orientation and training with the job (although some say these claims are bogus). A lot of people seem to just take a job there and try to wing it. Do I really need to spend $3,000+ dollars to have some kind of idea or plan about what I'd be getting into?

[LAtoSeoul]

Tefl costs 300. It's no CELTA but it will give you some knowledge

[LAtoSeoul]

300 or less sorry and it will bump up your pay grade

[zombiedog]

I worked in Korea in 2009 with out a CELTA. After my first year before I signed a new contract I went and got my CELTA, then I worked for another year in Korea.

Let me preface by saying that I think stuff like CELTA is good because it is professional development that will help you think about how you teach and why you do certain things in the classroom. In Korea you will probably never get feedback from your boss on your teaching abilities, and there is very little, if any, professional development opportunities available. So at the very least CELTA can help you become a more self-aware teacher.

After the CELTA my experience was that trying to fit the CELTA model into the Korean hagwon system was very difficult, even frustrating at times, and I soon gave up and just taught as best I could. Unless you have a hagwon that uses the CELTA model, it's probably not worth the expense if you are just planning on entering the rat race that is the hagwon system in Korea.

From time to time in Korea I did teach adults and I found that CELTA was helpful with them.

As far as getting a job, in my opinion, it doesn't matter. Bosses in Korea just don't seem to care if you have any ESL teaching certificate. In fact, most Koreans working in English teaching have no idea what CELTA is.

In conclusion, the CELTA is good for your own personal edification, but has little to no impact on your performance or marketability teaching children in Korea.

[Heisenberg87]

Thank you for the input! LAtoSeoul, which TEFL course did you do? The most comprehensive one near me (TEFL international, nyc) runs for about almost as much as the CELTA course.

Also, from looking at the job boards and other posts, it looks you need some experience and even a master's degree in some cases to teach adult classes since most of them take place in universities. A friend of mine who taught in Korea said that first-timers pretty much have to start out teaching children's courses. I was also told to avoid kindergarden classes at all costs...

[jonpurdy]

I got my TEFL at http://www.teflonline.net/. It was around $180 for the 100 hour non-tutor one. It didn't take anywhere near 100 hours, I learned a bit, and I bumped my pay grade. Highly recommended. (Make sure to get it before your contract starts or your pay grade won't get bumped until a year later).

[Carbon]

Google + motivation can teach you everything you will nee to get started and then some. Sure, a CELTA is excellent and yes, even a TEFL certificate has some value to a complete novice, but the bottom line is that if you are worried about being inexperienced and therefore ineffective (a feeling I applaud), self-directed learning is at your fingertips. It won't improve your earnings though, as a CELTA or TESL cert may.

Good on you for wanting to learn before doing. This feeling alone will put you above the pack.

Any BA = Hagwon.
Any BA + TESL = public school.
Relevant BA + TESL/CELTA + less than 3 yrs exp. = lower uni, outside Seoul. (maybe, but public school may be the option here)
Any MA + less than 3 yrs exp. = lower uni outside/maybe inside Seoul.
Relevant MA + less than 3 yrs exp. = lower uni, in Seoul.
Relevant MA + more than 3 yrs exp. = upper uni, in Seoul.

This list is hardly definitive, nor is it comprehensive, but it isn't an awful thumbnail of the system. I am sure many will ring in with opposition or additions.

To universities, CELTA and TESL certs don't have as much value as they should, which is too bad, particularly for the CELTA; it is a good program and tough to get through. Graduate degrees are the only thing that means anything real to universities. Visa status is also sometimes a factor as you move up the ladder, but there is little that one can do about that in a the early days of being in Korea.

[ayahyaha]

I agree with zombiedog on some points. A CELTA or similar really does help a teacher in general, including
--developing self-awareness (How can I make that lesson better?)
--classroom awareness (Are my students engaged? Do they get it yet?)
--a working knowledge of how to present/revise/build upon material in class (prior knowledge, building a link to new knowledge, blah, blah)

I have a Trinity TESOL (basically the same as a Cambridge CELTA). My second teaching job was in Korea teaching kids. I had zero experience dealing with kids at all -- much less teaching them -- and the one hour of my TESOL course that I missed was the bit about young learners.

However, while teaching kids was (is) definitely a challenge, I found that I was able to approach the issues in a much more effective manner using my TESOL knowledge.

Most of the classroom management issues were basically the same as with adults, only cranked up and with added sugar.

My approach to lessons was basically the same, only cranked up in terms of variety/speed, and dialed down in terms of content/target language.

Knowing when to give up/let go on a lesson (i.e. choosing my battles), I learned from experience, but that is also well-covered in TESOL.

You don't need a CELTA to teach in Korea, but it really did help me and make my jobs here more enjoyable. After my first job in Korea, I went on to teach in several different countries where it was required, so I was happy that I got it anyhow.

Caveat: I really love teaching. So my whole POV might be irrelevant.

[Heisenberg87]

I did start out by using google to find out as much information as possible on this but all of the information I find is constantly contradicting different sources. I can certainly see that the CELTA is a great option albeit an expensive one. My main issue with the course is not so much the cost as is the commute which would make taking an 8 hour course plus 3-5 hours of homework/lesson planning impossible. My only other option would be to reside in nyc for a month which would be way too expensive for me at this point in time.

Jonpurdy: That online course sounds like a great option, did it really help despite not having the observed teaching segments? Also, do you feel that this certification was sufficient enough to place you ahead of the pack in terms of landing a job?

[zombiedog]

I don't recommend the online courses. What helps you in TEFL courses where you actually have practice teaching is the feedback you get from your trainers and your peers. It's invaluable in my opinion.

Here's an option: go to Korea for a year, work a job and save up some money, then at the end of your contract fly to Thailand and take the CELTA at IH-Bangkok. Frankly, it was one of the funnest, most educational experiences of my life. Yeah it was hard, but well worth the money and effort.

[ayahyaha]

[Heisenberg87]

The general consensus seems to be that you should at least try teaching abroad for a year before committing to an intensive four week course. I think I'm going to take the 120 hour ITTT TEFL course though, just so I have some kind of idea about what I'm going to be doing (and the pay bump wouldn't hurt either). I figure this course will also at least provide some sort of extra padding on a resume as well.