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gdn35
Joined: 15 Dec 2011
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 Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:01 am Post subject: Realistic Chances of Employment |
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Hi there. I am from Aberdeen, Scotland and I have been reading the forums for about 2 months now as I am very interested in teaching English in South Korea later in the year. I am just wondering what my realistic chances would be of finding work. Here is my background:
- I have a Scottish MA Honours Degree in Divinity (similar to an English BA only slightly better) and I have had experience teaching Middle School and High School ages kids in Schools in Scotland.
- I am a 23 year old male.
- I graduate from an HND in Television in June this year from Aberdeen College.
- I will be taking a 120 hour TEFL course in the summer.
- I have visited Hong Kong 8 times, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, Macau and the USA (so I am widely travelled).
Ideally I am seriously thinking of a career in teaching abroad. I have a huge passion and interest in the Far East and South Korea seems ideal for me at the moment. I have minimal experience as you can see and I am a male from the United Kingdom (I have read that being from the USA and female helps). I would ideally be applying for various positions but realistically an ele-middle Hagwon in the Seoul area would be my choice. I will also try for the Public School programme too.
If I had my documents ready and started looking for jobs, do you think I would have a good chance of getting a non-Kindy Hagwon in Seoul. (I really would not like to teach kindy children, and I have some contacts in Seoul and that would be my preferred location).
Help with this is greatly appreciated. Thank You. |
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morrisonhotel
Joined: 18 Jul 2009
Location: Gyeonggi-do
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:30 am Post subject: Re: Realistic Chances of Employment |
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| gdn35 wrote: |
- I have a Scottish MA Honours Degree in Divinity (similar to an English BA only slightly better). |
English BAs are considered the same as MA (Hons).
As to your questions, as a Scot, you will find it slightly more difficult to find work. As you've noted, the preference is for N. Americans. If your accent is strong then learn to tone it down for the interviews. I'm from Scotland (near Edinburgh). It took me a while to find a job a couple of years back.
You may be able to find a non-kindy job. The hagwon market seems to have changed to focus on kindy/elem. Search on Dave's and on Craigslist and you'll see mostly 9-6/10-7 kindy-elem positions. It may be possible to find an afternoon elem/middle hagwon job. The only way you can really find out is by ordering your documents and start applying. Remember, there is a time limit on use of the documents so don't order them too early. |
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gdn35
Joined: 15 Dec 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:58 am Post subject: |
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Okay thanks for the information. I think I read that some of the documents are only valid for 3 months. I'll definitely consider that when applying.
As for my accent, I don't think it is too strong and I feel I could tone it down further for the phone interview.
I've looked at the Hagwon positions in job searches and I'd say 75% of them seem to include Kindergarten. This is something I would not be keen on but there are other positions available, although not as frequent. |
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morrisonhotel
Joined: 18 Jul 2009
Location: Gyeonggi-do
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:06 am Post subject: |
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| Your documents will take no time to order. It says on the Basic Disclosure site that it takes up to two weeks. The two times I've ordered one, the Disclosure came within four days. The FCO are now doing the apostille on the day of arrival and then dispatching your documents that day. Realistically, you could have your documents together within 10 days. Aim to do all that about 3 months or so before you intend to leave and you should be fine. |
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gdn35
Joined: 15 Dec 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:08 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks. Just to confirm, the documents are valid 3 months up to the day you get accepted for a job, and then have to send them away to Korea? |
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morrisonhotel
Joined: 18 Jul 2009
Location: Gyeonggi-do
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:10 am Post subject: |
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| Yeah, no older than 3 months on the day they land on immigration's desk in Korea. |
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gdn35
Joined: 15 Dec 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:12 am Post subject: |
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| Thought as much. Thanks again for your help. |
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morrisonhotel
Joined: 18 Jul 2009
Location: Gyeonggi-do
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:45 am Post subject: |
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| That could be 6 months not 3. Someone will correct/confirm no doubt. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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| morrisonhotel wrote: |
| Yeah, no older than 3 months on the day they land on immigration's desk in Korea. |
No older than 6 (six) months from date of issue to the date they land on the desk at immigration.
Your correction was correct.
. |
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