Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cari83]

I have a ton of questions about the possibility of renewing my contract here. If anyone can provide answers for any of them I would really appreciate it!

First of all, we've been told that we must have a TEFL certificate if we want to renew (this is a public school job; our office of education told us this). So I need an online certificate - they said that would be acceptable. I would get a CELTA but I don't have the time or money - we have to have the certificate before our office of education is notified of our renewal.

What is regarded as the best online TEFL certificate? Or are they all pretty much the same?
When do public schools usually make a decision about renewing you or not?

I teach in a small town and I really like it here. However I'm very shy so I haven't socialized much w/ other teachers, and I don't think they like that. I'm wondering if this will affect my chances of renewal.

And one more question - if I don't get renewed by my school, do you think it will be possible to get hired at another public school, or will my non-renewal look too bad? I would ideally like to stay in this same town even if I'm not renewed and some of the other foreign teachers are leaving but I can't imagine getting that lucky.

Thank you so much to anyone who answers these questions for me.