Korean Job Discussion Forums

[peregrinejones]

Hello all...I have just joined the forum and so I can't PM members yet, so I'll put this out there to everyone. Hopefully all this won't be too redundant.

Anyway, I've just finished up with an MA in English (Creative Writing concentration) and I'm looking into finding a Uni job in Korea. I've taught several classes at community college here in the USA, and in between my grad and undergrad I did a year in S. Korea working with adults.

I like to think I'm actually a pretty good English teacher...I got great student/faculty reviews adjuncting at the community college, and didn't get many complaints while working in Korea the first go-round, which I think is OK considering I had no ESL experience. A lot of the students signed up for my classes for multiple sessions, so I think that's a good indication that they knew I took the job seriously and that they felt like they were getting something out of it.

So now, I am poking around looking for jobs here on the ESL Cafe boards. Suddenly a bunch of uni jobs have popped up, but it's hard to tell much about them. I have read that a lot of so-called uni jobs are actually hagwon jobs contracted out to do English conversation classes for the local college, and that you pretty much have to be in-country to get a decent university gig. If that's the case I'd probably want to go with one of the larger chains, and work there for a bit and establish some contacts.

Anyway, some thoughts and advice would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

[edwardcatflap]

I think you'll get more useful advice if you look at the university job ads then ask specific information about any that interest you. In general, however, people will tell you it's difficult to get a university job in Korea from outside the country

[whiteshoes]

The thing you need to look at is if the job is teaching for credit classes. Take this posting for example: http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/index.cgi?read=52954

There are two jobs here.

Job 1 is teaching for credit classes. That is what you want.

Job 2 is working at the English Lab. Generally, stay away from that. In this case, it is for a coordinator position so it could be helpful to someone who is interested in that side of things.

What I'd guess you are interested in would be teaching for credit classes. In that case you should see the work load between 12-15 hours a week. Some might ask you to work in an English Lab. If the job is in Seoul and you are trying to get a foot in the door, it's not that bad.

If you can't get a uni job, think about a decent adult hagwon. You'll work hard but you'll be well trained in exactly the type of teaching universities want.

Most of the best teachers at the uni I work at have experience working at adult hagwons.

[PatrickGHBusan]

First of all, to have any real shot at getting such a position\job, you better apply from inside Korea. Applying from abroad will make it a lot harder to get selected.

Second, getting experience (like the poster above described) would be a smart play as most Universities in Korea prefer applicants with in-country experience (referenced experience at an approriate level mind you).

With your qualifications and experience in Korea and at the University where you got your M.A. , if you apply from inside Korea, your chances of getting interviews seem pretty good.

This is not the best time to be looking for University positions as the bulk of hiring is done in November-December-January for the March term start.

Still, your best bet would be to do your research now, get all your papers ready and have them in hand before you apply and then contact the Universities with a Resume, a Cover Letter and whatever other documents they require.

OR

Do the steps above, send out your applications, tell them you will be in Korea (a date of arrival) and that you are available for in-person interviews. That will dramatically improve your chances.

the Adult Hakwon or Unigwon route may be your best bet as you can get hired from abroad far more easily.

[peregrinejones]

Thanks for the information...I believe I'll start looking for a good adult hogwan gig. They're usually looking for someone and this would give me the flexibility to go ahead and get to Korea and back to work.

Thanks again!