Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Texas2Korea]

I am brand new here and this is my first post.

The gist of this post is: "Given my education/work background, do you think it is worth $500 for me to take an online TEFL course?"


Some backstory:

On August 1st, I will submit my application for a postion teaching English through EPIK. I do not care too much about where I am placed so long as it is in the Southern half of S. Korea. I have spoken with (emailed back and forth) a recruiter from Reach to Teach. One thing that he suggested was that I get a TEFL certificate despite having received my resume.

I am aware that there's a good chance that this recruiter simply did not look at my resume. The fist email that I received from him was one telling me that they are not accepting applications just yet, but that he would contact me on August 1st and guide me through the process.

I suspect that the recruiters are in cahoots with the TEFL companies and that they perhaps push too hard to get every applicant to go through the certification courses.

I do think that there would be some benefit in a TEFL cert, but I wonder how much, particularly given my education and work history. Here is a large portion of my resume:

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts, Major: English Literature
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, May 2007
GPA: 3.9, Summa Cum Laude

CURRENT OCCUPATION:

Financial Advisor, Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC)
August 2008-Present
-Teaching clients about investments
-Guiding clients through the retirement planning process
-Communicating complicated ideas in simplified terms
-Organizing client meetings
-Managing investor expectations



EXPERIENCE:

Reading and Writing Tutor, Huntington Learning Center
June-July 2008
-Editing student papers
-Teaching reading and writing fundamentals
-Encouraging students who are having academic difficulty
-Explaining basics of English composition

Latin Teacher, Palmetto Christian Academy
February -May 2008
-Teaching Latin vocabulary and sentence composition
-Grading Latin exams and homework
-Planning lessons for three 5th Grade classes and two 6th Grade classes
-Explaining the connection between Latin and cotemporary languages

Writing Tutor, The Citadel Writing and Learning Center
August 2004-January 2006
-Critiquing and editing college term papers and writing assignments
-Illustrating fundamentals of composition
-Suggesting different word choices or sentence structures
-Helping students develop stronger communication and writing skills


Thank you for any help you can provide.

-Caleb

[edwardcatflap]

[Texas2Korea]

Edwardcatflap: Thank you much! That does help a lot. I plan to teach in Korea exclusively. I don't know for how long, but I suspect I will stay for longer than one year.

My girlfriend is Korean, currently living in Suncheon.

[ttompatz]

If you want to work in a hagwan then skip the tefl cert. They won't care, you won't get more money because of it and your qualifications meet the basic criteria as set out by immigration and the MOE as an E2 (teacher of foreign languages) teacher.

If you want to work with EPIK (this year or next) then you need to have a TEFL cert or you will be passed over for someone who does. EPIK has said they require it this year unless you have verifiable "CLASSROOM" experience as an English teacher (not tutor, not trainer, etc).

Look around. I think there are some that are accepted (ITTT?) for as little as $200.

Youse gots the basics for the ground floor. Gettin' on the elevator is up to you.

.

[young_clinton]

If you've never taught ESL before it's always worth getting a TEFL, however I wouldn't get an online TEFL. If you work for the public schools in Korea the books follow the communicative method anyway and you would get plenty of practice right away at the public school. For the TEFL it's important that the program addresses the issue of working with students and people in other cultures preferably the culture that you're teaching in, not just the communicative method, otherwise I don't think it's worth it. All in all the answer is don't pay 500 US for an online TEFL.

[jacksthirty]

Absolutely do an online TEFL course. If you look around, you'll find an ITTT course for around $200. If you're new to teaching English, then the TEFL course will show you the basics and it can be beneficial if you take the time to do the lessons, and read ALL the material. Of course, a CELTA/TEFL would be better, but I'm guessing you don't have the time to do one, right?

[seoultee]

Busan will no longer accept online TESOL certifications going forward.

[chickenpie]