Korean Job Discussion Forums

giovanni · Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Location: NO

In the summer of 2007 I was 21. I hadn't graduated from university yet but I flew to Seoul, found a goshiwon in Chungdamdong, and worked underground on a tourist visa (so bad I know). I flew back 3.5 months later with $10k saved and went back to school.

Now I am almost 27. I'm a white American/Canadian woman. I now have a BA in English Ed, I'm a certified ESL, Biology, and English teacher in my state, I've taught ESL for 2.5 years in a public high school, and I have a M.Ed in TESL (not online). I also have a 60 hour TESOL certificate that no one cares about here but might mean something in Korea.

I'm toying with the idea of returning to Korea. How have things changed in 5 years? The exchange rate sucks. Would I be qualified for a university position? Any advice would be appreciated.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

giovanni · Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Location: NO

Thank you for your reply, it was very helpful- especially the NET uni position info. I don't think that's for me.

I've considered international schools A LOT but I don't think I'm ready for that right now. I'm kind of looking for a "break" from content teaching and ESL is so much easier.

Do international schools value ESL training? I'm so used to teaching struggling students and ELLs that I think switching to high achieving children of privileged diplomats would be difficult.

I do have a boyfriend here in the USA hence my hesitation to be away for more than a year at a time (most international schools look for a 2 year commitment). No reason to look at Korea other than nostalgia and the 삼겹살. I think I'll come back to international schools in a couple of years when I am married and have kids and can bring them along with me Smile

Thanks again!

transmogrifier · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Big thanks to ttompatz for scaring people away from university jobs. Keep up the good work!

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

transmogrifier · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I'm With You · Joined: 01 Sep 2011

Two things here. First, the exchange rate for the Korean Won really sucks. There are better options, even working in Japan would probably be better than teaching in Korea.

Second, university EFL salaries in Korea are low! I saw a posting on the Chronicle, I think, for Seoul National University EFL positions and compensation is 2.4 million won a month. They do not provide a housing subsidy or free housing for instructors.

That's roughly US $25, 000 a year for a university position in Seoul, with no housing benefit or airfare. Where's the incentive to do that kind of TEFL work? And Seoul is one of the most expensive city, if not the most expensive, according to some rankings, in the world to live.

One could earn the same salary with a much lower cost of living teaching at a university in Taiwan. Or, they could earn double the SNU salary if they can land a university teaching position in Japan or the Middle East -e.g., US $40, 000 - $70, 000 a year (or more!). And in China, at least one would likely get a free apartment and possibly airfare included in the terms of their university TEFL contract.

Anyways, the point is that Korean EFL university teaching positions blow in terms of salary and benefits, especially compared with other TEFL destinations. They have for most of the last decade.

But, if all one wants to do is teach their 12 classes a week and hit the beach for 4 or 5 months a year, those jobs will fit the bill.

giovanni · Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Location: NO

Paddycakes · Joined: 05 May 2003 Location: Seoul

But at a uni you get to think you're better than the other foreigners, call yourself a 'professor', and of course you get lots of time off.

Of course the real Korean faculty will regard you as just an Hogwan teacher who happens to work on campus, but that's neither here nor there.

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

This is my first year at a college, and I must say I am learning a lot even after teaching for several years at the typical hagwon or public school. You follow a university schedule and you have similar expectations of a professor (grading, finals, etc...), but I don't mind being at a low tier college for now. I am getting some experience and planning lessons I wouldn't have had the opportunity to if I stayed at a hagwon or public school.

I think if you really like the college scene, then it might worth it to specialize in one other field other than English. Science teachers seem to also have better package deals.

Swampfox10mm · Joined: 24 Mar 2011

whiteshoes · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

OP, have you thought about doing a camp? A few of them will fly you out, you won't get much pay but you can get some 삼겹살 and get a closer "feel" to see if you want to stay in Korea.

As for the whole "uni teachers are lazy" thing. If you work at a uni and are lazy, that's on you. Not everyone who works at a uni is lazy. The best thing about working at a uni for me is I work my butt off, but get a long vacation to keep away from burning out.

You might also notice that a huge amount of the people who are publishing and presenting in Korea work at universities. I'm sure they are all lazy beach bums.... Rolling Eyes

wishfullthinkng · Joined: 05 Mar 2010

Swampfox10mm · Joined: 24 Mar 2011

The "reasonable if you eat Korean food" is no longer true.

And besides.... It is my experience that most expats dislike 80% of Korean food, and will try to find something else when possible. Sure, people can like bulgogi and kimchi once and a while, but I have yet to find an expat happy eating Korean all of the time.

Your argument only works for gyopos who grew up on it, and Korean food is no longer cheap.