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truculentknight
Joined: 27 Aug 2012
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 Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 8:17 am Post subject: New to the forum! I have a question...please help =) |
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hey everyone!
I have a question regarding what the schools within South Korea are looking for. Currently I have the following qualifications:
1. Speak some Korean
2. 100 hr Ontesol Certification
3. B.S. in Business
4. ESL Volunteer at a local adult school
5. ESL Teacher for a company in South Korea
My question is regarding #4, I recently enrolled within a ESL program at a local adult school, upon completion I will have more than 50+ hrs of observation and teaching. Keep in mind, I'm a student of the class helping the teacher to teach the course material. Ontesol has recently told me that the in-class experience wont make a difference since it won't be documented with their newly developed +20 hour practicum.
Here's my question, does it really matter? Do I really have to pay an additional $150 to upgrade my 100 hr certification to the 120hr certification? If I can finish the ESL volunteer program with good grades, and receive a letter of recommendation indicating my service then I should be fine, is this correct? I thought schools within South Korea just want individuals to have some kind of in-class experience? I believe my chances of receiving an offer should still be quite good? Am I wrong? |
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Soldier
Joined: 21 Oct 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 3:41 pm Post subject: Nar!! |
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Narr!! You don need do upgrade. I have a 100 hr cert and work for a pooblic schoo harr in SK. Yarr wark exp will halp you geet in do deach raigh here in SK.
Chaarrs!! |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 4:03 pm Post subject: Re: New to the forum! I have a question...please help =) |
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| truculentknight wrote: |
hey everyone!
I have a question regarding what the schools within South Korea are looking for. Currently I have the following qualifications:
1. Speak some Korean
2. 100 hr Ontesol Certification
3. B.S. in Business
4. ESL Volunteer at a local adult school
5. ESL Teacher for a company in South Korea
My question is regarding #4, I recently enrolled within a ESL program at a local adult school, upon completion I will have more than 50+ hrs of observation and teaching. Keep in mind, I'm a student of the class helping the teacher to teach the course material. Ontesol has recently told me that the in-class experience wont make a difference since it won't be documented with their newly developed +20 hour practicum.
Here's my question, does it really matter? Do I really have to pay an additional $150 to upgrade my 100 hr certification to the 120hr certification? If I can finish the ESL volunteer program with good grades, and receive a letter of recommendation indicating my service then I should be fine, is this correct? I thought schools within South Korea just want individuals to have some kind of in-class experience? I believe my chances of receiving an offer should still be quite good? Am I wrong? |
1. Can be a downside because some might suspect that they'll have a harder time pushing you around. In the long run it's better though because those are the schools you'll want to avoid. Anyway, most don't want you to use Korean in the school.
2. For a hogwon, it's fine. A PS might want the 120 hour course.
3. Not relevant. Unless maybe you're teaching Business English, but that market is relatively limited here.
4. Mainly irrelevant. It's good that you have experience but they also take a lot of inexperienced teachers.
5. That's valuable, especially if you get a reference from the company and they can call your old boss.
But here are the big things they're looking for. Do you look good/professional/caucasian? Are you young? Do you have all your paperwork ready? Do you have a pulse? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 4:57 pm Post subject: Re: New to the forum! I have a question...please help =) |
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| truculentknight wrote: |
hey everyone!
I have a question regarding what the schools within South Korea are looking for. Currently I have the following qualifications:
1. Speak some Korean
2. 100 hr Ontesol Certification
3. B.S. in Business
4. ESL Volunteer at a local adult school
5. ESL Teacher for a company in South Korea
My question is regarding #4, I recently enrolled within a ESL program at a local adult school, upon completion I will have more than 50+ hrs of observation and teaching. Keep in mind, I'm a student of the class helping the teacher to teach the course material. Ontesol has recently told me that the in-class experience wont make a difference since it won't be documented with their newly developed +20 hour practicum.
Here's my question, does it really matter? Do I really have to pay an additional $150 to upgrade my 100 hr certification to the 120hr certification? If I can finish the ESL volunteer program with good grades, and receive a letter of recommendation indicating my service then I should be fine, is this correct? I thought schools within South Korea just want individuals to have some kind of in-class experience? I believe my chances of receiving an offer should still be quite good? Am I wrong? |
1) not relevant or required.
2) adequate for public schools. Not needed for hagwons.
3) doesn't mean much at a hagwon and means less at a public school. (1000 hours of classroom time (1 academic year) for the pay bump).
4) If you have a certificate of employment as a teacher it may be useful. If not then not.
Do you need the "upgrade" = NOT FOR KOREA. Save your money. It is not needed, wanted or acknowledged.
For a job in Korea you need:
1) pulse.
2) passport from one of the approved 7 English speaking countries.
3) legitimate degree from a properly accredited university in one of the same 7 countries.
4) clean, clear, national background check from your country of passport.
5) willingness to get on a plane and get to Korea.
6) willingness and ability to (promise to) stay for at least a year.
If you are lacking in any one of 1-5 then you have no chance.
If you can say yes to 1-5 then your chances of employment somewhere, as a teacher, are 100%.
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truculentknight
Joined: 27 Aug 2012
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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thanks for the quick response!
1. I heard knowing some Korean will help me make the adjustments needed to survive
2. I'm considering the 120 hr certification only because I want to secure a job by this year for sure, with no doubt.
3. The degree is only necessary to obtain employment.
4. The ESL class I'm volunteering at is only a plus, I might be able to get a letter of recommendation from the teacher. Saying I have 50+ hrs of in-class experience, again not necessary but only meant to be a plus.
5. Keep in mind, I'm an ESL teacher for an online website that is based in South Korea. So there is a technical difference between online and in-class. Although, I have been promised a letter of recommendation from the manager for my service.
ttompatz,
I can answer a yes to all of your questions. Although, I haven't yet checked my pulse...but I'm sure it must be there! maybe later haha |
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Soldier
Joined: 21 Oct 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 6:22 pm Post subject: Jus brin yeeeself |
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| With all dat in min' jus brin' yeeself and ye will bee finee.' |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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| truculentknight wrote: |
thanks for the quick response!
1. I heard knowing some Korean will help me make the adjustments needed to survive
2. I'm considering the 120 hr certification only because I want to secure a job by this year for sure, with no doubt.
3. The degree is only necessary to obtain employment.
4. The ESL class I'm volunteering at is only a plus, I might be able to get a letter of recommendation from the teacher. Saying I have 50+ hrs of in-class experience, again not necessary but only meant to be a plus.
5. Keep in mind, I'm an ESL teacher for an online website that is based in South Korea. So there is a technical difference between online and in-class. Although, I have been promised a letter of recommendation from the manager for my service.
ttompatz,
I can answer a yes to all of your questions. Although, I haven't yet checked my pulse...but I'm sure it must be there! maybe later haha |
1) help you survive = yes. Help you find a job = no.
2) won't make any difference in Korea. Nada, none.
3) degree may not be needed for employment but it IS NEEDED for the visa. Degree-yes = visa possible. Degree-no = visa not possible.
4) 50 hours means nothing. 1000 hours gives you an academic year. It will however help you when you get dropped in front of a classroom and told to "teach".
5) MEANINGLESS. It is not classroom experience.
. |
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Soldier
Joined: 21 Oct 2011
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:35 pm Post subject: So all that matters.... |
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Do you have a degree....any bachelor's degree or higher? 
Are you healthy? That includes mental health...should be no more than 40% crazy...lol 
Are there any criminal convictions? If no, you are G2G.
Are you flexible...please see the health question.
Are you teachable?
Are you resourceful?
At the end of the day, that's all that matters here in Korea. Everything else is a plus. You will be fine. |
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:16 am Post subject: Re: So all that matters.... |
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| Soldier wrote: |
Are you healthy? That includes mental health...should be no more than 40% crazy...lol
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And no less than 10% crazy. (You'll need a bit of insanity to survive here.) |
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Soldier
Joined: 21 Oct 2011
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 3:47 pm Post subject: Absolutely!! |
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| Everyone here has at least a little bit of insanity; life is boring without differences. And yes; everyone is 'different.' |
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