Korean Job Discussion Forums

[flash viego]

Here is what I have gathered from reading posts, and other reseach.
If I am wrong, please let me know.

1. TEFL needed for all public school jobs in the entire country.
I have recieved mixed info on whether online cert is acceptable or not.

2. Public school positions are only done through EPIK, and GEPIK, and you have no choice where you end up.

3. Public schools may require decent grades from college.

I'm leaning towards Hagwons, primarily because I don't feel like I have a shot at a public school job, and don't want to be in a rural area.

The public school job seems like a better deal, but I will take the best I can get regardless of what it is.

I suppose the main question is Can I apply directly for any public school job, or does it have to go through these 2 programs wher I can be sent anywhere.

Cheers

[ttompatz]

[overdrive2023x]

[flash viego]

I wonder if it will be easier to get a public school job based on the new requirement. I still may do the Oxford seminars in-class course. I wouldn't think that as many recent college grads who just want to do this for a year would likely shell out over a 1000 USD for certification.

If I had CELTA, would that be acceptable, or is it strictly TEFL?

I think if i knew I could get a PS job in a dcent sized city, I'd be willing to find a way to pay for the course, but I'd hate to shell out the money and not get a PS job.

[ttompatz]

[cheezsteakwit]

OP,

Contact Alistair at Korean Horizons. He's a recruiter for public school jobs in the Chungnam province, & I believe, the Busan & Incheon area. For whatever reason, I didn't get selected for EPIK and Alistair got me a public school job in a "rural" area, but being in a "rural" area isn't that bad.

My town has a train station (many have just buses though) so I can be in Seoul in 90 mins via KTX & Daejeon is only 30 minutes away. I also get an extra 100,000 a month for working in a rural school. My town is actually pretty good & there are a lot of froeigners here. Its nice being in the country. The air is cleaner & I can ride my bike & hike during the Spring & Summer.

As for the TEFL, I did read something from EPIK on-line where all public school teachers will need a 100 hour TESOL / TEFL cert. WITH 20 hours of IN-class observations. (Check the EPIK website to verify that) I believe that requirement was starting in Sep. 2013, but don't quote me - look it up on EPIK's site. My contract renewal for March , which I signed a few weeks ago, said I needed a 100 hour TEFL course OR a teachers license. (i have both) I see Ttompatz responded to your question about the TEFL hours. He would know - He's the go-to guy for those kind of questions.

I took an on-line TEFL course from ITTT & I believe it was about $200 or so. I took the 'No-tutor' option, which is what I recommend. You read all the modules , take the exam & you have 24 hours to complete it once you download it. That's it , EZ, breezy.

As for hagwons vs. public schools, I wouldn't even think of working for a hagwon ... for the vacation time alone. PS jobs give 18 days of vacation a year which I don't believe hagwons will offer.

If you want a puiblic school job, give it your best shot & apply. If you don't ask, the answer is ALWAYS gonna be 'NO' ... Good luck to you.

[James89]

I'm not sure about Fall, but for Spring 2013, you only needed a 100 hour TEFL cert. None of those hours had to be classroom hours. Unless they've changed it in the past few months.

[flash viego]

Thanks for all the replys everyone. I am looking at a September start date, so it sounds like the new in-class requirement will probably be there.

Ttompatz,non decent size city to me would be rural, I mean some village, somewhere way out. You may remember answering a question of mine about tennis. It's one of the most important things in my life, so I like my chances of having good players to play with in a city over a million.

Also, are you saying that Oxford Seminars is, or is not one of the "legit" places to get the TEFL? I couldn't tell by your phrasing if it was one of the "joke" ones that seem to be everywhere.

The Oxford seminars one here in my city takes place in March , 6 weekend days for about 10 hours a day, and it looks like there is an online segment as well.

http://www.oxfordseminars.com/tesol-tesl-tefl-course/citydates.php?city=Houston

Thanks again for all the help !

[ScribeAbroad]

I can't speak from in-country experience, I'm arriving for the first time in a few weeks, but I got a position in a public school in Incheon (thru IMOE) w/o any TEFL certifications. I do have a degree in English and a grad degree in Education, but I haven't been told that's a substitute for TEFL.

[andrewchon]

[Soldier]

In fact they spend a couple minutes on this topic...they do ask questions...I know others that have had the experience...were asked why their grades were so low...or the HR was impressed with others' high grades.

Don't be fooled...this is a factor in the interview...can you learn...ie.

If your grades were low...you may want to tell the interviewer how you matured since...are motivated now...have very good time management skills. This is important as you will be doing lots of prep work for your classes. Treat it like studying.

If you have a bad work experience...likewise explain what you learned from it and moved on...do the same for all negatives.

Bottom line...the HR people look at grades as a factor in their hiring decisions.

Please treat this interview like you you were interviewing for a company position in the West or Down Under.

There is also employment equity...so keep that in mind too. This is consulation for non white teachers. So there are good things as well.