Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TIEPIE]

I have recently completed my bachelor of education degree and received teacher certificaiton. I taught through the GEPIK program before and am now exploring further options. I am not so sure if I want to start teaching at an international school, but was thinking ESL in China, Hong Kong, or even back in Korea. Anyone who has gone this route beore with any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

[ttompatz]

[PRagic]

I had a buddy who made unreal coin teaching in Hong Kong's NET program. He said that the one year of experience was the minimum to be considered, and that from there it got competitive, especially for slots at the best schools there. All NET jobs in HK are not created equally.

All Americans he knew teaching there had certification, about 3-10 years experience teaching (post certification) in the US, and their MA degree in hand. They like the Americans to have their MA because that reflects on the experience they have. They know that you need to knock that out to be a teacher in the US.

He did have to work hard, but he was a professional teacher and he took pride in doing the job right. Just be sure to weigh the high wages against the cost of living there. And the pollution. I just read in the WSJ that because of the pollution, people in Beijing want to go to Shanghi, people in Shanghi want to go to Hong Kong, and people in Hong Kong want out. Classic. The pollution in Beijing is at least 8 times the magnitude of NYC. Yikes!

[rollo]

Hk the pollution is not so bad. If you are careful and do your research you can keep your cost of living down. It is a beautiful city and suprisingly there is a lot of green space, also you can find pretty much what ever you want there a far as Western amenities.

Taiwan is a beautiful place outside of Taipei, the money is good.

[MiXX]

What is your license / certification in? If your talking about normal core teaching k-5/elementary, 6-8/middle, 9-12/high school subjects I am not sure why you are looking for a ESL job.

If the above is the case your on the wrong forum.

[Squire]

If I had a teaching degree I'd be applying for a Hong Kong public school job straight away. I've considered enrolling on a PGCE course back home in order to land a job there eventually

[Weigookin74]

Go to the middle east. You usually get nice and free housing.

[TIEPIE]

Thank you everyone, after this stint at an interational school, I will be applying to the PNET. I missed this years application process, so I suppose will wait till the next. Ttompatz, do you have any insight into what it is like teching for the Taiwan public schools or where to apply? I am an elementray teacher, and quite honestly enjoy the lifestyle of ESL, and what it offers more (time). International schools have just as many problems as the ESL industry, but thankfully in the end its balanced out by the good.

[MiXX]