Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Waygeek]

Hello. I'm closing in on finishing my first year here and I'm thinking towards the future. I'm quite happy doing this job. I only have a Degree though; and this will eventually hold me back when I want to take a shot at uni jobs or want to negotiate a higher salary.

So I'm considering doing a Masters. Thing is, it would have to be one I could do while still working; so completely online, or weekends and online. I live in Seoul (if that's a factor). What masters would be best to do? I've heard there is one in TOSEL specifically, but in case this whole industry goes down the toilet in a few years, I think I would prefer to do one in General teaching. In case I have to return to the West and teach the field I was previously in. Is this possible? Would it hurt my chances of a uni job?

Ideally I'm looking at doing a masters that will be recognized in many places; here, Japan, China, even some places in the west would be nice. What are my options?

Thanks in advance.

[ttompatz]

[Waygeek]

TOSEL is a certification the kids can take; I thought the masters used the same 'branding'.

I don't want to do a CELTA really, I want a real masters out of this.

Like I said in my OP I eventually want a uni job, and I want my masters to be recognizable all over Asia; and the world if that's possible. I am willing to do an ESL masters but if I could do a general teaching masters and still be eligible for ESL jobs in Asia that would be great. Because lets face it, this whole hagwon thing may very well be a bubble that's about to burst and I would like the option of being able to teach what I studied in college in a Western University.

[le-paul]

im sorry to jump in on your thread but (tompatz) do you know if its possible to choose the open/online learning, masters route from a korean university? thanks

[ttompatz]

So you want an answer to, "How high is up?"

In most cases in EFL, beyond the CELTA, it is NOT about the credentials but about what you can deliver.

If you are useless in the classroom the MA won't help beyond getting you as far as an interview.

If you are good at what you do and have people recommending you then the credentials won't matter until you actually get serious about upper level academia.

Do you want to get into research?
Do you want to get into higher academia (be careful what you wish for - this is NOT the holy grail that many seem to think it is)
Do you want to get into mainstream teaching?

Do you just want to get out of hagwons?

Your questions and comments lead one to believe that it is largely the latter and none of the former.

Just an FYI:

CELTA - 30 days and gets you moving up. $2k in Asia (plus your airfare to the school of choice).
DELTA - 90 days intensive or 6 months by distance. 1/3 of the way to your MATESOL and lots more options begin to appear. $5k
B.Ed / PGCE to go with your current degree - 3 semesters and $10k. Gets you headed toward a teacher's license and those "international school" jobs.
MATESOL (by distance) $10-15k and gets you entry level uni jobs with the pay to match ($24-40k per year with benefits included in that value).
MATESOL at a brink 'n mortar school - $15k and gets you into the middle east and $50k jobs.
M.Ed. - better jobs in mainstream teaching (unless you are working in America where teachers are considered to be and treated little better than fast food servers.) M.Ed leads to admin type jobs and matching salaries.
Ed.D / PhD. gets your foot in the door to just about everything. What you do from there is up to you. It is just as easy to crash and burn as it is to succeed.

[Waygeek]

[ttompatz]

[Waygeek]

Is there anyone here with some actual experience of getting a relevant masters while here in Korea? If there is let me know; looking to get an idea of costs, any grants that are available, where best to do it, etc.

[drcrazy]

Why not do an MATESOL program in Korea part time?

[globusmonkey]

I think what Ttompatz has said is incredibly helpful, as usual, but you are looking for someone to do your homework for you. Many of the veterans (and some of the new people, also) resent those who refuse to utilize the hundreds/thousands of places to find information about the subjects they're interested in. There are many different options for higher degrees/career paths in this field, so perhaps a better way to get advice is to do some work yourself (including a well-thought out plan, rather than ambiguous generalities), then ask for specifics from people who have been through those same programs. Google is your best friend in this business. You will get more advice when you show initiative and a willingness to add information to the boards yourself.