Korean Job Discussion Forums

[OBwannabe]

What are the chances of securing an International school position with a B.Ed and 5 years of hagwon experience? Also did one year of subbing in Canada.

I've just been accepted to a one year B.Ed program and certainly don't want to spend the next 5-10 years on a subbing list before getting a permanent position.

What kind of renumeration do teachers get in Korea? Or China even?
Can one have a lucrative career (with decent retirement) from teaching in International Schools?

Are there other certifications needed besides a B.ED?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all,

OB

[Charlie Bourque]

[MiXX]

A few things.

One doesnt even need a B.Ed to teach in an International School.

All someone needs is a teaching license such as elementary edu, middle school science, high school mathematics etc. (not talking about any esl licenses or certs)

You dont need have to have any teaching experience.

Your hagwon or any experience prior to being a certified / licensed teacher means practically nothing.

That is for your real International Schools that are worth note (1st and 2nd tier)

There are however 3rd tier and school parading around as International Schools that hire people with only a degree and without a license.

[OBwannabe]

I am concerned about which teachables are in demand. I already have a degree in sport science, so this will be one(Physical Ed). I'm not sure if I will be able to pick up others or not. Waiting for a response from the school I will be attending.

I will certainly have a teaching license. Elementary/middle school.

How's the standard of living for a teacher at a tier 1 or 2 school? Just how difficult is it to obtain one of these positions?

[ttompatz]

[MiXX]

[rowdie3]

I currently work at a top tier international school in Seoul.
This school won't even look at someone without two years of in classroom post certificate experience.
Once you are freshly certified, you might have to consider some lesser demand countries to get that two years of experience (Such as Myannmar, Vientnam, Cambodia, etc.) and then you have the golden ticket to go anywhere in the world.
I have been in Korea for 10 years off and on. Got certified through an in class / online program (The College of New Jersey) and am finishing my master's now.
Registered for Search Associates and got a sweet new job in Istanbul starting in September. Can't wait for a change.
Good luck!

[young_clinton]

[Voyeur]

What does "experience (IB)" mean?

Also, I'm hearing various opinions about the need for experience in one of the major English speaking countries before going abroad. Some say you need two years, some say you need 5, some say none at all. In particular, I'm curious whether you can make up for a lack of experience in a major English speaking country by working in the lower tier International Schools that will take you, and eventually make it to better ones. Or will that lack of "home" experience always haunt your career until you get it (this may be especially true if you get certified in the UK, where you have some kind of new teacher status after getting certified--not sure if you can ever shake that one without getting experience in the UK).

[MiXX]

Experience is PREFERRED, and in no way mandatory (even at tier 1 schools).

With that said, it will be significantly harder to get a job at a tier 1 school without experience.

Dont let that cause you not to apply and attempt to get the best job you can. People can and have been hired at tier 1 schools without experience.

"IB" is the curriculum most of the better International Schools use. It is important to get IB experience and training.

[Voyeur]

Thanks for the info. on the "IB" curriculum. Do you think that in time IB Curriculum experience can compensate for lacking in-country experience in the more developed English-speaking countries?

[silkhighway]

You'll definitely find a job, however depending on your specialty, your compensation and location will vary drastically. For international schools accredited in Canadian provinces, a one-year B.Ed might limit you a little bit as there are many Canadian provinces where you need a two-year B.Ed to get a license (you can get a temporary license but it might be hard to do your upgrading from abroad).

On the other hand, I know someone certified elementary/junior in Ontario (1 yr program) who is teaching high school math at a British accredited international school, so if you convince a school that you can teach science or math with a sports science degree, just because you're not accredited in Ontario doesn't mean you can't teach it.

[silkhighway]

By the way, I think this is a good place to bring this up. All the talk of "tier" schools -- from what I understand this is not from some accrediting body, it's unofficial ratings from teachers on the international circuit. I've also been told that "good" schools go "bad", and "bad" school turn around and become good schools depending on the admin and current crop of teachers, which doesn't surprise me in the least. This is probably more true of the "Tier 2/3" schools with private ownership.

I can say for sure that Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia do not rank their international schools (or more accurately, programs). They are accredited and that's it.

Anyone have any comments on this?

Another question, I understand the IB program is a standardized curriculum with standardized testing, but do they actually govern the certification of it's teachers?

[seansmith]

IB means International Baccalaureate. It's an advanced level of study that includes PYP (Primary Years Program), MYP (Middle Years Program) and DP (Diploma Program). Five years ago I made the leap from ESL to international school teaching and have taught DP English for the past 4 years. The DP, or high school program, is intense, both for the teacher and students. Teaching English at a Korean university is much easier but not as meaningful, nor does it develop you as much professionally.

I had no home country experience, nor a Teacher Certification, but as I had a B.A. in English Lit. and an MEd TESOL Degree they took a chance on me as they felt as I was a good fit for their international school. I would describe my school as a good second tier school, with net salary packages in the $40,000 - $60,000 USD range, with flights home once a year, a health care plan, and IB Workshops to places like Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

Many students in any international school, whether 1st, 2nd or 3rd tier, are not proficient in English, so ESL teachers have a chance at jobs at those schools - but only in an ESL/TESOL department. If you want to be in the regular English department at a good school, a higher credential is necessary. Increasingly, Teacher Certification is required, so I consider myself fortunate to get in when I did.

I should say, as I've mentioned in previous posts, that I'm Shanghai, not Seoul. However, similar contracts exist in Seoul - there are just far fewer international schools, and thus jobs, there. These days, teachers wanting to break in to the international school game may, as a previous poster said, head to Vietnam, Cambodia, and also cities in China like Shenzhen and Guangzhou.