Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sector7G]

U.S. Embassy ESL/EFL Projects with the English Language Fellow Program - Worldwide

http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/index.cgi?read=28405

Looks interesting-wish I had an MA.

Thought I'd pass it on for those who do.

You're welcome.

[thrylos]

The pay sucks (unless you get a Senior position, but rather unlikely), and you have to deal with a ton of beaurocratic BS, both to get hired and on the job itself.

With an MA, you'd be better off teaching in the Gulf and banking much more serious coin.

I briefly looked into it before and got turned off right away.

Last thing I needed was getting the screws turned on me, American style, overseas. It's one of the reasons I'm still abroad. Why put up with it elsewhere???

Only benefit would be if you're interested in taking the Foreign Service exam down the line, but there are not bonus points awarded with this position.

[Paddycakes]

That add goes to show you how the world perceives ESL.

They want a real MA (it sounds like the ever popular distance ED MA's common in Korea won't past muster).

They want real experience.

All for $25 to $35K per year?

The night shift manager at McDonalds probably makes more.

[ttompatz]

They offer a remuneration package (in terms of pay and benefits) equal to or lower than what an entry level EFL teacher (fresh BA and willing to travel) will earn just about anywhere in Asia.

A top level EPIK/GEPIK (3-4 years experience, BA and TEFL cert) teacher will have a remuneration package (pay and benefits) in excess of $40k per year.

ADD the fact that in Asia you are essentially tax exempt (working at a public school for the 1st two years) or pay at a low level (1.7-3.3%) compared to the IRS putting the screws to you.

And even at its worst, there is less paperwork dealing with almost any other government's visa application in process Asia than dealing with the State dept.

The job offer from State is a joke.

.

[Sector7G]

Perhaps, but to be fair, they are offering 25k to 35k for 10 months work. A night manager at Mcdonald's has to work a lot longer and harder for their money.

And as far as the tax exemption, wouldn't they still qualify just by working abroad, State Dept. employee or not?

I just thought it would look good on the resume, that's all.

[War Eagle]

It's probably a crap job, but I do want to point out this:

Program provisions:
� Stipend: Regular Fellow - $25,000, Senior Fellows - $35,000
� Living allowance (rent, utilities, local transportation)
� Textbook and pre-departure allowances
� Supplementary health benefit plan
� Round trip airfare from the United States to the host country

I used to work for the US government and my job required traveling. When away from home, they pay a per diem on top of your normal salary (I believe all government workers are entitled to this.). The amount of the per diem depends on many things, but is related to the cost of living for the area you are in.

In addition to the housing & utilities they are paying for, the per diem could be up to almost $100 a day extra. Let's say it were a modest $50 a day, times 365 days, means you can tack another 18k plus onto the advertised salary.

[ttompatz]

So about the same as an entry level PS job in Korea but with the added requirement of a master's degree for your pittance.

.

[misher]

[Malislamusrex]

You could teach 9 hours with a masters and get more than this.....

I wonder why the hell they would even post this.

[No_hite_pls]

You can pay back that 6 years of university making 25,000 USD really quick.

[Sector7G]

Ok guys, I get what you are saying. But I was not trying to say it was the career or even job of a life time, just not a bad one year gig due to the fact that you are working for the state department, and especially if you factor in the bennies that war eagle mentioned.

And just because someone with a master tefl can, and should make more than this job pays, does not mean that they are, at least at first. Some uni jobs even pay less, albeit for a lot fewer hours. And competition is stiff for those jobs.

I still think that someone who plans on making a career out of TEFL could benefit from having a job like this on their resume, even if it is just one year.

[Malislamusrex]

I get that, if you want to go to Korea for a year and have things taken care of it sounds good. But most people living here wouldn't be too keen.

[Malislamusrex]

I get that, if you want to go to Korea for a year and have things taken care of it sounds good. But most people living here wouldn't be too keen.