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smithy
Joined: 17 Aug 2009
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 Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 9:47 am Post subject: Best possible job with CELTA? |
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| I have 5 years of experience in Korea and a CELTA. Considering coming back while I do my MA TESOL online. What's the best I can hope for nowadays? I'd like to work with older students, and I'd like as much money and as few hours as possible. Doesn't everyone, right? Any suggestions? |
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wanderkind
Joined: 01 Jan 2012
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Does older mean high school/uni or adults? |
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smithy
Joined: 17 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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| wanderkind wrote: |
| Does older mean high school/uni or adults? |
Uni/Adults would be my preference but I could cope with anything over elementary. |
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happiness
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Im going to say it, but in helping my boss find 2 new teachers, Im seeing quite a few Celta and masters going for just the garden variety hagwon jobs (and igetting paid less than me). He's not paying more for any degrees. Im not sure that Celta thing is worth it in Korea. Didnt all the K-Elementary jobs want it and then they got rid of what, 2500 positions or so? |
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Chaparrastique
Joined: 01 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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| happiness wrote: |
| Didnt all the K-Elementary jobs want it and then they got rid of what, 2500 positions or so? |
It used to be the norm to get paid an extra 200 000W a month for having a celta if you were in gepik.
Then 2009 hit and they started preferring blondes over celta-holders.
Then 2012 hit and they started shelving jobs left right and center.
And now a celta is worth zero in korea. |
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happiness
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Chaparrastique wrote: |
| happiness wrote: |
| Didnt all the K-Elementary jobs want it and then they got rid of what, 2500 positions or so? |
It used to be the norm to get paid an extra 200 000W a month for having a celta if you were in gepik.
Then 2009 hit and they started preferring blondes over celta-holders.
Then 2012 hit and they started shelving jobs left right and center.
And now a celta is worth zero in korea. |
Haha, well said. I did have some snobby person hold it up to me they were out of here with their newly-minted Celta from a month in Thailand, and they were off to make bank in Dubai, and 6 months later, theyre still here, and I found out their principal cut their hours ages ago, only giving them about 2 million a month!
While my "lazy" self is still making much more and doing ok for myself, with my Bachelors.
I knew I would not spend a dime for the system here, too fickle.
I did learn Korean, THAT has been my saving grace the whole time.
So, is a Celta is "worthless" (not my words, but still), what is worthy nowadays to get the jobs? Serious question, please dont respond with the "ass kissing/klown/etc." answer. 
OK rant over, Im sure some Celta peeps are well educated and well versed. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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For all intents and purposes, a BA + CELTA is the same as a BA + experience = BA plus fresh face.
It will add nothing to the remuneration package (in Korea).
It will usually do nothing to make you more marketable.
Since the PS system started shelving jobs in the middle and high school sections and UNIs started requiring a minimum of a MA there are darn few jobs outside of hagwons for working with older students.
Good luck to the OP.
With a degree, CELTA and 3 years of classroom time You'd probably do better in China.
You should be able to land a decent remuneration package (10k rmb + benefits (or better) at some of the better high schools or "private" universities or cram schools.
While it is lower than Korea the savings potential is greater (caveat: you can only export 60% of it anyway).
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NinjaTeacher
Joined: 31 Jan 2014
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| Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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I have a CELTA and will have a years experience at the end of the year. It doesn't seem like it's much of an advantage over 1 year experience and a TEFL in terms of job options.
Not sure how that changes with more experience though. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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In Korea, without connections, it doesn't make any difference.
White face, degree, clean CBC = all the same.
The only thing that makes a difference (other than a related PhD) is licensure as a teacher (opens up different options).
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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| British Council. They only take people with CELTAs and experience and pay better than hagwans. You also get proper medical insurance, a generous housing allowance and 10 weeks holiday. |
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wings
Joined: 09 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2014 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| British Council. They only take people with CELTAs and experience and pay better than hagwans. You also get proper medical insurance, a generous housing allowance and 10 weeks holiday. |
There are only 2 jobs available with the British Council at any of their centres in the world. Good luck. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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Troglodyte
Joined: 06 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 1:27 am Post subject: |
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As others have said, the CELTA (and any other certificate or qualification) is worthless in Korea. Here it's all about presentation, connections, celebrity factor. If you were a former IELTS or TOEFL examiner, that might be worth something. If you can show that your former students did super well on exams right after taking your classes, that might be worth something. Otherwise, you're on an even playing field.
If you go to Vietnam or China, then the CELTA has some value. It's also valuable in other parts of the world but the money varies a lot based on location. Are you interested in other countries? If so, do you have any preferences as far as region? |
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smithy
Joined: 17 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 1:29 am Post subject: |
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This has all been helpful, thanks. I'm aware how little the CELTA is thought of in Korea, but I did it to become a better teacher and give me a decent base for my MA. I also don't have long term plans to stay in Korea. It is just a means to an end.
How about the 'Unigwan' positions? Do they require an MA? Do you think I would be better travelling to Korea and job-hunting from within the country for the better positions?
Edit: grammar
Last edited by smithy on Mon Sep 15, 2014 1:36 am; edited 1 time in total |
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smithy
Joined: 17 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 1:32 am Post subject: |
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| Troglodyte wrote: |
As others have said, the CELTA (and any other certificate or qualification) is worthless in Korea. Here it's all about presentation, connections, celebrity factor. If you were a former IELTS or TOEFL examiner, that might be worth something. If you can show that your former students did super well on exams right after taking your classes, that might be worth something. Otherwise, you're on an even playing field.
If you go to Vietnam or China, then the CELTA has some value. It's also valuable in other parts of the world but the money varies a lot based on location. Are you interested in other countries? If so, do you have any preferences as far as region? |
Hi, thanks for the reply. I'm not dead-set on Korea, although it is preferable only for the friends I have there and the savings potential on even a basic salary. I could handle living on 2.2 for a year, but the last position I left in Korea I was paid 2.5 and I've become more experienced and qualified since then, so it would be somewhat frustrating to return on less money. But, while I do the MA, it might be easiest to come to a country I know where I can save 50% of my salary.
tl;dr My preferences are savings and free time. |
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