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jawbox
Joined: 24 Jul 2015
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 Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:29 am Post subject: Not checking thread. No more comments please. |
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Not checking thread anymore.
Last edited by jawbox on Thu Jul 30, 2015 4:38 am; edited 2 times in total |
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creeper1
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:48 am Post subject: |
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I don't think you will have a problem. If you can get a job in Japan (considered much more competitive than Korea) then you will get a job in Korea.
You will double that salary you make in Spain. Don't know how you can live on that! |
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jawbox
Joined: 24 Jul 2015
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 11:30 am Post subject: |
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Ha! I don't know how I live on it either! That's why I've got my eye on Korea!
Thanks, good to know. |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 12:05 pm Post subject: |
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| No offense but you've been in TEFL 10 years and you're making 560 quid a month? And you're contemplating an entry level job in Korea? Are you being supported by a better half or have a side job? If not have you never thought about either getting out of the field or doing something about making a proper wage? |
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jawbox
Joined: 24 Jul 2015
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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First of all 560 quid goes further in Spain than in the UK or Korea (I imagine) It's called the Spanish TEFL industry. The main reason I earn so little in Spain is because most of the market is exam preparation classes for adults and I teach kids. Even exam preppers in Spain don't tend to earn much unless they work their fingers to the bone. To cap it all we're all but abandoned by our employers for months on end for the stupidly long summer holidays. No one in their right mind goes to Spain expecting to make a lot of money. I came here for a break from Asia had enough after a few months but kept getting girlfriends! (not to toot my own horn) And as for doing something about making a decent wage? Well, here I am on the Korean forum. But you're right! It's obscene that after 10 years I'm earning half what I was in my first teaching job. I don't think it's a cause to stop teaching though.  |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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| jawbox wrote: |
| First of all 560 quid goes further in Spain than in the UK or Korea (I imagine) It's called the Spanish TEFL industry. The main reason I earn so little in Spain is because most of the market is exam preparation classes for adults and I teach kids. Even exam preppers in Spain don't tend to earn much unless they work their fingers to the bone. To cap it all we're all but abandoned by our employers for months on end for the stupidly long summer holidays. No one in their right mind goes to Spain expecting to make a lot of money. I came here for a break from Asia had enough after a few months but kept getting girlfriends! (not to toot my own horn) And as for doing something about making a decent wage? Well, here I am on the Korean forum. But you're right! It's obscene that after 10 years I'm earning half what I was in my first teaching job. I don't think it's a cause to stop teaching though. |
I don't know, things in Barcelona seemed to cost the same as they do in most
big cities last time I was there and the price of accommodation in the old town was obscene. Maybe it's different in the sticks. There are well paid jobs in Spain, I knew a guy who got a job managing a kids teaching centre in Madrid on 40,000 euros a year. If I was you I'd come over here and start saving for some decent qualifications, if you want to stay in TEFL. It's pretty easy to spend all of a public school wage if you're into partying and the ladies. |
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metalhead
Joined: 18 May 2010
Location: Toilet
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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| I wouldn't expect much from Korea taking your age and qualifications into account, you'd have a far better go of it in China. Korea, Japan and Taiwan are paying 2003 salaries more or less, it's just a crappy deal all around for most people these days. |
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jawbox
Joined: 24 Jul 2015
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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| My age? I'm not that old! China doesn't appeal to me. Thanks anyway! |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:53 pm Post subject: Re: Thinking about Korea for autumn 2016. What do you think? |
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| jawbox wrote: |
| I'll be mainly after public school work preferably elementary. UK national, 10 years of experience teaching kids in Japan and Spain mostly in public schools. |
You have a TEFL certificate?
| jawbox wrote: |
| Read a lot about the market being flooded so I thought I better check out what my options are. Thanks! |
Not flooded, dried up.
| jawbox wrote: |
| Have no choice but to arrive for the autumn term (which in Japan and Spain starts in September but I read it was in August for Korea (?) |
[EDIT] (Sorry. Missed the 2016 bit)... Check out Korvia’s website. They recruit for GEPIK and EPIK (public school programs).
| jawbox wrote: |
| My age? I'm not that old! |
I hate to break it to you, but you’ve been teaching for 10 years. Unless you had an exceptionally early start to teaching overseas, then you are old.
Not saying you can't get a job. But let's be real.
| jawbox wrote: |
| China doesn't appeal to me. |
That may be, but it's likely your best option.
Last edited by isitts on Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:18 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:59 pm Post subject: Re: Thinking about Korea for autumn 2016. What do you think? |
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| Quote: |
jawbox wrote:
My age? I'm not that old!
I hate to break it to you, but you’ve been teaching for 10 years. Unless you had an exceptionally early start to teaching overseas, then you are old.
Not saying you can't get a job. But let's be real.
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He means you're old to be going up against newbies for entry level jobs. In Korea they will generally have the edge. |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:28 pm Post subject: |
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| jawbox wrote: |
| No one in their right mind goes to Spain expecting to make a lot of money. I came here for a break from Asia had enough after a few months… It's obscene that after 10 years I'm earning half what I was in my first teaching job. I don't think it's a cause to stop teaching though. |
Fair enough. Was most of your experience in Asia, then? It’s kind of unclear. It’s just… you’re posing your question as a newbie would…but you’ve been doing this a while. Where did you teach before? Japan, I guess? Have you considered going back?
Anyway, Korea might be possible. I would check Korvia’s site or check directly on the EPIK and GEPIK websites (if the latter has one) for the hiring timeline. You’ll have documents to prepare.
And I’m not sure about advertising the 10 years experience, but you may point out having experience teaching in Asia.
Good luck! |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 11:28 pm Post subject: Re: Thinking about Korea for autumn 2016. What do you think? |
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| edwardcatflap wrote: |
| Quote: |
I hate to break it to you, but you’ve been teaching for 10 years. Unless you had an exceptionally early start to teaching overseas, then you are old.
Not saying you can't get a job. But let's be real. |
He means you're old to be going up against newbies for entry level jobs. In Korea they will generally have the edge. |
Exactly. It’s not even so much your age as much as it is your age plus your experience. You’ll start having recruiters/employers ask you if you’ve considered getting more credentials at some point.
Last spring, I was at the end of my eighth year of teaching and I was finally asked by my recruiter why I hadn’t gotten more credentials or training….and I have a TEFL certificate. I gave my reasons, but I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to make a case for not having more…at least if I want to stay in Korea.
So, I’m not just dogging you for being old. I’m kind of at that crossroads myself. The difference is, I didn’t have that much experience before I came to Korea, and once I was in country, it was just easier to get hired by schools in spite of their reservations because…I was already here.
If I were to have the same amount of experience gathered from other countries and then decided I wanted to give Korea a try, I expect I might have some difficulty. A few years ago, it wouldn’t have mattered, but these days…it kind of does.
But, you know, you can give it a try! |
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kingplaya4
Joined: 14 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 2:31 am Post subject: |
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| I think the op might be perfect for Korea. I generally warn newbies off, but if he's already made TEFL as his career, he doesn't have much to lose. Also, since he's only making 1k a month, Korea, even today, would be an upgrade for him. The only problem I see is he doesn't want to go to a hagwon. Spots in the public schools are limited op, but it can't hurt to apply. The job market is as tight as you hear, but if you are willing to consider a variety of options, you will get a position somewhere. |
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jawbox
Joined: 24 Jul 2015
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| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 4:37 am Post subject: |
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Self-serving as it may be, I have to agree with kingplaya4. Thank you for the other helpful comments.
I should go to China? The ultimate entry-level position? Do you think I worked in Asia for 5 minutes?
I've heard enough. No more comments please. |
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metalhead
Joined: 18 May 2010
Location: Toilet
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| Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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| He said, "No more comments!" Hush! |
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