Korean Job Discussion Forums

[notniuQ]

Hello!

I am, I believe, at a point in my life where I need to make some pretty important decisions! I really am looking for the input of people who have experienced getting a job in Korea or Japan, and anyone else’s opinion on what they think I should do. Thank you for any advice you can give me!

Alright, so a little background on me. I am 20 years old, and a sophomore majoring in International Relations with a focus in business, and minoring in Applied Linguistics with a focus in ESL. I have been volunteering at a community center teaching ESL for about 4 months, and I absolutely LOVE it. I am planning to pursue teaching ESL in either Japan or Korea when I graduate. However, although I love it, I am majoring in International Relations to expand my opportunities just in case.

Therefore, I need to get a ESL certification, right? Because I’m not majoring in Education or English? Thats where I need some help. I was planning on taking Oxford Seminars, basically due to the job placement aspect. However, I read somewhere that Oxford Seminars aren’t actually that good, and they don’t do enough in class hours to be beneficial in Korea. Is that true? Do I need a certification at all? I know CELTA is also a good choice for a serious ESL teacher, which could possibly be me (still undecided), but it’s pretty expensive for me at the moment. I have one more summer before I graduate, so I have an opportunity to take it, but I don’t know if I should. I have also been looking at an i-to-i course in Chicago, with 140 hours and 20 of them are in class. Also, I have been having second thoughts on my minor at university. Although I love it, if it is something that won’t give me any real benefits, job-wise, then I’m not sure if its smart to keep on pursuing it. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a qualification I do not need. You know?
Basically, I just want to do every thing I can now, to be able to get the best job I can, in the best location I can. Any advice and tips would be greatly, greatly appreciated!

A little more information about me and my appearance, which I heard is really important when getting a job in Korea or Japan. (unfortunately) :
First, I am a Japanese tutor, so my Japanese is pretty good, and I also know conversational Korean. I have about 100 volunteer hours teaching English, and plan to stay volunteering until I graduate. I am white, male, blue eyed, and although it’s uncomfortable to say, I am, by society’s standards, not bad looking. I’m about 6’3”, kind of feminine, and thin.

So, what do you think? Should I not take the oxford seminars course? Should I take the CELTA? Do I need to take it now? Can I get a good job, and then decide if I should take it later on? What do you think about that i-to-i class? Any other tips you can give me?
I feel like I need to have a solid plan of where my life is going to go, so thank you so much for helping me with that in any way that you can!

Best,
Quinton

[pmwhittier]

I can't speak about Japan, as I have only worked and lived in the Korea. But just a few thoughts for you to consider:

If you plan on applying with the EPIK program (public schools) please look here for the requirements. http://www.epik.go.kr/contents.do?contentsNo=48&menuNo=275

Public schools basically want people that are E2 visa eligible and having a TEFL certification is required. In class (hands on) component of the TEFL is a good idea, though not required (as per their website).