Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevieg4ever]

I am 32 and have been in Korea for about 6 years (on and off) since 07.

To this date I have worked solely in the public school system and really don't think I can continue. I have done five full 1 year contracts, with good schools and bad schools but I just don't think that it is sustainable in the long term (camps, vacation, regular staff turnovers, general public school fatigue, stagnant wages etc). I am back home now and have been here since October last year.

I want to make the transition to University level, but I don't have a masters and I know you need one to be eligible for university positions. I am prepared to do one online but have really only begun looking recently.
UK masters programmes start from £6,000 / US$9,000 but I have been told that this is to be expected, is this correct?

Do you need an education based masters in order to be applicable for a university job? I was under the impression you didn't and that any masters would do.

Am I eligible to apply for university positions whilst in the process of doing the masters? I've heard that this is sometimes possible but wasn't sure either way.

I'd really like to get a position in Seoul but i've read that you need some university experience behind you to do this, is this true? I keep on hearing that you need two years of experience before a Korean university will hire you. This is obviously worrying me but anecdotally speaking it seems like people with a masters and any kind of experience are getting hired.

I've also thought about the F2-7 visa but it doesn't lead to a better job solely by itself and I don't think Ill have the time to do both a masters and the cultural integration course together. I have good Korean language proficiency behind me (TOPIK level 4) and Korean based references.

Any advice and help would be most appreciated, thanks in advance.

[edwardcatflap]

If you're from the UK and want to make TEFL a proper career, I'd suggest getting a CELTA, a DELTA and a Masters in a TEFL related subject ASAP. These would open the door to pretty much any TEFL job going. The sooner you get them, the sooner you can start earning a decent salary , pay for them and then start saving. I think you'd be mad to limit yourself to Korea at this stage - which you effectively are doing by having no TEFL qualifications. An MA in a non TEFL subject would also have this effect. Being a UK citizen you can work anywhere you want and there are a ton of better jobs out there than working for Koreans in a Korean university. Unless you have a special attatchment to the place - e.g. wife/GF.

[stevieg4ever]

Thanks for the reply. Do you mean suggest getting all three or getting one or the other?? Getting all three is a bit steep, isn't it?

A CELTA I am not worried about at this stage because its easy to get onto the course and they don't take a long time to complete.

Korea is my focus at this stage for several reasons.

[edwardcatflap]

[GENO123]

1) Nowadays an MA (TESOL or whatever) isn't always enough to get a University job in Korea. One thing for sure is that it will not provide you with any sort of protection or security. You are going to need a bigger gun than an MA if you want them.

2) Most Korean University jobs in Korea are not good jobs either. They either treat you worse than a servant or pay you next to nothing (or both.) The top 40~ 50 big famous schools are often the worst.

[stevieg4ever]

'Top of the tree' and 'high paying' can wait for the time being, I just want a reliable alternative to public school jobs.

Getting all three sounds like overkill, i mean ive never met anyone in Korea at a university with all three.

[edwardcatflap]

[PRagic]

1. MA+ CELTA + DELTA a great combo if you're serious about teaching at decent universities in Korea over the long term. Despite your impression, there are indeed a LOT of university instructors with all three. Get the MA in a related discipline first and then knock out the crest once you're employed.

2. Yes, it's possible to get a job if you're mid-way into your MA, but it probably won't be a great job.

3. I put up a ton of university job ads up on the 'university jobs without university experience' thread. Hiring for the coming term has probably ended, but you could keep your ear to the ground for the following semester.

4. Odds are you won't be able to start out in Seoul, but it all depends. Never hurts to apply. Many schools drag their feet and end up hiring right before the beginning of a semester, so they can't afford to be as picky.

[stevieg4ever]

Yes, i'm looking at that very thread now. Its very helpful.

Do you think it would be best to just crack on with a masters programme and just apply when ive finished? In the meantime I will have to return to public schools jobs anyway it seems.

[TheMeerkatLover]

You will not get hired at a university with your background.

Even if you did your graduate studies, you still would not be qualified to be hired under the current rules.

Go do your grad studies, work for 2 years in a university AFTER you graduate (full time) and then you'll be qualified to work in a uni here.

These simplistic threads about 'upgrading' to a uni position by simply completing grad school program have become pipe dreams.

I'd like to suggest you look at yourself, your qualifications, work history and see if they match what is required (or attainable). If not, then you should look for a alternative career path.

[jlb]

This book can answer a lot of your questions, especially regarding what kind of masters to get and the Celta/Delta:

http://www.amazon.com/How-Get-University-South-Korea-ebook/dp/B00ORLRP2Y

[stevieg4ever]

There are plenty of people with university jobs without a masters and / or university experience, sometimes both.
Thanks for you reply

[World Traveler]

[stevieg4ever]

Sure. I have a friend in Suwon (경희 University) who says that people in his department have been hired without a masters, just with substantial Korea-based experience.

Another contact of mine in Busan has witnessed the same scenario played out at his university. Both have relayed the same information and circumstances: basically the universities kick their heels and procrastinate over hiring, wait till the last minute and then hire Johnny noname waeguk because there is no one more suitable.

Its definitely possible.

[World Traveler]

Are you talking about BA + 4 (years of uni teaching experience)? That happens all the time. Who in 2015 is getting hired at a uni (a real uni, not a unigwon) with less than a BA +4, MA +2 (at a uni), or a PhD (not a year and a half ago, but now)?