Korean Job Discussion Forums

MDSloth · Joined: 09 Jan 2017

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone could shed some light on my chances of getting a uni job.

Just finished my MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL (got a merit), and I have 5 years experience but no uni experience. I also don't have a Bachelors.

I was also wondering when do Korean unis start advertising for September positions and where?

Any information would be appreciated

goat · Joined: 23 Feb 2010

Is it an online MA?

MDSloth · Joined: 09 Jan 2017

No, it's not an online MA

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Without the BA you won't get an E2 (teacher of foreign languages) in spite of having earned an MA.
The BA earned in one of the approved 7 countries is the visa requirement and an authenticated (apostilled) copy of your BA is required as part of the visa application process.

Without relevant experience to go with your MA and/or a PhD you won't be able to get an E1 (visiting professor) visa.

Chances of (legal) employment in Korea are slim due to the visa issues.
Try Japan (also slim due to higher competition) or SE Asia.
There is lots of work in Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam (but again the lack of a BA may get in your way).

.

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

Well, take a look at this post...

http://koreabridge.net/jobs/dongseo-university-efl-positions-spring-2017-keir

If you do not have at least two yr's experience at a uni, ur not getting a job with an MA. Go back with ur BA and try to weasel ur way into a sK0Ol. Oh wait! You don't have 4 yrs previous uni experience???

WELCOME TO KOREA!!!

p.s. having said that, you CAN get around a lot of the BS. You just gotta play ur cards right, and at the right time at the right place...

Some places consider "adult" hakwon places at half-value. others sometimes see a government job(ES, MS, or HS) as worth sth.

Best of luck/skill.

The MOST important point of my post is that most uni/college places in korea these days don't even need a new teacher during most semesters. With birthrates SO low and schools being shut down, it makes it a lot harder for anyone here to go up the ladder.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Guess you could try Vietnam or Thailand as ttompatz suggests. Get some university teaching experience there and then try to roll that over into a K university job that will provide E1 sponsorship.

In the end, not having the BA is going to complicate things, though, largely for the reasons given thus far. Plus, you'll always be competing with people who have that extra degree and experience earned AFTER the completion of that degree (normally how experience is measured in education). How did you get 5 years of experience without even the BA, for example? F4 visa? How did you get into a B&M MA program without your BA? Is the degree granting institution therefore reputable?

As Denverdeath hinted, though, you can get around a lot by knowing the right people and/or being at the right place at the right time.

Interesting case. Good luck and hope things pan out for you.

rocket man · Joined: 10 Dec 2015

how did you get an MA degree without an undergrad degree? I was always told that a basic requirement for getting into any graduate program was a BA/BS etc.

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

Yeah, sorry, I completely missed the "no BA" for some reason.

An honorary degree, perhaps?

Not slagging you, but I'm with ttompatz on this one. Pretty sure a BA is needed.

Anyway, doesn't hurt to try and apply, right? Just don't waste too much money in the effort.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

That Dongseo position is indicative of the current employment situation. Unless you've gotten situated in one of the better jobs, things have definitely gone down hill.

I must have at least 15 friends teaching ESL at university here. Among them, only 1 has not gone on to finish their MA. He's just going to ride his job out until they don't renew him, then pack his bags and head back to the US as far as I know.

All of them have 10-15+ years of experience. Most have been in their current jobs for a minimum of 5 years, many more than 10. So I was curious as to wages and the vacation time at Dongseo. 4 weeks in the summer and winter off? Not 8+? 2.5 with a related MA and experience?

Ouch. Many on this board remember when that salary may have been good had it included pretty decent housing AND 2.5 months off in the summer AND winter. No questions asked. That's what many of us had...in 1999...with unrelated degrees (and many with just the BA).

World Traveler · Joined: 29 May 2009

Adjusted for inflation, 2.5 mil in 1999 is 4 mil in today's money.

candy bar · Joined: 03 Dec 2012

A few years back things were different. Now I have to jump on the bandwagon with World Traveler. If you are new to the ESL market in Korea, don't expect a big salary are a great job.

If your good, really good, then you might eventually reap the fruits of big money. However, it isn't going to fall out of the tree and hit you on the head. You will have to be diligent and work hard and smart to be big time $.

MDSloth · Joined: 09 Jan 2017

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the very informative replies.

It seems I'm unlikely to get a job although I wont know for sure until I've applied due to 5 years experience elsewhere may be counted as 1/2

I was wondering if they check what college or uni you worked at I have experience with as I have experience with schools with "college" in the name. Do they count these as college/uni experience with a bit of luck?

denverdeath - "An honorary degree, perhaps? " No a full degree if you have significant experience in a field you can jump straight to MA or from BA to PhD.

ttompatz- how does Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia etc compare to China and Korea? for uni work and living conditions?

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

MDSloth · Joined: 09 Jan 2017

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Start chucking in applications to get a feel for your possibilities. Never know until you try.

As has been hashed out on these boards quite a bit, several universities, especially smaller, rural ones, can tend to put off hiring until the last minute. If the more highly qualified applicants have already contracted out, they then have to go with what's left in the applicant pool. Again, you'll never know if you don't get your applications out there.

I'm curious as to how you acquired experience teaching abroad without a BA, though. Bully for you if you did, just curious.