Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TECO]

A university teacher over on the Japan forum claims that Korean universities have dubious hiring standards and are not worth taking seriously in terms of the credentials they require their instructors to have.

As if Japanese universities don't have their problems with 2 or 3 year caps on contract renewals and incredible in-fighting and poor relations between local and foreign staff.

Can any local university teachers here comment on the comparison - anyone taught at universities in both countries?

[Len8]

Most of the universities down in the southern end of the country hire through agencies who have thoroughly checked out the candidates before they submit their applications. there is also a lot of competition to get a university gig, so any advertisement for a position is usually swamped with applicants. It's not difficult to sift out the the the more qualified applicants either. I sometimes sit in on the interview for new applicants, and believe you me the Korean Professors usually have the applicants well sorted out.

There are enough people around now with university teaching experience, so all a person doing the hiring has to ask is "where was the last university you taught at". They in turn ring that university to ascertain the suitability of the candidate.

The only time it might get dubious is if the person hired for a job bails out for some reason or other. When that happens the university panics, because they have the students enrolled for the English classes so the have to find someone else quickly. That's when you get a few shonkey people into the system.

[dzeisons]

whilst some of the unis take anybody with some experience teaching some bodies in korea, a teaching caper in a uni in japan is more difficult to get. although i haven't taught in japan a lot of the top japanese unis farm out teaching througha private company called *****- i worked with a lady who worked for them and have looked at their website. they expect you to be on site for 12 hours a day five dasys a week and expect lots of progress reports etc. also dress regulations, etc are draconian the pay is not that good considering the hours and you may have to travel for over an hour each way every day. i noticed recently that you don't need a masters to work there any more- no doubt they ran out of masters graduates willing to put up with it.

a bloke in my masters course also taught in a uni (he reckons he was lucky to get the job without a TESOL or masters degree and not with the above mentioned company) in japan for three years- he reckons it was pretty sweet but they have a cap (as most japanese unis) which prohibit hiring 'foreigners' for more than three years. whilst getting tenureas a foreigner in korean unis may be difficult, at elast you can stay at most gigs (at least that i know of) if you do erasonably well for as long as you like.

[J.B. Clamence]

It's true that Japanese unis have much higher expectations of job applicants. To get a job at a university in Japan, you will almost always be asked to send copies of three of your published works, including your "main publication" which highlights your general work as an academic. No publications, no job. And without a Masters, you can forget about even applying.

Korean unis have much lower standards. Usually only the tenure-track positions ask for publications, and most universities here will consider applications from people without a Masters.

Does that make Korean university hiring practices "dubious"? I don't think so. I think it's just a different kind of job which is offered here. They just want native speakers who are academically adept to help their students with conversational skills (mainly). In Japan, I think it's a different kind of job.

[Medic]

I have heard though that paye aint all that good for what they demand of you at japanese universities. After paying for expenses they end up with pretty much the same as what we get here in korea.

On the japanese site they actually have a hell of a big black list of japanese univerities. never seen anything like that here.

[coolsage]

I can't speak to the standards at Japanese unis, but during the five years that I've taught at Korean unis, I've witnessed the standards dropping. An MA , MS, MSc, M.Ed, anything beginning with 'M' was the prerequisite for a uni gig . Not necessarily much more than an arbitrary call, but perhaps it separates those who decide to pursue their field more thoroughly from those who decide to simply use what they already have, and go for it. Frankly, it's a cosmic crap-shoot. Degrees and diplomas have little to do with those who can deliver the goods. There are 'natural' teachers, and there are those who learn the craft. There are impostors as well, with agendas of their own. And I don't think that there are many language schools in Korea that don't lack a resident misfit. Degrees mean little; credentials mean more, grasshopper. Goodnight, and may your god go with you.

[TECO]

The foreign teachers in the English language centre of my school hold the following degrees:

Ph.D - Economics
J.D - Law
Ph.D - American Literature
Ph.D - Education
M.Sc. - Biology (Licensed teacher in America)
M.A. Anthropology
M.A. Literature
M.A. Canadian Literature
M.A. TESOL
M.A. TESOL
M.A. TESOL
M.A. Applied Linguistics

All local teachers hold Ph.D degrees.

Keep in mind that the foreign teachers are all teaching listening and speaking courses, with a few also teaching writing.

Bottom line - Departments want Ph.D degree holders and the Ph.D can be in anything it seems.

Two types of teachers mainly:

1. Ph.D holders - No TESOL background

2. M.A. holders - TESOL background

[Derrek]

Having a Masters Degree doesn't mean so much anymore. These days, getting an online degree is becoming easier -- keep sending the checks and do a little work, and you'll get the degree.

Ph. D -- different story.

[TECO]

Derrek,

Good point, I feel the same way.

Australia (USQ, UNE, etc, etc) has done a great job at devaluing the M.A. degree to the point where you can take 6 courses or so, over the computer or through the mail, and get a Masters degree.

I guess that's why countries like Taiwan and UAE don't generally recognize them.

Sad, isn't it.

[Derrek]

I shouldn't knock the MA people, since I've sitting here on my measley lazy-ass BA. Sorry guys.

I'm thinking about taking the MA plunge myself. Never looked into it much, to be honest. Not even sure what's all required.

All I know is that I love teaching, and people say I'm good at it. Others said I was good at TV production too, but I HATED it most of the time. I'm just worried about how I can make a life and have a family if I'm still doing this in 10 years.

I'm sure having fun now.... scary... will it all end??? I've always found that when I'm happy, life throws me a curveball

[Grim Ja]

I disagree 100% I don't think that a MA at one of the Australian universities is watered down.
Of course you get out of it what you put into it.
A MA requires 7 classes with an average of three 2000-2500 papers per class. Plus a thesis.
It takes alot of hard work and self motivation to keep up with the coursework and regular teaching work.
Japan and other countries should look at the people who have studied Via distance learning as people who are interested in bettering their craft as a teacher and should be rewarded not penalized.

[TECO]

[KoreanLifer]

some of us have legit Masters degrees from canadian ,American, UK unis.i spent 2 years doing mine with a thesis defence and comprehensive examination.i have a TESOL diploma also from a UK uni which i did on-line.9 months of boredom to the 10th degree! there is no way i would do a masters in it.i agree the TESOL education market has been watered down! a CELTA is probaby better than any Masters degree out there anyway!

personality and rapport with your students is a bonus at a KOrean university.i have been at a uni for 8 years here now.and the amount of dumbasses they have hired and fired is unreal.1 guy had a PhD from Yale and wouldnt have given him a day job at mcdonalds because he was a downright alcoholicl!

[TECO]

Hi,

I agree - My CELTA made me a much better classroom teacher. Unfortunately, my M.A. didn't help me as much for classroom teaching.

[Aless]

I've heard that a B.Ed in English is acceptable for teaching in a Korean university as well.
With that, and about ten years teaching experience, including one year in a Korean hogwan, is it worth entering the race for university positions?