Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ifa79]

Hi, I worked in hagwon for one year and it was OK, then returned to Canada and am going to finish my Bacherlor of Education degree in a few months. Since I don't want to teach in here for a few years, I want to live abroad again.
Are there school, universities or international schools that would value a B.Ed and also a TESOL cert., or should I look at another place like Hong Kong or Singapore? I'd love to teach ESL and other subjects in English ideally.
Any advice or ideas,
Thanks

[jajdude]

I don't know for sure. Some jobs will pay a bit more for B.Ed. Many do not really care, as you might know. You got any degree, white, from one of the great countries of Englishania! -- job is yours.

(PS.. I've got a B.ed. (and Eng Lit...) hasn't helped me yet, but maybe I'm a dummass)

[mindmetoo]

[jajdude]

Sounds like Tom Cruise? LOL

Looks like may be more accurate....

Cute is king/queen in vain Korea.

[teachingld2004]

Sad thing is, in Korea MOST OF THE TIME, it is looks that count. You can have a masters, taught for 15 years, and are a great teacher, but if a blonde blue eyed young graduate who has never taught wants the job, chances are that will be the person who gts hired. This does not mean to say that some places value experience. If you have the time to look, you can find some place that values you. (maybe) This is why jobs want your picture. Koreans do not value experience, mothers want to tell other mothers that their child has a beautiful teacher.
I have seen many jobs that say "25 - 35" years old. As the saying goes, you can have a degree in basket weaving, but if you look the part, the job is yours.

[junkmail]

[bucheon bum]

[katydid]

What did they say you sounded like? Some bigwig big car driving big hat wearing oil tycoon from Houston?

[bucheon bum]

well i admit i have a somewhat unique voice that is lower than most men. No accent though; I'm Californian like that. On the plus side, no other Koreans had any issues with my voice, and I wasn't very interested in the job anyway (kid's herald way out at Bupyeong).

[katydid]

I know where you're from...that's why it made your comment all the funnier.

[crazylemongirl]

It's true looks and passports count for more. I get far more interest in me after I dyed my hair blonde and used my canadain passport instead of my kiwi one. apparently the education degree is basically the icing on the cake. There's a certain amount of bias even in the public schools where looks count.

[teachingld2004]

About accents........I am from Brooklyn, New York, and people like the way I sound because I sound like a character from a movie. But American accents differ so much. I have a friend from Texas, and when she speaks fast I can hardly understand her at times So when Koreans ask for an "American" accent", there are so many differences.
Yes, some good jobs care about looks, accent, and age. BUT .... if you are in the right place at the right time, looks, age, and accent do not matter as much. Plenty of Universities or Public schools hire now for March, but just wait until the last week in February when there are plenty of "no shows" and that job that would not look at you earlier will grab any warm body (almost any) who can start in one week.

[bosintang]

[nrvs]

[bosintang]