Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ella]

I��ve been reading these boards and I��m on information overload. I need some help figuring out if Korea is where I should go, and what kind of job I could get there.

I have a B.A. in psychology, no TEFL certificate. I have non-ESL teaching experience: three years at a university teaching music, seven years as a research/teaching assistant (also at a university), and ten years in IT as a technical trainer/writer (telecoms). I love teaching and I really get into my work. I��m 40 years old and have a U.S. passport; working on getting my EU passport. I��m caucasian, blonde/blue, 30 pounds overweight, otherwise healthy. I��ve traveled in North America, western Europe, and SEA. I've lived in the U.S., India, Sri Lanka, and Ireland.

I have zero interest in the drinking/club/party scene, I��m more of a sit-and-observe-quietly-and-think type. I��m from a coastal city and I love places like L.A., Delhi, and Seoul, but I would prefer being in a suburb with access to the city as opposed to living in the heart of downtown. The boonies are fine, too, as long as I can get to a city every now and then. I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and ocean swimming. Salary is a big priority as I��ll be paying down debt, but I��m willing to work hard to earn it.

What kind of work could I get with my qualifications and experience? I��m better with adults than kids. Am I stuck doing daycare at hagwons unless I get a TEFL certificate (I might be able to get one by July, but it would take such a huge chunk out of my savings that I'm wondering if it would be worth it)? Also, any ideas as to locations?

[CoolTeach]

byr

[RachaelRoo]

Don't waste your time and money on a TEFL certificate - it won't help you out here.

[ella]

I can stick to my guns when I need to; I don't enjoy it but it's a fact of life in a lot of places. Do the adult hogwans involve actual teaching? Are those the ones that have split shifts?

I'd like to start working in the next couple of months, if possible. Enrollment in the TEFL course I'm considering closes next week, so I have to decide about that relatively soon.

[laogaiguk]

[ella]

I don't know if I want to make a career out of it - yet. My primary motivation for getting a cert would be for a foundation from which to teach English, so I'd have something of quality to offer the students. Secondarily, I'd get one as negotiating power.

I will probably be moving on to India from Korea, it might be useful in India although I wouldn't be relying on teaching ESL classes as a main source of income, just something on the side as private lessons for pocket money (you never know where a cert and experience could take you, though).

[SirFink]

I'm 36 and ended up in Changwon. I too am not into the whole clubbing/dance/glow stick/hip hop garbage that the younger crowd is into. I'm under the impression that much of Seoul's nightlife falls into that category.

Changwon has plenty of parks, it's quiet and fairly clean. But Changwon also has plenty of bars and a decent-sized downtown area for when you're in the mood to drink and listen to music. When you're not, just stay on the outskirts and enjoy the relative calm and quiet.

As far as getting a job, you sound over-qualified. No need for TESL certs or teaching experience. You should have no trouble finding a good job in Korea.

[Hotpants]

Talking about India and Korea in one breath... quite a contrast!!!

It sounds that you are more of a culture vulture than a teacher. I'm not sure that Korea will have quite the exotic feel to it that you sound like you are after. I'm not sure why you are after Korea at all. Have you considered anywhere else?

I reckon that you are also well experienced to teach ESL, and so the TESL cert probably wouldn't matter much if you are really bent on Korea of all places. Your only trouble perhaps preventing you access to a good job is the timing. If you are set on coming here within the next couple of months, it's not really the hiring season for the better places such as private schools or universities. You'll probably have to go to a hagwon where kids are part and parcel of the job - if you don't like kids, then it really won't be fun for you. Personally, I'd say look into other countries.

[Tiger Beer]

[ella]

I was the director of children's programs for a Y for three years and did children's theater for about a decade. I love kids but I feel like I put in my time already. 30+ hours a week running after 3yos and cleaning up poop and vomit isn't really what I'm looking for at this point.

When is the hiring season for private schools and universities? I thought they typically required certification.

[rjrs0510]

Hi!

I have noticed that a lot of adult places are hiring at the minute, Pagoda etc. Also you may be able to get into a University Institute (I don't think teaching credit courses). Most 'real' university jobs require a masters (in anything) and/or experience. Also, they like you to be here for an in person interview. Universities are advertising now for the fall semester...the TESOL cert. really isnt necessary.

As you can see from the job listings on this and other sites there is a bi demand for teachers right now and as a caucasian woman you will be in demand. I think that it is better to come to Seoul and scout around for a couple of weeks before you decide to accept anything. I am sure you will have lots of offers...I am sure that if you fired off some applications today you would have offers to start next week.

Korea is a great place for a couple of years and there are rewarding positions here, it is what you make of it^^ Have fun with the search and choose well!

R.

[Tiger Beer]

I agree with the above.

And nothing here in Korea requires certification. If you have one (I do), its nice.. but unexpected and unrequired from an employers point of view.

Hiring.. throughout Korea, private institutes hire at the beginning of every month. So 12 times a year. Right now is the time for May 1st.. if you miss it, then June 1st. Beginning of every month.. always ongoing. Its extremely easy to get jobs here, so be selective before choosing one.

For universities.. the semester begins around September 1 and March 1 more or less.. and what the previous person said is true. Usually require MA (in anything).. no certs needed.. and they like it if you've taught somewhere in Korea (but not necessarily required if u have MA in ESL for example). Sometimes people with a BA can get a university job with a bit of experience in Korea and time and effort applying and whatnot. Its possible, but an MA in something puts you on the fast track to that.

Obviously institutes are where most teachers are working.. and they hire all the time all year round. Certification isn't necessary.. the demand is so large.. legally you just have to have a BA in anything.. thats the only requirement to teach at an institute.

[Lemonade]

Ella, sweety, you ARE overqualified for a hagwon job here in Korea. That doesn't mean you can't have one if you want one. Everyone here knows that fact. There are thousands of hagwon "teachers" here on FAKE degrees who couldn't get a job back home flipping hamburgers if they wanted. I know because I've run into quite a few of them who boast about being here in Korea "illegal." So don't worry about your qualifications... getting the TEFL cert. etc. If you take a hagwon job, you might even find yourself surrounded with the kind of people you hate to deal with behind the counter of your local gas station.

It sounds like we are about the same age with strong qualifications and we take pride in our work. We (as career-minded American females) are quite rare here in Korea!!! Although this puts us in the top-running for jobs, it also isolates us away from most Korean men who find us intimidating; western men (bitter towards western women) who are out to find easy Asian lays; and, other western females from various countries who tend to have negative stereotypes of Americans, especially American women. It seems the only place for us here are the universities where your co-workers are usually career-minded, mature and professional-to-semi-professional.

The universities hire for March and August start dates. Most of them want to inteview you in person. Once you are granted an interview, your looks and demeanor seem to be the most important factors in their hiring decision. The most qualified person on paper will not get the job if they come to an interview in rag jeans, a beard, pony tail, tatoos and pierced ears. It sounds like common sense but I've heard plenty of stories and I've seen the drunken "teachers" here on subways etc. who just don't have a clue. Now, with all of these types of guys running around Korea claiming to be teachers at hagwons, it's no wonder why so many Koreans have developed stereotypes of western foreigners who "can't get a job back home." We have to counter the Korean stereotype attitude towards us to get the respect we deserve.... it's NOT easy.

Good luck with your search! I wish you well.

[ella]

No problem, Lemonade, I like a challenge. Good info, thank you.

If university classes begin in August, when do they start interviewing people for new positions?

It looks like I should plan on getting myself over there and living on my own for 4-6 weeks while I'm looking for work. Is that a reasonable time frame?

Also, I've been a volunteer for Proliteracy America, one-on-one work teaching English to non-native speakers. Will that count in Korea as relevant work experience?

[Ya-ta Boy]

Consider getting some training before you come, not because it makes you more attractive to employers, but because it should help you be a better teacher.