Korean Job Discussion Forums

[zealotnyc]

I have been planning now for several months to move to Korea in late June and to teach English. I am technically a graduate, in the sense that I have all 120 credits and fulfilled the requirements of my school. Unfortunately, I won't be officially graduated until Sept. 1st and even then, the diploma won't be sent to my house until 10-12 weeks later! I have no idea why it takes so long after the graduation audit to get sent out, but it does.

My question is, i've heard that the Ministry of Education requires all foreigners who teach English to have proof of having a 4 year degree. But, the only thing I will be able to get in the remote future is an official letter from my registrar stating that I am officially graduated, signed and sealed. Will this be enough? Do certain teaching institutions/the Ministry of Education ever make exceptions? If I don't have my degree yet, can I find some type of legal, temporary work that doesn't require proof of my having a degree?

[crazylemongirl]

You need a degree to teach legally. No ifs ands buts or maybes. If you work without one, that's illegal. If you get caught, then tehre are big fines and big black mark on your record that will follow you around and make it difficult to get visas for other countries.

Wait a few months. It won't kill you.