Korean Job Discussion Forums

Amari · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Location: Dunedin, NZ

Hey there,
I'm graduating in December and thinking of coming to Korea in about Febuary...in your opinion would it be worth doing an (online- there are no in-person certificates available where I live) TEFL certificate with someone like i-to-i before i go- not so much to help me find employment but for my own benefit (I have absolutely no teaching experience)??
Also, for someone like me (young, no experience) what would you all recommend as the best age group to teach? Kindy? Elementary? I understand it's a personal matter as to which everyone prefers but any advice...anyone....help!
Cheers in advance!

Whitey Otez · Joined: 31 May 2003 Location: The suburbs of Seoul

Most people show up to Korea with no previous experience teaching...this is where you get your feet wet.

As for the online certificate, you may want to consider teaching here for a year then deciding whether or not to invest the money online, in person, or at all. You may end up in an academy that is more babysitting than teaching, and having the TEFL will only serve to frustrate you and spoil your whole experience.

The best age to start teaching, IMHO is elementary, but most academies have a wide range. This isn't such a bad thing as little kids are bonkers and middle school kids are nearly goth in their attitudes.

overq64 · Joined: 08 Mar 2006

No - short answer - they are a waste of money/time.

Do a real course - CELTA or Trinity - that will take you somewhere.

Or stay in Korea where you need nothing.

on-line certs are a racket.

RobinH · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 3:42 am Post subject:

I agree with '64. The better schools and unis will circular file your application for an online degree of any kind. Get a CELTA. Well, worth the money and shows you're serious about doing a good job.

RobinH · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 3:44 am Post subject:

I agree with '64. The better schools and unis will circular file your application for an online degree of any kind. Get a CELTA. Well, worth the money and shows you're serious about doing a good job.

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

or....you could do a Master's in Education with an emphasis in TOEFL through an accredited university from back in Canada or The United States (depending on what country you are from "for tuition purposes"). These are actual M.ed.'s. This can carry you far both home and abroad. Just do your homework and watch out for what the poster above said. The "mail order" programs are usually a sham where as a program from an actual university (that has been around for a while) is valued more.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

While all of the above posts are correct, do it. Why not? It's pretty cheap and has some value for one with zero experience. Perhaps not much monetary/job value in Korea, but you will learn something.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

An online certificate is no good for your career, but it is good for personal learning. If you have the time and the money, it can't hurt. It might save you a lot of stress in the first few lessons atleast. But for an ESL/EFL career, only the Trinity TEFL and Cambridge CELTA are useful (outside of a masters ofcourse).

Zark · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 5:57 pm Post subject:

I have to agree with the previous two posters - some training is better than none. Why not increase your skills a bit?

An online cert will probably not improve your employment options, but does at least show an interest.

Not everyone has the time or money for a full-blown TEFL certification - something online at least helps fill the gap until they do.

I know all the reasons why NOT. I am a teacher trainer in a six week, 120 hour program. But I also respect those who can't do a full program - and their interest in getting at least some knowledge before they go work.

dreaming_saturn · Joined: 26 May 2004

Don't do it - Just get some good books and read up on the subject, or do a CELTA if you can afford it.

I'm currently working in the Netherlands and my school is pretty picky as it's business English and the student here are at a high level. To be hired you have to a demo lesson assessed by the head of English. Eveyone with an online cert. failed dismally, most often did a lot worse than those who have just picked up a book on the subject, or had some experience and no cert. These online things seem to teach you what not to do - overuse of grammatical terms, etc.

I'm not saying everyone who does an online cert. is terrible, just that it doesn't seem to be very effective.

Zark · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:50 am Post subject:

I agree that self-directed study might be more productive - but for total newbies who have no idea where to start . . .

Jeffrey Harmer's "How to Teach English" is a good place to start.