Korean Job Discussion Forums

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

I hate looking for jobs, but I am leaving my current school at the end of August, so its job hunting season for me again.

I had an interview today in a midde school. I know some people have great public school jobs, but this was not one of them.

The people who I had the interview with were so nice, but I would not even consider the job.

It was working with 4 different Korean teachers. Weekly lesson plans had to be made. 25 hours of teaching per week. Not so bad, but not so good either.

2 weeks vacation a year. And here is the "best part". Salary was 2.2. They asked if I had a "TESOL". I said no, but I have a N.Y.State teaching license. They said that was not good enough, they wanted a TESOL. I said, "Here is my teaching license". They said my salary would be 200,000 a month less because I didn't have a TESOL. They said that is more important because it teaches you how to teach students whose native language is not english.

Guess that is one job that I will not even keep on my "maybe" list.

Lizara · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

Here was my last job interview:

Recruiter (same guy who got me this year's job, which was decent if not spectacular) emails me job details. I say I might be interested. Recruiter calls and we agree that he'll schedule an interview with the director. Recruiter calls back a few minutes later and says, "She says she doesn't need to interview you. She'll hire you. I'll send you the contract. Sign it and mail it back to me."

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Those TESALs and whatnot are just used so they have an excuse to offer a lower salary. They'd hire you for 2 million before they'd hire someone with a TESOL for 2.2.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

Why on earth would ANYONE with a teaching license work in a middle school for 2.0, with only 2 weeks vacation and all that work?

I certainly am not saying I expect a "free ride", but at least pay a decent
wage

Scott in Incheon · Joined: 30 Aug 2004

With a teaching cert and some years under your belt, maybe you should be looking at the Hong Kong NET program. You can get more money than public schools here...more holidays...and should be able to save quite a bit. And if you are overseas for the long haul, the NET program gives you a raise every year.

It is a long process to get hired and it would too late for this year but it is something to think about.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

Thanks Scott.

I never heard of the NET. ANd before I have people "yelling" at me...
I really like it here. I am comfortable with the language, the city, and yes, the people.

I want to be here another 2 years and then go back to the USA, but I will look at the NET program. Who knows.

Anyway Scott, why are you here and not there?

Thanks.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:10 am Post subject: Re: job interview

Scott in Incheon · Joined: 30 Aug 2004

I was there for six years. My wife is Korean and we wanted our daughters to go to grade school here, so we came back. It was a really good experience. We lived a good life and managed to save a nice bit of money. This would have changed if we had sent our kids to school there, the school fees would have really eaten into our ability to save.

It is a good program but like Korea your experience depends on the school/principal...some have had a not so good experience.

rothkowitz · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

They wouldn't even properly know what these qualifications mean.My school originally thought CELTA was MATesol.

Beget them.They're being pedantic for no good reason.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

I thought the job offer was fine except for the vacation part. and being required to submit lesson plans is a good thing. You should be preparing them anyway so how hard is it to print another copy.

Junior · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Location: the eye

rothkowitz · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

The TEFL thing is over rated because in a middle school with 40 students,especially,knowing how to teach and controlling the class is about all that counts.

Who cares if someone has some nifty ideas in methodology if in class you can't get a word in edgeways?

Anybody can pick up TEFL ideas through a book or from pointers.

Can't honestly say what I really got from doing a CELTA.Can I have my $2700 AUD back now please?

Junior · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Location: the eye

rothkowitz · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

Huh...wassat??!!

I'm not saying the CELTA was necessarily bad.My basic points are these.

1,If someone is a qualified teacher,surely this ought to be recognised and it ought to be respected that they can extrapolate from what they already know in an ESL situation.

2,With CELTA,you're paying for the little Cambridge University seal on your certificate.However,what Koreans have even heard of the place?What is more,it would depend very much on the trainers you had.Mine were an especially arbitrary bunch.They would lecture on the CELTA way,and then tell us just to repeat it all in our lessons and coursework in order to pass.Then,in their demo lessons they would do the exact opposite.

3,Koreans often have no idea what these ESL qualifications are.When you tell them CELTA is a one month course,they look shocked.1 month?Thats it?I thought it was like a masters course or something??

4,If ESL qualifications are so sought after by schools,why is MA rewarded in exactly the same way as my CELTA.Surely a BEd is more relevant than a masters.

5,How has anyone used their CELTA with middle school?

Junior · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Location: the eye

[quote="rothkowitz"]