Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Double07]

I have been a regular reader of the forums over the last couple of years but I have finally taken the decision to make the move to Korea. I am really just looking for some advice on a few things as obviously people in the situation will be better equiped to advise me.

I basically have two choices;

i) start applying for jobs straight away and look to move over the next couple of months. I have savings in place and all the relevant documents (degree certificate, transcrips, etc.) but I have no experience other than doing a weekend TEFL course (20hrs) which I found very helpful but really only as a basic introduction to the material.

ii) Complete a 120hr TEFL (looking at Trinity Cert TESOL ones) and then make the move. Obviously this would be far better in terms of being prepared, however it would mean delaying the move for several months as I don't have the finance to complete the course and make the move right away.

Obviously both options have pros and cons but just really looking for some feedback from people who may have faced the same dilema and took the plunge one way or the other.

I was thinking of applying to the likes of ECC (company owned ones) if I were to apply right away given what I have read on here. It would seem that they might be a good option for someone without experience as they provide a set curriculum, steady pay, etc.

I think this might be a big positive in these circumstances even if it does mean some extra work. I'm not overly worried about hours (obviously I'm don't want to work way over the odds), at least to begin with as I am realistic enough to know that I won't get the perfect job straight off the plane with no experience, etc. I work well over 160 hours a month here, and you can add another 40 hours on top of that for travelling each month so it's not the biggest concern.

Sorry for the rather long winded post but hopefully I will get some feedback, positive or negative, as this is really the only way that I will be able to make an informed choice, and after all it's probably the biggest decision I have made in my life so far!.

Anyway, thanks.

PS I haven't checked this for typos, etc as I am doing one of those 160 hours of work right now and I really haven't got the time as I can feel the ball and chain attached to my leg being pulled back to work.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[wire]

Few thoughts...

1. You don't need a certification to teach at a hogwan in Korea. Being tall and handsome or being a woman with blonde hair would do you more good.

2. You have no teaching experience. If it helps at all, a number of hogwan owners/directors/managers can't speak English properly and have no idea how one learns English.

[lover.asian]

[mrsquirrel]

There are certificates and certificates though

A 120 hours a Little Somchais back door TEFL school on Patong Beach is not goig to prepare you as well as a CELTA.

[Double07]

To be honest I had 95% decided to wait and complete the TESOL course as I feel it would give me so much more confidence when actually making the move and obviously would benefit the students, at least in some small way.

As for being tall and handsome. I'm 6'3 and look like Johnny Depp. Oh no wait I don't, oh well. Still I'm almost 6' and whilst my looks probably won't win me any jobs I doubt they would do the opposite either.

I am planning on doing the Trinity college certified TESOL. I was looking at the CELTA but as I will undoubtedly be teaching kids, at least in the short to mid term, I thought the Trinity TESOL might be a better option.

I think I'll just bide my time, wait 6 months and sit the TESOL and then I think I'll be in far better position to make the move successfully. I do plan on a career in teaching (having done not very much since leaving University a few years ago) so I think putting in the ground work would be worthwhile.

Anyway I realise that most of these posts about making the move to Korea are really people trying to convince themselves one way or the other, and to an extent this was too. You can weigh things up in your mind endlessly but it certainly helps to have some impartial advise, even if you knew the answer all along!

Thanks

[ilovebdt]

I did the Trinity Cert TESOL and really enhjoyed it. It is hard work and there is a lot to take in in those short 4 weeks. If you are a creative person who would enjoy thinking up ideas for lessons then the Trinty is for you.

Plus, if you get a TESOL cert you can maybe by pass the hagwons and get a public school gig.

ilovebdt

[Double07]

As I said I really enjoyed the 20hr course, although I couldn't believe that some of the people on the course thought that completing the course made them remotely qualified. It was a good introduction but just that, no more.

I did the course because I got it for free (the joys of living in a country where education is free ), more out of curiosity than anything else as I had toyed with the idea of ESL but wasn't sure if I was suited to it. I really enjoyed the course and got a lot out of it so I think that I would give the Cert.TESOL a good go at least.

Even if I fail (hopefully not) I still have my degree (yet another freebie) so all wouldn't be lost (apart from the couple of grand for the course which I WOULDN'T get for free, outrageous but true ).

The main thing I seem to get from the site (and others like it) is that so many people (including myself) think about making the big move for so long and then bang something happens and they are no longer in a position to go through with it. I guess it's time to give it a go, after all whats the worst that can happen (please no Dr Pepper jokes!)

[jinks]

OP
You sound like you are on the ball. I would advise you to come now, how bad can it be? Like you said, you are already putting in the long hours and you have done some preparatory TEFL work.
If you come now and do a year in the classroom you will get a good grounding for a certTESOL (or similar) qualification, a lot of the course work will make more sense after a year in the classroom. Also, if you can start (and finish) a contract before March, you are better positioning yourself for public school or university jobs in the future. Alternatively, if you do want to skill up some more before you come here, make sure you plan your delayed arrival to coincide with future September start dates for uni and public school.
Good luck!

[ella]

[Double07]

[spyro25]

[Double07]