Korean Job Discussion Forums

[danielESL]

Hi all
ive noticed that lots of jobs require a CELTA certification. Does an MA in TESOL suffice in most cases?

[gsxr750r]

If your MA was achieved on-campus in the actual English-speaking country where it's offered, then YES, it is very helpful here. As for the CELTA, ummm...


A CELTA is a very good thing, if you are:

1. New to teaching.
2. Are from non-North American country.
3. Working at a public school, and planning to stay more than a few years to make up the cost of it.
4. Want a leg-up on some other candidates trying to get uni jobs (but it's not always necessary).


Past that, you really don't need it (at least not yet).


If you have the time, money, and an interest in doing it -- then do it. It can't hurt. If you're just going to be here a year or two, have no plans to travel around the world to other countries (where it's more valuable) to teach, then forget it. Save your money. This goes for all TEFL/TESL certifications.

If you plan to teach more than 2 years, then the CELTA can pay for itself (in a public school situation).

I'm teaching at a university in Seoul, and I don't have an MA, or a CELTA. I do have experience at a public school. My pay here is the same as the woman who has an MA in Education, a teaching degree, and three years of experience here. In fact, when I was hired, I refused the job and they upped the pay offer another 200,000 won per month to hire me (I wasn't so special -- the fact that three other more qualified candidates turned them down because of pay was probably the motivation). They upped all of the teachers' pay after that!


As for the MA in TESOL: That looks better. Keep in mind, however, that my former co-worker, who has an MA in TESOL from Birmingham's distance program, and over three years of experience in ESL, was turned down for an interview with KAIST. When he asked why, he was told that it was because his MA was achieved in a non-English speaking country. Nevermind that the program was actually British. The factor was that he got it while he was here.

His distance MA was worthless in the eyes of KAIST, one of the top schools in Korea. How long will it be before other places follow suit? I heard that Taiwan will not accept distance MA's either. They even check the MA. My friend's distance MA cost him something like 16 million won. I was thinking about joining the same program, and one of the reasons I didn't was because of this issue with KAIST. Oh, I did see this topic showing that Korea University doesn't accept them, either: http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?p=477289


On the flip-side, he did get a job at way-dae, another top school.

When top schools make a decision in Korea, other schools often follow suit. I can't see spending 16 million on a degree that might not get me a job at the top universities that I'm buying it for anyway.

Keep in mind -- I have a job at a lower-level uni in Seoul, and I just have a BA. Korea is still about things like looks, manner, and their judgment of your character. Dressing well, and showing respect, is important. If you're a cocky MA-holder/Certified Educator who thinks your poop is odorless, you'll hit a wall right quick! Student evaluations matter, too.

Just some food for thought.

[newinseoul]

I just completed the CELTA and I was told that it is highly regarded in European countries. The CELTA is not really needed in Korea, and you often won't get higher pay with it. CELTA is geared towards teaching adults.

In public school jobs, years of experience counts for a lot. Although, if you have the TESL or CELTA that always helps in the long run by giving you some basic teaching experience.

I would think the MA in TESOL would be highly regarded in universities anywhere, and that your pay would increase by having it.

[lover.asian]

[lover.asian]

[spyro25]

people (like me) usually do an MA TESOL so they can get OUT of teaching and into the ESL business - like teacher training, materials development, public sector educational development and policy, ESL certification course development, important research in the field, and a myriad of other non teaching roles within the ESL field. people who finish an MA TESOL realise there isnt much point in teaching until you retire - i mean if the top of the list in this country isnt that good (or doesnt even accept MA TESOL's WTF?), whats the point in trying to play to the ignorant???

MA TESOL students usually end up behind the scenes in research and policy, or go onto a D.ED or Phd. We probably make a lot more money (in the ned) than your public school or unigwan 'professor' with his DELTA. if you want to be stuck in classroom for the rest of your life, go CELTA, but if you want to move onto bigger and better things consider the MA TESOL.

/stirring the flames as I'm an MA TESOL (by distance) in process lol

[cubanlord]

Also, if your MA is the same as you would receive in class, then there is no difference. That's the catch: you have to find a distance program through a university that offers the same degree both on and off campus. If you are interested, check out www.su.edu. Their MA program (which I am currently doing) is great and is the same one offered on campus. So, when you graduate, you graduate from a "REAL" university, not an "online" university. Your diploma and transcripts are the same whether you attending class on or off campus. There is nothing that states, "online blah blah blah". I visited S.U. a few weeks ago (while I was on vacation in FL, I flew out to Virginia to visit the University). I was extremely pleased with what I saw (both in terms of the campus and programs offered). It really is a nice place.

Contrary to what many believe, distance learning programs are gaining more and more popularity among companies back home (North America), especially those programs that do not differenciate between distance learning and onsite classes.

http://search.hankooki.com/times/times_view.php?term=distance+learning++&path=hankooki3/times/lpage/opinion/200701/kt2007012320441154060.htm&media=kt

The paper didn't publish the cited sources. Here you go:

Works Cited

National Center for Education Statistics. (2003). Distance education at degree-granting postsecondary institutions: 2000-2001. (NCES Publication No. 2003017). Retrieved January 13, 2006, from http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/peqis/publications/2003017/4.asp

Carnevale, D. (2005). Online courses continue to grow, report says. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 44, A29.

Carnevale, D. (2007). Employers often distrust online degrees. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 18, A28.

Moe, M. (2002). Emerging Trends in Post Secondary Education �
The View to 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2006, from www.usdla.org/ppt/THINKEQUITY.ppt

Feedback Research; Vault, Inc. (2005, October 24). Online degrees gain acceptance. Retrieved January 13, 2006, from http://www.emarketer.com/eStatDatabase/ArticlePreview.aspx?1003647

This article will also be published in http://www.transitionsabroad.com/ in a few weeks.

[cubanlord]

[spyro25]

[spyro25]

[cubanlord]

[gsxr750r]

[HapKi]

The diploma of The University of Birmingham's Distance Program is identical to those that study on campus. I attended the graduation in 2005, went through the congregation, sat with the on-campus graduates, and received a diploma identical to them. I checked.

[TECO]

Distance degrees are looked at with suspicion.
My suggestion would be to save your pennies up and go and do it on campus - at least a good portion of it. Then, when someone asks you, you can tell them you did the degree on campus.

Asian professors, and even foreign professors, sitting on university hiring committees are suspicious of distance / on-line degrees.

People, of course, will do whatever they want to do. However, I suggest proceeding wtih caution regarding distance M.A. degrees.

Taiwan, for example, does not allow holders of distance degrees to teach in any private or public university. The MoE in Taiwan refuses to recognize any form of distance study.

[lover.asian]