Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jizzo T. Clown]

I wrote an email to the recruiter (Sally at UBC) telling her that I've heard bad things about this school, and asking if she knew of any public school positions or other (more reputable) hogwons. Her response:

[Corporal]

Recruiters are always so defensive.

[Aussiekimchi]

not many vacancies in public schools????
Education or English lit. majors????
Kidding right?
I have never heard of the hagwan she is pushing on you..and there are plenty of public school positions for the taking.
Get in touch with one of the recruiting firms that have the contracts for public schools. Usually worknplay or footprints.

[Jizzo T. Clown]

Thanks! I got the feeling she was trying to make me feel like I wasn't qualified to teach in public schools.

btw, I've got 4 years' experience in three countries, and two of those years are at a uni in the US--no TEFL certificate though, and my undergrad was in Business.

So I'll just toss this one to the wind.

[Boodleheimer]

[midgic]

[regicide]

[ShadowEdge]

I applied for a public school job in Daegu last week and was offered a job less than three hours after submitting my application. That recruiter is full of it, I wouldn't trust another word she says as she's already impeached her credibiitly.

[poet13]

"And regarding public school positions, unfortunately there�re not many vacancies here in Korea and public schools have very high standards for selecting their foreign teachers. Teachers should major in Education or English literature and they should have over 3 or 4 years teaching experience with many certificates related to teaching English. You know what I�m trying to say. "

That is Suuuuch a load of puppy-poopy.

She's trying to sell you on that one school, and I think by talking such nonsense, hoping that you will think your opportunities are restricted....tot he hakwon she's trying to sell you.

With your experience, you would fit in at a level 2 EPIK I think. If you're not desperate to get away from where you are right this minute, I would go the public school route. The school year is starting now, but quotas are not nearly full, so hiring will continue.
If you want to consider it, as a hint, I would start getting the following ready...
Criminal background check.
2 or 3 letters of reference.
There's lots more, so search EPIK, GEPIK, public schools. (Other posters might be able to tell you the acronyms for the other public school programs. Those are the only two I know.)
The CBC might take some time, so it helps to get it straight away.

[Jizzo T. Clown]

poet13 /others--
Thanks for that useful information!

Unfortunately I can't head over until May (when my contract here is up), and by then, no more public school jobs.

I may just stay on at my current gig until the fall and try to get into a public school then. Does that sound feasible?

I'd rather wait it out here than take a crappy job where I'd get screwed.

[poet13]

"Unfortunately I can't head over until May (when my contract here is up), and by then, no more public school jobs. "

Why not? The EPIK program ostensibly closed to new applications last June. I was hired in SEPTEMBER! Others were hired after me.

Hey, just for a check. Any EPIK or GEPIK people out there who were hired outside of the regular 'hiring season'? Drop a note, give the OP a little hope.

[laogaiguk]

The recruiter is lying. I know (for sure) that YongIn's school district is on a massive recruitment drive this term and is having trouble filling all of it's positions, let alone all the other schools trying to too. Also, just a quick look at their pay scales and the criteria for them show that this recruiter is lying about the necessary qualifications.

Like someone said, try Footprints, WorkandPlay or ATC. All are hiring for the public schools.

[Aussiekimchi]

I would be very surprised if you could not get a public school job at ANY time of the year

[formerflautist]

I got my gig in July. Really, finding a public school job isn't an issue any time of the year.

[Jizzo T. Clown]