Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sodabread]

Does anyone here know how one would go about finding an iBT TOEFL job in Seoul.? I�ve just arrived from San Francisco and am about to hit the streets for work. I teach iBT,even kind of dig it. I figure the Koreans are probably scrambling to fill jobs formerly taught by Korean paper test teachers who don�t have the speaking/writing chops to deal with the new test. Any truth to this? I have lots of experience states-side but I don't know a thing about teaching here, so a little direction would be greatly appreciated.

[jmbran11]

You could try this place:

http://www.worknplay.co.kr/JobSeeker/JobOfferView.aspx?&pageNo=3&categoryType=0&positionType=0&searchText=&offerSn=102851&alertMessage=

[Vicissitude]

Some other poster said he went to the address of the place and it was the size of a shoebox. So I'd say the ad is bogus as they have advertised every day on there for many months. Also, the salary being offered sounds way too good to be true.

[sodabread]

thanks for the input, folks. just for ducks, I might check out that place anyway. I just rolled into town~ don't know my a from my b in Korean~ so it couldn't hurt, as long as I don't sign anything.

anyone know anything about pagoda's TEOFL program? I know, I know, you all say they're slave-drivers. but maybe in a pinch they'd do someone right.
Wall street institute? What about universities?

[Zark]

I would suggest checking with some of the bigger schools that have big adult programs. They may, at times, have a need for a few people to do the IBT.

Pagoda, Kaplan, Princeton Review? I am not sure who is present in Seoul.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

At the last KOTESL meeting in Daegu there was an iBT presentation. The presenter seemed to know a lot about the market for that stuff. If you PMed Tzechuk she could probably give you some contact details.

[Vicissitude]

[sock]

Go to Daechi, Dogok, or Gangnam some afternoon--Daechi especially is packed with hakwons. Walk around, look for English hakwons (look up the Korean spelling of "English hakwon," I don't have a Korean keyboard, sorry). A lot of signs will also have "iBT" on them.

Make sure you look nice, and have a copy of your resume, with a picture and your phone number. Go in, introduce yourself, ask to talk to someone important, and leave them with a good impression. Hakwons are always looking for teachers, and the ones that specialize in iBT TOEFL are always looking for someone with experience. You'll find something fast, hopefully at one of the better academies.

Personally, I wouldn't look for a job at Pagoda. But that's me, and I feel that way because I know there are much, much better places out there.

Good luck!

[sodabread]

Seems like great advice, Sock, thank you. I'll get right on it.
Could you suggest any schools in those areas that might be a step up from pagoda?

[sock]

You could probably start with the hakwans that are posted on the subway maps of the surrounding areas of each subway stop. They have some of the larger hakwans listed.

I really don't know who's hiring and who isn't. Some schools prefer gyopos, some don't. Some schools focus exclusively on middle school kids, others cater to high school or elementary. Just think about what you're looking for, check out the schools, see which ones seem professional, and grab a foreign teacher and get a phone number or email so you can ask them questions later if you need to.

[sodabread]

shall do. nice advice....