Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kyle Wilson]

What are the usual qualifications a foreigner would need to teach at a university? I suppose I'm asking about teaching English or essay writing in English, but please elaborate if there is a difference between those two.

Also, are there opportunities for foreign professors to teach more specialized subjects in English at universities? How easy or competitive are those positions?

Thanks.

[BS.Dos.]

I had a lecturer at university called Kyle, though I can't remember his surname. Aussie with a goatee who lectured in International Business Analysis. Bristol, UWE circa 2003. It's not you is it?

[Kyle Wilson]

Negatory. I'm interested in working in a university setting, but I'm not there. I've only held one hagwon job to date.

[Jeweltone]

Are you asking about courseload or qualifications?

1. Qualifications: M.A. in anything (basketweaving, Swahili, fooseball)
B.A. plus experience
Who do you know?

2. Courseload: Senior teachers get the better classes. Period. If you are promised upper-division classes at your interview, don't believe it; they are trying to reel you in... Seniority always takes precedence over qualifications.

Starting out, you will get the freshmen, likely listening and conversation classes. They are not as bad, in my experience, as people have said. They are, however, usually low-level, and you will spend the first month or so undoing all the damage they have suffered through a poor Korean public school curriculum and/or second rate hogwons (repeat, repeat, repeat, "Hangman, teacher?"). Another plus is that, barring level discrepencies, you only have to plan the lesson once, with variations on the same theme.

I am leaving my university because of contract and professional integrity issues (theirs-my hogwon treated me with more respect), but the job itself and the students were quite enjoyable.

Good luck!

[Kyle Wilson]

Here's another question: is there any sense or benefit for me (an American) to pursue a masters degree at a Korean university?

[insam]

Why not? Do a GSIS somewhere in Seoul. If you want to stay, you'll be the man/woman. It's not all about Education/TESOL Etc, some clients recognize real degrees.

[Kyle Wilson]

What does GSIS stand for?

I'm also going to start a separate topic about this on the appropriate forum.

[marcus61]

GSIS= Got Somewhere In Seoul???