Getting a job at a university
From Korea
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[edit] How to apply
Apply. They prefer Masters degrees or at least TEFL certificates but experience often suffices provided you are at the right place at the right time. Above all, this means being in Korea, on the spot and available already.
Semesters begin in September and March so the height of the recruiting seasons are in the 3 month run ups to those months. Vacancies also occur at other times.
[edit] Conditions at universities
University conditions and contracts vary. Schedules can be very light but salaries are often no more than the usual hagwon paid 2 million Won. Be aware that universities do not provide airfare or accommodation so it's up to you to sort those out. Vacations can be very long but you may be expected to put in extra credit classes for some of those periods.
Many universities have hagwons on campus. These may or may not be better than run of the mill hagwons so investigate carefully. The advertisements often look like those of university jobs.
Universities have images to maintain so you do too if you work at one. Formal attire may not strictly be required but is recommended. Relationships with students may get you fired, especially at Christian universities. Classes tend to be between 25 and 40 and are often mandatory so students may be unmotivated and the general level of English low.
[edit] Other notes
Relationships with students: Just teach them what's in the English curriculum books and stay away from anything in your "private archives". You must remember that the word "teacher" in Korea is only used for lack of a better word to translate what a teacher is in this land. The correct translation would have been "Spiritual Guide" since this is truely what a Korean teacher is to students. If the Korean institutions would have used this term instead, westerners would have been so confused and maybe even reluctant to take on the responsability. So guys, respect yourself and others. As for students motivation; what is perceived as students being "unmotivated" is usually an interpretation that westerners have due to purely western "motivation" standards. You should look at their somewhat "nonchallent" behavior as a challenge to test your skills as a motivator.
