Search found 22 matches

by TCH12
Wed Aug 10, 2022 7:51 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What next? :o :o :o
Replies: 4
Views: 3467

Re: What next? :o :o :o

@limitless_te

It really is very intense, from late elementary onward. School till 4:30, then off to Hagwon till 10pm... and then the homework begins! I had too many students tell me how miserable their lives were to not take notice.
by TCH12
Wed Aug 10, 2022 7:44 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What next? :o :o :o
Replies: 4
Views: 3467

Re: What next? :o :o :o

@PsyGuy

Sage advice, as always. Thank you!

I never considered spinning my ESL experience that way, but I suppose it's possible!

Working outside of SK is almost a prerequisite, as my wife is dying to get out for a bit (as am I). We'd probably return in the long-term, however.

I'll look into TIE and SA right away. Thanks again.
by TCH12
Wed Aug 10, 2022 1:26 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What next? :o :o :o
Replies: 4
Views: 3467

What next? :o :o :o

Dear All,

Quick reminder of my situation… I (37 year old, white, male) opened a series of posts here back in 2020, whilst contemplating a move from ESL (Korean public schools) to IE (secondary English). The primary objective was to rescue my (now three-year-old) daughter from the brutality of the Korean education system, and offer my little family (I’m married to a non-teaching Korean national) an interesting and financially stable life abroad.

The advice I received here was instrumental in my decision to leave my family in Korea and do my PGCE at a university back home in South Africa.

Well, fast forward a couple of years, and phase one is officially complete! I’m back in Korea and have taken a job at the local office of education, just while I catch my breath. Of course, no one in Korea has the foggiest idea what a PGCE is, so my recent accomplishment doesn’t have much utility here.

I’m hoping the kind and knowledgeable folk here at ISR can help me plot a feasible way forward? I suppose my biggest disadvantage (besides trailing spouse/offspring) is a near complete lack of ‘real’ teaching experience (five years of teaching ESL in Korean public schools doesn’t count, obviously). So, all I really have to my name is the year of student teaching I did while doing my PGCE. Unfortunately, the typical recommendation of two years of domestic experience isn’t an option for me.

My strategy thus far has been to find ads on TES.com and email my resume package directly to HR. This ‘package’ consists of cover letter, teaching resume, video teaching sample, academic transcripts and certificate copies – all contained in a single PDF, which I’ve called a ‘portfolio’ (is this a misnomer?). I sent out a batch of these a few days ago, but haven’t heard back from anyone, yet (ever) :)

Would anyone mind skimming over my initial email and aforementioned portfolio – just to point out areas of potential improvement? I’ve scratched out my name/picture etc., not only because of the possibility of identity theft, but also because I’m somewhat embarrassed. Still, any and all criticisms will be gratefully received and implemented 😊 You can find the files here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

Thank you so much, in advance!!! Hopefully posts like these can help other noobs when forging their own paths.
by TCH12
Wed Feb 24, 2021 11:42 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What to do after PGCEi being useless?
Replies: 12
Views: 12554

Re: What to do after PGCEi being useless?

I'm really sorry to hear that. Hopefully the good people of this board can help you to find a solution. I'm sure it's possible, otherwise no one would bother doing a PGCEi!
by TCH12
Wed Feb 24, 2021 11:08 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What to do after PGCEi being useless?
Replies: 12
Views: 12554

Re: What to do after PGCEi being useless?

Blind leading the blind here, but are you sure your PGCEi has no utility? What nationality are you, and what is your teaching subject(s)?
by TCH12
Wed Feb 24, 2021 6:45 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Stringency of undergraduate subjects
Replies: 4
Views: 5222

Re: Stringency of undergraduate subjects

Sorry, I meant to say I completed twelve English Literature courses (not eight). Good thing I won't be teaching math.
by TCH12
Wed Feb 24, 2021 6:18 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: Stringency of undergraduate subjects
Replies: 4
Views: 5222

Stringency of undergraduate subjects

Hi All :)

As planned, I've made the move from Korea to South Africa (my homeland) to study for my PGCE. COVID has pretty much inverted the academic calendar, so I'm starting with three weeks of teaching observation (teaching practice will come later in the year), and uni lectures will commence in March. My wife and daughter are holding the fort back in Korea, and I'm missing them terribly, but hopefully the year will pass by quickly. I'll be throwing myself (and them) to the winds upon completion of the program. Whether I land an international school gig or not is up to the Gods, I suppose.

As you may (or may not) remember, my PGCE specialization will be in English Home Language, based on the fact that I studied English Literature up to third-year level (South African undergraduate degrees are typically three years). I'm just a bit worried this won't be picked up on by the average recruiter/visa official. I've checked out the staff pages of many international school websites, and, almost without fail, their English teachers are listed as having a 'BA in English Literature' followed by a PGCE of some kind.

The problem is, my undergraduate degree was quite unique in that it was a 'named' degree, specifically a BA MCC (Media, Communications & Culture). Many of my subjects focused on these disciplines, but my majors were technically (a) English Literature, and (b) Scriptwriting. Unfortunately, the fact that I studied two English Literature courses per semester for three years isn't reflected on my degree certificate. Instead, it simply states 'Baccalaureus Artium in Media, Communications & Culture'. Of course, the English Literature courses are evident on my transcript (two per semester, making for eight courses in total), but again, no where does it list English Literature as a 'major', per se.

Is this likely to be an obstacle in future, or am I being overly paranoid? (Let's not forget the fact that I'll be attempting to hit the circuit without the mandatory two years of post-qualification (PGCE) experience.)

I've uploaded a photo of my degree certificate and a scanned copy of my undergraduate transcript (English Lit courses highlighted) at the links below, just in case any recruiters/experienced teachers on this board are able to comment:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Af9Pzt ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wF8xAJ ... sp=sharing

Big thanks, in advance! You guys rule.
by TCH12
Fri Jan 22, 2021 12:09 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: 32K - Average Salary for International Teachers?
Replies: 39
Views: 32620

Re: 32K - Average Salary for International Teachers?

[quote=MusicTravel30 post_id=60644 time=1611237936 user_id=229936]
I can tell you, I haven't spoken to any teachers in S. America, China or E. Europe who make that...
[/quote]

I hope you're joking, as I currently make 33k teaching ESL in Korean public schools. Making me re-think my decision to get a PGCE and find an international school.
by TCH12
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:14 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: How Competitive is my CV? Looking for feedback!
Replies: 9
Views: 8863

Re: How Competitive is my CV? Looking for feedback!

Wish I had your experience/credentials!

Where were you teaching ESL, and how did you catch your lucky break, if you don't mind me asking? Also, what's your teaching subject?
by TCH12
Fri Jan 15, 2021 7:49 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: A question for those with kiddos...
Replies: 7
Views: 7534

Re: A question for those with kiddos...

@fine dude

Thanks for the input! I'd certainly be open to teaching at a private bilingual school, provided that I'm able to teach the subject I'll be trained in (English as a first language/English Literature). No more ESL for me, haha! Also, they'd have to be willing to take my daughter on as a student.

I honestly never considered teaching in Africa (I just assumed international schools would be too few and far between), but I may just look into it!
by TCH12
Fri Jan 15, 2021 7:20 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: A question for those with kiddos...
Replies: 7
Views: 7534

Re: A question for those with kiddos...

[quote=Verano post_id=60586 time=1610710419 user_id=250931]
I worked with a South African colleague who did an M. Ed. Online from a university in South Africa. My other South African friend told me that her friend got a job at an international school after finishing her M.Ed.
[/quote]
Thanks, Verano! Unfortunately my undergraduate degree is not in education, hence the PGCE. To get the M.Ed I'd have to do a PGCE anyway, followed by a B.Ed (Honours), and finally the M.Ed itself. I figured a PGCE was the most direct route to where I want to be. I think my biggest obstacle will be a lack of experience in my subject.
by TCH12
Fri Jan 15, 2021 1:37 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: A question for those with kiddos...
Replies: 7
Views: 7534

A question for those with kiddos...

Hi All! Profuse thanks for your ongoing support and advice. I hope to pay it forward someday, perhaps on this very board.

A quick recap of my situation:

*35 year old South African male
*Been teaching ESL in Korean public schools for the past 5 years (well, just under 5 years)
*Married to a Korean national and have a young daughter (20 months)
*About to leave my cushy Korean life (and family!) behind and return to South Africa for a year, to study my PGCE (specializing in English Home Language)
*Hoping to reunite with my wife/daughter after the year is up and weasel my way into the IS system (despite having no formal experience teaching English as a first language)

I realize the trajectory outlined above will likely land me in a less desirable school (possibly bilingual), at least for the first few years. I'm prepared to push through this, but, as a first-time parent, I'm a bit unsure what it would mean for my daughter's education. The prospect of her doing her schooling at whatever international school(s) I end up teaching at was a massive draw and pretty much the backbone of my pitch when I sold the whole idea to the wife. We agreed this would be way better than subjecting her to the joyless and merciless Korean education system.

But what if I don't manage to progress beyond bilingual schools by the time she's ready to start school? Hell, when do kids even start school these days? (said the guy wanting to be a teacher, lol) Can expat kids attend bilingual schools despite not being fluent in the local language, or is it simply unheard of?

And finally, is it a given that all kids do some form of pre-schooling/kindergarten these days? I went to a pre-school when I was young, but I distinctly remember some kids skipping this altogether. It will obviously be impossible for me to work my way into a 'decent' expat-focused school by the time she's ready for pre-school, since she's already nearly two.

Anyhoo, this is the last thing I need advice on before I dive into the deep end. Here's hoping I survive the year in crime & corona country (South Africa).

Thanks again everybody!!!
by TCH12
Fri Sep 18, 2020 6:11 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What are my chances?
Replies: 18
Views: 26601

Re: What are my chances?

Smoko wrote:
> I was referring to the perceived quality of education, not the English proficiency.
> They don't seem to have any universities in the top global 100. I'm also not saying
> that this matters much in reality (there are obviously plenty of bright South
> Africans out there), but perceptions matter, especially in the international
> education market.
>
> Also, that general misunderstanding that you're referring to has real world
> consequences. I'm confident that there will be schools and parents out there who
> don't want "African teachers" due to these preconceived notions, but I'm
> curious as to how common this is. That's why I found it interesting.

You're right, my rant was misguided. Clearly a bit of a sore point. My apologies.

At any rate, my uni (University of Cape Town) is consistently ranked in the top 200, according to the link below.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rankings_ ... uth_Africa

That might not sound like much, but I looked at the list, and it's higher than many other reputed institutions. Not that parents/employers give a crap about that, as you said.
by TCH12
Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:18 am
Forum: Forum 1. From Questions About ISS & Search to Anything and Everything About International Teaching
Topic: What are my chances?
Replies: 18
Views: 26601

Re: What are my chances?

@Smoko

Not that interesting, considering 99% of all university courses in South Africa are delivered in English. I think there's a general misunderstanding among outsiders who assume that South Africans simply cannot be first language English speakers, because, well, it's Africa man.

Let's look at some numbers:

South Africa's population is roughly 50 million.
9.6% of the population are first language English speakers.
That's about 5 million bona fide, born and bred Englisher speakers.

New Zealand, on the other hand, has about 3.8 million first language English speakers. I've never heard anyone question the legitimacy of their qualifications in an international context.

It's worth mentioning that, even though only 10% of SA's population are mother tongue speakers, the country pretty much runs on English. Go to any South African website and I guarantee it'll be in English (seriously, type "*.co.za" into google and see what pops up). Street signs - English. Adverts - English. Walk into a restaurant and grab a menu, 100% English. It's the one language that all South Africans are guaranteed to understand, regardless of mother tongue.

Sorry for the rant, but Korea is full of smug, ignorant Yanks who can't seem to wrap their heads around any of this. I'm constantly having to defend my right to be an English teacher here.

@PsyGuy

Many thanks for your detailed reply. I'm going to take the plunge and hope for the best. It's a little scary, as my wife and I currently make about $4300 monthly between the two of us (we're able to save about $1700 of that). I'm not sure what international teachers earn (I've heard wildly conflicting accounts), but hopefully I can get us back into this ballpark before long. First things first though (PGCE).