Job Discussion Forums

[Nick6868]

Hi,

I spent a year teaching in Korea in 2010, then returned to Europe to carry on with my previous career. However, I now considering leaving my job and returning to Asia - perhaps China, Vietnam or Korea again though on a more permanent, long-term basis (by that I mean getting married, family, settling down etc).

So for those of you longer term residents in Asia, especially any lifers, I was wondering how things like a career path have gone (am aware of larger organisations that could perhaps provide that)? Financially is it feasible to get a good pension together? What pitfalls or drawbacks have you encountered, if any? Anybody bought a place? Kids?!

Would be grateful for any general advice on doing this. I am not really motivated by money - it's about the culture and lifestyle, though was wondering about catering for retirement I suppose, whether over there or back in Europe. I am 38 and feel I ought to decide now whether or not to go, and get on with it.

Thanks!

[esl_prof]

What are your credentials? To make a viable long-term career out of overseas TEFL work, both in terms of finances and quality working conditions, I'd strongly recommend completing an MA in TESOL if you haven't done so already.

[adaruby]

[suphanburi]

Came to Asia about 16 years ago.
I am married and have a child who is still in school (so yes, you can have and support a family in Asia doing EFL).

There is a career path for those who are qualified (beyond a simple BA and TEFL cert).

The path you prefer would determine the credentials needed:
- international schools - PGCE + QTS / or licensure.
- mainstream schools - B.Ed (post grad DipT/M.Ed) if you want to get beyond the classroom. A BA + CELTA will keep you in a classroom job for as long as you want to be there.
- University and lecture/conference circuit - MA/M.Ed eventually leading to PhD.
- Language academies - CELTA / DELTA and work into management.

While I hold a lot of wallpaper (academic credentials) I went down the mainstream school route and am now working as a school administrator. Salary and benefits are on par with a comparable job in the west.

As to retirement.... I bought 5 hectares and built a 120 sqm. house on a hill overlooking the Pacific - free and clear of any liens or mortgage.
I am debt free, the bank account is not too bad either, and I enjoy a comfortable lifestyle with about 10 weeks of paid annual vacation time.

Bottom line:
Can you make a career and save for retirement in entry level TEFL jobs = NO.

Can you make a decent career in TEFL or education in general = YES.

.

[bograt]

Yeah, I'd echo a lot of what has been said above. Not sure about this section though and would like to know what country you're talking about.

A large organisation such as the British Council would want you to do a DELTA ahead of an MA - the reason is that this proves you've had observed and assessed practical classroom experience which not all MAs can guarantee - but most, if not all, universities would prefer an MA and will pay better

In Korea, where I was, university salaries were generally lower than the BC but they offered longer vacations. Chinese universities by all accounts pay very little, while Japanese are almost impossible to get into. Don't know about any other Asian universities. I'm in management now with the BC and pulling in around 50 grand (UK) a year. Do you know which universities would pay more for non-tenure track positions? (I don't have a PHD)

[adaruby]

[timothypfox]

I worked in Japan for a couple of years at a language school, and later returned to the US and got an MS in TESOL and taught in a high school for 5 years. I'm now back in Japan working at a private high school which offered me tenure last year. I'm now building a house and expecting a child with my wife I met here.

The challenges I'll face is paying off a mortgage very much like I would if I continued to live in the US. It's an easy pace of life here, but there are not enough holidays in Japan as well. I also had planned to visit family back home each year, but the financial realities makes it more feasible to do that every 2 years.

So, you can do things just with the MA and some experience. I chose to work with school kids, but you might follow the other people's advise above to qualify for something more teritary. Getting a full time position at a university in Japan is very hard and requires publications. There are many terminal (3 year only) full-time university jobs which means you have to constantly apply for your next gig and pick up and move.

Sorry, I'm only giving you my take on Japan because that's all I know about, but there are many great places in South East Asian other than Japan of course.

[Art78]

Since 2008, I have climbed up the foreign TEFL ladder in Korea (co-teaching English at local elementary schools and middle schools, teaching English at universities). I find that I can live fairly decently with what I make in Korea...as long as I don't overspend.

I have met some married, foreign EFL instructors who have kids in South Korea, but they are
A) married to a Korean citizen and can get extra work through the spousal visa
B) married to a fellow, foreign English instructor and both work full-time
C) married to a non-Korean citizen

Those in category A make the most money IF the Korean spouse works at a good job and the in-laws have money and property OR the EFL instructor can get a ton of privates. It's high probable that they can save for retirement.

Those in category B may be able to save for retirement IF they send a percentage of their money home AND invest it wisely. Depending what one's citizenship is, you may or may not be able to invest your foreign-earned income in retirement funds in your home country.

Those in category C will probably have the hardest time saving for retirement especially if the non-Korean spouse cannot legally work in South Korea. Money will be very tight. It's highly improbable that they will be able to save for retirement.

Have you considered continuing your current carrier outside of your home country, Nick6868? You never mentioned what field of work you're currently in.

If you really want to hit the big money in the TEFL world, go to the Middle East, but that's another story.

[nomad soul]

[EFL Educator]

To The OP,

Long term ESL in Asia can be rewarding in many ways...and YES it is possible to have an EFL pension!