Job Discussion Forums

[ClarkP]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently in an unsatisfying office job and looking to try something new. I've been reading this board for a while now and am looking for a little helpful advice.

First off, info about myself:
I'm 24 year old male American.

I have a bachelor’s degree from William and Mary in VA. Does where you get your degree from make a difference in hiring/salary at all?

I have about a year's experience teaching in a private high school, I've tutored people in Latin during college, and I've had a little experience with teaching smaller children.

I don't have any formal TEFL certification but am considering signing up for the CERTA.

From your experiences, what kind of job in what countries could I probably get?

My preferences/questions:
1) I would like to minimize my actual classroom hours. Anything more than 20-24 seems hellish to me. I'd like to avoid the split shifts/weekend work, etc.

2) The more vacation time the better. Obviously! Is two weeks pretty much standard throughought asia?

3) I certainly don't feel the need to save a whole lot, nor do I have any financial burdens except for feeding/clothing myself. I do like to go out and travel but by no means carry on an extravagant lifestyle.

As of right now, I'm leaning towards Thailand. I'm a very laid-back individual and from what I've read their outlook on life appeals to me. This said, I'm in no way a lazy person. Anything I do, I do to my utmost ability.

Well assuming any of you has gotten this far, would you agree that Thailand seems my best fit? If not feel free to convince me to go elsewhere!

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Glenski]

[Roger]

Sorry, I don't know the situation in Thailand, but am fairly acquainted with China.

Here, public schools might offer you what you are looking for - 20 contact periods a week, and considerably more than two weeks of holidays a year.
Pay is between 4000 and 8000 RMB, plus perks; the money is take-home money.
China is not like Thailand, though - less laid-back though as retro in some aspects as any Asian country. The nice locations are in the poorer regions,and those have few, and sometimes zero, posts for Westerners! Look out for a job in Hainan Island or Guangxi province; else Guangdong, Fujian and the Eastern coast have the most jobs and pay the highest salaries or wages though they offer the least in terms of scenery and indigenous traditional culture.
You will have to hurry as the schools are hiring right now; first week of October is this term's first holiday season. Next time around when they are likely to take you on board would be in February, for the second term through to July.

Private training centres pay better (sometimes), but offer only minimum holidays, and you often work on weekends, with one or two days off during the week.


SInce you have studied a second language I think you have excellent chances of becoming a good TEFLer!

[MELEE]

I live and work in Mexico, have for years, so my answers reflect my experience in Mexico. I previously worked in Japan, but someone more qualified to answer has already hit that country so these answers are just about Mexico.