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schwa
Joined: 12 Oct 2003 Posts: 164 Location: yap
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Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 1:06 pm Post subject: micronesia |
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Can anyone comment on teaching in Micronesia?
I'm soon to hit a retirement wall (62) in Korean public schools, after 15 steady years. Good at what I do, love what I do, & not inclined to stop. I've taught all ages including training teachers. Canadian with an MA in English Lit. Not concerned about wages beyond a local stipend. Nice school in a nice little town, is all I want.
Micronesia has always held a fascination for me, though its one place I havent traveled. I'm posting this on a sudden & unresearched whim. Is this viable?
Any input appreciated. Thanks. |
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weshh
Joined: 25 May 2012 Posts: 12 Location: USA
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats on your near retirement!!
I don't know much about micronesia, but I am interested to learn more!! |
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bentanddisfunctional
Joined: 19 Oct 2010 Posts: 85
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Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 11:18 am Post subject: |
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Try the Marshall islands,Guam or Saipan.
I'd imagine they'd want American certified/registered teachers. |
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schwa
Joined: 12 Oct 2003 Posts: 164 Location: yap
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Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 2:48 am Post subject: |
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So I visited Yap a couple weeks ago to get the scoop first-hand. I dropped in at several public schools & spoke with administrators, teachers, & students. They need teachers but have limited budget. I met with the school coordinator at the Department of Education. They have a program that provides airfare every two years, housing, & a small local wage. There is an official retirement age but they dont apply it to foreigners.
The island itself is tiny, isolated, culturally unique, slow-paced, & friendly -- right up my alley. I've started the wheels turning towards a start this september. |
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Mandrews1985
Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 69 Location: Daegu, South Korea
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 11:39 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Schwa,
I am really interested in the outcome of your potential move to Yap and if it all pans out, what life is like there and how you're settling in.
Please keep us informed! |
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EFL Educator
Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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Hello there,
Micronesia is nothing special....why not try the Philippines there are better paying EFL jobs jobs there. Good luck! |
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Nuolan
Joined: 08 Nov 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Thailand
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Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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schwa wrote: |
So I visited Yap a couple weeks ago to get the scoop first-hand. I dropped in at several public schools & spoke with administrators, teachers, & students. They need teachers but have limited budget. I met with the school coordinator at the Department of Education. They have a program that provides airfare every two years, housing, & a small local wage. There is an official retirement age but they dont apply it to foreigners.
The island itself is tiny, isolated, culturally unique, slow-paced, & friendly -- right up my alley. I've started the wheels turning towards a start this september. |
Do you have a blog, schwa? I'd be really interested to read about your experiences there. |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 4:10 am Post subject: |
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schwa wrote: |
So I visited Yap a couple weeks ago to get the scoop first-hand. I dropped in at several public schools & spoke with administrators, teachers, & students. They need teachers but have limited budget. I met with the school coordinator at the Department of Education. They have a program that provides airfare every two years, housing, & a small local wage. There is an official retirement age but they dont apply it to foreigners.
The island itself is tiny, isolated, culturally unique, slow-paced, & friendly -- right up my alley. I've started the wheels turning towards a start this september. |
As for the Licensed part? |
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EFL Educator
Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:00 pm Post subject: of pa |
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Micronesia is just like Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in terms of pay and benefits for EFL teachers. Everything you get is micro...don't expect to receive more than the minimum wage ( $6:00 - $7:00 per hour. Savings are next to impossible....and you may end up being on welfare! [/code] |
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schwa
Joined: 12 Oct 2003 Posts: 164 Location: yap
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 4:37 am Post subject: |
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Time to update this old thread of mine.
I've been here since march & I'm teaching freshman english at Yap High School. For me, my dream job. The school is a bit disorganized & impoverished but its an earnest place & the kids for the most part are sweet. I've got free rein as to what & how I teach them & plan to focus on literature & writing (they're already all capable english speakers). I love my barefoot-only classroom.
As a non-American, getting my work permit was time-consuming & expensive (US$1000 fee) but time & money well-spent. I think I'm settled for a good while now. I'm at break-even wages with great provided housing while most of the few other NETs here are Peace Corps or church volunteers.
Life on Yap is slow & wouldnt suit everyone, but I'm in my element. Island population around 7000. Folks are friendly & welcoming. Its so pretty & serene here, like living in a botanical park & more innocent times, & summer year-round. Not paradise, but as far as I'm concerned, damn near. |
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EFL Educator
Joined: 17 Jul 2013 Posts: 988 Location: Cape Town
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 7:20 am Post subject: |
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To The OP,
You are extremely lucky you are at break even wages and get free housing. I know a lot of EFL teachers would not be so lucky there and would most likely end up as non paid volunteers basking in poverty under the Pacific sun! |
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Shakey
Joined: 29 Aug 2014 Posts: 199
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2015 10:47 am Post subject: |
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schwa wrote: |
Time to update this old thread of mine.
I've been here since march & I'm teaching freshman english at Yap High School. For me, my dream job. The school is a bit disorganized & impoverished but its an earnest place & the kids for the most part are sweet. I've got free rein as to what & how I teach them & plan to focus on literature & writing (they're already all capable english speakers). I love my barefoot-only classroom.
As a non-American, getting my work permit was time-consuming & expensive (US$1000 fee) but time & money well-spent. I think I'm settled for a good while now. I'm at break-even wages with great provided housing while most of the few other NETs here are Peace Corps or church volunteers.
Life on Yap is slow & wouldnt suit everyone, but I'm in my element. Island population around 7000. Folks are friendly & welcoming. Its so pretty & serene here, like living in a botanical park & more innocent times, & summer year-round. Not paradise, but as far as I'm concerned, damn near. |
That sounds fantastic. At your age and stage of your career, it seems like a good fit for you. I assume, then, that you are receiving a pension for your time in Korea.
If so, does Korea provide a monthly pension payment or were you paid out in one lump sum?
Finally, I appreciate how you point out that it would not be for everyone. I agree. It probably would not be ideal for younger TEFL'ers who are interested in night life or the convenience of big cities where they can make friends and attend events, etc. Also, and as noted by the previous poster, for those who are trying to save for their retirement years it probably would not be an ideal location. |
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schwa
Joined: 12 Oct 2003 Posts: 164 Location: yap
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Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 7:32 am Post subject: |
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Korea was good to me, my future is set. Yeh, they also send me a modest monthly pension check, & I get one from Canada too.
If theres a subtext to this thread, its this: offbeat whims can materialize. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2015 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: micronesia |
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schwa wrote: |
Can anyone comment on teaching in Micronesia?
I'm soon to hit a retirement wall (62) in Korean public schools, after 15 steady years. Good at what I do, love what I do, & not inclined to stop. I've taught all ages including training teachers. Canadian with an MA in English Lit. Not concerned about wages beyond a local stipend. Nice school in a nice little town, is all I want.
Micronesia has always held a fascination for me, though its one place I havent traveled. I'm posting this on a sudden & unresearched whim. Is this viable?
Any input appreciated. Thanks. |
Congrats on getting the job. |
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schwa
Joined: 12 Oct 2003 Posts: 164 Location: yap
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 6:35 am Post subject: |
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Thanks TB.
Happy camper here, contracted for at least a couple more years. I love Yap. |
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