Job Discussion Forums

sam_1004 · Joined: 26 Feb 2017 Posts: 4

Hi I'm 25yo and currently half way through my CELTA which I'm completing in the UK. I have a BA in Fine Art but no prior teaching experience other than what I've received on the CELTA.

I have been searching for jobs in East Asia but have been hearing mixed things about finding work in Taiwan, South Korea, China and Japan. In particular, people have said there aren't quite as many jobs in Japan and Taiwan as there used to be. Is this true? Also are these good countries to look at for my first teaching experience, I'm open to suggestions?

Can anyone recommend any reputable sites where I can start looking for jobs? I would like to set something up before I go over, as I worry about finding work on the ground, although some people have suggested this is a better option, which is a better plan of action? People have mentioned going through recruiters. Is this a wise choice? If anyone has had any experience can they recommend any reputable ones. What can I expect in terms of an interview will it be a skype call etc?

How much is reasonable to expect from an entry level job in terms of salary\accommodation? I understand this varies country to country and not to expect too much in terms of salary, I'm used to living quite frugally, however, it would be nice if I could save some money whilst teaching. Is this possible on a starting salary? If so, where might be the best country to work to do this?

Finally, I'm thinking of teaching English as a long term career path, so if anyone is a veteran to the industry where did you start? And what route did you take?

Sorry for all the questions I'm just on the hunt for information atm.
Thanks for your time,
Sam

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Definitely take time to read through this newbie forum; some of your questions have been addressed in similar threads.

You'll have to be flexible for your first teaching location. The TEFL market is likely becoming saturated with teachers in some countries, while others, like China, seem to always have openings. Additionally, work visa/permit regs aren't as lax as they were a few years ago. You might take a look at the thread Future of TEFL? for a snapshot of the industry.

In terms of pay, benefits, requirements, job hunting strategies, start-up costs, etc., I suggest you head to the forums of the specific regions or countries you're interested in and ask there. The Korea forum is separate and can be found at http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/.

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

sam_1004 · Joined: 26 Feb 2017 Posts: 4

Hey thank you for the advice I'll definitely take the time to browse around the different forums.

Have you had an experience with recruiters suphanburi I've been reading numerous horror stories about ridiculous long hours and mistreatment from employers. I keep running into lots of contradictory reviews for various recruiters one in particular was "Reach to Teach." Could you recommend any reputable ones?

This is steering me more towards looking on the ground in Vietnam, though I would be a bit nervous going over somewhere for the first time without everything set up.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

sam_1004 · Joined: 26 Feb 2017 Posts: 4

Well that's lucky I can't say I'm a huge fan of night clubs in fact, I don't really drink, as for elephant trekking I can't say I've particularly considered it. To be perfectly honest a lot of "tourist type stuff" is exactly what turns me off from going to a country like Vietnam.

I understand to some extent the implications that come with teaching hours, however I feel I would much rather be teaching doing something that I've currently discovered enjoyment in, rather than watching my brain die a slow death working in a supermarket which is what I currently do in the UK.

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

Suphanburi's offered the only advice so far.

You want a school which is supportive in terms of training. This means training sessions (done by correctly-qualified people), observations and the chance to observe others. You want decent resources and a mix of qualified colleagues around to bounce ideas off.

You don't want huge classes, mixed levels, more than 25 hours a week or too many boring one to one lessons.

I'm not a big fan of Intermational House, but that's the sort of school a newly-qualified teacher should try.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

Sam, I'm a veteran. My path took me into teaching in the oil and gas industry, so I've done OK.

Don't make this your career. Do it for a year to finance pre-career travel and get it out of your system.

The market is saturated, the bolt-hole $ jobs are fast disappearing and most of the employers treat you like a zero-hour potato picker. Don't do it. One day you'll want a family and normal life.

You can always teach ESOL in your evenings/holidays if you really are interested in English teaching.

In my experience, TEFL is not a place where you'll even meet good people. Most teachers are selfish, bubble living sociopaths.

bograt · Joined: 12 Nov 2014 Posts: 331

Just to give an alternative position, I've been in TEFL for 25 years and still enjoying it. Made enough to retire already but I'll keep going for another 10 years. I've worked in 10 different countries, some better than others and met a huge variety of people. Never worked in the Middle East but, no disrespect to those working there, no one is there for anything else apart from the money, so dragonwipo's definition may have something to do with that. It's still very easy to get a job in most places but if you want to save a reasonable amount, get as qualified as possible, as early as possible and specialise.

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

Spent my early career in Central Europe having fun. Now 2 decades into North Africa and the Middle East. I'm not in Saudi. I'm in the best place to teach in the Middle East on $100k/pa. My job is as rare as rocking horse shyte.

No disrespect to the previous poster but the market now and when we kicked off is totally different. More people speak English, local teachers have come a long way, training budgets are getting squeezed and there are way more native speakers around. Pay and conditions are getting worse (and they were already mostly dire).

If I had to start over now, knowing what I know, I wouldn't touch this life with a barge pole. I was lucky enough to catch the end of the golden days.

bograt · Joined: 12 Nov 2014 Posts: 331

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

I've never set foot in the ME, except the lounges at Dubai airport, but I see nothing wrong with people heading there for the money. Whoever says money isn't important is either very rich or will grow old in unimaginable poverty.

I note the OP dislikes their current employment outlook in the UK. I have to ask what they planned to do with a Fine Arts degree. I feel sorry for undergraduates nowadays who have to pay £9000 a year to study. There should be better guidance in schools as to which further education subjects to study and the opportunities (or lack of) they may offer.

I'd agree with dragonpiwo that TEFL is great for a few years, but it's hard to escape after that time without qualifications to move into another career. The OP should think very carefully about their future because teaching is just another job which gets boring.