Job Discussion Forums

roywebcafe · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 259

Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam.

I know the first two are supposed to pay the best but there are always exceptions. Having looked at the process involved for Korea i assume it must be the best paid? But does most application hassle = most pay? We have to take into account pay - cost of living to. So in some ways the best paying jobs even out the same as lesser paying jobs in China when you balance it out!!

Like to hear your thoughts, experiences and opinions.

I am getting a headache applying through the GEPIK/EPIK process for Korea and would like to know if i am wasting my time when i could be making just as much in a country that does not want me to prove i was at XYZ elementary school when i was aged 7 in case i am an enemy spy or something!! Or wants me to check millions of boxes on an online application form when i don't know how to do that online!! I am used to using a pen!![/b]

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Instead of asking "Where can I make the most with the least hassles?", why not just tell us your qualifications and goals?

I can tell you that Japan is less xenophobic than Korea, and that your visa is yours in Japan (unlike in Korea, where you can lose your visa if you lose your job). I can also tell you that in Japan, you are likely to have entry level jobs of ALT or conversation school instructor with most newbie qualifications, and that the pay is going to be about 220,000-250,000 yen/month before taxes.

Other than that, there is a heap of things to know and ask.

If you want to make money in Asia, you won't make it in Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia.

stevie76 · Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Czech republic

As far as I know, ACE school in Cambodia is supposed to pay well. I don't think the salary is too bad in most places in Asia, it depends whether you're just going there to save money or experience the place. I too have been put off going to Korea by the ridiculous admin procedures, like providing university transcripts with the university seal etc etc. For Christ's sake!
I'm also put off by all the horror stories of cowboy outfits in Japan. So, I think Vietnam and Cambodia might offer the best jobs in Asia right now...

roywebcafe · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 259

I have a BSc and a CELTA. My goal is to save money but not at any cost.

Also have about four years of teaching hours with adults and children of different levels. this includes summer camps, public and private schools.

tttompatz · Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 6:25 pm Post subject:

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

JLL · Joined: 18 May 2010 Posts: 36

roywebcafe · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 259

Sorry i was being thick about check boxes. Not used to facing with one online. i got phazed by all the information

only student loans to pay off but will keep deferring them.

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

FoundWaldo · Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Posts: 47

With current living conditions taken into account, I would have to argue that teaching English in Taiwan will get the most money for your time, although I am aware that Korea is also highly lucrative. The thing about Korea though is that the won has been very unstable these past couple years. Sometimes the exchange is good, but at other times bringing your money back home meant loosing a lot of money..

The schools in China are getting better. With a TEFL certificate and a few years experience you are eligible to earn a very decent wage there.

But I stand by my original statement, Taiwan is the best Smile

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:41 am Post subject:

Gonna say that in general, more administrative hassle does not equal more pay.

Some of the most administratively bureaucratic countries are broke. (Latin America.)

Korea is good pay, though- for specifics on Korea, register for the Korean forum. (And see you there!) Not, maybe, the best pay in the region, but with your quals, I think it's as good as you'll do for cost of living/size of paycheck ration.

Sealed transcripts are normal, and required, for some countries. Not needed in others. But one of the rules of the road is, whatever they require, for visas at least, is pretty inflexible.

Best,
Justin

scintillatestar · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 74 Location: New York, NY

You can easily find a job in China now that pays 10,000-16,000 RMB/mo with just a CELTA (or equivalent) and 1-2 years experience. You'll probably be expected to work a 40 hour work week - but at least 10-15 of those hours will be for planning/admin. To me, that's better than making 5,000-6,000 RMB for "20-25 teaching hours," since the workload may end up being similar. Wages have gone up a lot.

FoundWaldo · Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Posts: 47

Mrs McClusky · Joined: 09 Jun 2010 Posts: 133

I would like to respond to the Thailand comments.
If you are well outside BKK you can do ok on 30000 baht a month, but not save muich. Nothing is free in LOS.
Inside BKK 30000 baht is a very low wage for a non-thai and I don't know many who are happy on it. I started 6 years a go on 40000, my maximum was 80000 and to be honest even that isn't amazing. I did survive on 16000 for a whole month once...... SERIOUSLY not fun.
People say it's cheap. It is if you want to live like a Thai....... But you won't last long like that. Nobody does.
If you want to save cash LOS is the last place to go. If you have a PGCE and a good degree and a good TEFL cart and good experience you can get 120,000 a month. With that it would be like earning 120000 euros per year in any euro city.
Someone said something about Surin...... mmmmm, I can't imagine many first timers lasting long way out there.
In China less than 10000 isn't woth it.
Good Luck.