Job Discussion Forums

[nellychess]

I will be a Newbie. The original plan was to teach in Korea for a year, get a CELTA in Thailand, then head to China.

it seems to me that in Korea you can save more. Free apt, free airfare, and a decent salary with year end bonus. Are there jobs that compare in China for a Newbie? That's where I'd rather be.

I'm a 41 year old male. 15 years as a tennis teacher. BA in Sociology and Speech Comm.


Cheers

[Simon in Suzhou]

It's hard to say what is best for you. As someone who worked in the hermit kingdom before coming to China, I personally enjoy China MUCH, MUCH more.

It's a bit difficult to line up a really good first job in China from abroad. The best jobs are word-of-mouth and don't have to advertise on the internet. Often people take a low-paying comfortable job or a better paying crappy job to get their foot in the door, then move on to a better position.

If a lack of cash is an issue, your original plan of working in Korea for a year then coming to China might be a better bet. Although you're just as likely to get a crappy first job there, chances are you'll be putting more in your bank account your first year. If you're not strapped for cash and you want to come to China, come to China.

PM me if you are looking at coming directly to China. I might be able to help you.

[hilena_westb]

[Simon in Suzhou]

[zactherat]

I can't believe vets would recommend China - it's a really terrible place to be an animal.

[it'snotmyfault]

Looks like it's game set and match to China!

Whenever I've looked at the hours on some of the Kland jobs they always seem to be 7 or 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Get a sixteen hour a week uni job in China for 5000rmb plus all the perks, work a not unrealistic 10 extra hours somewhere for 150rmb an hour, easy to find in the big cities, or anywhere for that matter. I've turned down some well paid part time work where I am, out in the sticks.

and you've got 11000rmb a month and all you have to pay for is your food and day to day"stuff"

I think this could be easily in reach for a beginner. Less hours (maybe more prep time if you're a beginner) and equivalent money to Kland. Sounds reasonable to me, I must be missing something

[revenger2013]

[NoBillyNO]

[southerngirl]

My, my, my hilena! Who put salt on your cornflakes?

As someone who worked in Korea for 10 years and during that time taught adults (corporate sites and language schools/housewives and professionals), University(one year of conversation and English for Business), elementary middle school and high school students in the language schools, and elementary school students (language school, public school in a poor rural area and a middle class suburb as well as an exclusive private elementary school in Seoul where several students parents were friends/acquaintances of the three presidential candidates in the most recent election); I can offer firsthand testimony of the money to be made.

Yet, these days there is a push to "wind down" many of the public school programs which employ native speakers as the government wishes to have Korean English Teachers teaching exclusively in the public schools within the next few years according to news reports. And public school/university jobs are usually only available twice a year-in Feb/Mar and Aug/Sept. The "hagwon"(language school) jobs are available year round, for the most part and don't appear to be going away anytime soon. I am not certain as to what will be the case for universities...

In the language schools (and the exclusive private schools where parents pay exorbitant tuition) the PARENTS RUN THE SCHOOLS with the owners and principals being their puppet masters. These scenarios can become irritating rather quickly from a teacher's perspective. And, despite their privileged circumstances, these students are often nightmares from a behavior standpoint...one would think they would learn better at home. Alas, no in too many cases I have witnessed.

Korean universit�s, by and large, offer decent salaries for the vacation time received. Some of these universities have MANDATORY camps that must be taught. You may or may not be paid extra.

Based on what I have been told from friends who work in China, it is much easier to work extra jobs LEGALLY than in Korea. My friend working at a Chinese university says the students are more motivated than those she taught in Korea and she finds Chinese people more friendly. Her regret is not leaving Korea five years earlier...

In the end, it will all come down to your schedule,resources and the age group you wish to teach. Best of luck... I am deciding my next move, myself.

Feel free to PM me if you need help or have any questions

[ecubyrd]

Many years Kimchiville and a couple of years here vet, myself. I think that what a few here and ttompatz over on the other board have given you is solid info/advice.

Korea does give the illusion of more money when you are just looking at the things you mentioned in the op. I think that ttom gave a useful, simple breakdown of the comparisons between the 2 places that I agree with. I personally look at savings potential and quality of life when deciding on a place to live and job to take.

While I did enjoy my time/experience in K-land, I resoundingly prefer it here. Good luck with what you choose!

You can also pm me if you have any questions about either place.

[lemak]

[mw182006]

[mcloo7]

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=85563

[nellychess]

MOD, with all due respect, I feel like this is not about Korea at all. I am coming from the Korean boards, and want to know if China would be a better place to teach.

If this posting is in the wrong place, I apologize.