Job Discussion Forums

cbbjork · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Peru

Hi everyone,

First of all, obligatory quick apology if this has been asked before, but I did a search and wasn't able to find it (perhaps I didn't search correctly).

Just wanted to know how common it is to get short two or three month teaching/tutoring jobs in different parts of the world, or is it always common to have the one-year contracts?

I taught for a year in S.Korea and I know they have the shorter Summer/Winter terms, for example, and I've taught in Europe and currently in Peru, but I'm curious if anyone has any experience or knowledge on short term jobs.

I ask because I'm interested in moving up through Central America and wouldn't mind perhaps staying a while in a certain area and have some temporary work.

Thanks! Smile

Christian

tttompatz · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 3:43 am Post subject:

Pretty much rule out Asia.

Short term means working as a tourist (with the associated risks).

The vast majority of employers (in Asia) won't jump through the visa hoops and expenses for short term work visas (less than 1 term in many cases (like China) and less than 1 year in many more (Korea/Japan)).

In my personal experience in S.America (admittedly a long time ago) it was virtually impossible to get a short term work visa (heck, most long term employees didn't have work visas). Border runs/visa runs were common.

.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 4:50 am Post subject:

Rule out Russia and anywhere in the CIS, for similar reasons. The visa hoops to jumped through just are not worth any potential employer's time. Or yours. Even for a tourist visa, it seems.

In fact, that could be a ready reckoner: difficulty of visa process and subsequent length of time needed in country to justify obtaining said visa.

cbbjork · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Peru

Thanks! That's pretty much what I was after: some opinions from others who've taught around a bit more and what not. Thank you! Smile

gitana2013 · Joined: 17 Feb 2013 Posts: 11

http://www.tefl.com/jobs/search.html has a search category for short-term summer positions. At the moment, all of the jobs seem to be in China or the UK.

You might try checking out http://www.idealist.org. Although most of the jobs are volunteer gigs (and some even require paying fees), I think a few offer stipends or include room/board.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

There are summer jobs in China. I was offered one in the fabled city of Qiqihar a while back. I would not have ended up with much in my pocket, but it was tempting to me as a change form the Bearded Ones in the Middle East.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Kiev?

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 1:47 pm Post subject:

That's a point. Kiev and visas - this has changed a lot recently. I don't know the ins and outs of it now, but could be worth looking into. However, I suspect that to get legal work, the work visa hoops are just as daunting.

Still, worth having a sniff around...

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Well I believe that people are allowed into the country without a visa for three months. I think it is not difficult to get work visas, but I suspect that for short periods of time, that sort of arrangement may not be made. I think it may be worth emailing some schools to enquire.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 2:57 pm Post subject:

Entry into the Ukraine is not so hard any more, it is true. But working there legally would be a different matter. We wouldn't want to be recommending illegal work there, now would we?

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

We certainly wouldn't. We merely note that some things happen.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 8:02 pm Post subject:

I'm glad that we exhibit so much solidarity on this issue. It is one that proved divisive in the past, for other posters.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

If the school really needs a member of staff, it can sort out a visa. If it can be bothered. The problem is, for short term work, this is less likely. If they start a class they generally want to continue with it.

If people do decide to go and teach illegally, then they have to take a range of risks - e.g. not getting paid (prove that you did this illegal work) or getting arrested. These are the usual risks if you decide to wing it.

However, the point about Ukraine is that people can legitimately enter the country without a visa, which makes it easier to see employers and get things started. If you look around at odd times of year, then maybe you may fit in where somebody else has dropped out. Maybe.