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need advice, please-failed EPIK, looking for other programs

 
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poetryfoot



Joined: 08 Sep 2013
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 9:29 am    Post subject: need advice, please-failed EPIK, looking for other programs Reply with quote

HI!
Well, here's a short story. I had my heart set on the EPIK Korea program, but just found out I didn't pass the interview. Sad Anyways, I would love to go to Korea, and I know there are other ways to apply, but I really liked the way EPIK did the orientation: you got to meet other people, and were kind of part of this group. I just feel like I would really like to go through a program. I am considering applying to other countries, preferably in Asia, but now, after months of work, feel back at square one and not quite sure how to proceed. Can anyone tell me if they know of other government programs in Asian countries (with an orientation with other new teachers)? I have heard of the JET program, etc....but am looking for an advice/info. I would love to go to an Asian country that would provide airfare/housing and I would love to save some money each month. I also would love if they did an orientation. I don't know, maybe that is asking too much? Anyways, I do have a TESOL certificate, English BA, and just started volunteering in a 3rd-4th grade classroom (and manage a bookstore), so I am not super qualified, but I feel like I could be a great teacher if given the opportunity to teach overseas. Also, do you know which Asian countries provide housing/airfare, and provide a decent wage? I'm not looking to make big bucks, but would love to be able to save some money. Anyways, I guess I just feel a little defeated by my EPIK rejection, but I don't want to give up! I appreciate any advice/info!! Thanks!
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esl_prof



Joined: 30 Nov 2013
Posts: 2006
Location: peyi kote solèy frèt

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 12:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry to hear about your temporary setback.

It sounds like you should post this inquiry over on the General Asia forum. There's lots of experienced folks over there who can direct you to other options.

Good luck!
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adaruby



Joined: 21 Apr 2014
Posts: 171
Location: has served on a hiring committee

PostPosted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 2:14 pm    Post subject: Re: need advice, please-failed EPIK, looking for other progr Reply with quote

poetryfoot wrote:
Also, do you know which Asian countries provide housing/airfare, and provide a decent wage? I'm not looking to make big bucks, but would love to be able to save some money. Thanks!


The good news is that you can find all of these things teaching EFL in Asia. The bad news is that with a generic TEFL cert and little or no experience, none of these benefits will be available to you.

You'll have to start at the bottom of the ladder, where you will find plenty of work, but don't expect too much in the way of quality. Thailand usually fits the bill in most cases.
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suphanburi



Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916

PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 7:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Missed EPIK, go with GEPIK.

.
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mysterytrain



Joined: 23 Mar 2014
Posts: 366

PostPosted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 11:26 am    Post subject: Re: need advice, please-failed EPIK, looking for other progr Reply with quote

adaruby wrote:
poetryfoot wrote:
Also, do you know which Asian countries provide housing/airfare, and provide a decent wage? I'm not looking to make big bucks, but would love to be able to save some money. Thanks!


The good news is that you can find all of these things teaching EFL in Asia. The bad news is that with a generic TEFL cert and little or no experience, none of these benefits will be available to you.

You'll have to start at the bottom of the ladder, where you will find plenty of work, but don't expect too much in the way of quality. Thailand usually fits the bill in most cases.


Hmm. Someone with limited to no teaching experience but with a TESOL certificate, and English BA can't get a job offer from China providing "housing / airfare and a 'decent wage'? "Decent wage" is a totally subjective term, so I'm not going to wade into that jungle without my trusty machete, but job, housing and reimbursed airfare should be quite attainable, they certainly were for me in 2010, with even fewer qualifications than the OP.

China, Japan, Korea typically provide airfare (usually reimbursed, but in some cases, paid up-front). Other countries are on a case-by case (school by school or offer-by-offer) basis. Housing is also a standard benefit in China and Korea, case-by-case in other countries. Thailand for a foot-in-the-door could be a good option, you probably won't save much money unless you can live quite frugally, but you could probably save at least 2-300 USD a month, if you can). In China, depending on the COL in the city you go to (this is fairly important) you should be able to save, even on a lower salary, as long as 1) you are not in a tier one city (Beijing, Shanghai) and 2) your housing is provided.

OP, Get your foot in the door asap, as requirements are increasing across the board in many of the more (up to recently) "easy" Asian countries, typically including teaching experience (!!!), background checks, etc. Some countries, like Indonesia, where I've been teaching for the last three years, have an "English degree only" (or "Mandarin degree only", for native Mandarin speaking Chinese teachers, etc) requirement (and guess what? I don't have one), but you've got that beat already.

Most definitely you can get a job in Turkey (probably right now, if you hurry) which would provide you with a living wage, some experience, you MIGHT be able to save a hundred or two USD a month **outside of Istanbul**, if you're "lucky or good", maybe more if you can get the employer to provide housing. Contracts in Turkey, if for a placement in a regular school like Kolegi, run from mid-September to mid-June, so it would be a fairly short stint and contract but plenty enough to get your feet wet and not too, too long, if you don't like the specific job, school, employer or just the overall experience.

But also, as you said, there are other ways of getting into Korea besides EPIK, if that is really where you'd like to go.
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adaruby



Joined: 21 Apr 2014
Posts: 171
Location: has served on a hiring committee

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 12:24 am    Post subject: Re: need advice, please-failed EPIK, looking for other progr Reply with quote

mysterytrain wrote:
adaruby wrote:
poetryfoot wrote:
Also, do you know which Asian countries provide housing/airfare, and provide a decent wage? I'm not looking to make big bucks, but would love to be able to save some money. Thanks!


The good news is that you can find all of these things teaching EFL in Asia. The bad news is that with a generic TEFL cert and little or no experience, none of these benefits will be available to you.

You'll have to start at the bottom of the ladder, where you will find plenty of work, but don't expect too much in the way of quality. Thailand usually fits the bill in most cases.


"Decent wage" is a totally subjective term.


True.

Unless I can afford to bathe in red wine every night, while a harem of lithe young beauties feed me grapes, I just don't see the point in getting out of bed.
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