Job Discussion Forums

[mmcmorrow]

What's the lowest hourly rate you've seen advertised or been paid yourself? The lowest I can remember working for is the equivalent of about $7 per hour. This was in London nearly thirty years ago and I soon moved on to a school that was offering 9 or 10 per hour. That still may not seem a lot, but covered a quarter of my weekly rent at the time, so it wasn't actually that bad, I suppose.

I was put in mind of this by a job I saw advertised today on the ITTT Tefl course facebook page. And what an incitement to enter the noble TEFL profession this is: an online teaching job, apparently based in the Philippines and paying the princely sum of 70 - 120 pesos per hour (that's $1.50 to $2.55). Oh, before you all rush, make sure you have your own computer and internet connection.

The unnamed organisation is ideally looking for people with TEFL certificates - though their recruits might not be that happy, I guess, to find themselves working full time for a year just to pay off their course fee! On the plus side, they could be raking in bonuses for course completion and 'perfect attendance'. That must be why they describe it as "an excellent working package" .. for the right candidate, of course!

Martin McMorrow, Massey University, New Zealand

[santi84]

Last year, I interviewed for a position which required a related education degree, at least three years of direct experience, and full bilingualism in English/French. They offered $15/hour Here, KFC pays $13/hour to start.

[Xie Lin]

$2.30 in Peru, the equivalent of about $3.25 an hour in Ukraine, both advertised on Dave's job board. I've also seen jobs offering the equivalent of $4.00 or less per hour in Bolivia, Ecuador and Mexico. $10.00 an hour 30 years ago would equate to over $22 an hour today, which is more or less the beginning rate for language schools and community agencies in the region of the US where I live, although lesser amounts ($14-$16 and up) aren't uncommon.

[spiral78]

In Poland (and used to be in the Czech Rep, but I haven't heard of one for a while), they offer short-term jobs at immersion centers which pay ZERO. You do get room and board

Here's a very positive spin on it, though (picked this up off the Poland board)

http://www.insidecolumbia.net/The-World-According-To-Mallory/April-2014/Angloville-in-Poland/

[scot47]

But you also get jobs where there is a negative quantity paid. That is, you pay them for the experience and pleasure of teaching. It is called "Being An Intern". You think I jest ?

[spiral78]

Great idea!!!
Where can I get a few (interns, I mean)??

[HLJHLJ]

There are English teachers here (in Ecuador) working for $3-$4/hour. Minimum wage is $354/m (about $2.20/hr), so in local terms it's not a shockingly bad wage. However even in a small town, it's very low for a native speaker with at least a basic qualification.

Much much better paid work is available though.

[bograt]

25 quid a week in Slovakia a long time ago. Mind you I got a free flat with that and beer was 10p a pint, so it wasn't too bad.

For US citizens

38 dollars a week in Slovakia a long time ago. Mind you I got a free apartment with that and the beer was 15 cents a pint so it was awesome!

[mitsui]

Drinking Zlaty Bazant?
Well the national dish is fatty meat and bread.
At least the beer is good.

Bratislava is not a bad town.

[In the heat of the moment]

[scot47]

Bratislava is a town. not a city. There are no other towns - only villages. Slovakia's reputation for intolerance and racism rivals that of its northern neighbour.