Job Discussion Forums

jacannella · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 12:16 pm Post subject: Teaching ESL in Myanmar

I am a 49 year old American English teacher with an MA TESOL, CELTA, 20 years teaching experience (mostly at the tertiary level), but no US/UK public school certification. What is the job market like in Myanmar for someone with my background and age? I noticed that there's not much discussion on Myanmar, which leads me to think that A) the job market isn't so good or B) there are jobs, but due to supposed high rents (in Yangon anyway), lack of long term residency visas (for the moment) thus requiring teachers to fly to Bangkok every 3 months or so to renew, the typical ESL teacher is staying away till these things hopefully improve. Would love to hear from someone with any insight regarding the above and what it is like to teach in Myanmar.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

You might give Georgetown University's ELF Program (http://elprograms.org/) a look. They have teaching projects in Myanmar, although timing is key.

By the way, you probably shouldn't publicize your email address; you leave yourself open to spam.

esl_prof · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 10:31 pm Post subject:

I think Myanmar is still off the beaten path as far as TEFLing goes. If you're concerned about high rents, you might check out Mandalay which is a bit north of Yangon.

The job list boards here at Dave's often have jobs posted from schools in Myanmar, so you might get a basic idea of what your options are by checking those out. I think the British Council also does some work in Myanmar.

Please keep us posted on how your search goes. Myanmar is a potentially exciting place to be at this point in history. We'd love to hear more about the opportunities there.

mfinna · Joined: 21 Mar 2012 Posts: 32 Location: SE Asia

Greetings,

There are some people on the board here like myself who are presently teaching in Yangon.

If you search for older Myanmar posts you will find a lot of detailed information. There is even a very long list of schools and language academies with contact information. It may be a year or two old but other than rents things probably haven't changed all that much. I am still here getting the same wage and paying just a bit more in rent.

The big turnoff regarding high rents is misleading. If you want western style amenities, then the prices are indeed very high and poor value for money. If you don't mind cold water, no A/C, squat toilet, and concrete floors, you can find a place all of your own for 200 to 300 in Yangon. I posted a rant about the rental situation here after being thoroughly confounded by what people were telling me.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=1084979&highlight=#1084979

This guy is also quite helpful if he still checks the boards

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=102528

-fin

jacannella · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 2:56 am Post subject: Re: Teaching ESL in Myanmar

jacannella · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 2:57 am Post subject: Re: Teaching ESL in Myanmar

adaruby · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 12:45 pm Post subject:

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:35 pm Post subject:

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

What is it with using squat toilets anyway? Must have come about because they are less expensive. Hopefully you don't share apartments with bathrooms with squat toilets. Good God!

mfinna · Joined: 21 Mar 2012 Posts: 32 Location: SE Asia

I'll say one thing about squat toilets and the bucket/cup of water method for doing your business. It's much more hygienic than using toilet paper and a western style toilet....

BocaNY · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 131

The US Gov't offers English Teaching fellowships in Myanmar. https://application.elprograms.org/
It is possible to find work with your credentials. The top international schools want teachers with teacher licenses from their home country or a western country. Those schools pay the best. Most schools offer housing or a housing stipend. You can find a nice one bedroom apartment with hot water, a/c, western toilet for $500 a month. Or you can go the cheaper option like mentioned before and install a western toilet and fix it up a bit for not much money.