Job Discussion Forums

[thedude72]

Hello all!

I have been a member of this forum now for about a month and have done much reading in the various forums.

I am new to the ESL field and have found this site very helpful in exploring my options. At the same time, I feel a little overwhelmed by all the information on this forum.

I am 32 years old, have a BA, but have no teaching experience. I also have some debts that I am trying to pay off, but would like to start my journey as soon as possible. I have done most of my reading about teaching in the Asian countries and Latin America. As I see it, I have the following four options:

1. Take an TEFL course in my home country and apply for a job overseas.

2. Take a TEFL course in a foreign country and apply for a job in that country (I was thinking of Mexico)

3. Apply for a teaching position in Korea and just go now because the requirements are less than in other countries.

4. Apply for the JET Programme in Japan and if I am accepted, go to Japan as an assistant teacher.

I am wondering which option would be most beneficial for someone like me, who is just starting out in the ESL field.

I have heard a lot of horror stories about Korea, but at the same time I have heard a lot of positive things as well. My goal is to travel all over the world, so I am flexible and open minded about where to go.

Basically, I would appreciate some advice regarding the options above and would like to hear about how others got their start in the ESL field. Also, are there any other options I have not mentioned here?

Thanks in advance!!

dude72

[Glenski]

There are more options than that. Here in Japan, you don't need any certification to teach English. Depending on your visa status, you may not even need a degree!

Since you have one, however, let's deal with that situation. If you really plan to do TEFL for some time and are serious about teaching, you will look into getting the certification. Otherwise, what you really face is little more than a 1-3 year stint on JET, or a seemingly endless series of eikaiwa (conversation school) jobs. Once you have even a year of eikaiwa experience, however, you could move up the ladder to teaching in mainstream schools, but I think the recruiting atmosphere here is going to require more than just a degree and some experience.

Moreover, as I have stated countless times, getting a TEFL will serve you well in the long run. It should be one that teaches you how to plan, present, and troubleshoot a lesson plan. This is such a basic, useful concept that is overlooked by so many people in the industry, simply because lots of eikaiwa instructors don't take their job seriously. You might find yourself working for an employer who provides training, but that training could be so meager and so narrowly focused on his method that you wouldn't know what to do in certain situations or in other jobs where training is not provided. And, what about doing private lessons? You could just pick up a few students who want to gab for a fee, but you might also get people who are seriously interested in learning privately, and that means providing them with something well planned.

[thedude72]

Glenski,

Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it.

If you were in my situation, would you:

- take the TEFL course first before applying to the JET Programme or an eikaiwa or

- apply to these places and try and get some teaching experience first to see if teaching is for me long-term and if I decide it is, take the TEFL after?

Also, do you know any links where I can find eikaiwas that are hiring?

Thanks again!!

[Chris_Crossley]

thedude72 wrote:

[Glenski]

[thedude72]

Glenski, thanks once again for all the information. I think I will take your advice and get a TEFL Certificate as soon as I can.

I have plenty of time to get the certificate, as I will do not plan to head to Japan or anywhere else until at least a year from now. I am just trying to plan as smartly as possible to maximize my chances for success.

One more question, can you live on the salaries paid by the JET Programme and the eikaiwas, assuming I spend smartly? I understand that Japan is very expensive.

Thanks again!
dude72

[Glenski]

dude,

Without trying to sound flippant, companies and such don't offer FT wages that you can't live on. So, the answer to your question is yes.

JET ALTs get more money than most eikaiwa teachers, too. 3.6 million yen per year vs. 3 million.

Based on a typical eikaiwa wage, I have outlined expenses and savings and such countless times. This is roughly how it goes. (You can send me an email for more details)

salary 250,000 yen/month
average rent 50,000-80,000
average utilities 15,000 (seasonal and depending on each person)
average groceries 30,000 yen/month
insurance 2500 yen/month for national health insurance (1st year only)
phone service 5000-8000 yen/month

You basically have about half of this paycheck left over from paying these basic necessities. What you do with it is up to you. Check out an older thread I started on "cheapskates" to see what others have offered in the way of living frugally. But, if you have a moderate nightlife, you will burn 30,000-50,000 yen/month easily, and whatever you have left (roughly 70000-90,000) each month will go to EVERYTHING ELSE in your life.
snacks, postage, books, rental videos/DVDs, movies, sightseeing, cable TV, magazine subscriptions, replacement things (clothes, batteries), film developing, emergency medical care not covered by insurance, long distance calls, trips home on long breaks, and outstanding debts like student loans.

You can have more than this, but it depends on you, your location, and your rent. Just remember that JET ALTs get 50,000 more per month, too.