Job Discussion Forums

apuravida · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 14

Hello everyone!

What countries in Asia do you think pay the most and why? I taught for a year in Japan for a language school and the pay was decent but nothing to scream about. I understand that pay is often determined by where you work and your experience. Any ideas on averages? Thanks

Woo_Woo_Williamson · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 12

The two names that come up again and again are Taiwan and Korea. They say it takes a little more time to get started up in Taiwan, but that you can make more there in the end.

As many jobs in Korea will fly you in, more cash-strapped people choose the peninsula.

I've talked to quite a few people with Japan experience who said that after a few years, you can really start making the dough there. (You would know more about that.)

I assume we're just talking about teaching English.

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

Are you talking about making money or saving money? While I'm sure you made more money in Japan, than you probably would in Taiwan or Korea, you would end up saving more in the latter two. Although Korea does offer extra benefits such as return airfare and accomodation, you need to keep in mind the probability of actually collecting the money you worked so hard for. Taiwan and Korea both have a lot of negative stigma here. This is exemplified even moreso if you decide to go through a recruiter. I hear Brunei and Singapore are also up there in the money making stakes. But that is only talking about East Asia.

The United Arab Emirates is also a popular destination to make money. Oman also but slightly less. You might also be able to make a bit of money in Russia but this may be more restricted to the European side of the country.

Spinoza · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 194 Location: Saudi Arabia

dodge_1 · Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Bend, OR

I worked in Daejon South Korea from August 2003-August 2004. And yes, any reputible Hogwan will provide airfare for you as well as a furnished apartment. I worked for SLP and had a 3 bedroom apartment, of which I only paid for untilities (between 80,000KRW to 120,000KRW per month). Any school you are thinking of working for should give you the phone numbers or email addresses of current teachers so that you can get a feel for how things run. You should definately do this! Korea is a great place to save money, but you have to be in it for more than just the dough or else you most likely wont enjoy it.

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

tokyo, bar far, is the best place in Asia to make money, if not the world.

Spinoza · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 194 Location: Saudi Arabia

Curious George · Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 15

This is my experience. I have only been here 6 months.

I live and work near Seoul, Korea. Standard starting out pay is about $1800 a month (2million won) for any decent hogwan. I am able to save about $1200 of that even if I go out partying a few times and spend a little too much. Looking at walking out with $15,000 US at the end of the year with the bonuses.

Any decent hogwan will give you a small apartment for free and pay for your airfare to and from Korea. You also get a one month (2 mil won) bonus when you leave. And you can file with the govt to get all your pension money back which is about another $1500 or so.

You can also teach privates (although technically illegal, many teachers do it) and make between 30,000 and 40,000 an hour. ($25-$35) to supplement your income.

Teaching hours for decent hogwans are 5 days a week for 5 or 6 hours usually 2-7 PM or something like that. The teaching is very easy. It mostly consists of playing tapes and following along in books and making the kids repeat. I teach no grammar and sometimes I just play games with the kids.

Now this is for a "decent" hogwan. I have met many teachers who just signed contracts and wind up making less money and/or working slave hours. Also, you can make more money for salary after your first year since you can go in person to hogwans and check them out. I know people who are making up to 2.5 mil won a year. And there are many that claim to make much more than that even.

All in all pretty good.

The downside is that many Korean children have severe discipline problems, don't listen, and are very disrespectful towards English teachers. In some of the classes that I have "bad" kids in I spend half my time or more yelling at them to stop talking, stop throwing things, or to sit down or get off the tables. (yes they will jump up on the tables) This is not to say all Korean children are bad, I do have some good ones too. So, if you don't have a thick skin you wont last long here.

Hope this helps.