Job Discussion Forums

[nomadamericana]

What countries have you taught in and where do you plan (or dream) to teach in the future?

I wanted to open up discussion and see if people tend to stay in one global region or if they skip around the globe in no particular order.

NomadAmericana

[Guy Courchesne]

I've only taught in Mexico, but have plans to move around a little more this year through Central America. I only plan on staying in Latin America for the time being.

[nomadamericana]

AND I should add�

Why did you choose this/these locations?
the Money? the culture? the language? the location? the history? ETC!

[Guy Courchesne]

The food, the lifestyle, the food, for having married a Mexican, and of course, for the food.

[Gordon]

I've worked in Korea and Canada and am working in Japan now. I am here for purely altruistic reasons.... well no.... I want to work somewhere where I can support a family. Originally I came for the work, but staying for other reasons. I have to say that teaching in a university in Japan is the least rewarding teaching job I've ever had, almost zero feedback from students and administration. Where next? Who knows?

I'd love to trade the food here with Guy in Mexico. I'm sure he'd like to trade paycheques.

[Guy Courchesne]

Money's not everything, but if you make anything close to what Nagoyaguy makes per hour, a have a soul for sale over here.

[Gordon]

[Guy Courchesne]

S'alright...I already sold it anyway for a bag of magic frijoles!

Japanese food isn't good?

[Gordon]

[denise]

Where?

Czech Republic (2 years)
China (just a summer gig)
USA (part-time for a year)
Japan (2 years)

Why? The CR because... don't quite remember, but I loved it anyway. China because I wanted to go somewhere new during my summer break in grad school and I knew that once I finished grad school and had to start paying off loans, China would be essentially off limits. Japan primarily for the money (WRONG reason!!!). Happily, I landed a job here that I really enjoy.

In the near future--like, this summer--South America. Ideally Chile. Why? Because I want to go somewhere where I don't have to struggle to communicate. Where I can carry on a conversation, pick up and understand a newspaper, maybe even see a local movie.

d

[Deconstructor]

Korea
Germany
Armenia
Brazil
Canada
First, I taught in Korea. I wanted an adventure, a place radically different from where I grew up (Canada) and where no one spoke my language. Korea was great. I loved the food and the culture, too. This is not to say that all was well, but I try to see the positive.

I also taught in Germany. Again, it was a great experience. I wanted to see Europe and this was a perfect opportunity. I used to travel to different cities to teach and one of them was where Nietzsche was born. I paid homage to him every time I was in Naumberg.

I also taught in Brazil, but this was kind of an accident. My wife is a Brazilian and took me to Sao Paulo to meet her family. I ended up teaching the locals for a few months just for fun. Charged nothing. I will be teaching in Brazil again and legally. This time I will charge.

For a brief time I taught in Armenia. Now there is a place you don't find many TEFLers. It's still very much developing. My mother is Armenian and it was a perfect opportunity to find out about my roots. Great place to be. The best kept secret in the Middle East (though it's actually considered to be in Europe). Armenia has profound European, Russian, Muslim and Jewish influences on it. They are the first Christians and have some of the best architecture anywhere.

I have used this teaching English business to explore myself and the world. I don't know what the future holds but I will still be teaching in many parts of the world before the curtain comes down. Why? because I have nothing better to do.

[Girl Scout]

Taiwan for 2 and a half years. (still here)
Mexico for a summer.
USA for 1 year.

I like Taiwan and would actually stay longer. I came here originally because my husband studied Chinese and East Asian History.

Mexico was a fluke. I was in summer school there, bored and needed something to do. I had a job waiting tables for a while then I started tutoring for free.

USA because I thought I needed to started actually working like a normal person. I taught adult multi-level ESL and GED classes.

[Boy Wonder]

The UK....
For a TEFL Boarding School for a few months and about 5 different Summer School companies from 1997 to 2004. Why...well why not...meet loads of people...get paid to see places of interest and to play footie...with a bit of teaching in the mornings!

Greece...
My 2nd Job and first experience overseas...should've gone to Turkey!

Poland...
Really enjoyed it...lovely country...nice people..should've stayed!

France...
Worked in the alps...lot of snow and expensive to live there but breathtaking scenery.

Qatar...
Was literally rolling in readies...spent 3 yrs there living a good life but got restless and left.

Italy...
A big mistake...at school on average 10-11 hrs per day for approx 1000 euros a month. Am trying to negotiate my escape hopefully to the Land of the Rising Sun!!

[ContemporaryDog]

1000 euros a month for 11-12 hours a day!!! That's only about 8000 yuan per month. I get 6000, but get rent free, bills free, etc, and on average do at minimum 1 1/2 hours, and at most about 4 1/2 hours, per day!

I'd love to teach in Europe one day, but when I read about conditions like that I realise it would be impossible for my wife (and future baby) to survive on that sort of pay, which is why I'm aiming to get my PGCE and then maybe get an international school job in Italy or Spain.

[Starglass1]

Egypt
United Arab Emirates
Italy

I like ancient history, hot weather and hot men�
Maybe Brazil next. I can settle for two out of three.


My advice to people who are wondering where to go is why not choose a country where you find the people attractive? You're sure to enjoy yourself!