Job Discussion Forums

GBF100 · Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 3

I have a BS degree in Computer Science. I worked for 15 years in the IT industry. I have been seeking a new career as an ESL teacher in Asia. I got a TEFL certificate at the TEFL International Zhuhai China branch last June. However, I have no teaching experience, and have found it hard (so far impossible) to obtain a job as an ESL instructor. I was hoping I could get some advise on the forum. Perhaps I am doing something wrong, or maybe these jobs are just too few and far between for me to realistically pursue.

I have heard of people just moving to the city they want to teach in and then looking for work, however, with 30 day tourist visa restrictions in most countries I don't see how this would work, and thats not to mention the high cost of staying in a hotel until a job has been secured. But this maybe a catch22 as I am currently back in the states and no school seems to want to hire someone unless they are in-country.

laura1d · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 108 Location: Spain

Hi There GBF,

Where in Asia do you fancy working. I used to teach in China and there are always hundeds of jobs going there. Check out some of the teaching job sites
eslemployment.com
eslcafe.com
tefl.com
etc etc etc

I now live in Thailand. The Thai TEFL Teacher's main website is ajarn.com. There are always piles of jobs advertised there. In Thailand we are coming up for a 2 month holiday. The next semester will begin in May. In the mean time there are always loads of summer camps going on everywhere.

Good luck!
Laura

GBF100 · Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 3

Either China or Thailand would be fine for me to work in ESL. The summer jobs are great. I don't have the funds to fly to Asia for a months teaching job and back again, and for that reason had not really considered summer employment.

I am wondering if I should just take the chance and go to a city such as Bangkok and look for work after I get there. I can only stay in Thailand for 30 days, and I doubt 30 days is enough time to find work. However, perhaps I should just take the chance and find a cheap hotel to live in while I am there looking for a job.

What do you think?

laura1d · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 108 Location: Spain

Hi,

If you turn up here you will have no problems finding work, but as I said, check out www.ajarn.com. You can get a three month visa if you request it at the embassy before you arrive - do not tell them you will be working though. When you get work you can change the visa here.
Laura
Oh - another interesting site is www.thaivisa.com

Good Luck

junkmail · Joined: 19 Dec 2004 Posts: 377

bluffer · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:01 am Post subject:

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Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

With 15 years in the IT industry, your resume will not exactly look stellar for a high level teaching job, but many places don't care about what degree or previous experience you've had. What they DO seem to care about is what your resume looks like. I hope you have minimized your IT experience as much as possible.

That is, don't put unnecessary stuff under your job descriptions. Computer languages, details on your IT work, etc. Minimize it and let them see that you simply have a basic requirement (the bachelor's degree) plus a TEFL certificate and some experience living abroad.

sojourner · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 5:58 am Post subject:

GBF,

You don't have to be in China in order to apply for jobs in that country. Employers and recruiters will interview you over the phone.

For China, it's best to work in the college/uni sector, rather than in private language schools. Although colleges and schools will probably pay you less than what the private language schools will offer, the teaching hours will be less and the holidays longer. Also, in colleges and unis you don't have to put up with the sort of crap one often has to deal with in private schools; eg having to listen to your principal or D.O.S. telling you to "make your lessons more interesting", as a result of complaints from parents or adult students.

In the uni and college sector, you may even have the opportunity to teach subjects other than the usual Oral English. Who knows, with your I.T. background, you may even be asked to teach "Computer English" ! If you feel that your I.T. skills might be useful, why not do a search for those colleges that specialise in that field ?

Good luck.

Peter