Job Discussion Forums

[rycal1]

...OK, exciting subject line. Here's my situation:

--I have a Master's in English, BA from Berkeley
--I have four years' experience teaching English (high school), 7 years' substituting
--I'd like to teach in Asia, and it sounds like a University job is the way to go, in terms of $$, hours, etc.
--I'm in this more for the experience than the money; but it seems w/my qualifications, I should be able to get a good job.

So the question is: Which Asian country is my best bet for a good job? I know that "good" is relative, but let's go with the general understanding of the term: good salary, good hours, good living quarters, good bosses. (Good luck, right?) Maybe three out of four?

Some important factoids:
--I have no TEFL/CELTA, etc (I applied for Westgate and was stone-cold rejected, and I think this is one of the reasons. This humbled me)
--I lean towards Japan and Thailand, lean away from South Korea and Taiwan, and am neutral about the rest-- BUT MY OPINIONS ARE STILL FORMING!! (I've read a lot of posts that have helped me to form my opinions, such as they are; I don't rule any country out at this point, except North Korea).
--I'm a 34-year-old white male, single. Semi-mature, but responsible as hell.
--I'd like to start anytime from mid-July on, and will need to be finished sometime around June/July of 06 at the latest (unless I love it and decide to stay).
--Organizations/schools that arrange your flight, apartment, etc seem real attractive right now.

I love each and every one of you who takes any time out to try and help. I have read a s---load of newbie posts, etc, and the info can be helpful and overwhelming at the same time. A lot of you seem to have spent time moving from country to country in the Asian region, and are chock full o' facts and opinions. Can I hear some?

Truly, you will help decide my Fate (at least for the near future...)
Thanks one and all. Maybe I'll see you and buy you a beer or three.

Ryan

[been_there]

Well, here's my OPINION as to how things shake out:

First off, since you have a CA credential, you might want to apply for the Department of Defence thing (forget what it's called) where you teach the kids of embassy workers and get paid a US salary. I think they are called "International Schools." I'm sure someone will set you straight.

If you want to go it alone, I divide employers into two catagories: private and governmnet (including, strangely enough, NGO's). They each have advantages and disadvantages which, you guessed it, I'm gonna tell you.

Private: In Japan and Taiwan, this is where the money is. Try South Korea, too. With a masters you might want to apply for the dreaded DOS position (Director of Studies). A good DOS can MAKE a school. On the other hand, you'll have to deal with some drunk loser teachers (not all, but one is ENOUGH) who are hateful towards you for the simple reason that you have an education and they couldn't get laid in their own country and so they quit their crappy job to come be an little emperor...... *cough* ahem, sorry, if you sense any spite and resentment there, well, I'll PM you some stories...
I've never taught in Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam/Laos, but I know plenty of people who have and if you like laid-back nights and low pay, this seems to be the way to go.

Government/NGO: I prefer these types of jobs (English Language Fellows, various national Universities, CfBT) because your authority comes from above. When you want to do some unpopular but pedagologicaly correct activity, or something as insane as an "English Olympics," you can say, "Well, do you love your country? Because your country hired me to help you, and if you don't want my help, well, you can just go tell your Prime Minister that he/she is wrong." Well, not really, but you get the idea. Much more controll over what happens in the classroom, not all about the money.

At any rate, start looking around. Fair warning, though, most contracts are for 2 years....

so now you owe me a beer!

[Doglover]

[rycal1]

It's sounding as if University jobs in Japan are a long-shot at best.

It seems like I'm qualified for somewhere in between the "hot shot" university jobs, and the regular old language-school jobs. I guess I'm trying to see where I fit in...

Korean university jobs sound like they're less rigorous in terms of what they need (although I'd rather not get caught in a regional war). Anyone have any feedback on this?

BTW, thanks for the (detailed, realistic) responses so far. You guys rock and roll.

Ryan

[khmerhit]

fact or factoid?? i used an american textbook which, every few pages, had a section called "factoid"...like my students, i was stumped by this rather pretentious sounding word--but i am sure there may be a simple definition

Go to Cambodia, that is my advice. Try it and see.

[rycal1]

"factoid"= trivial news item, potentially a pseudo-fact.
Example: "Michael Jackson's favorite color is biege!" (And as far as I know, it is.)