Job Discussion Forums

hooks · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 2

Hello everyone!

I'm a 33 year old Canadian male teaching at a English cram school in Taiwan. I've been here for over a year and a half, and i'm looking to make a change.

I really enjoy my job, and the money I'm making. But i'm getting a little tired of the culture. I'm just starting to do some investigating now on some of my options, and I was hoping some of you could give me advice.

As far as my experience goes, I have a BBA, and will have 2 years teaching experience. I don't have a TESL certification.

I would like to teach in a country that offers me a good working enviroment(I like cram schools), a culture much different from that of Taiwan, and preferably a position I can obtain before I go there. I realize my income will not be the same.

Some of the countries I have been considering are; Brazil, Mexico, Viet Nam, Thailand, Japan, Cuba, and the Domincan Republic. However, I am open to suggestions.

Hopefully I have given enough details. Thank you for any and all responces.

Rob.

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

As for Japan, I have never seen cram schools advertise (well, ok, only once in 7 years). Only conversation schools seem to recruit from abroad and offer visa sponsorship. You are qualified for them, but it is unlikely that they will visit Taiwan for recruiting. They go to the native English speaking countries.

So, you either go home to get interviewed by a few (only a dozen) schools, or you come to Japan for more opportunities (and have to spend a fair amount to set yourself up).

When were you planning on coming?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Try Turkey!!!
(haha I beat khmerhit's advice)

What do you mean by cram schools?

yaramaz · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 2:43 pm Post subject:

I think they're like dershanes, where the kids are shuffled to after school because their parents fear they will never get into a good high school or uni or whatever without extra work and extra lessons.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Hooks, first I want to clarify that I have not started my EFL career yet. Well I worked for ALV summer camp and will work in China this summer.

Anyways I would recommend Brazil which is where I will go in February to start my EFL career. The pay is not great but I really love the country. I spend 10 days in Salvador, Bahia and have many Brazilian friends.

hooks · Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 2

Where ever I go, it will be in September.

Yaramaz is correct. Gram schools are evening schools for children. They're all over the place in Taiwan.

Turkey? Sounds intriguing. What can you tell me about it?

As far as Brazil, I would love to go. But I'm usure how easy it would be to get a decent teaching job there. I know the money is not great. But thats not why I'm going.

Also, is the fact that I don't have a TESL certificate going to stop me from working in any of the countries(Brazil, Mexico, Viet Nam, Thailand, Japan, Cuba, the Domincan Republic, and Turkey) I've mentioned?

Thanks,
Hooks.

Doglover · Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 305 Location: Kansai

tedkarma · Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 8:38 pm Post subject:

After teaching EFL in Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, and Saudi Arabia - I'd have to say that teaching in Thailand was/is the most enjoyble for me.

Thailand is also - just a wonderful place to live (outside Bangkok anyway!). Thailand likes TEFL Certs - but with your BA and experience - no problem.

EnglishBrian · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 189

Have you considered the Wild East - of Europe I mean? I started TEFLing in Lithuania (just by chance) in '99 and it was a wonderfully bizarre experience. Now it's in the EU everything's gone all western, but if I was starting again I'd be looking further east.

Parts of places like Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan (that doesn't look spelt right somehow) perhaps. Where having a native speaker teacher might still be a real novelty and source of pride for a student. I caught the tail end of the whole 'Soviet feel', and this might be a last chance to get that before it's gone forever.

expatben · Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 7:28 pm Post subject:

I am on my way to Poland-I have never been but reading the comments on the forums it seems people are happy there. I have ESL'ed in China and I diddn't like it at all for many, many reasons

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

In my experience, classrooms.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 4:19 pm Post subject:

Consider Ecuador! The wages are low, the hours are long, but the country is gorgeous. Without a certificate, but with BA and experience would be fine.

You too, Dyak. I get the feeling you really need some time on the beach! Very Happy

Regards,
Justin

MELITTA · Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 9 Location: usa

consider kosovo.
i know of some schools here that would hire you even without a certificate. most of the schools here will pay for airfare, housing, and a decent salary of 1200-1500 euros/month.
there are tons of nice restaurants, millions of outdoor cafes, paintball... but during weekends one can go to greece, montenegro beaches, nearby lakes. people here are nice and found of "internationals"...

m.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I have to go against Justin's recommendation of Ecuador. I have given it 2 tries now, and both times it was a real dud.

ContemporaryDog · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 1477 Location: Wuhan, China

[quote="Glenski"]

So, you either go home to get interviewed by a few (only a dozen) schools, or you come to Japan for more opportunities (and have to spend a fair amount to set yourself up).

[/quote]

My friend applied from China for one of the Japan teaching schemes. They interviewed him over the phone. He got the job.