|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Bethany123
Joined: 12 Jun 2005
Posts: 38
Location: Canada
|
 Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 11:30 pm Post subject: what's the diff between china, japan, korea, and hong kong? |
 |
|
i'm not asking about money related answers, i'm just asking what the difference between all these places as in their cultures, city life, etc. what are the main attractions of these places and what are their turnoffs?
and i was also wondering where i am legal to teach in asia since i do not have a bachelors degree in anything, but i do have the TESL certificate. if you would know about any of this, that would help a lot. thanks |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
JimDunlop2
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Posts: 2286
Location: Japan
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 12:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
Jeez, you couldn't have made your question a bid more broad?
I can make it easier for you, though. Without a degree you are neither qualified to teach in Japan nor in Korea. Don't know about the other places. Both Japan and Korea require a bachelor's degree in order to get a 1-year working visa. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AndyH
Joined: 30 Sep 2004
Posts: 417
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 1:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
As far as cultural differences go, check the internet or your local library, or try to meet some people from those countries.
What country are you from? If you are from Canada or another Commonwealth country, you may be eligible for a working holiday visa, which would give you the right to seek part-time work as a teacher in Japan. You're options will be more limited, and you run a greater risk of being offered a job by one of the more "shadier" eikaiwas, however.
Good luck! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 1:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
Bethany,
I doubt that you are going to find many (any?) people who have lived and worked in all of those countries. Visiting as a tourist, maybe, but that won't give you an accurate representation of work culture.
Here's a web site that compares the work life in Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. Take it with a grain of salt. I find the Japan info is not always correct. Best I can do.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/
If you are looking for main attractions, I suggest you visit www.lonelyplanet.com and go to the discussion forum there (Thorn Tree).
As for Japan, gee, main attractions include volcanoes and hot springs, temples and shrines, castles, and a million other things. Depends on what you call an attraction. JNTO has a web site that can help you there.
Doesn't matter much about Japan, though. as Jim has pointed out, without a degree you can't teach here. Exceptions include people on working holiday visas, dependent visas, spouse visas, student visas, and cultural visas. Even with the regular work visa, you don't need a bachelor's degree if you can prove 3 years of teaching experience.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:03 am Post subject: Re: what's the diff between china, japan, korea, and hong ko |
|
|
| Bethany123 wrote: |
i'm not asking about money related answers, i'm just asking what the difference between all these places as in their cultures, city life, etc. what are the main attractions of these places and what are their turnoffs?
s |
I havent taught anywhere except Japan but as a moderator I have recently spent quite a bit of time in the China forums hearing gripes of the language teachers there and talking to friends living in China.
Turn ons:
the food
The people (datings excellent if you are a guy, don't know what its like for foreign women)
2000 year old history and culture
Everything is dirt cheap compared to western countries and if you are paying in dollars
Opportunities for travel in a huge developing country
being treated like a minor celebrity becuase of your western features
Learning English is an obsession for Chinese people and they cant get enough of it, because knowing English translates into jobs and financial and personal power.
Turn offs
Low paying jobs in China. avg salary for new teachers is $500-1000 a month
Pollution in main cities. Coastal areas are the industrial workhorse of China. Some areas pose serious risks to your physical health due to contaminated air.
Huge disparities in wealth. You have people who are millionaires in China as well as peasants who still farm by ox and cart. Millions upon millions of unemployed people and homeless.
From what I read, a large number of Chinese are rampantly xenophobic and racist, compared to japanese. this has to do with Chinese nationalism, and many westerners working there say they are frequently attacked and spat on. I have come across a few Chinese xenophobes posting on the forum who would put nationalists and fascists back home to shame.
i have a friend living there and not so bad for westerners the communist party is an insidious everyday part of Chinese peoples lives. Many controls and checks are made on peoples thoughts and actions, who they can meet with and political discussion is severely restricted. Free speech doesnt exist as we know it in China.
I would also mention (obviously the food and language) is different so if you have any feelings about the japanese language, cantonese, Korean, what food your prefer that may give you some idea whether you will like it as well. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bethany123
Joined: 12 Jun 2005
Posts: 38
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:23 pm Post subject: student visa? |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Exceptions include people on working holiday visas, dependent visas, spouse visas, student visas, and cultural visas. |
Someone told me my best bet was to go to japan under a student visa and that would enable me to teach under a year long contract... is that possible or should i just completely forget considering japan as an option?
Someone also asked where i was from, which could be a benefit for me. well i'm from Canada, i'm 18, and have the TESL certificate. i really want to teach somewhere in asia and i'm just trying to figure out what is possible. Thanks |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:43 pm Post subject: Re: student visa? |
|
|
| Bethany123 wrote: |
[
Someone told me my best bet was to go to japan under a student visa and that would enable me to teach under a year long contract... is that possible or should i just completely forget considering japan as an option?
Someone also asked where i was from, which could be a benefit for me. well i'm from Canada, i'm 18, and have the TESL certificate. i really want to teach somewhere in asia and i'm just trying to figure out what is possible. Thanks |
A student visa is a non- work visa in Japan and you must be enrolled full time in a language school or a university to get a student visa. Immigration will check you are attending classes if you want to keep your visa valid.
Students can work part time (up to 20 hours a week) to offset the cost of studies. The purpose of the visa is NOT to work full time or become a TESOL teacher.
PS you will not be able to sign a full time year long contract with a school as you will be sponsored by your language school sponsor. You can only work part time on the student visa. You must have a valid work visa if you want to work as a language teacher in Japan.
PPS 18 is considered too young to be a language teacher in Japan. Most teachers are university graduates. I teach university students who are older than you.
PPS Thailand or Indonesia (I think) is about the only place you can work without a degree (for your work visa). China is also a possibility but wages are extremely low there- you are looking at about $US500-1000 a month in salary. |
|
| Back to top |
| |
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
