Job Discussion Forums

apanve1 · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 14 Location: USA

Hi there!

I'm a 29 year old American girly, thinking about going abroad to teach English (long term). I do not have a degree, but plan on getting certified. I do have 15 years of excellent work history (with companies like Microsoft and Discover Card). I'm hardworking and openminded, so I don't think finding a job will be that hard (in the 'no degree' countries), but the question is where to start.

I'm thinking either China, Thailand or Vietnam. I would like to hear from people that have taught in any of these places. Things I would like feedback on:

- Working conditions
- Cost of living
- Safety (I will be going alone)
- Amount of red tape
- Cultural experiences
- How ESL teachers/Americans are treated
- Anything else you can offer would be helpful

Feel free to email me too at [email protected]

Thanks you oodles in advance! Very Happy

apanve1 · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 14 Location: USA

Also... and this is kinda random... I'm looking for somewhere I can get around by foot, bike or public transportation.

cujobytes · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:25 am Post subject:

Research these threads, it's all been said before.

YearOfTheDog · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:29 am Post subject:

apanve1 · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 14 Location: USA

Thanks Yearof for the info...

The transportation thing... I've heard in some places its recommended you get a motorbike or (gasp) a car.

I tried riding a scooter once and almost killed myself. Operating motorized vehicals... not a strong point of mine. Wink

YearOfTheDog · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 8:20 am Post subject:

dajiang · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 663 Location: Guilin!

Go to Yangshuo and stay there for a while.
It's a nice place to start and get some experience in ESL.
Won't get paid much, but you won't need it either.

Don't need a degree either.
Just take some books with games in em and have fun.

If you decide you like the lifestyle, you can get TEFL certified and continue anywhere on private schools. After that, and you still like the lifestyle, you'll have to get a bachelors degree somewhere.

But dont worry about that.
Just have fun first, and see for yourself what it's like.

Dajiang

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 6:09 pm Post subject:

I'm not in Asia, but I'll throw this in- very few EFL teachers that I've known have had a car. Anywhere. And those who have had motorbikes have usually done it out of want, not need. (I'm looking for one myself. They aren't necessary, they're fun!)

If you ever make it to South America, remember that only 5-10% of the locals have cars in most countries, and they all get around.

Regards,
Justin

PS- WHerever you go, take good shoes. They can form the foundation of a life based on public transport.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:34 pm Post subject:

Justin Trullinger wrote:
And those who have had motorbikes have usually done it out of want, not need. (I'm looking for one myself. They aren't necessary, they're fun!)

Amen, brotha!

Which leads me to something I've sometimes wondered- where did you get your username, Is650? It always reminds me of a dual carbed, in line two cylinder friend that I once had...

Justin

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

The last motorcycle I owned before going overseas was a Suzuki LS650. I currently own a pokey little 50cc scooter as I save my pesos for something I can call a real bike.

tedkarma · Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:54 am Post subject:

Wheels just depend, to some extent, on the country. And the teacher.

I've owned a motorcycle in Korea and Taiwan and Thailand. Owned a car in Botswana, Korea (2nd time), Saudi, and Thailand (have a bike and car).

Particularly now - at 53 - don't feel like getting squashed like a sardine in a bus or on a subway. If you ever want to feel like a piece of canned meat - try the Seoul subway at rush hour . . . Just don't care for the push and shove that is some parts of Asia. Doesn't mean I can't live there - just means I don't want to partake of that part of it. Uh, been there . . . You know what I mean.

Most places I've lived I've known other teachers with some form of transportation. Personally, feels like it really enhances your experience - you can go and explore as you wish and when you wish. I usually end up seeing a lot more of the country than many of my wheel-less colleagues.

Teachers, fortunately, are not from cookie cutters!

jstopa · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 10 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Apanve1, I am in the same boat as you are...

Your post helped me out quite a bit...

Good luck,

jstopa