Job Discussion Forums

[ellamarie]

I have a Bachelor's degree in English with a concentration in Technical Communications. I took two classes in ESL and I have several years of experience working with children. I want to teach overseas because I want to travel and experience another culture. I would like to teach in Asia but I am really open to anywhere. I originally wanted to go to Korea because I hear it's great for a newbie and I could save lots of money, but after reading all the horror stories and blacklists, I am beginning to reconsider.

Does anyone know which country I can go to where I will be least likely to be ripped off or forced to live in roach-infested hovel? Any advice is welcome.

Thanks

Ella

[tedkarma]

Roaches and hovels seem to be part of the TEFL world unfortunately . . .

While the issues you wish to avoid seem to be more common in Korea - I would recommend it as a "starter" country. Why? Because I think Korea probably pays the most and asks the least - in terms of what they expect of EFL teachers.

Some countries - like Thailand specifically - ask for a lot - and provide/pay little. No housing, no air tickets, low wages - but still want a TEFL certificate or a degree - sometimes both.

Korea will be happy with just a BA/BS - might work you pretty hard - but the more reputable schools will pay reasonably enough for you to save US$800-1000 month, give you decent housing, and an airplane ticket. It is more a matter of researching your workplace well - and you can avoid the roaches (uh . . . maybe) and the hovels. The nice savings afford you travel - the ability to pay off debts - and can offset the cultural aspects of Korea that some people don't enjoy.

Korea is where I started - and since then I have taught in Taiwan, Saudi, Thailand - and even back to Korea for three years a second time.

[angrysoba]

It's a little difficult for any one person to give that answer as no one person has all the details.

On the grapevine:

In Southeast Asia, Thailand is one of the lowest paying places as it is one of the most desirable places to live and easy to find people willing to do the work. The other places in the area apparently pay better, if you can handle roaches (which is something you sound like you want to avoid).

Korea gets alot of bad press as a place for getting ripped off. I find it suspicious that Dave's doesn't like Korea and other forums to mix.

Poland gets good press (Krakow especially).

I like Japan and the opportunities there vary considerably.

That's about all I know...

If you ask Khmerhit where you should go there will be only one answer, and maybe that won't be a bad one if you like adventure...

[tedkarma]

The Korea forums are seperate, I believe, because Korea has been for some time the largest EFL market in the world (IMO). Easy to find work there quickly.

Most anyone, given a BA/BS, can sign a contract and be on their way in a manner of 2-4 weeks.

[ellamarie]

Thanks for answering my post. I think I would like to start with Korea-the problem now is just finding the best city for me. I definitely want to be in an area where I have easy access to a gym and shopping and places to meet other foreigners in the area. Being near an international airport wouldn't hurt either. Any suggestions?

[Glenski]

[stillnosheep]

You're confusing the Korean boards with the China Off-topic forum - which can only be read by registered users (of the international forums) and not by the general public for the reasons that you mention.

The Korea forums are seperate due to the history of the board. Originally almost solely a Korea EFL board it was split into two sections for administrative reasons (that I'm sure made sense at the time ) with seperate registrations for Korea and the RoW as the number of non Korea related posts became more significant,

[tedkarma]

The Korea market is/was so big - that the postings swamped everything else.

Same happened with the China forums - which why they got split off too.