Job Discussion Forums

mikejeffl · Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Sure to be scattered - for that I apologize.

The magazine for which I work(ed) recently folded. Applying to law school for fall 2007 and looking to spend the next year abroad teaching - although work for the local English-language media would be nice too. I taught SAT courses in college and taught ESL for about six months in Cairo a few years ago. I'm a good teacher, but I felt I let my ESL students down a bit because I didn't have any training in that regard and my school basically had no curriculum for the courses I was teaching. So, even though I'm only planning on teaching for a year, I either want to do a training course or go to a school that supports non-trained teachers. May be dreaming...

Keeping with that notion, my dream teaching locale:

I don't want to go somewhere where I'll work my ass off and still dig far into savings like I probably would in a place like Prague, but saving money like is possible in Korea isn't a big priority either. I've spent significant time in the Middle East, and I want to try something new. A large amount of the expat teaching social scene seems to resolve around smokey bars, and I'm not a big fan. That's why I'm kinda weary of Korea and a few other places. Cairo's pollution bothered me, but what almost killed me was the lack of walkable parks and spaces. My fitness level has fallen in the post-college years, and I'd like to spend some time getting back in shape. Hiking/parks/trails and a decent gym would be nice, as would high-speed Internet access.

If you're still reading, thanks for bearing with me. I was going to write that I'm looking Central and South America and Asia, but that's about 60 percent of the places an American can teach English. Thanks for any suggestions.

Oh, and I should point out that, while I'm open to teaching anyone, I have far more talent in handling kids than most adults.

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

Do you have a bachelor's degree?
What is your time frame for starting work?

tedkarma · Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 3:30 pm Post subject:

Kids' teachers are always needed here.

Think about Phuket, Thailand. Wonderful island, clean air. But, I suggest that you get some training first - as it will make landing that first job MUCH easier!

"Teaching English on Phuket" is a good place to start:

http://phuketdelight.com/teach.htm

Learn about training at "How to Choose a TEFL School" at:

http://phuketdelight.com/TEFL.htm

Hope that helps!

mikejeffl · Joined: 27 May 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Thanks for the replies.

Glenski - I have a B.A. and am planning on leaving as early as July but as late as distant August.

Ted - Thanks for the Thailand info. I love Thailand, and I've previously practiced Muay Thai.

The following is probably too simplistic, but indulge me. My priorities:

1. Teach well : If not a training course, than a school with mucho training and/or curriculum support.

2. A town with walking/hiking trails and a nice gym. Thailand is appealing because Muay Thai is awesome and so applicable to fitness.

3. Alternatives to the bar. Korea seems completely bar-based. I like getting drunk once a month like anyone else, but otherwise it's effing boring.

4. I'm a huge cinema fan. Some great films are flying out Asia these days, but how's the legal/illegal DVD availiability? Previously, I've lived in Beirut (with perhaps the grestest DVD arthouse and mainstream rental place outside America in the world despite few expats) and Cairo (complete shi-ite with tens of thousands of foreigners). The film scenes are hard to predict.

5. I recently started trying to avoid processed food and have lost 30 pounds in two months. Free range eggs and a tomato for breakfast. Grilled chicken and green beans for lunch, etc. I love Chinese and Thai food. Not so much Korean. Where would be the easiest place to maintain such a diet with the occasional local indulgence?

6. I need high-speed Internet.

It seems I can go to Korea and come back with $8k but go to Thailand and come back down $3k. Again, money isn't a big concern. Don't know why I so fear Korea. Teaching full-time in Thailand is surely a lot more like teaching full-time in Korea than vacationing in Bangkok or Phuket.

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

mikejeffl,
Your BA degree is all you need to get a work visa here, providing that someone is willing to hire you. The visa will take 4-8 weeks to process, but you can work on the temporary stamp in the meantime.

July and August are pretty dead times of year to come to Japan for full-time work.

As for your priorities:

tedkarma · Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 11:12 am Post subject:

I'll try to answer your comments/questions:

1. Not much support in Thailand - so go for some training.

2. Not many walking trails in Thailand - but Phuket, for example, has many great beaches that are good for jogging and walking - esp. early in the morning.

3. Lots of alternatives - I enjoy going to the movies.

4. Why buy a DVD when you can go to a first run flick in English! I love the theaters here!

5. Thai food - easy to get in Thailand . . .

6. ADSL - slow but decent and not too expensive - I pay B700 a month (US$17?)

7. You could expect to save US$1000 a month quite easily in Korea. In Thailand - you might save 1/10 of that. But . . . quality of life in Thailand about 10x better than Korea. So . . . up to you!

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

Why not go for an internship of some sort? I'm not sure if they all need a cert to get on to them, but it might be a good way for getting some feedback on what you're doing... I know that TEFL International in Alex (since you worked in Egypt before!) has a program like that, but like I say, I have no idea what qualifications they need.

jason_seeburn · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 399 Location: Toronto