Job Discussion Forums

[BLAH]

once in an asian country, how professional should a male look for applying for jobs? tie-yes or no, etc.
how should one dress while teaching, the same?
also, are the qualifications to teach virtually the same for all asian countries? i have a degree and teaching expereince-people say that with this i will stand a good chance of landing a job anywhere in the far east

are there many jobs available in da nang, vietnam?

thank you for any input

[kuberkat]

While it is very important that you are neat and clean for teaching, few places require anything as formal as a tie. A crisp, clean T-shirt and trousers should be fine. Shorts and jeans are frowned upon by many schools, but others may be more lenient.

Your qualifications should be more than enough for most language schools. As to availability, check out TESOL employment listings on this and other ELT sites.

[Glenski]

kuberkat,
Don't know where you teach, but teachers in any school had darned well wear more than a T shirt and pants. A button shirt is usually preferred, although some places will let you get away with a polo shirt.

I wouldn't also say that FEW places require a tie. In Japan, anyway, many do, and that includes conversation schools.

BLAH,
When you write "applying for jobs", I assume you mean what to wear in the interview. Suit and tie all the way, my friend. Later, in the job itself, you can change as the employer demands it.

As for "qualifications to teach", you're going to have to be more specific. Teach WHERE? high school, university, daycare, conversation school, businesses, etc?

[Calories]

I'm at a middle school in China. I usually wear jeans and a tshirt to class. No one seems to mind. Try to look teachery for the interveiw though, if you even have one.

[kuberkat]

BLAH, the above posts should show that even in the Asian region, dress codes will differ from country to country and even from school to school. The dress code mentioned by Glenski seems to be standard in Japan, as well as in "Business English" schools in many countries. However, as you can verify from Calories' post, most language schools, especially those for younger learners, have a very informal dress code. Even more so in Southeast Asia, where many teachers are travelers. The real answer is to find out about the exact place you are applying to: do some spying, or talk to the current teachers.

As a matter of interest, Glenski wrote:

[BedTiger]

I would say based on my experience teaching in several counties in Asia, ALWAYS show up to the interview in a shirt and tie MINIMUM (in Japan...a suit always!) no matter if your applying to a kindergarten or a business. First impressions are vital and you want to distance yourself from the backpacker image as much as possible.

Let your employer tell you that you are overdressed, or ask about the dress code when appropriate. It is better to error on the side of caution here.