Job Discussion Forums

eslbiz · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 13

Has anyone tried applying for positions in war-torn famine-ridden, polluted, lock you in at night, high-crime, hell-holes? I am fed up calculating my earnings in hundreds, rather than thousands, of dollars. To me, the ideal job isn't dependent on the subject, the students, the school or the flower arranging festivals. It's about being a language mercenary.

In 1994 I earned $16 an hour in a third world hell-hole. I had to deal with a semi-civil war for a few years. People were afraid to go there, which was great - higher wages! Now wages for native speaker educated (but no degree) experienced teachers has plummeted there. Peace is bad for business!

As a matter of principle I used to avoid working for any organization that was tax-funded. But I can't afford to be so picky anymore. I am esentially a language wh*re. Libya? Afghanistan? Iraq? Peoples Republic of Dyptheria?

As much as I have my own specialty, to me teaching ESL/EFL is rather like being a crab fisherman. I'mk looking for danger pay to pay off debts, support aging parents, and save for retirement. I'm tempted to just jump on a plane and follow the International Hearld Tribune tragedy news. But that could get very expensive.

11:59 · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject:

I have to wonder who exactly you think in war-torn Afghanistan or Iraq has the time, inclination, and money to go in for what are essentially non-essential English lessons. I think you might find that they have more pressing needs and tend to focus on not being butchered on the street and putting food on the table.

Mike_2003 · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 344 Location: Bucharest, Romania

Saw something in KSA for 30'000 Euro a year tax free.

MELEE

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:18 am Post subject:

You'll never make any serious money in EFL without a degree.

The world is full of back-water countries and fly-by-night schools that take advantage of backpackers who think they can (or want to) teach English for a "crust of bread" as the fantacizers might say. And that is about what they get paid. The notion is fun - for about a week, until reality slips in.

Pay is good in the Middle East but they tend to require top qualifications - and with good reason - the students there are real discipline problems and you'd better know your stuff or they will eat you up and spit you out (management if not students!).

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

I can't direct you to a source, I'm afraid, though at the outset of the war, quite a few UK guys were making good money as security personnel in Iraq (I read). I don't know if companies still hire bouncers, or whether they've upped the ante given the worsening conditions there.

guangho · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 476 Location: in transit

I was recently asked about taking a job heading an international school in Dammam, Saudi Arabia for 60K/yr.

I declined in the politest possible way.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

guangho · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 476 Location: in transit

Being a principal at an international school pays anywhere from 70-100K according to some of the people I know. This was a recruiter, so he was probably taking some money with him. There is no way on this earth that I would go to KSA. Oman yes, Yemen yes, Kuwait if I must, but KSA...no.

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

slaqdog · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 211

tefl.com were advertising for a job paying around 2000$ a month recently. But it said it was in the Kurd area so relatively bomb free.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

dagi · Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Posts: 425

There is an international school in Nigeria that recruits new teachers every year, for different subjects.