| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| What's the best country to teach in? |
| Poland |
|
0% |
[ 0 ] |
| Czech Republic |
|
0% |
[ 0 ] |
| Japan |
|
16% |
[ 2 ] |
| Thailand |
|
8% |
[ 1 ] |
| France |
|
8% |
[ 1 ] |
| Spain |
|
8% |
[ 1 ] |
| Italy |
|
0% |
[ 0 ] |
| Vietnam |
|
0% |
[ 0 ] |
| Other |
|
58% |
[ 7 ] |
|
| Total Votes : 12 |
|
| Author |
Message |
Justin Trullinger
Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3110
Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
|
 Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:12 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
If your girlfriend isn't interested in the ME or Asia, and you're interested in taking some $$ home...
THis could be tough. If you're very highly qualified, it could be done, but...
slds,
Justin |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Justin Trullinger wrote: |
If your girlfriend isn't interested in the ME or Asia, and you're interested in taking some $$ home...
THis could be tough. If you're very highly qualified, it could be done, but...
|
I agree.
Gautsch, what are your priorities? In order of importance--money, social life, climate, culture, working conditions, etc. And what are your girlfriend's priorities? You've said where she doesn't want to go, but what about where she does want to go? (Apologies if you've already mentioned it earlier in the thread...)
d |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Personally, I wouldn't mind going to Korea, but my girlfriend doesn't want to. How about other countries? |
So why doesn't your girlfriend want to go to Korea? You might try the Phillipines as well. I heard they paid about $1500 a month. I don't know whether that is with or without housing. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gautsch
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 22
Location: Toyota, Japan
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My girlfriend and I both have heard some pretty bad rumors about Korea...they offer a great job with good pay before you come and then change the salary/conditions when you get there. The forum is full of stories like that and I don't really want to deal with those kinds of problems.
My girlfriend's priorities are
1. not having to sell anything (only teaching)
2. preferably adults
3. enough money to live and hopefully to save
4. a safe place
My priorities:
1. a challenge and different kind of experience (esp. EPA, ESP, even academic co-coordinator or ADoS..anything but eikaiwa, but I'm willing to do another year of it if necessary)
2. preferably not Japan (because I'd like to teach learners from different language backgrounds)
By the time I'm finished with my present job, I will be 3/4 into my MA in Applied Linguistics but not quite done, which restricts things somewhat. I'd be interested in doing a DELTA afterwards.
The Philippines might be an option, but I heard there aren't many jobs since there already are lots of good English speakers/teachers there. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| The Philippines might be an option, but I heard there aren't many jobs since there already are lots of good English speakers/teachers there. |
This may partly be a myth. I have never worked in the Philippines but what I was recently told by a Korean student that may not be true. It seems that there are some schools that cater to students from South Korea and Taiwan. Many Koreans study English in the Philippines because it is cheaper. Some of these schools have Americans/Brits working in their schools. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| My girlfriend and I both have heard some pretty bad rumors about Korea...they offer a great job with good pay before you come and then change the salary/conditions when you get there. The forum is full of stories like that and I don't really want to deal with those kinds of problems. |
Of course that happens but is it worse than anywhere else? This could definitly happen anywhere. I really don't know that it is more prevelant than anywhere else. Of course there are more ESL teachers in Korea than any country except maybe China. So of course you will hear more horror stories from Korea. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| JZer wrote: |
| Of course that happens but is it worse than anywhere else. This could definitly happen anywhere. I really don't know that it is more prevelant than anywhere else. Of course there are more ESL teachers in Korea than any country except maybe China. So of course you will hear more horror stories from Korea. |
What is it about Korea that makes it so bad? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gautsch
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 22
Location: Toyota, Japan
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Japan has lots of teachers but I've hardly heard any stories of that kind. I've heard dozens from Korea and a few from China. So it's the frequency of complaints that make it seem unattractive. However, I really like Korean people. I've taught some in Australia and I often go to Korean restaurants here and they always have been really nice to me. So, as I said, I wouldn't mind at all, but... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| However, I really like Korean people. I've taught some in Australia and I often go to Korean restaurants here and they always have been really nice to me. So, as I said, I wouldn't mind at all, but... |
Gautsch, first let me say that there are many nice countries to live in. So, there is no reason to necessarily choose Korea. I just want to help you make an informed decision.
Since you are worried about getting ripped off, why don�t you and your girlfriend apply for a public school job in the same city. I have not heard of the government ripping off public school teachers. You don�t need an education degree to be a public school teacher in Korea.
If you and your girlfriend just are not interested in Korea that is one thing but I don�t think that one should cross South Korea off their list based on dodge hogwons. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gautsch
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 22
Location: Toyota, Japan
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
thanks again for your advice. I'd like to teach motivated students. How is the motivation of Korean high school students? I heard they have to study a LOT and are extremely passive in class. To me, that doesn't sound like a lot of fun, as I like people who really want to learn and are enthusiastic.
Also, I've taught kids and I don't really want to do it again unless I really have to. 
So, which country you've taught in has had the most enthusiastic students?  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| So, which country you've taught in has had the most enthusiastic students? |
I have only taught in Korea and China. Therefore, I can't tell you too much. The best jobs while maybe not the highest paid are probably university language centers. Teaching university credit classes which I am doing now is a drag. The students have to take two semesters of English and do not necessarly want to be there. I teach one morning non-credit class. These are the kinds of classes you want to teach. Mostly you are left alone and it is a good forum to try out new things.
I usually have at least one conversation day a week. I print out a news article or use a story from "Korean Discussion Topics". We discuss the questions in groups for 50 minutes. I also like to infuse pop songs or games into my classes. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Gautsch wrote: |
So, which country you've taught in has had the most enthusiastic students? |
So far, Peru. But if saving money is a priority, it's not such a great option.
I don't enjoy teaching young 'uns either, and in all of the jobs that I have had I really haven't had to, except for a substitute lesson every now and then.
I don't have any concrete suggestions as far as countries because it looks like you and your girlfriend want different things. Here's a brief run-down of my own experiences, though, similar to... someone's post a while back... can't remember whose.
for money: Japan and Oman--Oman comes out better because of the lower cost of living, more vacation time, etc.
for culture: Prague
for students: Peru
for location/climate/natural surroundings: Prague
for hobbies--the time and money needed to enjoy them: Japan and Oman
for food: Japan
for mingling with the culture: Peru
for safety: Japan and Oman
These places weren't all on your list, and you've already ruled out the Middle East, but it seems like you want people's own opinions.
d |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JZer
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 3898
Location: Pittsburgh
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| for culture: Prague |
I think that Prague would be great. If I was not worried about money or trying to do an M.A. in Korea Studies I would love to live in Prague. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah, if not for the money, including the huge debts that I incurred in pursuit of my MA, I'd love to go back there!
d |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
