Job Discussion Forums

[teaching_in_taiwan]

I'm currently teaching TOEFL evenings in Taiwan.

Does anyone have any experience with teaching TOEFL and/or IELTS in the Philippines? Been an examiner for either or both?

As I understand it, droves of college graduates--for example, those in nursing--leave for much higher salaries elsewhere, so there certainly must be a thriving industry for test preparation.

Although the pay would without a doubt be lower than in Taiwan, I'm wondering just how much lower.

Thanks.

[renzobenzo1]

It is every man's dream to live and work in the Philippines.

In the meantime try the search function. I made a post on this.

And yes the money is much less and you may be exploited.

[Marcoregano]

[Jolie_V]

Rates in the Philippines for IELTS reviewers range from a low of 200 pesos /hour to a "rare high" of 500 pesos/hour. The average rate offered is 300-400 pesos, and that' s subject to with holding tax.

200 = 4.50 USD

500 = 11.00 USD

[renzobenzo1]

If you are able to earn 300-400 pesos an hour then this is quite adequate for you to live a comfortable life in the Phillippines.

However, as I have researched it myself wanting to work there these jobs are few and far between.
Furthermore the irony is that you will probably be teaching Koreans with a Korean owner or boss who are all there to learn English at a cheaper cost than back home. You are better off teaching in Korea and holidaying in the PI's in that case.

Marcoregano-The people are very friendly and welcoming,westerners are accepted there, they speak English as well so you feel more at home and there are many western amenities. Plus everything is affordable and there are nice beaches/scenery/ and nature only a bus/short plane ride away.
Plus if you are single you will be in heaven!

[Marcoregano]

I know the PIs to an extent - I've lived in HK nine years (heaps of Fillipinas here) and visited once. Actually I wasn't hugely impressed. Manila is a real mess and there's poverty everywhere - I know quite a few people who've been mugged there. I met quite a few PI-based expats and by and large they were a pretty sad bunch.

I know that as an expat male you can have a pretty fine time with the local ladies but really it is exploitation (and they're mostly after your money) and once the novelty wears off I don't think it would keep you interested - but whatever takes your fancy. I realise that there may be some better parts of the PIs than I saw but I don't think it's the place for me.

[teaching_in_taiwan]

Well, scratch that idea.

Not to make this thread a debate about the Philippines, I have been there four times and love the Land of Smiles.

I also have a friend there, which has been frustrating due her inability to live with me here in Taiwan and my inability to make a good wage there.

When I go to Cebu, I step into her life in the barangay and feel right at home. It may not be every man's dream to live in the Philippines, but it sure is mine.

[mandalayroad]

It is the dream of quite a few to live in PI, but the wages are just terrible. A friend of mine is a college professor in the US with a PhD from a prestigious university. He inquired about teaching at the U of PI because he and his Filipina wife preferred to live there than in the US, particularly to raise their son in PI with her extended family. Well, the salary he would be making at U of PI would be something like US $2500 per year. For even $20,000 he would make the move since his family would be so much happier in PI than in the US, but the absolutely paltry salary by even PI standards made it untenable. It's unfortunate people get stuck living someplace they don't want to be simply due to monetary issues.

[Jolie_V]

I. 300-400 pesos/hour is not enough to live on.

1.1 no one teaches 6-8 hours a day, five days a week.

1. 2 it is still subject to with holding tax.

If you're single tax is about 32% depending on your salary range. If your gross is 45 K, your net pay is about 35K. Is this income good enough, it depends on your lifestyle and where you live.

II. It is a well-known fact that the University of the Philippines ( assuming that this was the uni referred to) doesn't pay well. But, the $2,500 (111,370.00 PHP) per annum wage for a PhD is quite inaccurate. This is the salary for newbie, non-MA holder teachers.

A PhD who has professorial status gets more. Also, in the Philippines, CONSULTATION work is the key to earning more. It helps if one is a UP professor. There are universities here that definitely pay better than UP. There's the Ateneo University, La Salle, University, University of Asia and the Pacific to name a few. Still, it won't give a 20K income. But a 10 - 12 K income would provide a comfortable lifestyle.

[william wallace]

I IELTS examined down in Manila(BC and IDP were separated) and up in Bagio for 6 months a few years back, and wasn't crazy about it.I think most examiners now are Pilipino.

[torrentstorm]