Job Discussion Forums

[sanpedro72]

I am relatively new to Dave�s ESL. Got my feet wet in Latvia by tutoring company employees in ESL and then again 1.5 years ago by teaching in a hagwon in Seoul. Absolutely had a terrible experience and getting hit by a taxi and breaking my leg surely didn�t help, either. However, I was pleased with a decent offer from Korea�s GEPIK public school program although the location is the middle of nowhere and doesn�t offer such good international representation (i.e. variety of cuisine and expat community). Still, whether it�s the food, the weather, or the general tone of the local and expat population, I am not driven to go there for some reason.

China pays too little and remains if the �if�iest� location on the planet to work (noting in fact the recent difficulty to obtain a working Visa due in part by the Olympics). And although Taiwan looks competitive its convoluted pay structure in an otherwise polluted, sardine tin-like environment doesn�t entice me much either. China and Taiwan�s probationary salary cuts lower the general excitement towards going to other place.

This is any opportunity for fellow ESL teachers to sell me on a particular location/country/city to decide on as the number of offers I leave me on the fence, not sure which part of the planet that will give me best possible workplace/classroom/salary/cultural/climate/cost of living combination.

So far my offers are from the following places:
Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea: GEPIK, Yeogang public high school
Zhuhai, China: Yungwing, private kindergarten
Taipei, Taiwan: Global Kids, private elementary school
Al Ain, UAE: military boys high school (public affiliated, through SABIS� Cheouifat schools)
Oman (not sure which school or what city, interviewing in process)
Bahcesehir, Turkey: Bahcesehir High School (private)
Istanbul, Turkey: English Time (private school)
Bangkok, Thailand: Wall Street (private school)
Bangkok, Thailand: Media Kids (private school)

I sincerely appreciate you all taking the time to reading this. If locations I mention totally miss the mark for the best possible workplace/classroom/salary/cultural/climate/cost of living combination, please me know. Maybe there�s something I�m not realizing here.

Ideally, Japan and Mexico are top preferences, but unfortunately, I have been unsuccessful with either location.

Kind regards,

Jacob

[MO39]

[Glenski]

If you have been unsuccessful in Japan, we should figure out why. Come to the Japan board and ask around.

Got a degree? You'll need one for the work visa.
Interested in getting hired outside Japan? Limited options, but most will interview in your home country (if it's a native English speaking one).
Interested in other schools? You'll have to come here to interview.

What places have you tried in Japan? Entry level work is usually what people get if they have had no experience in Japan.

[Anda]

I pick a country and then I usually apply to one employer and go with my choice. I have taught in Korea for eight and a half years plus a year and a half in Papua New Guinea and now two here in China. I worked for a short time in Indonesia and Taiwan.

You will find those that like the country they are in everywhere. I've just signed on for another two years in China. China has plenty to offer those that are just out to live a life and not save money.

The choice is yours to make!

[parrothead]

Wow, Jacob, you really have NO idea where you want to go. Most applicants choose a region or specific country first. You chose earth.
I like your style, Mister.
Ultimately, you'll have to go with your gut. I'm guessing though, since you didn't have an entirely positive experience in Korea you might want to give somewhere else a try. You ought to give yourself a little quiz. How much do you know about each of these countries? What are your reasons for going there (aside from the job), and what are your goals? Do you want to learn a bit of the language, or some cultural activity, art, sport, etc? Your answers might help you narrow things down a bit.

[sanpedro72]

For parrothead: Japan sounds fantastic but the is pay to cost of living ratio much narrower than for Korea. I have applied for plenty of jobs in Japan but nothing remotely near interview status. I'm just looking for a place with pretty decent life/savings/experience all around.

I noticed that you're in Japan and wondered if you had any advice on looking for work there. I've got contracts in my lap and getting bugged to sign, etc. as school terms begin in two weeks to 1.5 months away.

Where is a single 35 year old copywriter-turned-teacher look for such opportunity? Additional consideration such as real estate, career growth and relationships enter into the picture at this point. I am not too picky really about the location. It's more about mutual charm during the interview and the clarity of salary and benefits aid in the deciding factor. Top 5 to be honest: Japan, Mexico, Turkey, Thailand, and Italy - the latter virtually impossible because of the EU-thingy.

For Anda: I regularly go through adverts on Dave's and Serious Teachers that offer the best salary to cost of living ratios. I love teaching but at 35, being about to save a bit is equally to developing my career.

For Glenski: I have tried various random job posts on Dave's and Serious Teachers only. What other places do you recommend? By the way, I recently dropped a line in the Japan forum. Let's see what happens.

Cheers to you all - Jacob

[naturegirl321]

TEFL.com is a good place to work, Generlal money is in Taiwan, HK, Korea or the MIddle East. Connections are also worth their weight in gold.

[Anda]

The money thing in general means living a quite life. To save decent money you stay at home. Korea for instance will allow one to save well but not save and get out and about. Once you start to socialize and do things your saving potential goes. I can live just as well in China on a quarter the money as Korea getting out and about etc. However if I tried to save here my potential is very low, but in Korea it is good.

[renzobenzo1]

Go for Taiwan but get out of Taipei. As it is there is an oversupply of teachers in Taipei as well.
Kaoshiung or Taichung are fairly nice places and you could even land a job in the northern or southern beach parts.
You would be able to save around 1000-1200 a month after paying for your accommodation but I have also seen jobs offering that.