Job Discussion Forums

[spiffy]

I'm a British citizen, with more than 4 years experience teaching but no university or college degree. I am currently living and working in Japan but would like to spend 1 or 2 more years teaching in another country (preferably Asia) before settling down. Originally I was planning to do so in Taiwan but found out it was impossible. After Taiwan my next choice would be Korea but that also seems either very difficult or impossible. So my question is, what are my options in this situation? Are there any countries in Asia I can work or should I look at other continents like South America, Africa or Europe?

[Glenski]

No degree means you have to rely on working holiday visa (limited term) or years of experience. In Japan you may be able to use either option (depending on your age). To get a work visa for teaching, you only need 3 years of experience.

[spiral78]

Most European countries don't specifically require a first degree. Yes, you'll be up against most teachers who do have one, but you've got the right passport and some experience, so you should be able to land reasonable work.

Just be aware that you won't likely make enough money to save anything.

[stillnosheep]

Most SE Asian countries would be possibilities for you (Taiwan and Korea are the (relatively well paying) exceptions. With your experrience it would be no problem for you to find work in China.

[naturegirl321]

Latin America could work as well. Here in Peru, you might not get a visa, but you could work at an institute and with private classes, but you'll only get about 500 or 700 usd a month

[spiffy]

Thanks for all the replies. I heard that Japan would give me a visa if I have 3 years experience but as I've already been here for 3 years I would like to try somewhere new. Are there any other countries in Asia that have this system? How about China, Thailand or other South East Asian countries? Usually higher demand for teachers means they have more relaxed rules right?

[Rooster_2006]

[spiffy]

Thanks for the info, was exactly what I wanted to hear. Unfortunately I only have the standard 12 years education and at this time no tefl but am thinking about getting it. I'll look into some of these countries, especially China, but apart from the visa situation, what are the conditions like? Is it possible to have a good time and save a bit of money on the side? (especially considering I want to continue teaching kids)
Btw, does anyone have any info on Thailand? Visas or otherwise?

[Rooster_2006]

[naturegirl321]

[Yossarian Lives]

Op,

China is probably your best bet in Asia. We had a lot of employees with either no experience, or no degree; and sometimes both. Just don't be one of those people that instantly agrees to a 5000RMB/month wage, as it damages the rest of us.

[spiffy]

Thailand also needs a degree? No way around that? Damn, thats my 3rd choice gone too... guess I will look more into China.

When I ask about conditions I mean to be quite general. Like are foreigners usually happy in these countries or do they end up getting shouted at on the street, cheated out of their money and end up running home crying after 2 months?

With the Tesl, would it actually make a difference to the jobs I could get in these poor countries, especially when considering I have a fair bit of experience to go on?

[father Mackenzie]

Yes we get shouted at, yes we get cheated out of some money (taxis, food stalls, bars etc) but many teachers earn far more than the majority of the locals do or ever will and after a while you get used to it and also once you know the value and price of things in the country it gets easier to bargain and pay the local price.
In my experience western people are always thought of being rich and having more money thats one of the reasons you get charged differently. Thailands national parks even have signs displaying tourist and non tourist prices as do some places in Indonesia and tourists are always happy to pay.

But I would have 'hello mister' shouted at me 100 times a day than the not so kind words you have to hear in England thats for sure.
Into my 3rd year in Indonesia and I have no intention of running home yet.

[basiltherat]

[father Mackenzie]

"Hello Mister!, Oi Bule!, Good Morning!, Ojek Miss!" becomes background noise after a while, bit like the bread sellers or the ice cream mens music they play on their rounds.

As the saying goes 'sticks and stones...........'