Job Discussion Forums

[CeilidhKaylee]

(I would like to apologize in advance if this thread is superfluous; I was unable to find the information I was looking for elsewhere on the forums, but please link me to any threads you think fit my query.)

I've been teaching in Thailand for a few months, and like it here. I am extremely frugal, but even saving half my income here doesn't add up to much savings back in the US. My contract here is up in April, and I have another year before grad school to teach. I've heard differing things about how much you can save in Korea, Japan, and various Middle East countries, but all these vague recommendations are not very helpful.

I am craving specifics (e.g. not "Japan is nicer" or "I save a lot") but rather specific financial information regarding setup costs, actual income, opportunities for privates, housing costs, and most importantly, monthly savings. I'm not teaching ESL for the money, but with education loans and such, I want to have a clear idea of what I should expect to save, since information on quality-of-life, teaching, and culture are more readily available in forums than concrete financial data are.

I have a degree and a TESOL certification, and have had 3 ESL jobs and some teaching experience back in the US. Once again, if other threads serve my query, please redirect me! If you wish to vent or criticise, please feel free to PM me instead. Thank you!

[naturegirl321]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=67067 has info about where to save.

YOu can save in Korea, Japan, the ME, if you live frugally. Acutlaly you could probably save a bit almost anywhere.

Here's what I've heard: Japan, high set ups costs, harder to get a visa than before. Don't know about private or income.

Korea: Low set up cost, bad exchange rate at the moment. Privates are illlegal, you could get deported. Income was about 1500 usd a month, has gone down to about 1200.

ME: low set up costs, living in a bubble, difficult to mingle with the locals. Income could be from 2 to 4K usd a month.

Hope this helps

[bradley]

I did the JET Programme in Japan and lived in the countryside and saved a lot.....

[spiral78]

Most ME posts require advanced qualifiations in the field (MA TESL/TEFL or Applied Linguistics, for example).

[bradley]

Also as an American you don't pay taxes for the first two years. I paid off my student loans in a year and a half. In the countryside in Japan I had free housing which was a big benefit.

[BOBBYSUE]

Well I would definitely say Brunei. I have taught in Japan and the ME and I definitely save much more here. Of course you may save even more on a desert rig in Libya or a remote compound in Saudi but in Brunei you're in SE Asia and 30 mins by car from Malaysia. The people are laid back and friendly and it's a much more pleasant place to live even than the UAE...and much easier to live than Japan.

[guty]

[sheikh radlinrol]

[spiral78]

I don't claim it's 100%, but from my own job search in the region, word of mouth reports from my friends who've worked there, and what I've read on Dave's over the years, its' the norm.

[Glenski]

Specifics about Japan.

Most entry level jobs will pay about 220,000 to 270,000 yen/month. JET pays 300,000.

Most jobs do not pay your rent or airfare. Most conversation schools will offer housing that is secondhand from the previous teacher, so it is already furnished.

Basic necessities, on average, will run you about 125,000 yen/month.

What you do with the remainder of that salary is entirely up to you.

How much of your home country's money you can save depends on the above and on the exchange rate.