Job Discussion Forums

[oxi]

This may well be the start of a short, lame thread, but I thought I�d try and see if anyone�s interested. Maybe I�ve just got too much time on my hands waiting for kid�s exams to finish - but it will be hell when I start marking tomorrow.

So:-

What do you think is the best job in TEFL? By �best� � use your own terms to define it.

1. BAE � Saudi � great money, but tough lifestyle
2. EDB NET � Hong Kong � very good money, pretty good lifestyle, sense of doing something useful for kids who need it - but stressful if you�re unlucky with the school)

I did a few good places when I started in TEFL, seeing wonderful places and meeting great people. But since I earned almost nowt and the money�s a big deal for me, I�m not counting them.

I have a feeling the best jobs are well kept secrets anyway�

[johnslat]

Dear oxt,
"Best" is subjective, of course. But in order for people to respond to what might be "best" for you, it'd be necessary to post your qualifications, experience and some details, such as married/single, children, your age,
first.
Regards.
John

[oxi]

Thanks for the reply John,

I meant what's best for you or anyone, not for me. Just wanted to know what people's own thoughts were. Like I said, maybe a bit lame, if folks aren't really interested.

I'm guessing you think IPA? You were there most of your career, right? Why did you stick with that so long, rather than go for BAE or KFUPM?

Still, if you've got any recommendations for me, I guess I'd be very grateful! So...

BA, CELTA, DELTA, PGCE (no MA though)
12/13 years exp. approx - all levels all ages
35 year old
married, no kids

Oxi

PS. I met you once at IPA and you gave me a few good tips. Cheers fer that!

[Insubordination]

Pretty place near the coast or mountains with decent bars.
Mostly adult teaching.
20 or so hours a week.
Contract.
Professionally run.
Enough to live on and travel a bit.

I�m teaching 30hrs in an ugly place but have the rest.

[oxi]

Insub - thanks.

My 'dream' job's something like that. I saw an ad to teach staff for one of the big hotels in the Maldives that seemed to fit most of the bill. Just enough money to survive on. Maybe not many bars. Did wonder if it's possible to get bored living on an dream island.

Once I make my TEFL 'fortune' I might get round to applying. So, probably never...

[johnslat]

Dear oxi,

"Why did you stick with that so long . . . ."

Funny you should ask:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=71746

The only personally-based recommendation I can give is Indonesia: beautiful country, lovely people, great food, lots of entertainment.

Downsides: salaries not that great, hope you like heat and insects.

and, if Iran ever reopens, I'd go back in a heartbeat (except I'm too old )

I met you, huh? And gave you a few good tips? Well, glad I was of some help.
Hope you get that "best job in Tefl" someday. When you do, don't post about it on Dave's; keep it secret (you can, however, PM me.)

Regards,
John

[oxi]

John - That post makes interesting reading! 9 pages long too - I never see many going that long without someone saying something daft and getting the thread locked.

I'm in Hong Kong now, so I hope to make it to Indonesia for a holiday soon. One of the main reasons I like Hong Kong is because the money's good and it's a short, affordable hop to a lot of interesting places. On the other hand, I loved working in India and Romania, but had to save cash all the time for the flight home.

[Marcoregano]

I suspect that the best TEFL jobs in terms of 'job satisfaction' are those in remote or unusual corners of the world which pay very little. Most of the people I know who have been in this business for a while talk nostalgically of the job/s they had when they started out - these were the jobs that provided the bizarre but memorable experiences and, it seems quite often, the lasting friendships and attachments.

But of course after a while there comes the need (apparent or real) to earn more money - so then you seek out the 'best jobs for earning money' - a very different category to the jobs mentioned above - and usually in very different countries too.

For me, the best job would be one that combines the above - good money combined with an edgy sense of adventure and real cultural exposure. Please pm me if you know where ...

[shenyanggerry]

For me it's universities in North eastern China. I'm retired so the low pay doesn't bother me much - I'm compensated by the light work load of 12 - 14 hours per week with lots of time off.

I also enjoy the expat community and a pleasant local population.

[Sadebugo]

Well, I started a topic similar to this a long time ago, but got a lot of negative feedback. I stated why I was so happy with my current job but then it devolved into a political argument about the 'shame' of working for the federal government especially DOD. But, for the sake of freedom of speech, I'll restate my thoughts again. I believe DLI (DLIELC in San Antonio) has to be the best position in ESL/EFL. You have a stable/secure job with government retirement benefits. Not only can you choose to work and live in the US but you can also travel at will. I have been working here four years and have already been to Slovakia, Japan, Djibouti, and Afghanistan for an average of six months at a shot. This fall, I will be going to the Republic of Georgia. It's really my dream job! You have security (better than most jobs especially in today's economy) with the opportunity to live the EFL lifestyle.

I highly recommend it.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[oxi]

shenyanggerry:-

[Mojoski]

My only overseas post was Warsaw, Poland, and I loved it. Only drawbacks: money mediocre and 'this town don't look good in snow.'

Loved the social life! Pubs and karaoke. Great parks all over, lots of free concerts, pubs IN the parks. Terrific public transit. Modern Poles are bright, charming and friendly. Old world Poles tend to harbor unreasonable resentment. Well over 100 English schools in Warsaw that cater to adults almost exclusively. You have to schmooze around to find a steady gig with good pay. Good pay means being rich in Poland, but small potatoes back home. Winters suck. Summers...absolutely nothing better than a Warsaw summer. Another drawback is now they only want EU.

I've had my time in paradise with okay pay. This time I am looking for serious money and willing to have less fun to get it.

[Marcoregano]

[airapets]

The job I had the most fun at was teaching a group of essentially fluent students in New York City. All of the students had student visas, and of course none of them worked, though all had "hobbies" which got them by. They were mainly Eastern Europeans who had lived in the US for a couple of years. A fairly relaxed and hip crowd, some days we would read articles from the New York Times, other days we were drawing self-portraits with crayons.

[DoubleDutch]