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First time teacher looking for Asia advice

 
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martyrochon



Joined: 01 Apr 2010
Posts: 8
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 6:31 pm    Post subject: First time teacher looking for Asia advice Reply with quote

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and have spent the last hour browsing different topics searching for info, but there is simply too much info to find what I am looking for! So here's my situation: I am 24 years old, Canadian, been living in Europe for the last 3 years. I eventually want to get my B.Ed. but I am not ready to settle back at home just yet. I figure teaching english abroad would be a great opportunity to get some teaching experience, while at the same time living in a new country and taking in new cultures.

Basically I am looking for any kind of info on finding a job, work conditions, etc... I spent some time in Thailand last year and loved it, and a friend of mine spent 5 years teaching in Japan and loved it there. So I have been looking at these two places, any advice on the scenes there would be greatly appreciated. I prefer working in class, with children, over being a suit in some corporate school, but I am ready for whatever. I was also wondering if it is worth doing an online TEFL degree or if this is unnecessary.

Although I am looking for a great experience, I would like to leave with some money saved up to put towards my post grad degree. I do realize however that as a first timer I would start at the bottom of the food chain. In terms of qualifications, I have a B.A., spent a semester as a teacher's assistant in Canada, and have amassed about 30 days of substitute teaching in elementary and high school levels. I also have extensive experience as a coach and working summer camps with kids.

Any info you can give that will help unscramble this massive network of internet information will truly be appreciated.

Sorry for the long post, just trying to be specific.
Thanks in advance,
Marty
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Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:09 pm    Post subject: Re: First time teacher looking for Asia advice Reply with quote

martyrochon wrote:
I am new to this forum and have spent the last hour browsing different topics searching for info
That's all?

Quote:
, but there is simply too much info to find what I am looking for!
First you say there is too much, then you complain that you can't find what you want. Which is it?

Quote:
Basically I am looking for any kind of info on finding a job, work conditions, etc... I spent some time in Thailand last year and loved it, and a friend of mine spent 5 years teaching in Japan and loved it there. So I have been looking at these two places, any advice on the scenes there would be greatly appreciated. I prefer working in class, with children, over being a suit in some corporate school, but I am ready for whatever.
Well, there used to be a large FAQ in the Japan forum, but that has disappeared, so here's a recap:

Peak hiring season is Feb/March.
Average wages are falling but you may want to shoot for jobs that post for 250,000 yen/month (the former standard for decades).
You're only really qualified for ALT or eikaiwa positions. Since you're Canadian and 24, you could come here on a working holiday visa and not need a sponsor, then take any job you can find, including PT work (which new people not eligible for WHV cannot do), or you can just look for work that sponsors a work visa. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone here recruits from Europe (except for in the UK). Problem is, you have to go back to Canada to get the WHV, so if that is out of the question, you'll have to come here as a tourist to look around.

Want only children as students? But no suit? Most eikaiwas are your only real target, and I'd strongly suggest you change your mind because the market is very full of teachers compared to when your friend was here.

Quote:
I was also wondering if it is worth doing an online TEFL degree or if this is unnecessary.
Look at the threads related to this topic. Pretty recent news.

Quote:
Although I am looking for a great experience, I would like to leave with some money saved up to put towards my post grad degree. I do realize however that as a first timer I would start at the bottom of the food chain.
You should still be able to save quite a bit. Half of a 250K salary goes to basic necessities, so what you do with the rest is up to you.

Quote:
Any info you can give that will help unscramble this massive network of internet information will truly be appreciated.
Post in the Japan forum. I think I saw that you did, but only about Sapporo. Widen your view.
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