Job Discussion Forums

[paisleyavenger]

I'm a high school teacher with heaps of experience. I've taught in Australia, England and South Korea.

I've thought about going to a few places (Canada, Germany, Turkey, Thailand) but haven't made up my mind. Being a qualified teacher (with a masters) I can usually get a bit more money, or if I go to Canada, America or England, I can work in the education system. So I'm looking at both options.

Can people give me some ideas and advice ... what countries (in YOUR experience, not heresay) are good and bad for efl teachers?

I'm mostly interested in salary and benefits (airfare, etc) versus living costs and cultural issues.

If you don't want to type a huge response, at least respond to my poll (assuming I work out how to set it up right!)

[khmerhit]

There are two--count em --two international schools in Phnom Penh. Your material concerns will be amply provided for in









cambodia. try it and see

[Aramas]

I suggest that you take a more holistic view. It seems that what you're really after is savings potential. Comparing only countries probably isn't a particularly useful yardstick since living costs vary widely within a country. Living in New York is going to be more expensive than Chitlin Junction, Arkansaw.

You should also decide just how little of a life you are willing to settle for. Are you happy tp live on 2 minute noodles and never eat out? Are you happy to drink tapwater and never lash out on a beer?

In my own limited expereince I've found that no matter how much I earn in a big city I always spend it. If I'm unhappy in my situation I blow everything on partying no matter where I am.

I'm planning on moving to a country where I will be paid less than what I would recieve on welfare in my own country, but the difference in how I could live on that income is extreme. Even someone earning a good salary in London, Paris or New York couldn't afford to eat out 2-3 times a day, go clubbing 3-5 nights a week, go away every second weekend and travel in foreign lands for a month or two every year. What I've just described is a fairly ordinary lifestyle for low-paid expats in any number of developing countries.

If savings is all you care about (and if so you'll regret it in later years) then the Middle East has your name on it. Good pay, no life. Nothing to spend your healthy salary on. Still, when you've exhausted your youth you'll be able to go home and buy lots of 'stuff', and that's what it's all about, right?

[Scott in HK]

I have seen ads for the international schools in Korea...they seem to be hiring...

the NET program deadline has passed but now there are ads for schools trying to find their own teachers....south china morning post is the place to look...

the international schools here are also hiring..that is in hong kong...

[paisleyavenger]

Actually, I'm very interested in having a great life. I understand the differences between each country in terms of income and lifestyle ... that's the point of my asking.

i'm not interested in saving, i'm interested in having fun and a good life ... when i was in england it wasn't fun at all ... most of the time i was stressed about money because i didn't earn that much (considering the tax and cost of rent, etc) ...

i want to live somewhere that's cheap(ish) but the pay is relatively good, so that i can have fun and spend money doing things i like ...

[shmooj]

[paisleyavenger]

what???

i understand that each country is different, but because I HAVEN'T been to every country, i'm asking others for their opinion about whether it's worth it. My experience was that England wasn't worth it ... in terms of income versus lifestyle.

do people just post stuff and not bother reading anything in the post??

is this too difficult a question?

are there any people who can post a response to the actual question without coming into a post and just cross examining every fucking statement made?????