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Taxim
Joined: 09 Jan 2009
Posts: 15
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 Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:05 am Post subject: Where should Plan B...be? |
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I'm currently in the process of applying to JET and if I get in I will definitely go that route.
That being said, I do want to consider other options in case I am not accepted.
So, I'll list my credentials, such as they are, and a list of my wants, and hopefully some of you fine folks will tell me a little about the country(/ies) you are familiar with and my chances of getting what I want.
Credentials:
BS in Philosophy
MA in English Literature (by May, when I'll be looking)
2 Semesters interning as a TA in Intro to Film (English Dept.-100 level)
and 2 years experience teaching college writing courses as a TA (100-200 level)
(so no TEFL cert and no Teaching Cert either)
Wants:
1. Under 20 teaching hours
2. University position (or something else teaching adults)
3. Decent housing (something more than an oversized coffin)
4. Decent pay (Enough to live and save - I don't party/drink)
5. A reasonable amount of hassle (since there will always be something)
How likely am I to find these wants or, better yet, how close can I get to them in the country you are familiar with, considering my given credentials? I know I won't get everything I want, but I'm looking for the closest situation to the ideal.
Since I imagine someone will point it out, yes, I am aware that JET will be with children. It is, however, Japan with several other things I'm looking for. ...And I don't hate kids. |
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wailing_imam
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 580
Location: Malaya
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Look for positions in major East Coast Chinese cities at 14k plus a month with free accomodation. |
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Zero
Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 1402
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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| You could also consider a second-tier Chinese city, like Hangzhou or Suzhou or Dalian. The pay will not be 14,000 RMB, perhaps half that or less, but the living costs will be low and you could save a few bucks. You could do part-time work or teach private students for a bit more. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Since you mentioned JET, I'll just chip in with the fact that you are likely not to be considered for any university jobs in Japan. Keep your eyes peeled elsewhere for those. |
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Taxim
Joined: 09 Jan 2009
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 2:44 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies so far.
China's definitely on the table, but I am concerned about some of the stuff I've read about how contracts are often "contracts". I suppose that could just come down to a matter of research, though.
I'd be interested in Hong Kong, but I don't know what my odds would be there (with adults or kids), and I imagine Kowloon would be the next best thing (or is that considered a part of Hong Kong as far as edu goes?).
As for Japan... Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. I'd still consider teaching kids somewhere else in Japan, but then it becomes a closer race between that and teaching uni somewhere else.
I'd still like to hear more on Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, etc. (And more specifics from China wouldn't bother me either.)
Anyway, thanks again. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:42 am Post subject: |
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Enjoy your dream.
You are coming in with entry level qualifications (in spite of your MA in Literature) and will get an entry level job as an ESL teacher anywhere in Asia.
After you get a year or two under your belt and some networking you should be able to parlay the package into something better but it isn't going to happen right off the boat (or plane as the case is more likely to be).
(something akin to people with an MD or PhD going to the states and driving a taxi).
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wiganer
Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 189
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| Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 4:25 pm Post subject: Re: Where should Plan B...be? |
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| Taxim wrote: |
I'm currently in the process of applying to JET and if I get in I will definitely go that route.
That being said, I do want to consider other options in case I am not accepted.
So, I'll list my credentials, such as they are, and a list of my wants, and hopefully some of you fine folks will tell me a little about the country(/ies) you are familiar with and my chances of getting what I want.
Credentials:
BS in Philosophy
MA in English Literature (by May, when I'll be looking)
2 Semesters interning as a TA in Intro to Film (English Dept.-100 level)
and 2 years experience teaching college writing courses as a TA (100-200 level)
(so no TEFL cert and no Teaching Cert either)
Wants:
1. Under 20 teaching hours
2. University position (or something else teaching adults)
3. Decent housing (something more than an oversized coffin)
4. Decent pay (Enough to live and save - I don't party/drink)
5. A reasonable amount of hassle (since there will always be something)
How likely am I to find these wants or, better yet, how close can I get to them in the country you are familiar with, considering my given credentials? I know I won't get everything I want, but I'm looking for the closest situation to the ideal.
Since I imagine someone will point it out, yes, I am aware that JET will be with children. It is, however, Japan with several other things I'm looking for. ...And I don't hate kids. |
I go along with what King Ttompatz has said.
You seem to want it all don't you?  except you have nothing to offer any prospective employer. You want a good wage where you can save AND teach adults AND work a 20 hour week. All you have to offer back are non related qualifications and inexperience...
It's not happening. I would have said give Korea a go but for the main it is teaching children but you would earn the money as well as the headaches.
I would advise you to tone down your demands a little bit. You aren't in any position to be making any of those demands and the day you can is when you get yourself MA in Linguistics/TEFL. If this is what you want to do of course then that would be a good investment. Until then, JET will be a good year on the CV - if you can get in that is.  |
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Taxim
Joined: 09 Jan 2009
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:26 am Post subject: Re: Where should Plan B...be? |
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| wiganer wrote: |
I go along with what King Ttompatz has said.
You seem to want it all don't you? (condescending tone) except you have nothing to offer any prospective employer (overly negative assessment to the point of inaccuracy). You want a good wage where you can save AND teach adults AND work a 20 hour week. All you have to offer back are non related qualifications and inexperience (Again, overly negative assessment, this time only bordering on inaccuracy.) ...
It's not happening. (Authoritative stance adopted on behalf of a range of countries. Are you familiar with education in all Asian countries, as your declarative sentence implies?) I would have said give Korea a go but for the main it is teaching children but you would earn the money as well as the headaches. (Potentially misdirecting statement. Dishonest by omission. I know more about Korea than you have assumed.)
I would advise you to tone down your demands a little bit. (Here you demonstrate either an alarming lack of reading comprehension or simply a penchant for misrepresentation. That is, you are ignoring the distinction between a want and a demand as well as some of the finer points of my request.) You aren't in any position to be making any of those demands (which is why none were made) and the day you can is when you get yourself MA in Linguistics/TEFL. If this is what you want to do of course then that would be a good investment. Until then, JET will be a good year on the CV - if you can get in that is. (further condescension) |
MOD EDIT
tttompatz - Thanks. Like I said, I'm just trying to see what's out there. I know I can get a uni job in China or Korea. I just can't find very much on some of the other Asian countries. I figured I'd be in line for the entry level stuff (uni level or otherwise), but I wanted to know how close those positions are to my ideal on a country by country basis. ...or, I guess, if uni positions would currently be out of reach in those other countries like they are in Japan. If that is the case... Oh well, I guess. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:17 am Post subject: Re: Where should Plan B...be? |
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| Taxim wrote: |
| wiganer wrote: |
I go along with what King Ttompatz has said.
You seem to want it all don't you? (condescending tone) except you have nothing to offer any prospective employer (overly negative assessment to the point of inaccuracy). You want a good wage where you can save AND teach adults AND work a 20 hour week. All you have to offer back are non related qualifications and inexperience (Again, overly negative assessment, this time only bordering on inaccuracy.) ...
It's not happening. (Authoritative stance adopted on behalf of a range of countries. Are you familiar with education in all Asian countries, as your declarative sentence implies?) I would have said give Korea a go but for the main it is teaching children but you would earn the money as well as the headaches. (Potentially misdirecting statement. Dishonest by omission. I know more about Korea than you have assumed.)
I would advise you to tone down your demands a little bit. (Here you demonstrate either an alarming lack of reading comprehension or simply a penchant for misrepresentation. That is, you are ignoring the distinction between a want and a demand as well as some of the finer points of my request.) You aren't in any position to be making any of those demands (which is why none were made) and the day you can is when you get yourself MA in Linguistics/TEFL. If this is what you want to do of course then that would be a good investment. Until then, JET will be a good year on the CV - if you can get in that is. (further condescension) |
MOD EDIT
tttompatz - Thanks. Like I said, I'm just trying to see what's out there. I know I can get a uni job in China or Korea. I just can't find very much on some of the other Asian countries. I figured I'd be in line for the entry level stuff (uni level or otherwise), but I wanted to know how close those positions are to my ideal on a country by country basis. ...or, I guess, if uni positions would currently be out of reach in those other countries like they are in Japan. If that is the case... Oh well, I guess. |
MOD EDIT
You can easily land a job teaching ESL at a uni in China but it will still be entry level and the pay/benefits won't be any great shakes (especially if you have student loans to deal with).
Again, there are good jobs to be had but it is who you know and who knows you, not the wallpaper you have collected. You are not likely to find anything decent from abroad and you will still need to front your airfare and visa costs.
Same can be said for Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Taiwan, etc.
Bottom line: you are not likely to get what you were looking for stepping fresh off the plane. You're gonna have to do it like most of the rest of us: land, get your feet wet and slog your way up the beach. Do some time in the trenches and look for that golden opportunity then make the just at your convenience.
And, you are aware that I am the kind of guy you are competing against for those "nice" jobs. (2 associates, 3 bachelors, masters, ABD and 14 years of verifiable experience).
Land, network and look for your chance. They are out there but you won't find it from here.
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wiganer
Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 189
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| Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:38 am Post subject: Re: Where should Plan B...be? |
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| Taxim wrote: |
| wiganer wrote: |
I go along with what King Ttompatz has said.
You seem to want it all don't you? (condescending tone) except you have nothing to offer any prospective employer (overly negative assessment to the point of inaccuracy). You want a good wage where you can save AND teach adults AND work a 20 hour week. All you have to offer back are non related qualifications and inexperience (Again, overly negative assessment, this time only bordering on inaccuracy.) ...
It's not happening. (Authoritative stance adopted on behalf of a range of countries. Are you familiar with education in all Asian countries, as your declarative sentence implies?) I would have said give Korea a go but for the main it is teaching children but you would earn the money as well as the headaches. (Potentially misdirecting statement. Dishonest by omission. I know more about Korea than you have assumed.)
I would advise you to tone down your demands a little bit. (Here you demonstrate either an alarming lack of reading comprehension or simply a penchant for misrepresentation. That is, you are ignoring the distinction between a want and a demand as well as some of the finer points of my request.) You aren't in any position to be making any of those demands (which is why none were made) and the day you can is when you get yourself MA in Linguistics/TEFL. If this is what you want to do of course then that would be a good investment. Until then, JET will be a good year on the CV - if you can get in that is. (further condescension) |
MOD EDIT
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Ttompatz has said everything I would have said. If being a troll is not telling you what you want to hear then I am a troll. Ttompatz is basically
The kinds of jobs you want will need experience and related qualifications - they do exist though, it's just you are not in the hunt for a few years until you upgrade what you have got and get the experience. |
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Taxim
Joined: 09 Jan 2009
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:38 pm Post subject: |
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tttompatz - Well, thanks. I appreciate the time you've taken to post, even if it's not rosy information. If that's how it is, then I can (almost) accept that.
I always carry doubt in the back of my mind when told I 'cannot', however. It's gotten me into some places I might otherwise not even have looked at.
But this is what I was looking for, positive and negative.
I will mentally prepare myself to be a front line trench-fighter (if it does come to that, I may just go through the Peace Corps), even while I keep an eye toward something better.
wiganer - I suppose you don't seem like such a bad guy after all. Thank you for taking the time to post.
everyone else - thanks again. |
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