Job Discussion Forums

isteinma · Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 2

Hi everyone I'm currently finishing up my 3rd year in Politics at a UC and after doing research about job options outside the US I have done a lot of reading about teaching ESL. This post will be a mish mash of my personal background and questions I have for the community.

What should I do now as someone finishing up my 3rd of 4 years getting an undergraduate degree? Would it be worth it to volunteer abroad over the Summer and would it be possible to do so without spending a significant amount of money?

I don't have direct teaching experience but I have always really enjoyed tutoring people, explaining complex concepts in a simple way and public speaking. I'm of mixed latino/white background which I know can potentially affect employment prospects in some states. As well as teaching I would also like to use travel abroad as a chance to build up journalism/writing skills in my spare time. I'm also an activist who is very committed to ultimately fighting for a more just world. I would jump on the opportunity to teach in Egypt/Tunisia/Libya right now as something that would provide the opportunity for me to see and write on a revolution first hand while providing a valuable service. Will there be more job opportunities for newer teachers in areas of perceived social instability? Also what should I be concerned about in places like Columbia or South Korea where being associated with the left can land people in prison?

I expect to be paying somewhere around $250-$300 a month in student loans (All owed to Feds, not Private, so I may have more flexibility if I'm earning low wages) which is going to be the main limiting factor for where I can teach. I would really like to teach in Latin America or the Middle-East (Egypt in particular) but I understand that the Middle-East can be hard to break into. Has that changed with many Westerners fleeing domestic uprisings in places like Egypt? In Latin America, where could I teach that would allow me to at least make monthly payments on Student Loans while living decently? Would it be worth it/possible to spend the first couple years in South Korea and make enough money to pay back a significant portion of those loans? What other countries could provide comparable savings opportunities to SK?

Thanks for your time, I'm sure the answers I get will give me more questions to ask.

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

The first bit of advice everyone will give you is to finish your degree. Doing volunteer work over the summer is an option, and will boost your chances of getting a job after graduation if you decide that teaching is for you. How much money you spend on volunteering will largely depend on where you want to volunteer.

It's hard to say whether there will be a better job market in places of social instability as there are a number of factors to consider. I do remember seeing a lot of advertisements for jobs in Lebanon after Israel invaded a few years ago, though. Even if you found a job there, though, you should really ask yourself if it's a place where you want to live. Living abroad is stressful as it is, even in peaceful countries, and you want to add to the list possible ongoing violence and civil war?

Political activism is likely to be a problem for you in many countries of the world. If not with the government, then with employers. If you plan on writing for a foreign audience, you are less likely to have problems, but if you try to be an activist with your students you may find yourself out of a job very quickly. Or worse.

As for paying off your debt, it can be hard to do as a tefl teacher, especially at a newbie job. Asia is probably your best bet for finding a job that allows you to send this much money back home. The country that starts with a K has the highest pay for newbies, but you can also do reasonably well in Vietnam, or even China if you land the right job. You might also look into Taiwan and HK.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

If you can be more specific about what types of pieces you want to write, and for whom, it will be easier to advise you.

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

isteinma · Joined: 07 Mar 2011 Posts: 2

Definitely going to graduate first. My political activism would not involve trying to radicalize students, and would be limited to writing articles for leftist journals and papers in the United States. I would possibly use free/vacation time to interview local leftists and depending on how authoritarian the country is witness local demonstrations and strikes. For example if I'd been in Cairo over the last few weeks, I would have attempted to visit Tahrir Square, interview some people and write about it for a US audience (Probably under a pen name) in my spare time. That said if I were in say China I certainly wouldn't be showing up near demonstrations.

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

You don't seem to be interested in my neck of the woods (Japan), but here's my advice. I'd say focus on the teaching and skills needed to become a teacher. Your writing and activism are things done after you are done teaching for the day, and you should realize that they are separate. Don't let them get in the way of teaching, no matter how dedicated you are. Employers want responsible people, not teachers who get into trouble in their off hours.

Find out what more you need to know as a teacher in the countries where you are interested, then learn it.

tttompatz

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

From what I gather, it should be easier to get a job int eh Middle East then before, but you'll still need at least a couple years experience and probably an MA.

As for Latin America, it might be possible to be able to pay off loans, if you find some private students and really budget. And don't travel or save anything either.

Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and China are places where newbies often go and are able to save a bit. China might be harder than other places to save. Japan's market is flooded, but you might be able to get into JET.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

How long are you planning on doing this? If it's just for a year or two and you have some sort of future plan, you can get around the student loans. Depending on what type of loans you have, you should have either a 6- or 9-month grace period--that gives you time to build up some savings. And there is the deferment option. When I was in Peru and earning $700 per month, my loan payments (though they are quite low) would have taken a huge chunk out of that. One quick phone call and one easy form, and the loans were put on hold for a year.

As far as summer options, definitely don't look to make money--just look to minimize losses! There are places that will pay for room & board plus a salary, but maybe not airfare--that was my situation in China. Or maybe you'll get airfare + housing for a volunteer position. Or... etc. You could get lucky, but if you decide to do it, don't do it for the money!

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