Job Discussion Forums

[simon_capetown]

Hi
This is going to be a bit of a long post as I have a few questions about ESL as a potential career.
My story in short:
I m 37 years old and graduated from university in South Africa many years ago with a degree in Industrial Psychology. Since then I have owned and operated my own businesses. They have ranged from owning a restaurant, manufacturing companies and a security company.

Last year I deceded I needed a change in my life. I sold my existing business, paid up the mortgages on my existing properties and applied to the Epik program in Korea. I then did a CELTA qualification.

In February I arrived in Busan and have been teaching here for the last couple of months.

I am enjoying teaching, but I realise that to get ahead in this game I need additional qualifications and I am going back to my University in Cape Town next year to do my PGCE and then coming back to Korea for another year.

My questions are the following:
1.Once I have my PGCE, how many years experiece would I need before I would be considered for good jobs in the ME, Thailand, Vietnam or China?
2. My long term plan is to retire to a "cheap" country in about 15 years time. My current properties in Cape Town give me a rental income of about 2000 USD per month.

To those long term teachers out there, is my plan feasible and have any of you followed a similar path?

Thanking you for your replies in advance
Simon

[denise]

Good ME jobs generally ask for previous experience (2 years should be enough) in tertiary education, so when you go back to Korea, aim for university jobs. Otherwise, your experience might not count.

d

[tttompatz]

[naturegirl321]

2 years experience for intl school jobs is the norm.

$2000 a month should be fine. We also plan to go the rental property route.

[simon_capetown]

To everyone, thanks for the replies so far

@naturegirl321, I tried to reply to your pm but unfortunately don't have enough posts.

@tompatz, thanks for the advice. I plan to use ESL as a stepping stone to living in some countries which I might not have been able to do. I don't think my South African passport is too much of an issue in Asia. i know in Europe it is, not sure about South America. Where have you bought property, if you dont mind me asking?

Does anyone know if some universities recognise PGCE for job positions? I'm not agains doing my masters or DELTA at a later stage, but I figure PGCE will give me a slight edge agains most of the people applying for ESL positions.

Also, do you think my age , 37 , will prohibit a long career in ESL. i'm prepared get some qualifications, but have I left it too late?

Any advice is appreciated, thanks
Simon

[tttompatz]

[scot47]

If I had that income I would live as a rentier !

[veiledsentiments]

[simon_capetown]

@veiledsentiments
Thanks. That is exactly my plan. Glad to hear from someone who has accomplished this already. I figure that as my properties are paid off, I should save close to 45 000 USD this year (my salary in Korea and my rentals from my properties)
Would you mind telling me how you invested your money after your mortgage was paid up?
I would like to buy some property in Thailand or the Philipines at some stage. I know that foreigners are not allowed to own land, but can invest in apartments.
Anyway, appreciate the advice
Simon

[veiledsentiments]

[simon_capetown]

VM, Thanks for the info.

[MotherF]

I'd go for the MA over the PGCE. You could even do a distance one while in Korea. The University of Stellenbosch has one as does UNISA.

You could retire comfortably in Mexico and most of Central America on US $2000 a month. But that could change in 15 years time.