Job Discussion Forums

jamieldavidson · Joined: 20 Apr 2010 Posts: 4

Hello - I am trying to figure out where to look for my next job.

I have about a year of experience, a CELTA and B.S. in Psychology.

I spent last year in South America (awesome) with a low paying job and building debt. So now I'm going for quite the opposite. I am interested in the Middle East - it seems that they pay well. But perhaps I don't have the credentials? Can anyone point me in a direction toward a location or type of school where I would be qualified and would receive a decent salary allowing me to save?
Thank you!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I think that if you check out the Middle East forums here, you'll find that a related MA + at least 2 years experience (post MA) is needed for most decent ME jobs. I would guess that Korea is your best bet as a basically-qualified teacher for the best pay in your situation.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

In China, with the CELTA, you could make about 5,000 yuan a month. That's as opposed to someone without CELTA, who would only make about 5,000 yuan a month.

tttompatz · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:50 pm Post subject:

Depends on where YOU are FROM.

If you hold a passport from an anglophone country in addition to your CELTA and degree then Asia is still the best bang for the buck.

Go register on the Korean forums for specifics on that country (great place to save money - SAVINGS on the order of US$12k are easily do-able).

There is also the JET program in Japan if you can get in. Good pay and benefits and low start-up costs.

Vietnam has good potential for those with a degree and a decent TESOL cert.

Thailand is OK to start in Asia. You won't get rich in your first year but the potential is certainly there to move up in terms of job and remuneration in your 2nd year after you make some connections and prove yourself.

With a degree and a CELTA you can easily get a job in China. Look for positions with salaries in the 6-10k RMB range (plus benefits).

WITH THE EXCEPTION of Korea and the JET program in Japan you will need airfare to Asia AND about US$2k to get you settled and through to your first pay. After that you are good as gold.

sainthood · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:14 pm Post subject:

[quote=tttompatz ]WITH THE EXCEPTION of Korea and the JET program in Japan you will need airfare to Asia AND about US$2k to get you settled and through to your first pay. After that you are good as gold.[/quote]

I disagree with this bit! Depending on what the deal consists of, you won't NEED to have that sort of cash, but always remembering that having some is good! $2K is the equivalent of half a year's salary for most of the workers you're going to meet... and much more than most students see in a year.

But yes, you will be fronting up your airfare, and getting some of it back when you finish your first year (but check your contract... make sure you know your contract... so when they try to stiff you like they are me right now, you'll be confident a lawyer can scare them effectively!)