Job Discussion Forums

[melssa]

Hello all. I am a person working with TeachAway in the Middle East. A lot of people mention that those who work with TeachAway don't normally come onto this board; well here I am! Anyway, my situation was that I came over here and was placed in a school that has severe discipline issues. The children never shut up, they run around the room, they spit, fight constantly (I'm getting punched and bit breaking up the fights), they throw things, steal, don't come to class or leave in the middle of class, and break each others things. As far as teaching goes...well what teaching...but seriously their English ability is super low and I'm expected to teach Math and Science, which they can't get either because they won't behave long enough for me to explain a simple worksheet. I have zero resources, zero support from administration, parents breathing down my neck. I have special needs children in my class that aren't getting support that they need. I have researched, asked for assistance...no one can handle this class it seems, besides the Arabic teachers that beat them. I have asked for a transfer many times, and it has been refused, so now I'm contemplating leaving my position and going somewhere else.

I will have about 5k in savings. A friend and I have tickets to Thailand, I'm considering leaving sooner than later. I'm not interested in really teaching English there because I know you don't make much money at all, so I'm considering Japan, S. Korea, or Taiwan. About me: I have a Masters in Education, my experience is limited to 7 months teaching in an afterschool environment, 5 months as a longterm sub, regular subbing for a year or so, and 2-3 months in the Middle East. I have worked with age ranges from prek-8, but feel more comfortable with younger grades. I have lived in Japan for 6 months and loved it. About my friend: he has a BA but not in Education, and no TESOL. He has also spent 6 months in Japan and the past 5 months in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. He also has savings built up.

We are considering heading to Thailand for a month or so, and then heading somewhere else. I know it's quite difficult to get into Japan nowadays and that the cost of living is high (although to be honest since we've been there, we know how to cut some of the costs), South Korea seems a bit dodgy and the culture isn't one we really love, but they DO offer great packages and lots of expats teaching there which would be helpful. Finally, we are both interested in Taiwan but it seems very difficult to gain any type of package and the hours seem quite long. I've been working 30 hours a week (minus planning, grading, and professional development) and would really like to find a place in particular that is a bit more easygoing, a little less expected in teaching hours, and where the children aren't trying to stab each other with pencils or threatening to cut off my hair if I try to discipline them.

Any advice for us? Thanks in advance!

[tttompatz]

Bad timing for most "school" jobs.

Lots of opportunities for language academies (after school work teaching English). The WORST time of the year to be looking in SE Asia is Dec - Feb but it is the best time to be looking if Korea is on your list (go register on the Korean forums).

Taiwan has decent packages (70-80k TWD + benefits) in government schools for teachers with home country certification as does Hong Kong.

International schools are another option to look at, especially in places like Thailand, and the remuneration packages in the decent ones are comparable to what you would get back home (assuming you come from an anglophone country with passport and certification to match).

.

[melssa]

I had the feeling it would be bad timing for school jobs. I was thinking that perhaps I could head to Thailand and try to teach privately and in that way maybe make something I could live on while there without touching too much of my savings, and then after a few months head to South Korea or Taiwan.

I have no problem looking at international schools, but I wonder if I would really have a chance to be hired - I don't necessarily have 2 full years of teaching experience and I'm sure competition is very steep. I am a white American woman, not bad looking, which seems to make a difference. I spent some time in Japan doing conversation classes for Japanese businessmen so I figured I could possibly do the same thing in Thailand for a bit. Ttompatz, I've seen you around here before and you mentioned in one of your posts that you have a pretty sweet deal going in Thailand (if you are the person I am thinking of!) and I was wondering what qualifications you had to get such a great position? Wondering what I should be aiming for.

[tttompatz]

[melssa]

I am definitely a certified teacher. M.Ed, certified k-9. Could you help direct me to a listing of these mid-tier schools? I have no clue how to find out which ones they might be. I really appreciate all of your help!

[tttompatz]