Job Discussion Forums

[Markrly]

Hello, I am currently about to start the final year of my bachelors degree and figure now is the right time to start beginning research on English teaching opportunities because I feel it is what I really want to do at this point in my life while I don't have any obligations other then student loans to ground me in one place.

I am particularly interested in Asia and wonder the current questions:

Which country will I be able to save the most money currently? (I know there is a search function but so many threads are from 2005 and older which was 7 years ago and I'm not certain the situations are the same as then)

Which country has the overall best opportunities right now?(in terms of hours worked versus salary versus comfortable lifestyle and living conditions cost of living)

The best TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate schools, I live in New Jersey, particularly Rutgers University and Oxford Seminars is offered on campus here but my google searches on the program seem to state this program is not worth it at all. Opinions on this and other options for TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificates?

Any help with answering or providing information for someone in my position is appreciated thanks everyone.

[nomad soul]

Markrly, what is your degree in? Also, what are your career interests/goals? In other words, are you looking to teach EFL short term before moving on to something else, or do you plan to make it a career?

[Markrly]

[nomad soul]

Have you done some volunteer teaching at any of your local nonprofit ESL literacy or refugee centers? It's a good way to try it out to see if you even like teaching.

[Markrly]

[Glenski]

[nomad soul]

Be aware that teaching at the adult level is not the same as assisting in a classroom with special needs children. I suggest doing some volunteer ESL teaching one day a week to get your feet wet. It's not the same as full-time, paid teaching experience, but it will certainly give you a taste of what TESOL is like.

While some countries don't require a TESOL certificate, it's smart to get one anyway, especially for the sake of your students. For the best entry-level qualification, go with either a CELTA or an equivalent TEFL cert that entails 120 hours of face-to-face instruction and includes a supervised teaching component with real students. The Oxford Seminars course does not meet these requirements.

Lastly, here's a recent link about where to teach and save money: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=95114

[Markrly]

[tttompatz]

Gross salaries (US dollars per month) for people fresh off the plane:

Korea = $1800-2500 (plus housing and airfare).
Japan = $2000-3000 (no benefits)
Taiwan = $1800 (no benefits)
Vietnam = $2000 (no benefits)
Thailand - $1200 (no benefits)
China $500-2500 (negotiable: plus housing and airfare)

Gross salary is NOT a good measure due to widely varying levels of costs of living. Savings at the end of the year are a much better measure.

$2000/mo in China lets you save about $12k per year.
$2500/mo in Korea, even with the added benefits only lets you save about $10k per year.
$2000/mo in Thailand lets you save about $14k per year.

You will always do better in your 2nd year after you have:
a) proven yourself in the classroom
b) made connections (it is about who you know and who knows you).

If you really need to pay down a student loans then Korea is the best choice for a fresh off the plane, green as grass newbie. You need to register on the Korean forums for further discussion on Korea. It is not allowed in the general forums.

.

[Glenski]

[EFLeducator]

[Glenski]

I wouldn't necessarily agree that teaching adults is easy. Many people complain about business English classes where students don't show up regularly, for one thing, and there are other problems in that field.

[bulgogiboy]

[spiral78]

Ah, come on. Are you trying to suggest that all EFL students everywhere in the world are not exactly the same??!!!
Surely you jest.

[Sashadroogie]

Spiral, of course they are all the same. My mate down the pub said so.