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zorro (4)
Joined: 16 Feb 2009
Posts: 31
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 Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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In Malaysia, there is a reasonable size expat scene. Most of the expats work in oil and gas, which is a prestigious industry to work in.
I have lots of friends who are considered to be well off compared to your average Malaysian, but there are Malaysians who earn as much as the oil and gas expats.
Where do English teachers fit on this scale? Well in terms of pay, mine is a unique situation. I get paid a decent wage by my employer, which allows me to live a pretty decent lifestyle. I don't get paid as much as my oil and gas friends however (I wish...), but probably get paid within the top 15% of locals.
Naturally, all of these high earners tend to socialise in the same places and herein lie the complexities of social status as an English teacher in Malaysia. The locals in this situation expect these expats to be well off and have high status jobs, not to be rubbing shoulders with teachers.
Imagine the nouveau riche, in the trendiest bars and wearing the most expensive new Louis Vuitton garb rubbing shoulders with teachers!
It's a confusing and odd situation. |
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Marcoregano
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 872
Location: Hong Kong
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| Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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| denise wrote: |
| Desirable merchandise, sure... even a ticket out of the country in some cases. But is that the same as being generally respected by the locals? And I should add that I was thinking only of Japan, and of male teachers at the private eikaiwas whose lady friends had to explain to their families that their boyfriends were (only?) English teachers |
A ticket out of the country? Yes that's what I was talking about too, more or less.
Is that the same as being respected by locals? Er, no. Not sure there's necessarily a connection.
Only Japan? No need to restrict the arena...but I agree that TEFLers in Japan aren't going to rate as high as TEFLers in Thailand or the Phillipines, etc.!
Zorro, yes, - TEFLers can and do wind up in extraordinary situations - IMO that's one of the more appealing aspects of the job. |
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gaijinalways
Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 2279
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| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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Marcoregano posted
| Quote: |
| ....Only Japan? No need to restrict the arena...but I agree that TEFLers in Japan aren't going to rate as high as TEFLers in Thailand or the Phillipines, etc.! |
Not sure exactly what you mean. You mean as far as income wise or in some other way? |
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Marcoregano
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 872
Location: Hong Kong
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| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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| gaijinalways wrote: |
Marcoregano posted
| Quote: |
| ....Only Japan? No need to restrict the arena...but I agree that TEFLers in Japan aren't going to rate as high as TEFLers in Thailand or the Phillipines, etc.! |
Not sure exactly what you mean. You mean as far as income wise or in some other way? |
In terms of how they're regarded by the locals - their 'social standing'. I was referring to points raised earlier in the thread. In less developed countries like Thailand or Indonesia TEFLers will often be seen as high earners and may enjoy a high social status, but I imagine this will rarely (if ever) be the case in Japan. |
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Mr_Monkey
Joined: 11 Mar 2009
Posts: 661
Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu
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| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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I found that I wasn't looked down upon in Japan for being an English teacher, except by the international students at the local university, strangely.
It helps to speak more than a smattering of Japanese and to work at schools that are recognised in the area you live and have a solid reputation.
I was earning more in my last two years in Japan than a salaryman of the same age could expect, and I was working better hours. I don't see how a qualified and experienced English teacher in Japan would be considered bad marriage material.
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| But I got the impression that once those boys (Charisma Men??) tried to settle down and have a serious relationship, then the job issue came up. Being an English teacher could be more of a disadvantage than being a westerner was an advantage. |
Never happened to me or the majority of the men I knew from Japan who settled down with Japanese women. Then again, I'm a career teacher, and so are the majority of the blokes I know in Japan now. I don't know if a GEOS or AEON drone could expect the same attitude. |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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Got the ol' gal outta Japan in the early 90's (ichi-batsu and all that rot!) and she's never looked back for a moment. Ya know, there's those who fear the "thousand eyes" and those who'd rather get from under it. Got a job offer from a great university in Japan and she talked me outta it.
Life's like a "Box of Chocolates"...
NCTBA |
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