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Arcane
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Posts: 10
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 Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 2:57 am Post subject: Best Opportunities for my skills/experience |
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I've lurked this board for a few years but this would be my first post. I would like to know from the more seasoned and knowledgeable of you what I can expect (or request) for a starting salary and living arrangements as a person with the following skills/experience:
1 year of professional (paid) ESL teaching experience in the USA.
.5 years volunteer ESL experience
Online TEFL Certification (accredited)
Bachelors Degree (Philosophy and Religious Studies)
So that I'm not taken advantage of, what should my starting salary look like for teaching in Korea, China, Thailand or Taiwan? I'm also curious about my prospects for teaching in Europe. Would they be pretty good?
Thanks for your time. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 3:32 am Post subject: |
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Be aware your online TEFL cert will limit you to jobs/countries that accept applicants with an online TEFL cert or none at all. So knock Europe off your list; you'd pretty much need a CELTA to compete for jobs in E. Europe (i.e., non-EU countries since you're American). Russia may be an option for you.
Others will comment on Asia.
Last edited by nomad soul on Mon Nov 24, 2014 2:26 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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MuscatGary
Joined: 03 Jun 2013
Posts: 1364
Location: Flying around the ME...
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 3:34 am Post subject: |
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| If you're from the US then Europe will be very difficult in terms of getting a visa I'm afraid. |
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 5:14 am Post subject: |
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Korea - 2.1 million krw/month (plus air and housing).
China - 6000 rmb/month + housing.
Taiwan - 50,000 twd/month with no benefits.
Thailand, 32,000 thb/month with no benefits.
(in a nutshell for those who can't convert or fathom currencies other than USD, $2000 in Korea, $1500 in Taiwan and $1000 everywhere else.
Unless you have a European passport you can pretty much forget about western Europe.
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I'm also curious about my prospects for teaching in Europe. Would they be pretty good? |
If you are not from the UK/Ireland, you have none.
If you are from the UK/Ireland, you would still need an on-site certification to be competitive for entry-level positions - including in Central/Eastern Europe. |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: Best Opportunities for my skills/experience |
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| Arcane wrote: |
I've lurked this board for a few years but this would be my first post. I would like to know from the more seasoned and knowledgeable of you what I can expect (or request) for a starting salary and living arrangements as a person with the following skills/experience:
1 year of professional (paid) ESL teaching experience in the USA.
.5 years volunteer ESL experience
Online TEFL Certification (accredited)
Bachelors Degree (Philosophy and Religious Studies)
So that I'm not taken advantage of, what should my starting salary look like for teaching in Korea, China, Thailand or Taiwan? I'm also curious about my prospects for teaching in Europe. Would they be pretty good?
Thanks for your time. |
Do a CELTA and try Asia. Cross Europe off your list. So, now you know you need a CELTA (or Trinity) in your hand, and you have some base salaries to compare, time to research where in Asia you want to go and where/when to take your CELTA.
Good luck! |
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Arcane
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 3:54 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for your replies. I've read a few suggestions like enrolling in a language(or other) study program and getting a student visa with work privileges. A co-worker was hired in Slovenia with nothing but an online TEFL cert, a degree, and zero experience. This was around 3-4 years ago so I don't know if the regulations have become more strict with this.
I see that CELTA is inevitably in my future. |
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Arcane
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 11:25 pm Post subject: |
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| suphanburi wrote: |
Korea - 2.1 million krw/month (plus air and housing).
China - 6000 rmb/month + housing.
Taiwan - 50,000 twd/month with no benefits.
Thailand, 32,000 thb/month with no benefits.
(in a nutshell for those who can't convert or fathom currencies other than USD, $2000 in Korea, $1500 in Taiwan and $1000 everywhere else.
Unless you have a European passport you can pretty much forget about western Europe.
. |
Thanks for this. This gives me a great idea. How much could these earnings/benefits potentially increase with a CELTA? Is it true that I need a Masters to teach anywhere in the Middle East? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 12:06 am Post subject: |
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| Arcane wrote: |
| Is it true that I need a Masters to teach anywhere in the Middle East? |
For Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE, you need a TEFL-related MA + university-level teaching experience (2-3 years) gained post-MA. The degree requirement varies for Oman. Depending on the contracting company, a related degree may or may not be required, with preference for a related MA. The Omani Ministry of Higher Ed also requires a related MA. Teaching experience for Oman positions can range from 2 to 4 years.
It's a mixed bag for Saudi Arabia; check out the job ads on this site and you'll see a range of requirements. However, most of these positions are with contracting companies that staff teachers for the universities and government contracts. Your current qualifications (unrelated BA + online TEFL cert) will get you zip in Saudi Arabia.
By contrast, the better university and government employers for Saudi Arabia (and the rest of the Gulf region) hire directly and generally begin their recruiting season every March during the TESOL Arabia conference/job fair in Dubai. You'd need a related MA + a few years of post-grad degree teaching experience to compete for those positions. (The ads for direct-hire positions state if a CELTA or other valid TEFL qualification is also needed.)
Be aware that the governments of Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia do not recognize university degrees that included online coursework. Online TEFL certs are rejected as well. |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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| Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 10:24 am Post subject: |
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| Arcane wrote: |
| suphanburi wrote: |
Korea - 2.1 million krw/month (plus air and housing).
China - 6000 rmb/month + housing.
Taiwan - 50,000 twd/month with no benefits.
Thailand, 32,000 thb/month with no benefits.
(in a nutshell for those who can't convert or fathom currencies other than USD, $2000 in Korea, $1500 in Taiwan and $1000 everywhere else.
Unless you have a European passport you can pretty much forget about western Europe.
. |
Thanks for this. This gives me a great idea. How much could these earnings/benefits potentially increase with a CELTA? Is it true that I need a Masters to teach anywhere in the Middle East? |
Those are salaries for a qualified EFL teacher, so, that is what you can expect with a CELTA. If you are lucky, maybe more or maybe less, depends on each position. There are jobs that pay over $2,000USD per month in China, but you might have some issues getting hired due to your lack of 2 years EFL exp. Check the China forums for more info.
Best advice? Do a CELTA and work another 1-2 years in a decent gig in Korea or China, then evaluate your situation. Maybe you will want to do a DELTA or start a MA TESOL at that time. |
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Arcane
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:17 am Post subject: |
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| Helps alot. Thanks everyone. |
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916
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| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 4:33 am Post subject: |
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| Prof.Gringo wrote: |
| Arcane wrote: |
| suphanburi wrote: |
Korea - 2.1 million krw/month (plus air and housing).
China - 6000 rmb/month + housing.
Taiwan - 50,000 twd/month with no benefits.
Thailand, 32,000 thb/month with no benefits.
(in a nutshell for those who can't convert or fathom currencies other than USD, $2000 in Korea, $1500 in Taiwan and $1000 everywhere else.
Unless you have a European passport you can pretty much forget about western Europe.
. |
Thanks for this. This gives me a great idea. How much could these earnings/benefits potentially increase with a CELTA? Is it true that I need a Masters to teach anywhere in the Middle East? |
Those are salaries for a qualified EFL teacher, so, that is what you can expect with a CELTA. If you are lucky, maybe more or maybe less, depends on each position. There are jobs that pay over $2,000USD per month in China, but you might have some issues getting hired due to your lack of 2 years EFL exp. Check the China forums for more info.
Best advice? Do a CELTA and work another 1-2 years in a decent gig in Korea or China, then evaluate your situation. Maybe you will want to do a DELTA or start a MA TESOL at that time. |
umm.... not really.
Those salaries are for anyone with:
A pulse,
The "correct" passport,
A degree,
The ability to actually get their paperwork done in order to apply for a visa.
Training, experience and certification usually aren't in the list of requirements.
Most employers in those countries wouldn't know a CELTA from a bowline on a bight and MOST advertise that "experience" or "training" is NOT required.
| Arcane wrote: |
| How much could these earnings/benefits potentially increase with a CELTA? |
They don't/won't...
BUT
A CELTA (or other legitimate TEFL cert) MAY help you stay employed once you start work.
The CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to ADULTS) won't help much if you will be working with kids (the vast majority of jobs in the East Asian market).
A generic TEFL might work better for you with you get dropped into a room with 50 bored kids and the only instructions you are given is "To teach".
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