Job Discussion Forums

[Landon]

It has been a while since I have checked in here at Dave's. I'm sure threads have been posted like this over the years; but I am interested to see what current teachers are saying.

With qualifications aside, what is your favorite country to teach EFL currently? Or, what country would be your next choice to teach in 2016?

I am just asking for personal opinions. Why do you like it? Is it wages, demand, safety, cost of living, expat community, culture, comfort, etc, etc?

There are so many places in the world with EFL opportunities, it is hard to keep track of evolutions year after year. I know that there are great places out there today that I wouldn't have considered in the past.

I thought of making this a poll, but the options would almost be endless.

[twowheel]

China (and in particular Beijing) suits me best in 2016.

twowheel

[Jmbf]

Hong Kong still ticks most of the boxes for me. It offers the best of both worlds, the opportunity to explore what the East has to offer while still enjoying the comforts of the West. Safety, convenience, earning potential and demand are all top notch. Ultra fast and uncensored internet access is cheap and widely available. Cost of living is high but rents have been coming down recently and this trend looks to continue.

[Landon]

Thanks guys. There are no other preferences or dream EFL locations out there? Just Beijing and Hong Kong?

[spiral78]

I think the lack of replies is a testament to the maturation of the industry. Outside of Asia (and I can't speak for Latin America), the competition for jobs has grown substantially over the past decade+. This translates into more demanding employers in terms of qualifications and experience, and flatter salaries.

It used to be fairly easy to find a reasonably well-paid job with minimal (or zero) investment into qualifications in many places. That's just not true anymore.

So, while many of us really love working in Europe, for example, most people would hesitate to tout the European region as a mecca for EFL. This is because newbies here face significant competition for jobs, need at least basic quals, and can expect to earn subsistence level salaries.

Getting the better jobs in most job markets these days require more-than-newbie stuff...so the great destinations for the masses are more limited than in the past.

[Landon]

Great response. That is what I was looking for. I would think that the new frustration with Europe and others would point teachers to other locations. The new hot spots for EFL is what I wanted to hear.

The industry has changed more than once since I began to plan for this career, and I am surprised at what I am finding.

So, with industry changes, where are your favorite new spots; for newbies and for well-qualified.

[spiral78]

I actually think it's all a bit more limited than it used to be. There are fewer places where newbies can walk in and earn reasonable wages, as I noted...getting the better jobs in tight markets requires dues paid and can be iffy even then.

I don't think you are going to get a long list of EFL hotspots here!

[Landon]

A couple years ago Korea was all the rage around here. I had always preferred LA, but that has never paid well. I may be wrong, but now it is looking like China and SE Asia are best options. I guess Europe is difficult (I couldn't go there anyway), Middle East is difficult, LA has some demand but pays very little.

It takes some time to get oriented to the landscape every time I check back in on my plans.

[kurtz]

This is an interesting question with many sides to it. A question many people ask themselves I think.

An EFL destination appeals to different people for different reasons. For example, many men gravitate to SE Asia, or to a lesser extent, NE Asia, purely for access to Asian woman. Others like the buzz of Asia and its history, its architecture and food. Furthermore, others think it is the best place to bank coin. Everyone is different.

I am currently very happy being in a European culture where the vast majority of people are locals, rather than expats who quite offen act in a way they wouldn't back home. However, my time here is finite and once my significant other finishes her studies, I think it is back to Asia as that is where my wife finds work the easiest.

Personally, as I have explored and worked in less developed countries, I would like to work in a country that is stable, isn't too hot and has easy access to mountain trails. Many European countries fit that bill, but that will have to happen later in life.

In short, I think Hong Kong would suit me fine; modern, clean, has mountains and seasons.

OP, feel free to PM me about an off-the-beaten- track destination.

[Kowloon]

[danshengou]

[mitsui]

Yes. But housing must be the thing to think about.
If you can pay less in rent, it would help a lot.
Otherwise, Hong Kong seems good.

[Jmbf]

[MotherF]

[danshengou]