Job Discussion Forums

[Tiszy]

Hello all! I was wanting to know some information about teaching english abroad. I have been a host mother to international students for the past ten years here in the U.S. I have just received my bachelors degree in Speech Language Pathology. I will not continue on with a masters because I do not want to practice SLP (Too much politics with medicare. You spend more time on paperwork than in actual treating/teaching). Anyway, I have taken phonology, phonetics (IPA). Know the symbols by heart. I was wondering what the procedures are for teaching abroad, is it hard to get a job, what does it pay, how are the living arrangements, etc. I would like to know as much information as possible if someone has the time. I am single, no obligations in the U.S, except for my home, my daughter is grown and on her own, and I am ready to explore and do what I would like to do (44 here). If anyone has the time I would greatly appreciate it. My sister has a teaching degree in Social Studies (secondary education) and I would love for her and I go together on this venture). Would it be hard for us to work in the same place and live together? Thanking all in advance.

Teresa in Oklahoma

[Glenski]

Tiszy,

First, you have to decide what kind of institution you want to teach at. High school? University? Conversation lounge? Kindergarten? Etc.

In Japan, your degree alone makes you eligible for conversation schools (eikaiwas) and little else. If you are very lucky, you might get into an international school, but not much else. Experience here is the key, and you simply have to get it from the bottom rung on the ladder (eikaiwas) in most cases. For someone with a degree in a field such as yours, eikaiwa work (here and in other countries) will probably be extremely boring and degrading.

Another option is to look into the JET Programme. Again, the work is not what you may like. You will be an ALT, not a full-blown teacher, and your co-teacher will be Japanese, likely with communication difficulties between the two of you even though he teaches English! Your age is over the guideline for JET ALTs, but that guideline is somewhat flexible, and JET has hired people older than the guideline. At least JET would be a foot in the door to allow you to experience the teaching environment and to make contacts.

Not many places here hire people to work together. If they are hiring several people at once, they are usually a bigger outfit and will send you where they have the vacancies. Of course, you can both request the same area, and they will merely promise to do the best they can to accommodate your requests, but in the end it boils down to which branch office has the openings.

[Chris_Crossley]

Glenski wrote:

[amberrollins]

I say, come to China! You're qualified to work anywhere you like - elementary, middle, high schools, language schools, and universities. I teach at a university, and although the contract was initially only for me, when we arrived, they hired my husband, too! China is very open to families and couples, unlike Japan, where I was rejected by three jobs who initially offered me a contract after they learned I was married.

It's pretty much SOP in China for you to get free accomodation (private, not shared), free utilities, and free Internet, besides furniture, TV, cooker, fridge, and microwave. Schools will also reimburse you for your flight there and buy your ticket back at the end of your contract. Plus, native-speaking EFL teachers are in high demand here. You can get a job in any part of the country you fancy.

The students are sweet and helpful. They try very hard. In my case, the administration pretty much keeps out of my way and lets me teach how I like. I'm treated very well, and have National Day week, May Day week, Christmas, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Spring Festival off. I've been here for one year, am about to start another, and truly want to stay here for a long time after that.

So come on!

[Sekhmet]

It all depends where you want to go. There are other places in the world besides Asia, and they are all loads of fun in their own little ways. Egypt is far and away the nicest country I ever visited. Although you generally need a teaching certificate to work here, they are not hard to come by, and especially in Alex, jobs are VERY easy to find.

The people are also extremely friendly, the weather is good, and despite the pollution (considerably less than in Cairo!!!), this is a wonderful city, with the sea never more than 15 minutes away...

Teacher training courses are often run here, there are several international companies frequently looking for staff, cost of living is ludicrously small, and just generally, it's a great place to be!!!