Job Discussion Forums

Simone · Joined: 21 Sep 2004 Posts: 12

I am a newbie, and will be arriving in Thailand in 3 weeks to do a CELTA course. I am doing it with ECC who promise a 12 month contract on completion of the course. However, I am not wholly convinced I want to teach in Thailand. Basically - I want to go EVERYwhere!
I just wondered how all of you chose your destinations, and what factors you considered.

I would also like to know where you have found it easiest to save a bit of money. I am coming with my fella and so we will benefit from a dual income, but we are saving towards a goal and need to be able to start putting some money aside.

Thanks for all of your help!

S.
x

Simone · Joined: 21 Sep 2004 Posts: 12

anyone?...

Irish · Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 371

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I didn't really choose Turkey. It chose me. When I first became qualified I applied to every country under the sun. The first offer I had was in Turkey. I took it and have never looked back.

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

Good topic.

Many teachers I’ve come across have no idea why they work or have worked in their countries. They have no knowledge or affinity with that country whatsoever.

If you really like the country you teach in, and would like it in 5 years time, you’re very lucky. You’re also in the minority.

p.s. When you’ve done your CELTA, get as far away from ECC as you can. Even with that 4-weeks of training, you deserve a lot lot more.

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

In my case, it was the type of organisation and language training that the company was providing that interested me. Not really the country. I can't say I've been disappointed by this place, though.
basil

ps interesting topic

leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

I didn't have any exclusive selectment criteria before. Next time, the most important thing on my list will be a country whose culture I can relate with and integrate with (to a certain extent). Lots of English teachers live "on the outskirts" of the cultures and societies of the countries they work in. I don't want to do that.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I chose Japan because I had lived and worked in Japan previously.

JDYoung · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 157 Location: Dongbei

1. Where can you work legally. For me that eliminated much of Europe because I'm not a passport holder of an EU country. Then you need to consider whether or not the government of the country requires things like degrees for work permits and whether or not you have what they want. Fortunately I have a bachelor's so that wasn't a problem.

2. Whether or not there will be any unwritten rules about who can work there. I ran into a lot of places that didn't want me because of my age (55 at the time). You also said you have a partner. You may need to be aware of any rules about legal marriages if you plan on cohabiting.

3. Is there anything about the culture you would find intolerable - religion, health standards and risks, food, standards of personal hygiene.

4. Now that you have eliminated some countries you can begin to look at the actual teaching situation.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Got a globe, spun it on the floor, took out a straw and spit ball and spat. First one landed on Antarctica and I didn't fancy teaching to penguins. Next one hit Japan.

Boy Wonder · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 453 Location: Clacton on sea

UK- Was born there
Greece- 1st place to call back with job offer plus I'd never been there.
France- the prospect of working in the Alps.
Poland- women.
Spain- chance to work alongside a good buddy.
Qatar- money
Papua New Guinea-idyllic even paced lifestyle

foster · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 485 Location: Honkers, SARS

Applied at Nova in Japan, a few places in Taiwan and Nova was the first to respond. I went. Twas ok, but not perfect. They helped me get set up, the Visa and all went well, so I was happy.

Hong Kong came after a trip to HK. I fell in love with the place, had to move here. Great job offers and all, found a great place to live...it was all good good good...and still is.

I like Gordon's method tho! Smile

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

I followed my nose ... to China!

Actually I didn't want to have to go around begging for hours (Europe), nor work too many. And I wanted to live a good lifestyle, by local standards. And I didn't want to teach children, little monsters!

Sounds like asking for too much? Well, it's pretty easy to find any kind of job here. There are just so damn many of them. I am working at a small technical school now, teaching college kids. I enjoy it, it's satisfying work ... and the food is delicious!

The Mainland is a bit of an asylum, and maybe not for first - time teachers -- then again, I am a first timer and I find it to be a really great experience!

Just don't come over here if you're an alcoholic, we already have enough of those.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Simone · Joined: 21 Sep 2004 Posts: 12

Hod - what's up with ECC? A lot of people have said we should stay clear of them, but some have said its a great 'first job'. We don't mind spending time looking for a job, and we have budgeted for a few months of unemployment, but we have no idea what the job market is like in Thailand and so the promise of 12 months employment straight away is quite appealing. I would welcome any negative or positive information about ECC. Confused