Job Discussion Forums

[little horsey]

I posted this in the General Asia forum, but I think maybe someone here can better help me out. Here I go:

I was just wondering if there are any people here who have been to Myanmar to teach. Anyone still there? What is the teaching and living situation for foreigners like? Can anyone point me to some job listing sites that have positions in Myanmar? Or perhaps recommend some schools? Anything would be great.

I'm aware of the reasons not to go and the reasons a person could possibly justify going. At this stage, it's pure curiousity. That, and I like to be well-informed before I rule anything out!

Thanks.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Greetings little horsey:

Given the current political situation, there are not too many paid jobs in Myanmar on offer these days.

However, I have a couple leads which may help. The first 2 are private schools in Yangon with an English curriculum. At the very least, these people could tell you where the Myanmar TEFL jobs are. You could e-mail them (along with your CV) for further info:

http://www.horizon.com.mm/ (Horizon International - Yangon)

http://www.asia-pacific-connections.com/yangon/ (APC - based in Vancouver / *looks like they might be hiring*)

And here's another link to something that looks like a paid position:

http://www.jobsabroad.com/Myanmar.cfm (International Education Center of Myanmar - Yangon)

If you'd consider volunteering, you might also want to contact these folks:

http://www.geocities.com/maesotbvp/ (Burma Volunteer Program)

http://www.myanmar-aid.org/ (The Andrew Clark Trust)

And finally, the info below comes from the US State Dept:

American Center Rangoon
http://rangoon.usembassy.gov/wwwh-american-center.html
14 Tawwin Road
Dagon Township
RANGOON, Burma City, Burma
Contact: Shirley Nang Hom Leik
Telephone: 95-1-223140/223106/221585
Fax: 95-1-221262
E-mail: [email protected]

Comments: The American Center Rangoon conducts a small English program with highly qualified native speaker TESOL specialists. High school graduates with basic proficiency in English may apply for the placement test. Semesters are three months, three times a year.

[Phil_b]

[little horsey]

Ah, thanks so much, Kent.

I had e-mailed that school that seems to be hiring because I think it's from the summer and has expired now. Anyways, still no word.

[Sheep-Goats]

I've seen positions in Myanmar advertised on the Ajarn.com jobs board (primarily for Thailand) from time to time. I've also heard that more than one teacher has been contacted by schools needing teachers though the post-your-resume service at ajarn.com.

I suspect that if you were actually in Myanmar you would find more opportunities. It seems like the economy there is picking up somewhat -- which is bad news for the people as it just means their retarded, demonic, nearly-Khmer-Rouge-in-the-atrocities-department government will remain in power, but good news for English teachers wanting to go there in the future.

The salaries I saw were slightly higer than those in Thailand, but certainly nothing to write home about. Myanmar is a really backwards country -- one of the most backward on Earth -- you can't get internet access at home, for example. The people live in fear of the government. But they're also very friendly and curious -- just not open like the Thais, probably because a little too much of the wrong kind of openess lands you in a goverment penal colony or brings a bunch of soliders to your house to rape your sister.

Due to the political situation there I'd advise you to find a way to put your money offshore somehow, as you never know...