Job Discussion Forums

[dagi]

Last year I made up my mind and decided that I wanted to go abroad for a year, after graduation.
Now I have been in contact with schools and recruiters and nearly all of them suggest that I just come over and sort things out after arrival.
How many of you have done this?
Info: I've narrowed my choice down to China and Turkey and am not a native speaker, but do have a B.A. in Ed.
I just can't help it! I am very reluctant to just sublet my flat, pack up and fly over to China or Turkey. What if things don't work out and I can't get a job (cause I am not a native speaker)?
There is this doom scenario in my head, that I'll end up in Bejing or Istanbul with no money, not job and once I have agreed to sublet my flat I can't go back.

[31]

Come to Istanbul. You will have no problem. You will get good pay and conditions and your B ED will be most respected and sought after. You will have no problems whatsoever and who cares if you are not a native speaker?

You will be treated very well by all and sundry and will have a terrific year. Hey you might just stay longer than a year.

[tedkarma]

31 is giving you good advice, particularly if you are not a native speaker. Most non-native speakers will get their resumes/CVs/applications chucked in the garbage can. But, if a potential employer can meet you and hear and know that you are indeed fluent (assuming you are) - you should have no problem.

Turkey - you should be okay. Know that some Asian countries, though, will require a passport from what they consider to be English native-speaking countries. I don't know about China - you may want to check that particular issue on the China section of this board.

[dajiang]

I'm not a native speaker either, and it's harder for us to get jobs over the Internet. When you're applying for jobs in person, you'll have much more chance of getting a job.

You won't have any problems finding a job in China. The most important thing is that you've got a BA, so you can work in state schools, uni's, etc.
If your accent isn't too strong you should be fine.

Subletting is a good idea. Don't worry about coming back earlier, unless you get homesick there's always someplace to go to.
Especially in Asia, when you're on a budget you can last a looong time there.

One more thing: make sure you've got a stash of money in the bank just in case (a 1000 dollars or something). Always have enough to afford some mistakes or bad luck you might run into on the way. And get an open ticket so you've already got a flight home, and you won't have to worry about that.

Good luck,
Dajiang

[dagi]

"Subletting is a good idea. Don't worry about coming back earlier, unless you get homesick there's always someplace to go to. "

I live in Holland and there is a big shortage of housing. If I sublet without permission and my landlord finds out I will lose my flat, the contract will simply be terminated. I can sublet legally for two years with permission of my landlord. Only this means that I rent out my flat for a set time and won't be able to move back into my own flat before the set time has passed.
There is no other place I could stay here, I have no family here I could live with and my friends all have their own housing problems!

[mlomker]

[dajiang]

Hey fellow Dutchman!

I know what you're talking about with subletting your apartment. You've got to sus that out yourself (get permission). In your first post you said you were reluctant to sublet the apartment because of doomscenarios in your head.

Well, I was just saying there's no need to be afraid of doomscenarios, as long as you are prepared. Things usually work out. You will get a job abroad, anywhere you want, and a year goes by really fast.

You've just got to decide for yourself how much you really want to go. I reckon subletting is not a big thing (you said your friends had housing problems too, get one of them to take your place over. Most of my friends abroad do something like that.)

So, don't worry so much.
See you in China,
Dajiang

Btw Mlomker: nice weblog.

[yaramaz]

Dagi, you are German aren't you? Have you considered teaching in any of the German high schools in Istanbul? As well, there are several language schools that offer German classes. If you plan to teach English, it's possible too- I knew a woman who was Taiwanese who was teaching English in a private primary school. At my old school, two foreign teachers were non-native speakers (they spoke Afrikaans as a mother tongue and made mistakes in strongly accented English)-- though they were from South Africa which is in theory an 'English' country according to visa-issuers. Also, it's not hard to pick up private students here. I wouldn't worry too much. Just have enough money for the first month or two and you should be fine. They are really desperate for teachers right now.

[31]

They are really desperate for teachers right now.

Turkey tefling-you said it babe.

[dagi]

yaramaz, you are right, I am German (and a fully qualified German language teacher )
Like I said, I am just a bit reluctant to pack up and go. Maybe all I need is a kick in my lovely backside
I've applied at several schools in Turkey, but only one responded telling me that they did not have a vacant position. All the others did not even bother to send me an e-mail. But hey, that is sort of the same over here in Holland.
I am now applying for a job in Moscow and things look quite good, but Russia's too cold in the winter! I'd rather go to Istanbul....

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. It's just encouraging to read that things worked out for other people.

P.S.: For the fellow Dutchman: All my friends are desperately waiting for me to leave so they can rent my flat

[Cdaniels]

Turkey is good for beginning ESL teachers? Why is there a shortage now? Does the shortage have anything to do with the EU membership question? Is ESL teacher employment expected to slow down in the long term? Is Turkey a lot more desireable for European English teachers than US or Canadian teachers?