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lizcat100
Joined: 19 Jul 2005
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
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 Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:43 pm Post subject: need advice on teaching abroad!! |
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Hi everyone!
I am a graduate student currently finishing my Master's thesis for English Literature. I have also completed a Certifcate in Post-Secondary Composition. After I finish my thesis I am looking to teach English abroad for awhile, anywhere from six months to a year, and need advice about all the different opportunities out there!
First off, is it better to go with a program and which is the best one? So far the most popular seem to be Global TESOL, Oxford Seminars, and Bridge-L. I like the idea of using a program to set me up and help me find a good job while I am still in the States, but I do not want to waste money. I have heard that it may be better to go to the country I decide to live in, and do a program there.
Secondly, where is the best place to go if I am interested in both making some fairly good money and enjoying a fun, friendly environment? I have heard mixed reviews about teaching in Asia. Is the money really worth it? Are there any programs that set you up with apartments with other teachers so that I could have a few English-speaking friends? I have traveled a lot, and lived abroad in Australia, but I don't enjoy being completely alone, and the Lost in Translation idea is not entirely appealing to me. For example, I have seen some programs that set you up in an apartment by yourself in Japan, and that seems kind of lonely. However, I would love to explore Asia.
Is it possible to find a job in Spain, Italy, or any of the Latin American countries that pay fairly well? Most I have seen look like they pay peanuts.
A little about me: I am 26 years old, live in San Francisco, and like to be social and have fun. While I am comfortable with travel and living abroad, I like the idea of having things set up for me in advance, before I depart.
I am sure I will have more and more questions as I learn more, so I will just leave these for now. I would greatly appreciate any and all advice you guys could give me!!
Thanks!
Lizcat |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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| I have heard mixed reviews about teaching in Asia. |
No offense, but that is probably because there are so many countries in Asia that differences abound. Not every country has the same situation.
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| Is the money really worth it? |
That would be up to the individual and the type of experience offered by the employer as well as the culture in the country, plus the teacher's own background. Live in a hick town in Iowa all of your life, for example, then start teaching in the metropolis of Tokyo, and you may experience too much culture shock to make it "worthwhile".
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| Are there any programs that set you up with apartments with other teachers so that I could have a few English-speaking friends? |
Yes, but not many (here in Japan, anyway).
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| However, I would love to explore Asia. |
You are being hired to teach, not sightsee. No offense again. In Japan, your work schedule will likely not permit much travel in most cases.
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| is it better to go with a program and which is the best one? |
If you are not very independent, or if you don't have much money to set yourself up (in Japan), you'd be better off going with some sort of "program". Global, by the way, has had its share of negative points, as expressed on this forum, so do a search to read them. For Japan, about the only programs are the JET Programme and a similar one by Earlham College. Be advised, however, that they usually post teachers in rural areas, and that you are not a teacher but an assistant. Otherwise, if you cannot afford to come here to look for work, your only option is to try getting hired by conversation schools that hire from abroad and provide visa sponsorship. There are about 10, and you are at the mercy of their recruiting schedules and locations. |
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lizcat100
Joined: 19 Jul 2005
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Sounds like Japan may not be for me. Thanks for your advice though! Is there anyone else out there is some of the other Asian countries (or anywhere, really!) that may have some words of wisdom or reccomendations? |
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expatben
Joined: 05 Apr 2005
Posts: 214
Location: UK...soon Canada though
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| Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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| I havent been there yet but I�m on my way to Poland. I have heard mostly good things about it there but have not yet experienced it (you may wanna look at the Poland board). In Spain working 1 month at the moment and I would reccomend Spain. |
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Kent F. Kruhoeffer
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
Posts: 2129
Location: 中国
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| Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 3:35 am Post subject: |
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Hi lizcat100
Consider posting your questions on the individual country forums.
A lot of 'regular' posters don't bother checking the Newbie Forum. |
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