Job Discussion Forums

[sigmoid]

I've only taught in Thailand and Vietnam. Vietnam wasn't so bad, but it was worse than Thailand in a number of important ways so I would have to say for me it is the 'worst' country I have taught in, although I would add that Thailand is not so great either.

It was fairly boring and undeveloped in my opinion.

What's the 'worst' country in Asia that you have taught in?

[Gordon]

I'm not sure how statistically reliable your poll is as most of us try to avoid the places we think are the worst. However, I'll go along. I have only taught in Korea and Japan. No brainer, Korea was worse, but it was a different type of job, not worthy of comparison.

[ghost]

It depends on what your criteria are. But from an overall perspective, Taiwan does not win a lot of kudos from this poster - and the money is not the factor, but rather the quality of life, or the lack thereof, which can make Taiwan a boring place outside (and inside) of class.

The problem with Taiwan is that (in this poster's case) most of the students dealt with lack imagination, curiosity and basic spark and this makes teaching most students in Taiwan a rather dull affair.

Whether it is teaching in the Buxibans where students only learn in the rote memorization way, to the High Schools where most of the students are burnt out and sleep in class, to adult conversation classes, this teacher has found that teaching was a drag compared to most other locales.

So in Taiwan - the money earned is very decent, and one can save, but the students and the general atmosphere is dull/boring/uninspiring...

Vietnamese students are brighter, more curious about the world, and are culturally more aware of what is going on. In Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, you can teach some interesting adult classes and most of the students are bright, and certainly more animated than many of the human robots one encounters in Taiwan.

In Cambodia/Laos/Thailand - if you teach adults, they tend to come from a middle to upper middle class background, and they are quite interesting to teach, but less so than the Vietnamese.

In Thailand, if you teach children, they tend to come from wealthy families, and are often rather spoiled, blase and unenthusiastic.....like most other children. However, if you teach in a public school system, the Thai children are more interesting and dynamic.

Have not taught in Korea or Japan, but would guess that Japan would be better than Korea.

Ghost in Taichung, Taiwan.

[gaijinalways]

It really does depend on your criteria for rating the worst.

Thailand - friendly people, great food, cheap, wages poor, bad pollution in the cities

Japan - expensive, great money, pretty good food, indifferent people, nice babes, in the cities, lodging is cramped, great transportation

Taiwan - extremely friendly people, great food, bad polution


Hong Kong - great food, fun areas, access to China, lived near banana trees and the beach

So best? Probably Japan, but I am married here and have a pretty good job.

[mick_luna]

I'm interested in japan for a couple of reasons, one is the babe factor you mentioned. I'm told it is possible to get teaching works sans degree with experience, which i have - brazil, czech rep.,vietnam (my only country in asia, i didn't find it friendly at all, unless you like prostitutes). Any word on that? also, are there any friendlier, artistic communities there outside the big city?i'm also a freelance artist/writer. i think someone mentioned Nova as a possibility for teaching sans degree.
cheers
Mick
www.portfolios.com/exotica
www.exotica.freeservers.com

[mick_luna]

it sounds like you liked Taiwan as well. Was the dating scene good there too? I guess same question about that as japan, any work opps. outside big polluted cities? any artist communities?
cheers
m

[TEAM_PAPUA]

I've worked in Korea (6 months), Indonesia (2 years) China (2 years) and now back in Indonesia.

China has got to be the worst. Noise and filth & that's just the people!!

If you want to experience the 'land that time, manners, behaviour, education forgot' then go over to the Peoples' Republic.

[Jizzo T. Clown]

[gaijinalways]

Intentional thread highjacking!

[mick_luna]

thanks for the helpful info Gaijin! so is taiwan the last of the big three to allow work on a student visa? i heard korea did too, 20 hours a week, but don't know how that would work out financially.

[gemini22]

I am a 26 year old, very extroverted, fun girl who needs a little adventure. I graduate with my Masters in Education in June. I wanted to go to Spain so I could teach and pick up some Spanish. I heard that it is good to go to an Asian country first to save up money.
So here it is�
I have been almost obsessively studying the differences between Taiwan, Japan and South Korea for weeks trying to decide where to go. This was very helpful. I was offered a contract from American Language Village in Taiwan. I have until the March 25th to decide.

Here is my dilemma. I want my boyfriend to come with me, and it would be nice if he cold work. He does not have a degree; I am worried if he can get into Japan? Any ideas? Anyone with experience in this?

[Jizzo T. Clown]

gemini22--

Try the Japan forum. The answers to all of your questions can be found there.

[acwilliams]

China is getting some bad press here! Thought I'd try to redress the balance a little by voting for Indonesia. One year in Jakarta - never again. Polluted, stinking, ugly, dangerous traffic, and nothing to do except hang out in bars and shopping malls. Worse by far than any Chinese city (and there are some bad ones here, true enough). I also just didn't feel safe in Jakarta - had my passport stolen at the airport on arrival and my house was broken into three times (once while I was inside sleeping). Bad memories.

[Porlestone]

Vietnam. Lots of heckling and hassles to put up with in the day, major boredom in the night. Students CAN be active if your lesson plan is "on," but can also be unpredictable. Severly different daily living culture, seems downright "insane" by most world standards. Alot of arrogance behind faint-hearted smiles.

Better not be a guy with an eye and a desire for the ladies. If you're a chaser or like to make your own moves, that's unacceptable. Money saving here can be steady but too slow for what I feel I have to put up with.

NOTE: If you are incredibly patient then you might like Vietnam, though.

[Porlestone]