Job Discussion Forums

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

Anybody who has TEFLed for a while will know that the jobs that get advertised on boards such as Dave's are invariably entry level positions. For sure it may be the typical conditions that a newbie can expect if they turn up in that country, but anybody who has been there a while will have hoped to have moved on a bit. So please tell us what are the different levels of employment that a typical TEFLer can expect in your neck of the woods.

Japan.

Starting: $2300 a month in a chain school for a quite demading schedule. Transportation paid.

6 months: $3500 a month in same job but with some privates added. Very demanding schedule

One/2 years: $3500 but in a better main job, still language school but less work load and with same privates

3 years: $4000 moved into a high school. Day time work with his few privates in eveinngs still. $4500 if he uses extra free time to find more work.

5 years: $4500 Better high school. Hand picked extra work. Could be $5000 if works a bit more. STill, easier schedule than when he started out.

7 years: His schedule is sweet. Weekends, evenings free. Gets pay rises. In a university. Works 3 days a week. Long holidays. $5000 to $7000 a month

Ok......This is a over simplified model, but I think it is at least closer to the reality for most than just looking at the jobs board and thinking that that is how the teaching situation is in that country. Of course people will be luckier than others and personality and qualifications go a long way, but I hope that others will be inspired to post.

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

Please check out my slightly different version in the Japan forums.

Van Norden · Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 409

Saudi Arabia typical

Newbie (arrived in the mid 1980s): US$2666

10 years later: Probably still on US$2666

Today: Not happy but probably still on US$2666

2010: US$2666 (or less?)

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 2:29 pm Post subject:

IN the states, you'd probably start out stringing several part-time jobs together just to make ends meet, which I'm guessing would bring in around $2,500-$3,000 / month (in a big city). Not the kind of hectic schedule I'd want.

From everything I've read and heard, the salary cap for a university ESL teacher (not a director or a professor) with an MA is about $50,000 / year. Of course most uni jobs won't pay that well (usually upper $20s to upper $30s)...not something you get into for the money, but at least you've got benefits.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

nothing to say

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

That is true William. I should have said that the last level of employment usually requires further study. But as for the rest. Others have said that I was a being a tad optimistic with my time frames, but I still feel that in the Osaka area of Japan a person that is LOOKING to get on would follow such a path. Of course there are variations, but I wanted to just give a feel for the job situation in Japan other than the entry level positions that you see advertised.

I should mention that there are more than a few teachers at universities here who got there by contacts rather than by their MA. I only have a BA and so do others that I know.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Will. · Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 783 Location: London Uk

Here in the Uk
It can be as low as �5.50 an hour see the threads on the UK forum
there are some well-paid jobs way up on top of the ladder, getting there and supporting yourself in this country on the lower type of wage is the main problem.