Job Discussion Forums

[jrhartwig]

Hi all.
I'm approaching my graduation in December and want to go teach overseas in an Asian country. I will graduate with a BA in Classics. I have never taught before, but feel confident that I would enjoy it.

At this point I have read up on the jobs over there and have a general idea of what to expect, but I need some specific help.

Can anyone recommend a good area, school, city, employer or agency for me to look into? I would like to do something tried and true, or at least something more suited to a fresh college grad with no experience teaching EFL.

I was wondering if anyone in this forum has done the same thing, i.e., jumped right out of college into teaching, and what their experience was.

I've lived overseas half my life (Malawi and Thailand) so i don't think the culture will shock me, but I want to go somewhere with a decent base of support for expats, namely, a city with other expats or at least a school with training or something.

The bottom line is, any info or good recommendation regarding Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea or China would be AWESOME!

Please help me.
Thanks

[tedkarma]

I think people are hesitant to report their specific schools and circumstances due to two reasons:

1. A flood of applicants at where you teach can threaten your position there, and

2. In Asia - if someone uses you as a reference - you are responsible for them. If someone says, for example, that Tedkarma sent them - I am responsible for their performance. If they don't perform well - or become a major problem - I am in trouble too.

Thus, you may find people a bit reluctant to tell you the details of their specific situation - especially as they don't know you at all. If I recommend you to my school and you don't work out - I am in trouble.

Asia is different - this is how things work here.

[tedkarma]

A more general question about countries and types of schools - might bring more responses.

Korea seems to be the most newbie-friendly of countries - though China seems to be catching up in that area.

Korea also offers the easiest way to significant savings for newbies.

Take a look at http://tefldaddy.com/index.htm for lots of info about the career - and how to get started.