Job Discussion Forums

[mep3]

I'm just looking for suggestions on where I might get the practical components of what I'm after ESL career-wise.

What I have to offer:

-a PhD in English literature
-a Cambridge CELTA
-years of ESL & English teaching experience
(no MA TESOL)

What I want:

-to be able to save 2 or 3K/year towards retirement
-a country where permanent residency is relatively feasible to attain
-major medical health insurance through my job
-some form of good-enough public health care that would be available to one after retirement or health insurance that would be affordabe at retirement age
-my preference is for university jobs but that's not a req

The only place I'm not interested in is the Middle East. Any suggestions? Thanks .... Mep

[fluffyhamster]

With your PhD you should be able to land a university position of some sort somewhere - and you'd probably need to, given your financial plans (wanting to save, and being able to get or afford good health insurance); most jobs below university level (in Japan at least) simply do not offer anything that you're seeking (with the exception of becoming a permanent resident, itself by no means guaranteed), and even the halfway decent uni jobs seem to be beginning to dry up here (making the outlay on an MA appear uneconomical to me at least) as jobs get outsourced etc.

I'm surprised actually that you seem hopeful/optimistic, given your 'years of ESL teaching experience' - or was that gained mainly or entirely in your home country (presumably the UK - if so, I can understand the desire to live elsewhere LOL). Just asking, not flaming.

[mep3]

I don't mind your question. Yes, most of it was gained in the U.S. I'm just beginning to explore the international job market. Actually, I'm surprised by some of what you said about Japan. I thought there were a lot of ESL jobs there outside of universities that provide health insurance and where it's possible to save money. mep

[dmb]

guess what? try Turkey- private universities

[fluffyhamster]

Hi again mep!

Ooh, health insurance! It's a FAQ on the Japan forum.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=47010
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?p=484045#484045

[kaw]

Middle East might be an option - University of Bahrain are advertising - they're offering a 'competitive tax free (of course) salary, free furnished accomodation, etc etc etc http://www.uob.bh/en/opportunites/01.asp.


Bahrain is an ok place to live - there's a fair amount of nightlife and some great restaurants and stuff admittedly though there's not a great deal apart fom that - although colleagues have learnt to sail while they've been here.
There are also the Unis in the Emirates and Oman but I'd check them out on the individual forums first.

[mep3]

Turkey sounds interesting. As for the Middle East, like I said that's the one place I'm not interested in.

[Stephen Jones]

Dear mep3

Woops, misread you; thought you meant save $2k-$3k a month. However now you are in cloud cuckoo land for another reason. How far do you think you will go retired having saved $2k-$3k a year. Add it up, work twenty years and have $60,000.

If you have some capital back home, then go for a job (plenty of countries where you can save $2k-$3k a year, which you will want for emergencies). If you don't then you will probably do best to stay in the States.

[Glenski]

[merlin]

The difficulty is the saving 2-3 k per year bit. Depends on your expenses of course. I've known people who made 40k per year and couldn't save any of it and some who makd half that and were able to save.

Are you married and with children? If so, you've got a long road ahead.

If not, just take your country and go. i know here in the Czech republic You should be able to get a University job maybe not easily but they really need PhD's to build up their english department. To many native speaker "professors" with Mas in completely unrelated fields.

Salary - the salary for a professor ANYWHERE is bound to be lower than what you can really make. Check out the international Jobs board in the link at the top of the page and search for "fellowship". A fellowship or a grant plus a small professor's salary should be just what you need in almost any country. Do a google search for fellowships as well. I've known several people who were living the life of luxury here in Czech because a US univesity was paying them a stipendium to live in the Czech republic according to the cost of living in the US.

Put your research experience to work and search out the net for opportunities.

skip Japan. You'll just turn into a weirdo.

[Jizzo T. Clown]

mep3--

If you haven't already, I'd strongly encourage you to join TESOL. You'll gain access to many, many jobs you wouldn't hear of otherwise, most of which require a PhD.

For example, here's a listing for a school in Taiwan (requirements only!):

Application Documents:
(1) curriculum vitae
(2) three letters of recommendation, emphasizing research potential
(3) proof of previous academic employment (if applicable)
(4) photocopy of PhD diploma
(5) copies of publications within the past 5 years (and/or doctoral dissertation)
(6) other relevant supporting materials such as transcripts, sample course outlines, and, if applicable, evidence of effective teaching

[naturegirl321]

Having lived in China and now in Peru, I have been able to save a couple thousand every year. Just depends how you live.

[shuize]

[naturegirl321]

[Guy Courchesne]