Job Discussion Forums

[Precise]

Aside from Korea, which of these places would be a good place to live and teach? It's pretty much been settled that money wise, Korea wins hands down. But I am talking about the other aspects of teaching abroad - the natives, the sights, the culture, the food & drink, the western-style comforts we so dearly cherish (ie high speed internet access). I, personally, would choose Japan if it wasn't for the huge start up costs. What are some of your opinions on the best places to live and teach outside of Korea? Break it down!

[cornishmuppet]

You say Korea is the best place to teach, but aside from the money, why? I've never been there so have no firsthand experience, but the handful of people I've spoken to had nothing good to say about it, and neither did the forums I've read about it. Grey, concrete uniform cities, huge class sizes, visas only valid for your school (and cops that try to fish out anyone doing privates), and people who have a chip on their shoulder (esp. about Americans).

I'm not trying to undermine your comments, and as I said, I have no first hand experience. These are just some of the comments I heard and read about which put me off when I was considering a change from Japan a year or so ago. I'm interested to know why you think so highly of Korea.

Best place to teach? We all have different ideas of this. For me personally, one of the big, classical European cities like Barcelona, Rome, Florence, somewhere like that. Unfortunately jobs there are hard to come by and the salaries are generally low in Europe (or were when I worked in Italy in 2003/4). I'm a big history/architechture buff, but like a little internationalisation thrown in (my town in Italy, Brindisi, was just a little too insular). Everyone has their personal choice though.

Start up costs in Japan aren't so high anyway, not if you get a job with a school that provides housing. I came over with just 40k yen (about 200 pounds) half of which I spent on the first weekend when the boss took me to Sado Island and I had to pay my share of the villa with sauna and swimming pool he required. That had to last me about three weeks and did fine.

Take it easy,

C.

[AndyH]

Precise, have you actually lived and taught in Korea? If you think it's a great place, I'd encourage you to do a little more research. If you have actually based these comments on first-hand experience, than good for you! I'm glad you like it!

[Precise]

Yeah actually I taught in Korea for a little bit. I liked the free apartment and the paid airfare which you probably can't get anywhere else. However, I didn't like the xenophobia and the constant stares. I am thinking about Japan because I heard it's more friendlier to foreigners there.

[Glenski]

[AndyH]

Precise: If you are talking soley in terms of money, then Korea MIGHT be the better option (provided that your employer actually honors the terms of your contract-which isn't always the case). But, considering that Japanese pay is slightly higher, but sometimes enough to negate the advantage of the free apartment, why put up with the xenophobia and constant struggles with the hagwan (eikaiwa) owner over every little thing?
If I were really desperate to make as much money as possible, AND sacrifice a year to do so, I might consider Korea, but then again, I would be taking a big gamble on whether or not my employer would actually pay me.
In Japan, on the other hand, you are more likely to find a hospitable, welcoming environment, and if you are like me, actually want to be in the country, no matter what the pay.

[Precise]

[dove]

I heard that doing private lessons is extremely risky in Korea. It is possible to nicely supplement your income by doing privates in Japan. Once you establish yourself as a good teacher, you might have to turn down all the requests you get. Again, IF you establish yourself as a good teacher...

[Precise]

Ok so my next question is, when is the best time to go to Japan as a teacher? I know that the school semesters begin in April and sometime in the fall but do schools also hire at different times than that. It's almost april now and I want to go in a few months, what are my options?

[G Cthulhu]