Job Discussion Forums

[jialibond]

I'm six months in to a one year contract of my first ESL teaching experience and am starting to think about where I will go next. I certainly have learned a lot in the last six months, and will do much more research on my next destination.

Where is your favourite place to teach and why? Is there a place that has it all - good teaching conditions, good pay, close proximity to a large city, desirable climate, decent accommodation, good food, etc.? Thanks.

[kaw]

I loved working in Istanbul - no so much the schools but the place. loved the people, the food, the shopping, the fact that there were loads of interesting places to see, the weather - except for the miserable winters I experienced.
I also loved Oman - great students - though not the most hardworking, nice people, good beaches, and in those days, the money was ok too.

I think, overall, everywhere I've worked - except Jakarta, has had it's plus points.
IN terms of your list of desirables - it all depends on what you class as 'good pay'.and 'desirable climate'. For me Europe is a no-no as I don't like the cold - and is why the Middle East suits me perfectly. Many others love it.

[denise]

Every place that I've taught in (Czech Republic, Japan, Peru, Oman, plus brief stints in a few other places) has had a mix of good and bad. I have yet to find one place that has it all.

"Great students" in Oman?!?!? Yeah, they're generally sweet and cheerful, but... definitely not very hardworking and not willing or able to accept responsibility for their own progress, or lack thereof.

I'd say in terms of actual teaching/students, my favorite was Peru.

In terms of countries, the Czech Republic.

In terms of lifestyle, social life, etc., Japan.

I'm still in Oman, so I really can't figure out where it fits until I've left and had some time to reflect. Definitely more good than bad, though.

d

EDIT: Duh... I forgot to mention money! For that factor, I can definitely say Oman is the best that I've had--a salary similar to Japan, but tax-free, more benefits, and a MUCH lower cost of living.

[basiltherat]

Hi
Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia has to be my choice. Reasons:

Excellent personal safety and security
Excellent food choices
Not particularly expensive
Clean and hygenic
Friendly and hospitable people (even better if they could do away with a lot of the Indonesian Illegals)
Good transportation links (although KL can still be heavily congested)
Modern facilities and consumer products from 'home' are readily available
Fantastic scenery and beaches
You can 'drink' despite it being a predominantly Muslim nation
Religiously moderate and tolerant
Foreigners can purchase property if interested
High degree of racial and ethnic tolerance


If only it were a bit closer to Europe.

Lovely place. It really is 'truly Asia' in its best light.

best
Basil

[MELEE]