Job Discussion Forums

[lbdavid98]

Ok, I figured I'd start out with my qualifications and no preferences so that those of you who know much more about these things can let your own mind wander amidst possibilities, unfettered by my own misconceptions:

-I'm graduating this spring (2008) with a BA in Comparative World Literature.
-US Citizen
-Native English speaker, pretty fluent in Modern Standard Arabic & a passing familiarity with Iraqi and Levantine dialects, studied Spanish long enough to be able to read/communicate survival needs.
-Planning on (and have the money to take) the CELTA certification course that will be completed by June 28th 2008, a month after I graduate.
-Current working for the local school district's Program for Assisting Language Minority Students, teaching ESL to kids at the K-5 Levels. By the time I graduate I'll have had one year relevant experience.

Without unnecessary details circumstances will prevent my eligibility for graduate school in Fall 2008 that won't hinder me in Fall 2009, so I need to do something for fifteen months that will enrich my life, not make me feel like I'm just treading water. I have thus far enjoyed working with English language learners, and think this is a great opportunity to a. work, b. see parts of the world, c. prepare my applications for graduate school, d. do something positive & fun.

Problem is I've been ghosting your forums for the better part of a year contemplating this decision... and the one thing I've learned is that I don't know anything until I've actually been out doing this thing, and that the potential for being scammed is a very real thing, as well as the potential for being totally miserable for 15 months.

Preferences:
Countries that I've entertained as possibilities include: South Korea, Thailand, Czech Republic, Chile, Panama, Brazil, Italy & the Middle East. Within the Middle East I'd prefer Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Saudi, ... not Libya, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, ... though Kuwait maybe.

I'm 27, but I receive a pension for injuries sustained in the military. I'm not "special needs", I just have a lot of pain on a day to day basis. (15-20 years from now may be a different story), so what I'm saying is that if schools in Western Europe will accept an American teacher but won't pay me well, money isn't as big a deal as having a good experience. I have no debts. I just want a quiet, scenic place to write and live that I'll remember positively.

[naturegirl321]

Just briefly
South Korea, high paying jobs, there's a separate Korea forum and it seems like there's tons of people teaching English there. They even have a special E2 visa for English teachers

Thailand, possible as well, though you won't make as much as Korea.

Czech Republic, will get you a visa, probably work at a language school

Chile, Panama, Brazil, in general getting working visas is difficult. YOu might be able to do teaching in exchenge for lagnauge lessons and room and board.

Italy, I think is very difficult

the Middle East usually need an MA in a related field and two years experience. Pays well, espeically SA.

In general, Korea and the ME pay the best and have the best benefits.

[lbdavid98]

Well of the options you've laid out I think I'm most strongly considering the first three you mentioned (S. Korea, Thailand, Czech Republic). I'd like to not 'lose' money overseas, but making it isn't really a priority this time around. Only problem is I've seen a couple of posts implying that not only do you make less in Thailand, but you work harder for it. I don't think ESL is easy by any standards, so I'm not looking for a slacker job or implying as much, but I think any reasonable person will agree that some companies cultivate their employees as a valued resource and others exploit them for as long as they can get away with it. That said, if I had to choose between the two I'd pick Thailand for its beaches and food, I'm not fond of the Korean food I've sampled thus far. Czech republic would be nice because of its location, and the fact that I fell in love with Prague the last time I was there. Either way, thanks for your candor. Are there any South American countries where getting a working visa wouldn't be difficult?

[denise]

If you're only looking to do it for a year then you might be able to get away with working without fully "legal" status--meaning that there are schools that will help you get temporary visas. I had some sort of temporary arrangement in Chile and a volunteer visa in Peru (it took nearly 8 months to get it, but there were some weird circumstances involved, like me renewing my visa halfway into the process...). Just make sure you get a school that will help you with the paperwork.

I fell in love with Prague, too! From what I hear it is still possible to work legally as an American, but even when I was there (1999-2001), there was a bit of paperwork involved. Again, just make sure you get a school that helps you through it.

d

[spiral78]

On the topic of Prague, let me just add that the newbie jobs all essentially require significant travelling around the city to the offices of your students - little work is usually done in the school itself. I don't know what kind of pain you're referring to, but I can say that when my knees started getting achy, the metro/tram/autobus/cobblestone hikes were pretty tough.
It also looks like the paperwork is going to be essential for 2008 onwards - and possibly more difficult to get. You'll want to research this.

[lbdavid98]

The pain is largely arthritic in the ribs with some damage to my left knee. I'm currently able to workout, go jogging etc, so I don't think I'll have too much trouble moving around Prague. It's more like I have difficulties to look forward to in later years.

On the one hand, travelling around Prague to see students sounds like fun (the hours spent traveling count in some way towards your hours for the school I take it? Or you don't have 20+ contact hours a week?) But I see how it could be a pain. Assuming I'd most like to be based in Europe is Prague my best bet given only about a year of experience stateside? I'll go to the Czech Republic Board or the Thailand board once I've made a decision on location, but I figure this is the best place to get a lot of feedback from people who've been all over. Are there any great locations I'm failing to consider that would be easy to get a visa to etc.?

[spiral78]

Nope, travel time is on top of contact hours. You'll also have preparation time, which doesn't count either. Those 20+/- contact hours actually translate into full time in terms of hours spent.

Prague's not necessarily your 'best bet.' The smaller cities of the Czech Rep are also quite nice, and you would probably be able to find work in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and other 'new' EU member countries as well.

Prague's just an easy place for newbies to get started -

[MELEE]

Why not post/read in the general Latin America forum about South America, a lot of the posters there do not read the newbie forum.

And have you considered Mexico?

[tedkarma]

IMO/IME Korea is probably one of the most newbie friendly countries.

Not everyone loves it there, but it is also nice to sock away US$1000 a month.

The culture is different enough to give you a real kick in the pants - the countryside is beautiful and it is fairly easy to travel to Japan, China and Thailand from there.

[lbdavid98]

That's a good idea, I'll post on the the board for latin and south america and see if anyone there has some suggestions. I speak at least a little Spanish so that could make living in country a little less difficult a transition and improve upon a language skill I've let atrophy. As for South Korea, I'm not really doing this to "sock away" money, but I can definitely appreciate it being a friendly destination for new ESL teachers.

Quick question before I head to the south america forum, does anyone know/think that being nearly fluent in Arabic and having my core degree be in arabic literature could offset not having an MA if I wanted to go to an Arabic country? Which countries in the ME are my best bet if I wanted to apply and 'see what happens'?

[denise]

Jobs in Oman don't always require MAs, but you might need more teaching experience to make up for it.

I've never seen Arabic language ability listed as a requirement or even an asset in job ads.

d

[malu]

[tedkarma]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[Gordon]

Culture-wise, I'd say Japan is easier to adapt to than to for a newbie than Korea. Much less in-yer-face and dare I say more "western thinking" in Japan.

Really either country is good for someone starting out.