Job Discussion Forums

[James_T_Kirk]

Hello everyone,

I've been back from my original stint teaching English abroad in China for over three years now. Probably every day since, I have felt the itch to go back and get involved again in the TEFL field, particularly in Asia. Three years ago, it was just an once-in-a-lifetime deal, but now I feel that teaching English abroad could be more than that...more on this in a moment.

I would like to solicit your opinions about where I should go for re-entry, but first, let me briefly tell you about my relevant background/experience/qualifications: One year experience teaching English in China, TEFL Certificate, BA in Business, Master's degree (in totally unrelated field), and a few years teaching software (which may or may not be relevant).

After hours of research, combing these discussion boards on Dave�s ESL Caf�, and even creating a spreadsheet with my five finalists for target countries (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Cambodia, and Vietnam), I think that I am finally down to two�maybe J. These two are Japan and South Korea. As you might have already guessed, unfortunately one of my top priorities is making some decent money to at least pay off my student loans and possibly save for another Master�s in the distant future, so Cambodia and Vietnam were eliminated quickly (although I am still extremely intrigued with Cambodia and will visit there soon). I have eliminated Taiwan mainly due to lack of vacation time and the tax situation there, although being able to continue studying Mandarin would be a big plus. So, I am left with two candidates, South Korea and Japan. Yes, I realize that both of these countries are very different, and they both have their pros and cons. And I realize that there are hundreds of �South Korea vs. Japan� threads out there. But I would like your expertise in determining whether my pros and cons are valid, but I want your opinion on what you would do in my shoes based on what I want to accomplish in the next couple of years (how original, eh?). Here is a list of the pros and cons that each country seem to have over one another, starting with Japan:

Japan

Pros:

� People sound like they are very friendly and like foreigners

� Teachers actually have employee rights in Japan!

� Great vacation packages (anywhere from 3 to 7 weeks a year plus holidays)

� Women are cute, are apparently somewhat �liberal�, and love blond hair/blue-eyed guys like myself (Special note to all the Western ladies: sorry if I am coming across as a conceited jerk. I don�t think for a minute that I am god�s gift to women or anything, I am just stating the stereotype I�ve heard about Japanese women; I would just assume date you instead , but if you are busy dating Japanese guys�)

Cons:

� Expensive; can save some money, but probably not as much as in Korea

� Might I find it boring? I am a 26 year-old man that doesn�t necessary want to go out and party like a rock star every night, but I want to experience some nightlife and it sounds like Korea�s is better

� No free housing; have to pay for health insurance

South Korea

Pros:

� You can easily save money here

� Health insurance and housing included

� Good and cheap public transportation, and it is possible to buy a motorcycle or car of your own and get around this way (more difficult to do in Japan I think?)

� Although �creature comforts� are available in Japan, it sounds like they are easier and cheaper to acquire in South Korea (computer, satellite TV, etc.)

� Perhaps the most beautiful women in the world live here (okay, so maybe this is a pro for both countries; please weigh in on this issue!)

� Tighter ex-pat community (probably a very subjective pro, but this is what I gather from the web)

� What many have termed �sweet� University jobs possible with my qualifications (although probably only after a year in SK)

� More work in SK, with the ability to visit many schools and negotiate your own terms

Cons

� Employee rights are nil

� Less vacation time (without Uni job anyway)

� People hate foreigners there

Thus, on paper, it appears that South Korea, at least for my situation, edges out Japan as the winner. But maybe I don�t have my facts straight�if you can shed any light on the subject, I would be extremely appreciative! I am an energetic young man eager to give the TEFL business another go�as I mentioned, this is kind of a litmus test to see if I could make a career out of this. I am extremely independent, love to travel, love new experiences, have no wife/children plans (but never say never, right?), so why not? Plus, I think I have what it takes to become a damn good teacher and I love doing it! Hey, if it doesn�t work out, there is always business school, or I could stay in my current field�but I digress. Please, your thoughts, comments, and/or opinions are greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Kirk

[Wolf]

Well, Jim, I'll go down your Japan list, as that's what I know.

Not all Japanese love foreigners, but you'll certainly be less notciable then you probably were in China. In the big cities, anyway. Japan might not be perfectly open, but it's a walk in the park compared to many other places (I can vouch for it being more open than China - at least rural China.)

Teachers do have rights. I was involved in a union action against my former employer that was partially sucessful. However, standing up for your rights in Japan seems to be more problematic than doing so in your home country.

Vacation time varies greatly. The JET program and many other jobs teaching in the school system might get you summers off. If you teach at a private conversational school you may or may not get a week off at Golden Week (May), Obon (August) and new year (January.) Some companies are famous for only giving two paid weeks off per year (NOVA).

Some women go for foreigners, not all. I've heard that the dating game in Japan is quite different from "home." The women in my region (Nagoya) seemed rather conservative/practical in their outlook in life, at least by my standards. Some didn't have compunctions about taking their boyfriends to bed, some did.

Japan can be expensive, no kidding. It's easily possible for a single person to live within the means of an EFL teacher's salry, and possible with a bit of care to save or pay debts (I did.) The cities are more expensive than the countryside. I knew some workaholics who did nothing but part time jobs and made a bundle. I myself had one job and studied part time and still managed to live okay.

You might find the countryside or a small city boring. Tokyo, Osaka, and even Nagoya do have a "night life," but be warned it isn't cheap. Are festivals or fireworks displays your cup of tea? Many regoins have cultural events throught the year. My best "going out" memories are those.

The big four (NOVA, AEON, GEOS, ECC) offer housing and so does JET. A few schools in small towns might as well. But other than that you're on your own. And it isn't cheap to get set up with a place to live; or easy. The law says that companies should provide you with health insurance, but I don't know any that do (I beleive there's a loophole in the law they exploit....) Some people don't bother with insurance (I don't recommend this), some use overseas coverage, and some use the Japan National Health insurance. The Japan insurance is cheap for the first year but then turns expensive (was about 8% of my income, but it'll vary depending on how much "they" know you earn.)

I almost went to Korea twice, but the first and third negative points of yours always held me back. I don't know Korea any better than you, so I'll leave that for someone else.

[Lynn]

I disagree with your lists in so many ways, I don't even know where to begin. We all have different experiences. I often find myself unable to relate to many of the members on this forum and the experiences they've had in Japan/Korea.

As for which one to go, I'd say, go with your gut. Which country is really pulling at your heart strings? You've got to have a "feeling" about one over the other. Go with that.

You are only 26, you have plenty of time. Do a year in one country, and you could easily move to the next.

Keep us posted and good luck to you.

[James_T_Kirk]

Thanks for your replies. Wolf, thanks for clearing up a few points for me. Lynn, I think you are right...when it comes right down to it, I probably will have to go with that intangible "gut" feeling that doesn't show up on spreadsheets. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again
Kirk