Job Discussion Forums

sashajade · Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Minnesota, USA

I've read numerous posts on this site and a lot of people don't seem happy - particularly those in Korea. Unfortunately, I need to work in a country where I can earn enough money to pay bills at home.
I'm trying to choose a country to look for a job, but it seems like in many cases higher pay=less satisfaction. Is this true of your experience?

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

If the lifestyle were great in Korea et al then there would be an influx of teachers. That influx would drive the market rate down and then it would be a Thailand. There are individual exceptions but basically the higher paying countries have to pay higher wages for a reason.

For example. In the last 10/15 years TEFL has become a really attractive proposition to many grads. Japan has been a place to go to make money. People also realised that Japan is a good place to be. So even though wages have gone down the number of people wanting to come to Japan has not. Which of course sends wages down even lower. In real terms Japan offers half or less the savings that it did 10 years ago and probably half again on 10 years before that.

Korea is the "new Japan" but doesn't seem to offer the same quality of lifestyle that Japan has. Therefore I predict a much slower demise of salary there than Japan even if more and more people decide to go there and teach.

Put simply, if Thailand Phuket offered $2000 a month salaries who would teach in Seoul?

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:23 am Post subject:

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

How much per month do you have to pay off?
What are your credentials?
What country are you interested in?

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita

sashajade · Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Minnesota, USA

I appreciate all your replies to my post.

Glenski, my loans are deferred right now buy I think they are going to be about $400 to $500 per month. I am a 40 year old single woman. I have a B.A. in Theology, but no formal teaching experience. Next week I am beginning a 12 hour volunteer training for ESL at the Literacy Council to get a start. Someone suggested that I do that. In Asia, I am most interested in Japan or China, but I am open to other countries, as well.

Serious_fun, your post was really helpful to me. Particularly when you said "Teaching is a job...good days and bad days and frustration and lots of very rewarding moments. Do your research into the location and prospective employer(s) and then go for it."
I have a tendency to read posts from someone that is just venting and saying "Newbees, do not come here!"(Korea), instead of just "researching the location and prospective employer, and then going for it." That is wisdom right there. Thanks!

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita

sashajade · Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 22 Location: Minnesota, USA

Serious_fun, my ESL Jedi Master, thank you once again for your wisdom! So far I have really tried to refrain from putting wise-guy comments in my posts, which is hard for me because that is totally my sense of humor. So maybe I'll unleash some of that wit on you. Smile

Were you the one that suggested I try to volunteer at the Literacy Council? Excellent counsel! I would definitely like to see if it is something I really want to do, rather than traipsing across the globe to do it - although I enjoy traveling. I've been to Peru, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Mexico for 2 month stints each on a volunteer basis during and after college. I'm thinking of this more as a long term career rather than a one year deal. Right now I am trying to figure out the next step down this ESL path, while saving money, and volunteering. What country are you in? What's your story?

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

I lived in Seoul for years, and really enjoyed living there. My first contract I did not enjoy it much. It's one of those places that if you just grab some job over the internet and end up in some wacko place, you won't enjoy it much. The decent jobs are the ones that don't advertise all over the internet, and you just walk through your favorite neighborhoods and apply, and almost everyone else who works there has also been in Korea for years.

There's a huge divide between foreigners that know the ropes and hang out in completely different circles and places, than those who just signed some internet contract or through an international phone call and arrived in podunk Korea at a podunk school.

I also have to admit the cultures of Japan or China or Vietnam are just a whole lot more interesting, regarding the Korea vs everywhere else debate.

deessell2 · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 132 Location: Under the sun

Having done two tours of duty in Korea, I can honestly say that I hope that I never have to go back. Sure the money is good but the lifestyle did not appeal to me.

Vietnam is a good option, you can save money and have a nice lifestyle. If you want to teach about 30 contact hours you can make the same amount as in Korea. The only bonus is Korea pays for your apartment.

In general Korea seems to attract the desperate/freaky foreign teachers. You have been warned! It is however a good 'bootcamp' for new teachers -- if you can teach there, you can teach anywhere.

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:14 am Post subject:

Please confine discussions regarding living and teaching in Korea to the Korean Job Forums. Separate registration is required.