Job Discussion Forums

[jezebel]

Are there many teaching positions that are available for less than a year? (for the summer, somewhere between 2 and 6 months).

I remember hearing that a friend in high school taught in Korea for the summer (which would've been July and August only) and I think they even provided her airfare. Do you know of any schools that would actually pay for airfare for a short-term position? (aside from being a total jerk, signing on for the year to get 1 way free airfare and then quitting early - I'm definitely not interested in going that route.)

[Glenski]

Yes, there are positions that short, but consider two things:

1) work visa. In Japan they are issued for a minimum of a year, and with very rare exceptions, so are contracts. Most summer jobs are taken by people who already have jobs and visas here. Check with your local university to see if they offer anything.

2) setup costs. Stay somewhere only 2 - 3 months, and you aren't going to make back what you spend to get there and set yourself up.

[naturegirl321]

There are some, ususally in CHina, Korea, Taiwan, Italy, Spain or the UK. They might give airfare, but then would give you a lower salary. It woudl be a great expereice though.

I was in Korea for three months, but had arranged it beforehand. Although the didn't pay for airfare, I got a normal way, so I was able to come back with a pretty penny.

[spiral78]

Summer schools in Spain and the UK aren't paying airfare
And unless the OP is from the EU, he/she isn't eligible for work permits there in any case. There are current posts on the UK forum regarding just this issue.

[312]

Last semester, I taught in China for a 4-month term. They gave me $550 American/month salary...but no income tax there, free rent, and the cost of living was about $250 American a month. At the end of the semester, I showed them my $1200 airline ticket (and inter-China airline tickets as well), and as agreed, they paid half of those. So....it's possible to teach in China short-term, but usually expect only 1/2 reimbursement for your transportation expenses. Still, a good experience. Who really wants to stay in Asia for more than 6 months anyways? Lemme know if you want more info.

[DocWomet]

I'm sort of looking at the same picture but from the other side now, and equally curious for the forum's wisdom. I was looking at a summer position in China, but now it turns out the program is barely even thirty days long.

Now, money isn't much an issue for me, but my initial reaction was still "Is that long enough to be worthwhile?" I'm a total ESL newbie, so I would at least like to feel like I learned/accomplished something other than a glorified "cultural experience". Anyone have a suggestion on whether I should I keep looking for more of a 3-month gig? Or should I look for the silver lining, and take it as a sort of sample platter while my fridge is full?

[Kootvela]

In Lithuania this is unpredictable. Summer is generally considered a bad season for teaching jobs but then again here and there suddenly falls an intensive course group. So I would say there are many jobs trhoughout the year but working conditions differ a lot, so one must choose carefully. For xample, a teaching hour can be from 12 to 35 litas!

[Teatime of Soul]

You will probably not get much cultural experience teaching at a 30 day camp. Remember, you are going to have some busy, full days with probably only weekends free - if you are lucky.

If money isn't really much of an issue, how about simply traveling through the areas of interest. Thirty days of free time to explore will be better than three month of teaching full time.

Doing your homework before you commit is a good thing. You'll probably come up with an excellent outcome.

Good luck and enjoy your travels.