Job Discussion Forums

[traxxe]

So by March 1rst I'll have 2 years ESL experience, 1.5 years of which is at a college... I'll have a M.A. in world history and a 100 hour TEFL certificate.

I'm starting to research my options. I've looked in the U.S. to see if any states have online teacher certification programs but that was a bust.

I'm not saving terribly much. If I move on to another country March 1rst I'll have saved about 8000 dollars total. Well, that depends on the exchange rate. Part of the low savings is because I am paying about 850 a month in debt back home. My college job just pays 2.2 million won with no housing. Plus, I've used my vacation time to travel extensively.

I don't spend much. I've given up drinking (married now) and my wife and I stay home a lot. The internet is essential as we watch movies, read, and spend most of our time together. So anywhere we go we will not really be put out if we are not part of the night life. We like to occassionally go out for tourist things.

I don't feel I'd have a problem in the Middle East since I live fairly isolated these days now anyway. Korea is fine but the exchange rate is beginning to hurt and I would need a higher paying job. I would like a job with at least a month of vacation time. So that's the main hitch.

What do you guys think? Where should I look towards. I'm starting to investigate where jobs are posted. Obviously I've looked at the international jobs here. Where else can I find good employment sites outside of Korea? Particuarly, the Middle East. Is there any chance of finding a history teaching position?

I might stick it out here too. Really, I'm looking for the $$$ next. My lifestyle doesn't spend much money besides food and bills. I don't need to party anymore. I've had months of vacation time here and hit most the Asian countries I've wanted to see.

Any site recs for jobs in the Middle East? Any suggestions? Thoughts?

[denise]

Have you looked into Oman? With your MA, you'd get a higher starting salary at some of the colleges, but unfortunately since it's not in TESOL or the like I think the top university would be off-limits. A lot of the colleges hire through recruiters, and there are mixed reviews about them (I myself was hired for my first job here through a recruiter and liked them at first, until things went downhill...), but you can still have an easy, comfortable life and save a bit. A lot of people get set up at home with internet, satellite, membership at the nearest hotel gym/pool, etc., and still go out--no major partying, just dinner, movies, maybe a drink or two (if you don't drink there is still the wide world of moctails to explore!), etc. I do those things and still send home about $1200 every month. And you get two months off in the summer, plus a few weeks throughout the term and some down time when classes aren't in session but you're still expected to be there--good for prep time, doing other projects, etc.

Oh, and driving and spending the money either to rent or buy a car, while not absolutely essential, will really improve your quality of life here. Car payments are also affordable on the salaries here.

A lot of the recruiters use both this site and www.tefl.com.

d

[naturegirl321]

Try NJ, I got three certs of elegibility through them without having Education as my major.

[ntropy]

NJ? New Jersey?

[traxxe]

[naturegirl321]

[chickyabroad]

If you're looking for online teacher certification courses for the US, you could look into this university: http://www.wgu.edu./education/teacher_certification.asp Not sure how you'd do the teaching practice while in another country or what states it's good for, but it might be an option.