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kylemcgee
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
Posts: 86
Location: Various..
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 Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 3:10 pm Post subject: Where to go? |
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Hmmm..
I have been teaching for the last 8 years in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Morocco, and Algeria. I have a CELTA and a recent masters in ELT from a reputable English university.
I'd like:
1) A impressive salary as my masters cost a lot of money!
2) A fun place to be as I am a single male.
3) An interesting place with lots of activities to choose from. Beach would be great!
I have been considering Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, and most seriously Oman.
Any thoughts? What's your favorite place to teach?
All advice is welcome -
Kyle |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 9:49 pm Post subject: Re: Where to go? |
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| kylemcgee wrote: |
I'd like:
1) A impressive salary as my masters cost a lot of money! |
We would all like that. Take what you can get. How much do you expect? How much do you really need to make?
Look here for a May 2010 listing of uni salaries around the Kyoto/Osaka area:
http://www.debito.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/PALEMay2010.pdf
| Quote: |
| 2) A fun place to be as I am a single male. |
I think single females can have fun, too (with apologies to Cindy Lauper). Unless you define "fun", the above statement is dangerously sexist in its implications and could get you into trouble.
| Quote: |
| 3) An interesting place with lots of activities to choose from. Beach would be great! |
Again, everyone in life wants a job that makes a lot of money and is in an interesting enjoyable place to live. Beaches in Japan are not known for their beauty, just so you know.
| Quote: |
| I have been considering Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, and most seriously Oman. |
A master's degree (which you have) is a common prerequisite for uni jobs in Japan, as are publications (got any?), some experience in Japan (usually), and some fluency in the language.
When were you planning to start work? The academic year starts in April in Japan, so from summer to fall the ads usually crop up for jobs. |
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Sadebugo
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 524
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| Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 11:04 pm Post subject: Re: Where to go? |
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| kylemcgee wrote: |
Hmmm..
I have been teaching for the last 8 years in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Morocco, and Algeria. I have a CELTA and a recent masters in ELT from a reputable English university.
I'd like:
1) A impressive salary as my masters cost a lot of money!
2) A fun place to be as I am a single male.
3) An interesting place with lots of activities to choose from. Beach would be great!
I have been considering Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, and most seriously Oman.
Any thoughts? What's your favorite place to teach?
All advice is welcome -
Kyle |
Prior to my current job, the best money I ever made was in Saudi working for a military contractor. It was in Jeddah and we also had access to a private beach club on the Red Sea.
Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/ |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 3:37 am Post subject: |
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In Oman, salaries are generally high enough for you to be able to save/send money home, buy or rent a car, accessorize your home (which should be provided and furnished) with satellite, internet, etc., and go out in town pretty much as often as you like. There are bars and clubs, and it is possible to meet/date--just as long as you don't go overboard with the PDA. It can be hard to meet people, though, as people tend to stay with their workmates, and families kinda hang out with their families. With a bit of effort, though, it is doable. You just have to be willing to drive a bit (parties can be spread out all over town) and spend money on tickets and entrance fees. If you're a tightwad, you'll go nowhere.
You can PM me for more info. I've been living in Oman quite happily for three years.
d |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 3:46 am Post subject: |
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For fun in the Sun, sand between yer toes and a killer salary...go to Abu Dhabi!
NCTBA |
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kylemcgee
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
Posts: 86
Location: Various..
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| Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 12:38 pm Post subject: Re: Where to go? |
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Thanks for the response. My details are in red. I appreciate your input and help! 
| Glenski wrote: |
| kylemcgee wrote: |
I'd like:
1) A impressive salary as my masters cost a lot of money! |
We would all like that. Take what you can get. How much do you expect? How much do you really need to make?
Look here for a May 2010 listing of uni salaries around the Kyoto/Osaka area:
http://www.debito.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/PALEMay2010.pdf
I was hoping for Middle East or University level kinda money. I would hope to save $1-2000 per month if possible to help pay back my school fees.
| Quote: |
| 2) A fun place to be as I am a single male. |
I think single females can have fun, too (with apologies to Cindy Lauper). Unless you define "fun", the above statement is dangerously sexist in its implications and could get you into trouble.
Sorry about the implications. I am mainly hoping to live in a place where socializing with the locals is considered ok. I am not really interested in being in the English Teachers' bubble that is so common where the only folks you can meet up with after hours are the teachers. Of course female companionship is never a bad thing. 
| Quote: |
| 3) An interesting place with lots of activities to choose from. Beach would be great! |
Again, everyone in life wants a job that makes a lot of money and is in an interesting enjoyable place to live. Beaches in Japan are not known for their beauty, just so you know.
I have traveled around Japan a bit and find the beaches in the South (Kyushu) ok. I am open to other countries as well though. Okinawa sounds interesting.
| Quote: |
| I have been considering Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, and most seriously Oman. |
A master's degree (which you have) is a common prerequisite for uni jobs in Japan, as are publications (got any?), some experience in Japan (usually), and some fluency in the language.
I only have one publication and I have presented the paper at a few conferences in Malaysia. I have no teaching experience in Japan and I am not very familiar with the language.
When were you planning to start work? The academic year starts in April in Japan, so from summer to fall the ads usually crop up for jobs. |
I'm looking to start work in September, but I could wait until April if necessary. I am teaching in Tunisia this summer. |
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kylemcgee
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
Posts: 86
Location: Various..
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| Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 12:41 pm Post subject: Re: Where to go? |
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| Sadebugo wrote: |
| kylemcgee wrote: |
Hmmm..
I have been teaching for the last 8 years in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Morocco, and Algeria. I have a CELTA and a recent masters in ELT from a reputable English university.
I'd like:
1) A impressive salary as my masters cost a lot of money!
2) A fun place to be as I am a single male.
3) An interesting place with lots of activities to choose from. Beach would be great!
I have been considering Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, and most seriously Oman.
Any thoughts? What's your favorite place to teach?
All advice is welcome -
Kyle |
Prior to my current job, the best money I ever made was in Saudi working for a military contractor. It was in Jeddah and we also had access to a private beach club on the Red Sea.
Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/ |
Thanks for the advice, but I think Saudi would be a little controlled for me. I have heard that it can be tough there, but the money is great. |
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kylemcgee
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
Posts: 86
Location: Various..
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| Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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| denise wrote: |
In Oman, salaries are generally high enough for you to be able to save/send money home, buy or rent a car, accessorize your home (which should be provided and furnished) with satellite, internet, etc., and go out in town pretty much as often as you like. There are bars and clubs, and it is possible to meet/date--just as long as you don't go overboard with the PDA. It can be hard to meet people, though, as people tend to stay with their workmates, and families kinda hang out with their families. With a bit of effort, though, it is doable. You just have to be willing to drive a bit (parties can be spread out all over town) and spend money on tickets and entrance fees. If you're a tightwad, you'll go nowhere.
You can PM me for more info. I've been living in Oman quite happily for three years.
d |
Denise -
Thanks for the info. Oman has been recommended to me many times, so I'm pretty interested. I was offered a job in Al Musanna last year, but I passed on it because I really wanted to work in Muscat. Is Al Musanna that far? What do you think? Should I hold out for Muscat? Any tips to find work there?
Thanks again!
Kyle |
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kylemcgee
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
Posts: 86
Location: Various..
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| Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Never Ceased To Be Amazed wrote: |
For fun in the Sun, sand between yer toes and a killer salary...go to Abu Dhabi!
NCTBA |
Thanks for your advice. Abu Dhabi seems a little chaotic to me. Am I wrong? I don't want to live in a big city if I can avoid it. Any other thoughts? |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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If you want to mix and mingle with the local gals, then you can cross Oman off your list--unless you want to live in complete secrecy (which is virtually impossible here--"they" are always watching). Sure, it happens, but very rarely-it's not like other places where foreign guys have gaggles of local gals throwing themselves at their feet.
If you can lower your standards to fellow expat gals  , then yes, you can have female companionship.
From Musanna you could easily get to Oman. I'm not exactly sure how far it is, but I'd guess an hour-ish. But yes, if you want night life and socializing outside of your work mates, go for something in Muscat. In the smaller towns, your social life will often revolve around your colleagues. Not that that's necessarily bad, though--the town that I was in before Muscat had, and still has, a very active group that organizes all sorts of activities.
d |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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I would probably suggest Taiwan for money, mingling with locals (male or female), and activities/beaches. With an MA in ELT, the ladies and beaches will be your oyster in Taiwan.
As denise already said, you won't be interacting with the local female population in the ME. You would probably be lucky to make friends with any local males - females are a no-go. I was unable to strike up any friendships with local females in the ME, and I'm female  |
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Never Ceased To Be Amazed
Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 3500
Location: Shhh...don't talk to me...I'm playin' dead...
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| Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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| kylemcgee wrote: |
| Never Ceased To Be Amazed wrote: |
For fun in the Sun, sand between yer toes and a killer salary...go to Abu Dhabi!
NCTBA |
Thanks for your advice. Abu Dhabi seems a little chaotic to me. Am I wrong? I don't want to live in a big city if I can avoid it. Any other thoughts? |
Well AD IS getting rid of that small town feel. but you'd have yer choice of Chinese "girlfren's"
NCTBA |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 12:31 am Post subject: Re: Where to go? |
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| kylemcgee wrote: |
I was hoping for Middle East or University level kinda money. I would hope to save $1-2000 per month if possible to help pay back my school fees. "University level" money varies with country. You wrote that you have "a CELTA and a recent masters in ELT from a reputable English university." As much as you may want a uni position, many (certainly most of the ones in Japan, where I live) want more than just a fresh MA degree and CELTA. Publications, experience, and knowledge of the local language usually are required here.
To save that much every month is not going to be easy, even with a uni level salary. Keep that in mind from the very start. You are going to have to live quite frugally in a land with a high standard of living, and perhaps even take on a second job.
| Quote: |
2) A fun place to be as I am a single male.
Sorry about the implications. I am mainly hoping to live in a place where socializing with the locals is considered ok. I am not really interested in being in the English Teachers' bubble that is so common where the only folks you can meet up with after hours are the teachers. Of course female companionship is never a bad thing. |
Thanks for clearing that up.
Socializing with locals is ok in Japan, but some schools will frown upon fraternizing with your students to the point of putting a restriction on it in your contract. Beware that in some situations, socializing with locals is often just a means for them to get free English lessons, so living outside the foreigner bubble has its down sides occasionally.
| Quote: |
3) An interesting place with lots of activities to choose from. Beach would be great!
I have traveled around Japan a bit and find the beaches in the South (Kyushu) ok. I am open to other countries as well though. Okinawa sounds interesting. |
Not much work down there, though, and the economy is even more depressed there, so your uni level salary is not as reachable.
| Quote: |
| I have been considering Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, and most seriously Oman. |
A master's degree (which you have) is a common prerequisite for uni jobs in Japan, as are publications (got any?), some experience in Japan (usually), and some fluency in the language.
I only have one publication and I have presented the paper at a few conferences in Malaysia. I have no teaching experience in Japan and I am not very familiar with the language. |
Then you are not going to get a uni job in Japan. Shoot for something else here, and take on second jobs to reach your desired income. You won't need to know Japanese, although it will be helpful for daily life and some classroom management, and it is usually forbidden for use in the classroom anyway.
| Quote: |
| I'm looking to start work in September, but I could wait until April if necessary. |
There is a minor surge of hiring for Sept/Oct start dates, but you're going to have to be here or in your home country to be considered eligible for most of them. A few employers do Skype interviews, but those have drawbacks, too, as you cannot be in Japan physically to see the surroundings or the office or body language from the employer. Japan is full (overfull, perhaps) of teachers and wannabes right now. Competition is high, even for entry level jobs. Uni jobs have incredibly high competition. |
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