Job Discussion Forums

[scottydoesntknow]

Hi all,

I have been a lurker on here on and off since last summer. I would have liked to kick start my ESL life then, however, decided I had neither the financial resources nor enough time to make a informed decision that could possibly require making a year commitment.

The Vitals

As for now, I am 24 years old and have a B.A. in International Affairs from Florida State University. I have no teaching certs or experience, but I have an interview next monday for substitute teaching (trying to get any sort of teaching experience I can). I am interested in teaching in Asia starting in either August or Septmeber. Asia is the destination at this time mostly for the usual reasons (ability to save, flight, free accomadation, etc.). My preferences for countries would probably look like so: 1) Japan 2) China 3)Korea. I see teaching English abroad as an avenue for me to learn a language or two over the years and save some money to enroll in grad school afterwards. I am aware my job is to teach English and that I will be in contact with English most of the day, please just take my word that languages are something I do for fun, so I will put forth the effort to learn

My options as I see them

Japan

I'm pretty sure no matter how much I would like to make Japan my choice, it's most likely not doable this year. For one the main hiring season has passed and I have no TESOL cert or experience. I understand both are important in Japan as the job market is flooded and my qualifications are rather limited. Couple those with only having about 700 (US) saved I probably could not afford the start up costs. However, I am saving about 150 to 200 dollars a week currently. I have seen 2 year contracts offered, would they offer more incentive than a 1 year? Like flight, or paid accomdation?

China

I still as of yet have a concrete understanding of the Chinese market. From what I understand a degree is not mandatory, yet, I have seen jobs ask for a diploma and TESOL. It seems the requirements are going up. Flight and accomadation seem to be included in the many a jobs which makes China appealing. Pay seems to be all over the place. Am I wrong in noticing that university jobs pay less then most language school jobs? Oddities like these have my guard up about China. Also, the shear size of the country makes it hard to pinpoint where to even go.

Korea

Seems like the easiest and surest bet for me to secure a job. I really wouldn't have much in terms of start up costs, just would have to support myself until the first pay check. Some of the hagwon stories I have read scare me, so I would probably feel better making a commitment to a public school.

Finally

Am I remotely correct in assessing my situation? I hope my time reading these forums have not been wasted. I know that ultimately the decision is up to me, I just would like some advice from those with experience and more knowledge then myself. My apologies if this post is neither concise nor clear. Thank you for your time.


Cheers,


Scott


P.S.

I would really like to enroll in a TESOL cert. program before teaching, but think my funds will hinder me. Anyone know of any programs or schools that will provide the cert program and guarantee you a job afterwards? The only one I have seen is the American TESOL Thailand/Korea Program http://www.americantesolinstitute.com/esljobs_korea.shtml : 3 weeks in Thailand then one year contract to teach in Korea. I'm worried about the flight that is included; sounds sketchy.[/url]

[Glenski]

[Tainan]

[beetlil]

Hi Scotty,

Have you considered signing up for a summer camp in Korea? They will run through July - August and will take pretty much anyone with a degree. No teaching experience necessary, but a good way to get some classroom experience with a bunch of western teachers on hand to help you find your feet. The last time I did a camp, there were 40 western teachers and although the 'teaching environment' can be a bit suspect, you can have a lot of fun after hours and make a lot of contacts in the industry. I know many TEFLers who started out this way.

You will be expected to pay your airfare but this will be reimbursed at the end of the camp (some even pay when you arrive). You get free accommodation and some meals and can put a few grand aside over 6-8 weeks, sometimes even more.

[scottydoesntknow]

Glenski wrote

[Tainan]

Yes. I had no money so I asked them if they could pay for it up front; they couldn't do that but they made the arrangement I described above. I do not think it is usual and I do not know how many places would even be willing to do that. I asked for the same thing from the univ. I taught at in China ten years later, and they said no--they were rather surprised I had even asked.

[beetlil]

Hi Scotty,

I have only done winter camps a few years ago 2004, 2005 & 2006 - but same routine applies for summer.

You look out on the job boards (there's one listed now on Daves), send off the required docs, do a phone interview, sign the contract and away you go. I was in Australia each time I applied and the whole process took about 3-4 weeks and the visa was issued very quickly once I had the paperwork from the employer (think it took 4 days).

The job ads say you work from 8.30am - 8pm but I have never had to do those hours in a camp. Most of the time the Korean TAs take over after 4.30 - 5 pm and all the western teachers go out. Everything is so cheap that you don't end up spending a lot of money. Accomm is always shared, but again that just means you make friends REALLY fast! Lot's of teachers head for camps to fill in their holiday period in their own full time job.

Breaky and lunch were always provided and then we'd eat out at night. As I said, the teaching set up is a bit dodgy and you can find yourself with anywhere from 10 - 20 kids in a classroom the size of a bedroom, but it is a great learning curve and lots of old hands around to help you out. Some camps give you next to no resources and others give you so much it's like Christmas!

Anyway, it's food for thought. My only warning is... if you do decide to do it, use it to get an IDEA of TEFL. Every job is different but camps are a bit like speed dating and can leave you in a bit of a spin if it's poorly run! Ask lots of questions via email before you commit.

In the end, it's only a month or so that you have to commit to - or you can sign up for more than one as they often have a few running over 2 months. You can make a bit of money, have some fun, get lots of advice from others in the industry and then who knows where it may lead???

I have been teaching for quite a few years but I would still do camps because you meet some fantastic people. I still keep in touch with many of my camp buddies and we help each other out with info about the industry in respective countries. Of course, there are also going to be teachers that you don't get on with, but groups tend to form and each group has it's like minded bunch. I have only once been in a camp where there was actually hostility and it was a one day event and then over. Depending on your personality it can be a totally crazy month with lots of work and lots of fun and VERY little sleep - but hey, you're young!!

Good luck and keep us informed