Job Discussion Forums

[Solar Strength]

I'd like to teach High School in Thailand and would like to know any salient, or not so obvious differences, between the above countries with Thailand.

[davejw6]

I've taught in all these countries, and I'm sitting home in OZ now deciding which one to return too??
They all have there good and bad points, but the main consideration for me is the school itself. Finding a school, lifestyle and $ that you are happy with is the biggest issue.

Thailand - the most fun, but $ is average. (the place I always go to for vacations).
Japan - seems to be flooded with teachers now, and you need to be there for interviews (I'm over staying in shoe boxes applying for jobs).
Korea - $ Ok, but the school owns you. Massive amounts of paperwork for a visa. No wonder there are so many job offers. (do a lot of research on a school before applying).
China - studied there, but haven't worked there yet ( I was pleasantly surprised by almost everything, but that was Kunming).
Taiwan - overall the best. Taipei the only big city I really enjoy. ($ Ok, friendly people, great food, and heaps to see and do).
Good luck, and research the school.
When (if), you find a good school, remember. The grass isn't always greener in nearby Asia.

[rigel]

The best route to go is Korea, but only if you like teaching kids. I myself hate teaching somebody else's brats, and with the uni and college job faucets pretty much at a drip in Korea these days, I'm looking at other places.

I've done the fly-back-to-the-US thing to get the apostilled CRC, and it's not that bad. It's expensive, but if you get into the job you want, it's worth it, in my opinion. When I went, I got like 6 copies of my CRC, three copies of my diploma, and 8 copies of my transcripts for future job prospects. I also was able to do a switcheroo on my bank account, and the interest I'll earn on the new account will more than cover the flight. I also did some of my favorite activities while there waiting on visa processing, such as skeet shooting. It's hard to do any shooting in a place like Korea or Thailand. I love my right to bear arms in the USA and I love my 18-gun arsenal. So again, the hoop isn't that bad to jump through.

And at least getting out of Korea is easy. In some countries, you will have to pay a huge fee to get out if you want to leave before your contract is up. These places won't let you out unless you have permission, and some will keep your passport locked away so you don't disappear.

Go to Korea. It's easy to get a job there. If you like teaching kids, that is. Just don't do a hogwan. Whatever you do, avoid those places.