Job Discussion Forums

Hadit · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 109

Hi

This is my first post, but I've searched these forums in depth for the past week. A question I'd like to know is in which country can one find employment with the least number of hours offering the best living. I realize it's a trade-off of course, but some countries generally work long hours (such as the 40-hr week). This knowledge would also be helpful for those potentially seeking a Master's degree in their spare time.

My qualifications are low atm, but please don't base suggestions on me personally. Whether a BA, CELTA, or MA, or all three, I am wondering this in general. I find 40 hrs. to be a bit much personally.

From my research (which is no doubt spotty), I see the following:

South Korea- usually offers good savings, and has the ability to work as little as 20 hours total? I also see with an MA and a Uni job, one can work less than this here.

Japan- work more hours it seems, 30-40.

Cambodia- Work hours are low, but the pay isn't very good.

Middle East- seem to work about 40hrs., though pay is generally high.

I do not have much info on South America, it seems work hours might be low, but unless one has a university job, the pay isn't that great.

Is private lessons the way to go in time to maximize pay while minimizing hours?

I am looking for help filling this in by anyone who has been able to, or could, work rather low hours while simultaneously making good wages, with perhaps even the ability to save up a bit�or has any knowledge of where to do so.

Would taking on of all privates yield this result? In which countries is this feasible?

Thanks much!

jdl · Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Posts: 632 Location: cyberspace

mmmm.....as much pay as possible for doing as little as possible? A great career orientation?

khmerhit · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:32 pm Post subject:

I used to teach 44 hours a week.

It took a while to build up this number of hours but --where theres a will, theres a way in

C A M B O D I A

try it and see Cool

johnslat · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:36 pm Post subject:

Dear Hadit,

"Middle East- seem to work about 40hrs., though pay is generally high."

Well, with an MA, your classroom hours can range from (usually) about 20 per week to about 25.
My work hours were from 8 a.m. (but arrived at 7:30 a.m.) to 2:30 p.m.,
five days a week (so about 35 hours a week.)
If you're under contract, tutoring is technically illegal, but many/most teachers do it, and I've never heard of anyone's getting in trouble for private tutoring.

Regards,
John

Blingcosa · Joined: 17 May 2008 Posts: 146 Location: Guangdong

New Zealand:
40 hours per week = $1000/week

China:
few more hours, bit less money (private language school - uni has les hours)

Africa:
No money, work never stops

I choose Africa!!

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

I think crime offers few hours with potentially big pay-offs. Although you do tend to do time later.

Hadit · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 109

When do you think would be the best time to apply? Thanks!

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Are you thinking only of contact hours, or of the total amount of time you spend at the school? I've never had more than 20ish contact hours--which is actually less than 20 hours, given that a teaching hour is often less than 60 minutes. Depending on where you work, you may or may not be required to stick around when you're not teaching. Where I work now, I've got 20 contact hours + 10 office hours. If I've got errands, need to see a doctor, or just want a nice lunch break--no problem. At my last job, we were required to be on site from 8am to 4pm, regardless of our teaching schedule.

d

Hadit · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 109

That's pretty good w/ 30 Denise, as you're in the Me right? I was considering the total hours. What type of institution do you work for?

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I'm at a university in Oman. I'm generally here closer to 40 hours (by choice--including lunch, morning tea break, etc.), but it's very nice knowing that I'm not tied to my desk when I'm not teaching.

d

sarahg · Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 47 Location: San Diego, CA

If you're a recent graduate there are programs in France, Spain, and some other areas of Europe (primary/secondary schools or in France, universities as a lecteur/lectrice) where you can teach well below 20 hours a week, but the pay is student subsistence level. Closer to a living wage than you'd make working 12 hours a week as an uncertified assistant teacher in the states though.

CJD · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 116

China

Work 12 hours a week at a university, make 6,000RMB per month. A very nice apt in most cities is about 1,500 a month, possibly less, and you can have 3 nice meals a day in resturaunts and still have money to burn.

But if you're looking to save money to pay off debt in a western country, working at a Chinese university is not a good idea.