Job Discussion Forums

[TES]

This is my first post, but I've spent the last few months reading and learning a lot from Dave's ESL caf� and all of you. I know that some don�t like these blanket �where should I go� questions � but at this stage of my search, I�m hoping that a few of you might have some ideas to help get me started given what I�m looking for�

About me: I�m from and am currently living in the USA, have a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and, after spending the last few years in the rat race, just completed my CELTA and am looking at both college and K-12 jobs overseas. I have a few years of part-time US college teaching experience, but no K-12 experience or K-12 teaching cert. I love teaching � I plan to make it my career. I�m most interested in working with elementary age students and/or adults, but am open to most any opportunity. (I�m considering getting the YL extension if I get a job with kids). I hope to find something that starts summer or fall 2010.

What I�m looking for in a place to live: My wife will be coming with me and working on her degree online, so finding a place with access to reliable Internet is must. While we�re most interested in living in rural/smaller town areas (anything below 100K people would be nice) where we can really get to know the culture and people (and learn a new language), we are open to considering most any place.

We�re less into the night life/party scene and more into the outdoors (hiking, sightseeing, etc.) � actually, access to the outdoors on a regular (weekly or so) basis is our main criteria for anywhere we live. We also would be okay moving somewhere where we were the only English speakers.

While we don�t need to make a ton of money, I�d like to be able to make enough to support us both wherever we�re living while she focuses on her degree. Obviously, health insurance, round-trip flights, etc. would be a plus, but I know that may not be a possibility in all places. I need to find a job from where I am, as while we have a little bit of money saved up, it�s not enough for us to travel around until I find one�

Okay, I know that was a lot - sorry for the long message. And I know matching the rural aspect to reliable Internet may be difficult in some areas of the world, but we have to start somewhere in our search, so why not our current ideal =)

One place we�re looking at is Brunei. I found lots of information about it in the General Asia Forum, and plan to post a couple of specific questions about Brunei there. However, it looks like it is currently difficult for Americans to find jobs in Brunei, so would love to hear about other places we should consider.

Any specific advice on places to check out for this newbie?

Thank you!

[Glenski]

[naturegirl321]

YOu're in the same situation as me. except I'll be dragging my husband along to study online while I work.

I think that looking at K 12 jobs might be hard. Do you mean intl schools? YOu'll need to have a teaching license to teach there.

So either get the cert, or look at bilingual schools rather than intl ones.

You'll have to start at the bottom of the ladder, but can work your way up.
While learning about the people, etc is great, keep in mind that it is difficult to learn the language while teaching English. People will want to practise their English with you. Not saying it's impossible, just hard.

I'd say look at Asia. Flights, and housing, as well as medical is often included. Some places you can save, others you'll barely get by.

I've heard good things about Brunei. Lots of paperwork for applications, but good jobs.

[denise]

You could look into Oman. Many of the small towns have at least one college, and you can get wireless internet service fairly easily (once you've gotten your resident card). Many of the colleges hire through recruiters who fairly regularly advertise on tefl.com. There have been problems with many of the colleges/recruiters, but it's fairly easy to keep your head down, do your job, and then get away on the weekends. Your salary should support both of you, and you'd get free housing, airfare, medical insurance, etc.

It is ridiculously hot for several months, though...

d

[denise]

And from what I've seen of Brunei, at least the jobs offered through CfBT, Americans aren't eligible.

d

[Pikgitina]

I second denise's Oman suggestion.

The villages of Ibri, Ibra and Nizwa will most likely fall 100% into your outdoors requirement. Especially Ibra and Nizwa. The colleges themselves are sort of situated in the great outdoors, too.

Out of the three, I'd recommend Nizwa. If you're in Nizwa, you're basically in the middle of Oman (not geographically, but in terms of roads and distances to other places of interest).

The recruiter I worked for wasn't great, but if I think back to my days in Nizwa, I can't remember a single thing that they didn't do (but were supposed to).

Good luck!

[Glenski]

[JZer]

Flights are also not paid for in Taiwan unless you are working at the American school.

[JZer]

[denise]

[fladude]

Be careful what you ask for. I wanted to teach in a small town with easy access to nature... and I got just that.... only its so small that there are no stores and the nature is everywhere. And the nature is kind of scary.... bears and such. You really need a gun. And there are no roads, or cars, or that sort of thing. So getting to the nature is actually not as easy it seems it would be, since you have to walk everywhere, and you really need a gun once you are at the edge of town.... I dunno..... sometimes there can be too much nature.

[JZer]

[denise]

[JZer]

[johnslat]

Dear JZer,

http://www.alloexpat.com/oman_expat_forum/

http://www.omanforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=55

http://board.classifieds1000.com/Oman/Expat

http://www.expat-blog.com/en/directory/middle-east/oman/

http://www.expatexchange.com/expat/index.cfm?frmid=268&forumid=0&dbname=ee&shared=N

http://omanexpat.blogspot.com/

Hope these help.

Regards,
John