Job Discussion Forums

cassylynn · Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Posts: 3 Location: North Carolina, USA

Hello Fellow Teachers,
I am both excited and overwhelmed at the prospect of teaching abroad after deferring this dream for many years due to relationship and family obligations. I've made the decision to go to Asia, China looks promising, but am open to other options. I have seven varied years of secondary English teaching experience in the United States, my current license is in North Carolina where I teach at a public middle school on the coast. I have also had two summers of teaching ESL experience at a community college. I hope that's enough to qualify me for a decent paying job because I would like to pay off some hefty student loans for a graduate program in Buddhist studies. I want to be in Asia by August 2010. What is realistic? I'm a bit nervous by the scams I've read about. I'm a single, mature, fit female, looking for adventure and an opportunity to expand and enjoy my profession on an entirely different plane.
Any input is appreciated. Thank you.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Asia by August this year. International schools (in Japan anyway) have academic calendars similar to the west, so that would be roughly when they start, too. Other schools start in April here.

August is only 5 months away. International schools may already be advertising for such positions, so look for the job fairs now!
Search Associates, ISS (International School Services) and CIS (Council of International Scools).

A listing of international schools in Japan. Some in Japanese language.
http://www.tokyowithkids.com/fyi/international_schools.html
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/%7Etc9w-ball/useful/schools.htm

How much do you have to pay off in your loans every month? TEFL jobs usually don't pay all that much. One has to learn to be thrifty.

powerrose · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Shenzhen, China

Yes, in China (and Macau/HK), almost all of the desirable international schools finished their hiring in February. I believe the schools in Macau/HK start at around 20,000HKD a month, but the housing is brutal, at least in HK (conflicting reports on Macau). These schools recruit overseas for teachers like you.

There will be a few people hiring closer to September. The average pay in China ranges from 4,000RMB to 12,000RMB, and a nice place might range you 2,000-4,000 (talking big cities). Some places offer accommodation, but they pay on the low end.

When I did JET (Japan) a couple years ago, I knew people who paid off their loans, because we made around 30k US a year. But, Japan's cost of living is comparable to the US, and even people with subsidized housing became complete hermits, because they couldn't afford to travel (JET usually places you in the boonies). Which is ok for some people.

People seem to say that you can make money in Korea, so check out the Korea forum.

Man, in debt from a graduate degree in Buddhist Studies, though. Yikes. How'd that happen? Embarassed

cassylynn · Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Posts: 3 Location: North Carolina, USA

Good question--how did I get in debt over Buddhist studies??? It sounds like a bit of a dialectical doesn't it? Yes, Korea. I was thinking of trying there. Is this early hiring due to the time it takes to get a visa?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

cassylynn,
It's actually rather late if you are thinking about Japan. Most teaching jobs start in April, and visas take 4-8 weeks to get after you land the job.

For Korea questions, go to the Korea forum.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=79359

waxwing · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 719 Location: China

cassylynn · Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Posts: 3 Location: North Carolina, USA

the research is taking a lot of my time, but I REALLY appreciate the feedback from everyone. I know I will end up exactly where I am supposed to be, however, I can't avoid the footwork.

New Question-----WHAT SHOULD MY RESUME LOOK LIKE? Is there a site to visit that can help me? Somehow I don't think it should look like the same resume I would use here in the states for a public school position.
Thanks again in advance for sharing your experience and enthusiasm. Confused

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

It may depend on what country you pursue.

Tips on resume for Japan:

Put contact info, nationality, date and place of birth, one phone number (not a cell phone, preferably), mailing address, email address and passport expiration date at the top. In the top corner also affix / embed a passport-sized professional photo of yourself.

Next is Education section. List the degree by name (you'd be surprised how many don't).

Work Experience. Describe each job only in short bullets, not paragraphs. State the city and state where the company is (again, you'd be surprised how many don't).

Do NOT use abbreviations for anything except USA, UK, CELTA, and little else.
No need for GPA.
Do not use marketing buzzwords or jargon. Write as if your Japanese reviewer has a 5th grade education in reading English.

Keep it to 2 pages or less.