Job Discussion Forums

[wayne1523]

Hey everyone. I just wanted to get a rough feel on where I place relative to the competition. I just got my BA majoring in History, a 3-year Degree. I don't have the greatest marks/transcript by the way. I've enrolled into CELTA which will commence on May 31st. Assuming that I have both of these qualifications by early July, and without any formal teaching experience or jaw-dropping work experience (only retail, telemarketing, min. wage jobs, etc.), what are my chances out there for the newbie jobs in Asia? Such as Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam? What about places in South America like Chile, Argentina, Brazil, or even Mexico? With what I have so far, which countries/continents in general would be comparatively less difficult for me? Maybe even the relatively easier countries to be hired is getting harder. Sometimes when I browse these forums I feel as if I don't have enough to offer, at least on paper. I see some people here who have seemingly better qualifications than I and are yet still struggling with being employed. Interviews, however, are one of my redeeming strengths as I'm usually pretty confident and give a pretty good impression to employers. I always have since way back.

But if even getting my CELTA is not enough, what else can I do to make myself more qualified in terms of the certification department. I am sensing that it might have been much easier being hired 5 years ago, but it seems like everybody is catching on to the trend and interested in teaching English overseas these days to lead perhaps a more adventurous life than the mundane 9 to 5 back at home.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Hey there, Wayne.

I'm actually not sure what a 3-year degree means. But if it's a regular BA, with a CELTA, then my 2 cents...

I think you could get hired in most countries in Asia, South America and Eastern Europe. However, you will be at the lower end of the pay scale (the actual amount will vary depending on where of course). You would definitely be qualified (as it stands now) to teach in Russia.

Best of luck!

[Glenski]

[TeresaLopez]

I live in Mexico City and you could easily get a job here. A couple of the leading language schools will hire you and give you their own training course, then once you get a couple of years of experience you will be in a better position to pick and choose. Feel free to PM me if you'd like more info.

[wayne1523]

I'm sorry Glenski, what does ALT stand for again? Okay okay, not adventurous...how about, more "colorful"?

[tttompatz]

Assuming your 3-year degree is a Bachelor of xxyyzz then you have the basic entry level qualifications for a position (with work visa) in any country in Asia, EASTERN Europe or Central/South America.

Pick a country and away you go.

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Korea is a tough country to work in but the entry costs are minimal - they supply housing and airfare (often up front).The competition for jobs is getting a little stiff with the influx of new grads heading to Asia for work so they can pay off their student loans. Many people arrive with next to nothing in their pockets and struggle for the first couple months but they get by. Check the Korean forums for detailed information. http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/login.php
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Japan is in a similar situation with the added costs of finding your own accommodation and airfare. The market tends to be saturated so finding jobs from abroad is difficult at best.
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Taiwan has a competitive pay scale but again you need to front your own airfare and setup costs. Look for entry level jobs in the 55000 TWD range and setup costs in the 2000-3000 USD/EURO range.
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China often supplies free housing and the cost of living is VERY CHEAP so you can, if you are frugal, save money. Look for jobs in the 6000-8000rmb range. You need to supply your own airfare but many jobs will give you an airfare allowance of up to 8000RMB on completion of a 1 year contract. There is no shortage of jobs now and competition will remain light due to VERY HIGH demand for the foreseeable future.
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Thailand is a bit of a mixed bag at the moment for any number of reasons not the least of which is the political situation and fighting in Bangkok. Jobs in the 30,000-40,000 THB can be had (even from abroad) with work visa and work permit. There are lots of jobs available for those with the BA and CELTA and your GPA is largely irrelevant.

The cost of living is cheap and even cheaper if you are away from the big city or tourist areas. You can, at the end of the day, save as much here as you can anywhere if you stay away from the expensive distractions of bar hopping every weekend or "flavor of the month" girlfriends. You will need about $1000 to get yourself through to your first payday.
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Can't tell you much about Central/South America and there are others better qualified to tell you about Eastern Europe.

.

[wayne1523]

Thanks to all, and especially to you tttompatz for the rough breakdown of each country. I also want to know how relevant is the GPA attained in university? I don't have the best of grades, again. My overall cumulative average is what I calculated to be exactly 70%, my major (history) average being 69%. Do hirers usually care or just the fact that you have a degree is sufficient. Currently, The job I am applying for has asked for my transcript. Matter of fact, I'm at my university right now and made the hour and half drive just to get this transcript for tomorrow's interview. At the same time, I've seen hirers who only need a copy of your degree/certificate.

[Glenski]

ALT = assistant language teacher
ALTs are not in charge of a class; they assist a local teacher from that country who is in charge. Some have great authority and responsibility while others are reduced to being mere voice models or "human tape recorders" for the teacher in charge.

"Colorful", eh? Still not sure why you see things that way. Whatever.

GPA is almost totally irrelevant. In Japan, anyway, most employers probably don't even know what that term means. They just need someone who finished college in any major.

Employers may want transcripts just to prove to themselves that you don't have a fake degree bought in Thailand.

No need to explain an "hour and a half drive". Pretty small potatoes in terms of what you have to do to fill out an application. Some recruiters come to your home country but set up shop in only a couple of cities, so to interview you'd have to fly several hours and pay for expenses in a hotel for 1-3 days. If that's what it takes...

[naturegirl321]

[JLL]

[Glenski]

[quote="JLL"]