Job Discussion Forums

[Iustefan]

I am wondering if the prospects for new ESL teachers is getting better or worse? This is mostly concerning Asia. I understand now a place like Japan is really full of people who want to be, or are ESL teachers, so jobs are difficult to find. And many countries either currently require a degree, or are moving to require a degree. And I imagine there is competition for many of the jobs everywhere in east asia.

My question is mostly concerning the competition for jobs, and the requirements for visas. Does anyone have any predictions whether countries like Korea or Japan will start requiring more than a BA and TEFL certificate for teaching ESL? Or is it at a place it is likely to stay for the long term. It is often repeated that Japan is flooded with ESL teachers, has it always been like this? Are there any signs that this is an up and down trend, and that within a few years it will be better? How does China look in the future?

I am asking more seasoned teachers, who may be able to stand back and see the trends and who may be able to better predict the future. And in no way am i asking for concrete answers, just opinions, predictions, hopefully some good news.

This question is coming into my mind because on this board things look very bleak for the future of newbies hoping to make ESL a career. Was there a time that it was much better?

[overhere]

Dear Iustefan,

I'm affraid I can not answer your question directly because I have never worked in the field. However, being old has it's advantages and one advantage is hindsight.

Yes it is true the world is in a terrible recession (some may even say a depression) but having been around awhile I can assure you that recessions do end. Usually when they end opportunties will abound.

There will always be a market for English Teachers. Sometimes the demand will be greater than others but there will always be some demand. Remember, you don't need 1,000 jobs you just need ONE job.

It's also true that credentials may change but so what? just change with it! If an employer starts requiring a different piece of paper then go out and acquire that piece of paper. If you want a career in TELF or any other field you must be willing to adjust and commit to life long learning. Otherwise, you don't have a career but just a job . You can lose a job but a career will sustain you (even though it usually evolves a bit ver a lifetime).


If TEFL is something you really want to do then dedicate your self to it. Acquire the knowledge and skills to be the best at it! Attack it with passion! If you do that then you won't have to worry what qualifications will be needed in the future because most likely you will already exceed them.

The folks on this board know a lot more about teaching english than I do but I can assure you there have been ESL teachers around for many years and they will still be around long after most of us are gone.

Best of luck... now stop worrying and start applying

[tttompatz]

[Glenski]

[tttompatz]

Demand in Japan still exceeds 25,000 teachers (1/6000 ratio to population) per year even with the dropping off in demand by the loss of GEOS and Nova. Much of that loss (and drops in student numbers) was as much due to economic problems in Japan as it might have been to a dropping off of an "interest" in ESL.

I suspect there will be a rebound even though it may not be as fast or as large as some might hope.

Is Japan competitive = yes.
Will it (demand) fall much below current levels = IMHO I don't think so.

ESL in Asia is still, overall, a growth industry and won't be slowing down any time soon - I don't foresee an excess of a million ESL teachers willing to come here in the next decade or 2 to stem the demand.

Just my humble opinion.

.

[naturegirl321]

Where I am, salaries are going down, hours are going up, possibly because of the huge influx of people coming here bacuase they can't get jobs back home because of the economy.

On the plus side, if you have experience, quals and connections, you're good to go.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I simply have to believe that China is the future.
Good luck!

[Glenski]

[BenE]

Here in Vietnam things are looking bleaker than they did when I came.

The regulations are being tightened to stop an influx of foreign workers and many schools are struggling with regulations and keeping teachers on the payroll. Many (except the big ones) can't offer to process work permits and allow teachers stability here and they also often only give part time hours.

I've managed to find a foothold but I'm told I'm a lucky person for being able to do that.

[FoundWaldo]

It is definitely true that ESL job market in Asia has changed. There are more people applying for fewer jobs. While this does make it harder for new teachers to find a job, overall I think it is better for the industry. The competition is weeding out applicants who had no business teaching in the first place. It may be harsh, but I think it will improve the working conditions for people who actually want to make a career out of teaching English.

[Glenski]

[TwinCentre]

By checking the job board on this site and tefl.com for regularly for the past 10 years (I know, I should get a life, but I do blog on the subject of TEFL), IMHO it has been plain to see that, generally, salaries are declining in either relative or actual terms the world over in EFL.

The real shocking thing is that if you take a country like Spain, for example, back in 2000 it was not too difficult to get a gig in Barcelona or Madrid for �700 net per month....now it is more like 800-950 euros net, but think about the rise in the cost of living since then! It has soared like an eagle! Crazy.

In 1998, NOVA in Tokyo was offering 289k yen for new teachers, now the average for language schools seems to be something like 240k maybe 250k, 12 years on!

In 2002, the standard in KL, Malaysia was 3500 RMB, now take a look, more like 2500-3000 in 2010.

In 2000, I worked in Frankfurt on 3400 DM (=1600 euros), now try and get that...you might just, but the cost of living has also risen a great deal since entering the Euro. You are more likely to get 1200 euros.

And I don't need to mention that the old classic 35k Bhat in Bangkok doesn't seemed to have moved in 15 years. There are a lot more gigs paying 30k these days.

Maybe the demand for EFL teachers is still strong, but schools are not able to pay like they used to.

[markcmc]

The situation is getting worse because there is a recession in many countries, and a fall in the birthrate too.

But you can still get work. You just have to try harder. Once the recession lifts things will get a little easier.