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NilsA
Joined: 20 May 2011
Posts: 11
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 Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 12:44 am Post subject: Where should an ESL newbie look for a first job? |
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Well, maybe the answer to my subject question is, "Anywhere you can find one!" But I'm trying to get the lay of the land here... So my question is: What countries are probably my best prospects for finding a first job teaching English? What are some considerations I might not be aware of as a newbie?
I am a 41 year old guy with an English degree. I am planning to get TESOL certification this winter, and hope to enter the ESL job market next summer or fall. I have no teaching experience.
Lots of places are potentially interesting to me, though I am particularly eying China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, possibly elsewhere in Asia. I am much more interested in the richness of my experience than in how much money I make. I am hoping to at least find myself somewhere where my presence as a teacher is valued by the people around me. Tall order, I know...
I have perused the forums plenty and have found plenty of good information (alas, much of it is discouraging). But all in all post surfing has only made the picture more confusing. Am I crazy to be doing this at all? I am highly motivated and know how to succeed in difficult scenarios. But I do want to be realistic.
I would greatly appreciate any input, and I wish you all well wherever you may be in the world  |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:30 am Post subject: |
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I think you hit it: China, Japan (JET), Taiwan, KOrea, maybe Vietnam and Thailand.
Maybe people have made the jump to TEFL in their 40s. Do you have a degree? that's important. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 2:57 am Post subject: Re: Where should an ESL newbie look for a first job? |
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| NilsA wrote: |
Well, maybe the answer to my subject question is, "Anywhere you can find one!" But I'm trying to get the lay of the land here... So my question is: What countries are probably my best prospects for finding a first job teaching English? What are some considerations I might not be aware of as a newbie?
I am a 41 year old guy with an English degree. I am planning to get TESOL certification this winter, and hope to enter the ESL job market next summer or fall. I have no teaching experience.
Lots of places are potentially interesting to me, though I am particularly eying China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, possibly elsewhere in Asia. I am much more interested in the richness of my experience than in how much money I make. I am hoping to at least find myself somewhere where my presence as a teacher is valued by the people around me. Tall order, I know...
I have perused the forums plenty and have found plenty of good information (alas, much of it is discouraging). But all in all post surfing has only made the picture more confusing. Am I crazy to be doing this at all? I am highly motivated and know how to succeed in difficult scenarios. But I do want to be realistic.
I would greatly appreciate any input, and I wish you all well wherever you may be in the world |
a) Native speaker Passport from one of: USA, UK, Can., NZ, AUS, (or other primarily anglophone country) = unknown
b) Degree = Check
d) Under 55 = check
d) willing to travel = check
e) able to fund your relocation (~US$3000) = unknown
f) teaching cert other than TEFL/TESL/TESOL = unknown
Some IFs and answers:
i) IF you answered YES to (a) then you can legally find work in all of Asia.
ii) IF you answered NO to (a) then you are limited to the less developed regions of Asia (backwater China, Canbodia, Laos, Indonesia). The better paying options (east coast of China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, etc) are off the table because you can't get a visa.
ii) IF you answered Yes to (a) and NO to (e) then your only option is Korea (go register on the Korean forums). You need about US$200 for the visa application process and about $1000 to see you through to payday (they front your airfare and housing).
If you answered YES to (a) and YES to (e) then the answer is the same as (i).
If you are looking from abroad then China is the easiest to find work with Korea a close 2nd.
If you want to work in most other countries in Asia you will need to be on the ground and in the country for your job search. You will also need to have your airfare and be able to support yourself for up to 90 days while you look for work and wait for your first payday.
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NilsA
Joined: 20 May 2011
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:27 am Post subject: |
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| naturegirl321 wrote: |
I think you hit it: China, Japan (JET), Taiwan, KOrea, maybe Vietnam and Thailand.
Maybe people have made the jump to TEFL in their 40s. Do you have a degree? that's important. |
"Maybe?" Or "Many?" The later I hope! Yes, I do have a degree, in English literature. Heck, I feel young, I'm not going to worry about the age issue. I'm going to start learning Chinese too--what harm can it do? I can see that I have to just go with my instincts, and not try to pin everything down. Thanks again for your comments. |
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NilsA
Joined: 20 May 2011
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:32 am Post subject: Re: Where should an ESL newbie look for a first job? |
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| tttompatz wrote: |
| NilsA wrote: |
Well, maybe the answer to my subject question is, "Anywhere you can find one!" But I'm trying to get the lay of the land here... So my question is: What countries are probably my best prospects for finding a first job teaching English? What are some considerations I might not be aware of as a newbie?
I am a 41 year old guy with an English degree. I am planning to get TESOL certification this winter, and hope to enter the ESL job market next summer or fall. I have no teaching experience.
Lots of places are potentially interesting to me, though I am particularly eying China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, possibly elsewhere in Asia. I am much more interested in the richness of my experience than in how much money I make. I am hoping to at least find myself somewhere where my presence as a teacher is valued by the people around me. Tall order, I know...
I have perused the forums plenty and have found plenty of good information (alas, much of it is discouraging). But all in all post surfing has only made the picture more confusing. Am I crazy to be doing this at all? I am highly motivated and know how to succeed in difficult scenarios. But I do want to be realistic.
I would greatly appreciate any input, and I wish you all well wherever you may be in the world |
| Quote: |
| a) Native speaker Passport from one of: USA, UK, Can., NZ, AUS, (or other primarily anglophone country) = unknown |
b) Degree = Check
d) Under 55 = check
d) willing to travel = check
e) able to fund your relocation (~US$3000) = unknown
f) teaching cert other than TEFL/TESL/TESOL = unknown
Some IFs and answers:
i) IF you answered YES to (a) then you can legally find work in all of Asia.
ii) IF you answered NO to (a) then you are limited to the less developed regions of Asia (backwater China, Canbodia, Laos, Indonesia). The better paying options (east coast of China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, etc) are off the table because you can't get a visa.
ii) IF you answered Yes to (a) and NO to (e) then your only option is Korea (go register on the Korean forums). You need about US$200 for the visa application process and about $1000 to see you through to payday (they front your airfare and housing).
If you answered YES to (a) and YES to (e) then the answer is the same as (i).
If you are looking from abroad then China is the easiest to find work with Korea a close 2nd.
If you want to work in most other countries in Asia you will need to be on the ground and in the country for your job search. You will also need to have your airfare and be able to support yourself for up to 90 days while you look for work and wait for your first payday.
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Thanks for the info. I am an American (Seattle currently, Montana born). China is where I would really like to go, and it seems to make sense as a first option, so I'm going to go ahead and start learning Chinese. I'm not going to worry too much about the 2 year rule; I'm just going to go with my instincts. Thanks again! |
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lamhung_503
Joined: 24 Aug 2009
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:42 am Post subject: |
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| Is 23 too young ? |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 4:31 am Post subject: |
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| NilsA wrote: |
| naturegirl321 wrote: |
I think you hit it: China, Japan (JET), Taiwan, KOrea, maybe Vietnam and Thailand.
Maybe people have made the jump to TEFL in their 40s. Do you have a degree? that's important. |
"Maybe?" Or "Many?" The later I hope! Yes, I do have a degree, in English literature. Heck, I feel young, I'm not going to worry about the age issue. I'm going to start learning Chinese too--what harm can it do? I can see that I have to just go with my instincts, and not try to pin everything down. Thanks again for your comments. |
Many people. The cut off ranges from 45 to 65, depending. 55 is the norm.
| lamhung_503 wrote: |
| Is 23 too young ? |
Nope, I started a couple months after I turned 20. Do you have a degree? |
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lamhung_503
Joined: 24 Aug 2009
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 5:19 am Post subject: |
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| To Naturegirl, I will be graduating this summer. I am still looking for a program for my certification. Do you think Language Corps or TEFL International is a good choice, are they reputable? Also I am thinking of either getting in Japan, Korea or Europe. Your advice means a lot to me. Thanks |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 5:21 am Post subject: |
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| lamhung_503 wrote: |
| To Naturegirl, I will be graduating this summer. I am still looking for a program for my certification. Do you think Language Corps or TEFL International is a good choice, are they reputable? Also I am thinking of either getting in Japan, Korea or Europe. Your advice means a lot to me. Thanks |
I've PMed you. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:25 am Post subject: |
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| lamhung_503 wrote: |
| To Naturegirl, I will be graduating this summer. ... Also I am thinking of either getting in Japan, Korea or Europe. |
Japan is flooded with teachers. Be aware of the competition. Also, when do you want to work? Summer is a lukewarm time to search for Japan; there is a small blip of hiring for October start dates. Otherwise, things are pretty cold until Feb/March for the April start dates.
Expect 20-100 people (maybe more) to apply for every job. Newcomers to Japan should probably think of the JET program as their best overall bet, but be aware of the long timeline for applications. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| lamhung_503 wrote: |
| To Naturegirl, I will be graduating this summer. ... Also I am thinking of either getting in Japan, Korea or Europe. |
Japan is flooded with teachers. Be aware of the competition. Also, when do you want to work? Summer is a lukewarm time to search for Japan; there is a small blip of hiring for October start dates. Otherwise, things are pretty cold until Feb/March for the April start dates.
Expect 20-100 people (maybe more) to apply for every job. Newcomers to Japan should probably think of the JET program as their best overall bet, but be aware of the long timeline for applications. |
I told him to PM you about Japan, all I know is the JET programme seems like his best bet. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I am still looking for a program for my certification. Do you think Language Corps or TEFL International is a good choice, are they reputable? Also I am thinking of either getting in Japan, Korea or Europe. |
You'll want to look into the restrictions on US citizens (unless you also have a passport from an EU member country) in Europe. You're essentially limited to the 'new' EU member countries, and the job market is tight throughout. You can find lots of info on all this on the country-specific forums here.
For Western Europe, you're essentially looking at student visas (which do require that you be an actual student), which are available in some countries - but not all. |
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