Job Discussion Forums

[kona]

Hi everyone, you've probably seen me kicking around the other forums about what I'm going to do after I graduate from my MA TESOL program; big thanks for those that have given their input and advice.

Anyways, I'm going to be completing an MA TESOL program this summer in the US, and am looking at job opportunities in Asia afterwards. My biggest deficit in my skills is a lack of experience; just
-1 year as an ecology teacher (but not certified)
-1 year as a school counselor
-6 months as an ESL teacher in Mexico

I've got 30k in student loans I want to pay off or at least make a sizable dent in them, and I'm wondering where is the best place for doing this? It seems China, Vietnam, Japan (high cost of living though), the country that shall not be named in this forum, and possibly Malaysia or Indonesia are the best options. It also seems that all ESL markets are saturated in Asia right now, but from what I read in the Taiwan forum, it seems like its a buxiban or nada, and I'm hoping to teach at least high school age students (but preferably college). So, what do you guys think?

Any input or advice would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.

[tttompatz]

Green as grass...

Korea is still king for money for fresh-off-the-plane newbies. It is NOT hard to pay off $30k in 3-4 years, still live well and vacation on a SE Asian beach.

China is a close 2nd if you have any entrepreneurial streak at all (the wherewithal go actually go out and get the work). It'll still take 3-4 years to pay off your loans. The demand for teachers will outstrip supply for at least the next decade (SAFEA is projecting an on-going demand for some 50,000 NEW teachers per year over the next 10 years).

Vietnam is OK. You'd be working in a language academy but wages in the $2000 range and costs of living in the $500-800 range are do-able.

Same can be said for Thailand. The better money is NOT teaching in a university but in a bilingual program. Shop around. With a related masters degree the jobs starting in the 50k THB range are available (but will take some looking). Unless the bright lights of BKK call you the possibility of saving 1/2 your salary ($800/mo) is do-able.

Japan is a tough market to get into and the start-up costs are high. You'll need about $5000 in your pocket if that is your intention.

In Taiwan, buxibans and hourly work will be your lot.

Bottom line:

You have the credentials but until you have the experience you are but one or two steps up the ladder from most entry level teachers. There is no shortcut up the ladder but you have made it up the first few rungs. As you add to your experience you will find that moving up isn't that difficult.

As the ASEAN integration draws nearer you will find that more and more jobs as a teacher trainer (public sector) will also open up to you.

.

[KayuJati]

I see that in a different thread (not this one), that the Malaysia bashers are out in full force again. Imagine that, a school expecting someone to put in a full day's work for a full day's pay!

I know of a school in Kuantan that is losing their English teacher this summer. That teacher was on about US$2,200 per month, but saving ~US$1,500 per month since living costs are so low in Kuantan. (Of course the Malaysia bashers want US$5k-6k salaries for TESL work...hahahahaha....)

This particular school has used me as an unpaid resourcer of English teachers and will probably do so again once they find out that teacher is not coming back. (She hasn't told them yet.) In return, I get support for my retirement application.

PM if you have a resume that I can send to the school principal.

[kona]

@tttompatz, thanks again for your advice and insight, its giving me a better idea of what might work best for me. china seems more and more like a worth endeavor, because so much is possible. korea seems stable, and definitely a worth consideration, but the lack of a chance to get uni work right off the bat is kind of putting me off (not that china's uni work is anything to write home about from whats been reporting in these forums). also, i've got some buddies in beijing and starting things up for me there might be easier.

@kayujati, malaysia is also a country that looks interesting to me as well. its not really a country advertised as much as others, but there seems to be some decent paid work there if you know how to swing things right. let me get my resume in order and i'll send it to you. one small problem though... do you have to be 27 to get a visa? Because i just turned 26 this january....

[kona]

...sorry about the spelling mistakes in that last post, just noticed them after I posted it...

[KayuJati]

[Glenski]

You want to teach HS kids in Asia. Ok, sign up for the JET program to work as an ALT in Japan. No guarantees whether you will be in elementary, junior high, or senior high, but it will be a job in a public school, and you won't probably have much pressure to be the solo teacher. Plus, airfare is paid, and you might get lucky with cheap housing. The pay is better than most starting jobs in Japan, too.

It's not a perfect world, so look into the down sides (come to the Japan forum and ask).