Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cangel]

Public education in the US (2 years)
Japan (3 years public ed HS/3 years private school)
Korea (4 months and counting....)

[Tiger Beer]

Brazil and Hungary.

Although technically the Budapest was a TESOL certificate for 4 weeks which included teaching.

Brazil - Sao Paulo and Rio de Jainero for six months. Loved it, but did not pay well at all!

[Jizzo T. Clown]

Japan-1 year
China-1 year
U.S.-2 years

Japan still has a special place in my heart because it was my first time abroad. The food was so great and healthy, and living in Osaka, I was never lacking for things to do. Working environment was OK--40, 40-minute classes / week, transportation paid. I don't understand why so many people complain about the cost of public transportation. If you buy a Teiki (monthly rail pass) then it's not all that much--maybe $100 / month.

Had a Japanese girlfriend (mistake #1) and didn't make an effort to have foreign friends (mistake #2). Would love to go back someday as my Japanese is much better than any other second language I've learned.

China was filthy, the people were rude, and I worked over 60 hours a week for a lousy $700 / month. But the friendships I made there were lasting. Saw the great wall and other awesome sites. The food wasn't good and I gained lots of weight from all the McDonalds and KFC.

America was the most fulfilling job-wise (university IEP) but money-wise I was living paycheck to paycheck, having to watch every penny that went out, not even earning enough to repay my student loans, which recently came due. I loved being close to my family and friends but couldn't earn enough to buy my brother a beer. I would only go back to the States to teach if I could find a lady who has a decent job as well.

I guess until then I'll be in Korea banking coin and telling myself that what I do makes a difference.

[Fishead soup]

The United Arab Emirates.

Beautiful country terrible job.

I was also pretty inexperienced and most of my problems were related to Classroom management. I was working at a technical boys school and kids were brats. If you tried to disipline them in any way shape of form it ends ups harming you. Some of the kids are really well connected to the local Shieks.

Actually most of the bad behavour was related to the fact that I am non muslim. They would say things like teacher teacher,Do you like to eat the pig"? They also cheated during exams.

The country itself was beautiful and very Kaffir freandly. Lots of mountains with old Portugese castles. Great food lots of nice Arabic and Indian style food

[4 months left]

Brazil. Never make the mistake of going to Brazil and then coming to Korea...polar opposites. I always shake my head when I hear people talking about K girls. Brazil has spoiled me, K girls aren't even remotely close.

The food, the beaches, the beer, friendly open minded people and the women. Save your money here and then go to Brazil, it is paradise.

[Hollywoodaction]

University, Canada, 1 year. I was the 'lab instructor', but I did everything from teaching to grading. I had one table, 10 students. There were 5 of us. The professor would pop just so she could say that she was present at every class.

[Atavistic]

American public school for three years.

Five words: No Child Left Behind Act.

That sums it up.

[Woland]

Teaching ESL/EFL - US, Soviet Union, Korea

Teacher Education - US, Turkey, Korea

I've liked them. Wouldn't complain about anyplace, not even the Sov. Had some interesting adventures there and made a lot of friends.

But Turkey is probably my favorite place - friendly people, beautiful country, right balance of work and play. I'll be returning there at some point to settle and work again. There are only a limited number of good jobs available there, though. Fortunately, I'm well connected now for some of them.