Korean Job Discussion Forums

decafdave · Joined: 18 May 2010

Hey,

What does one year of EFL experience mean in different countries?
I figure in some countries I'll barely be better off than newbies with my Korea experience and in others it will be viewed as an asset.

I'd like to know what kind of options there are.

Thanks!

young_clinton · Joined: 09 Sep 2009

With a science degree between 1250 and 1400 dollars a month in Thailand. Without, but with a college degree, 1000 dollars a month in Thailand teaching ESL, maybe. The pay can go as low as 700 dollars a month in the provinces. For Vietnam with experience 1000 a month, science or no science degree as long as you have a degree. With the economy, the teaching jobs in Thailand are drying up. If you can go renew your contract, you might want to do that. Bangkok is no bed of roses to live in.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

Vietnam pays way more than that. My understanding is that a starting salary at a school like ILA is $1,500-1,800.

metalhead · Joined: 18 May 2010 Location: Toilet

I worked in Vietnam back in 2004 and was making about 1500 dollars a month. Definitely the best deal in S-E Asia as far as EFL goes. (Remember to factor in the low cost of living.)

decafdave · Joined: 18 May 2010

Now are those options for complete newbies, someone like myself with a year of experience, or anyone?

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

I don't think a year of experience is going to boost your pay a ton. For Vietnam those are bare minimum salaries, but you have to have a Celta in order to work in the country.

gem · Joined: 06 Dec 2010

A friend of mine who had no teaching experience, just a TEFL certificate, did very well in Spain. She didn't make much in the school she worked in but did alot of private tutoring at 30 euros an hour. Getting paid in euros seemed to be the key because of it's higher value than the dollar.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

gem · Joined: 06 Dec 2010

No, she was American. I can try to find out what the visa process is like if you're really interested. I don't think she was there illegally, but I'm not completely sure either. A while back, I also read about teaching through some government program in France. I remember one of the requirements was that you had to be a able to speak french. I have the site bookmarked on my computer at home in the US. There are some rare opportunities for Americans to teach esl in Europe, you just have to look very hard to find them.