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poet13
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.
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 Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject: Which is the best country to work in if... |
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Yes, general discussion. I thought about off-topic, and even job-related, and it's probably closer to job related than anything.
I've heard so much about how difficult it is to be treated as a professional, how hard it is to get what is owed without grief and BS. We also can't teach privates, write or edit textbooks, voice coach, model, act, sing, or do anything that might be construed as an income generating activity outside of a very particular physical address.
As teachers, we measure how good our job is by a number of things, but perhaps most important for most people, how much we make.
So the question is,
"Which is the best country to teach English as a primary job in if it's only about money?"
-I don't consider illegal tutoring in Korea to be legitimate.
-I would include only legal activities. Maybe bartending part-time, or modelling, or tutoring at your home.
-I also include as part of the question that one may have to make sacrifices. Perhaps the country is alcohol free or the temperature averages +33 all year, or Yee-Gads, even -33.
-I would base it on qualifications of several years teaching experience, a Celta/Tefl, or whatever passes for one, and a 4 year degree.
-Not our home countries.
Anyone know where the place to be is? |
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pidgin
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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The highest salaries w/benefits for EFL teachers I've seen are in two places. Saudi Arabia and Equatorial Guinea. The UAE is a close runner-up.
I experienced Saudi for three years. Loved it until 911 happened.
(btw I supplemented my income with legal tutoring and taught at the Royal palace for two years.)
...and my good friend flew to London and interviewed for the EQ job and got it! (2nd time) but turned it down when he learned that the teachers are housed outside the compound. |
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asylum seeker
Joined: 22 Jul 2007
Location: On your computer screen.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:05 am Post subject: |
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| pidgin wrote: |
The highest salaries w/benefits for EFL teachers I've seen are in two places. Saudi Arabia and Equatorial Guinea. The UAE is a close runner-up.
I experienced Saudi for three years. Loved it until 911 happened.
(btw I supplemented my income with legal tutoring and taught at the Royal palace for two years.)
...and my good friend flew to London and interviewed for the EQ job and got it! (2nd time) but turned it down when he learned that the teachers are housed outside the compound. |
So how much did you make in Saudi Arabia? Not that I would ever go there but just curious.. |
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pidgin
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:40 am Post subject: |
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^ With privates about 5,000 US per month...tax free, no rent.
When I felt lazier, 3ish.
But, hell I know one guy here who pulled 10,000 USD in one month in Seoul.
This guy's a major hustler tho, he'll teach 10 hours on a sunday with a smile! |
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poet13
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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| That's nice dosh. I assume privates are legal in Saudi Arabia? |
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pidgin
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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If they're illegal, it wasn't enforced at all. No secret at the "haggie" either.
My own DOS handed me my first "Royal" private. |
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poet13
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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So what was base pay, and on top of that, how many hours a week did you have to do privates to make up the difference?
How would you compare quality of life in Korea vs Saudi Arabia?
My family enjoys food, both cooking in the house and eating out.
How would you compare cost of living? I think Korea is relatively cheap, bearing in mind that I live out in the country. |
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WoBW
Joined: 07 Dec 2007
Location: HBC
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm no expert, but I would say after the Middle East Korea must be a leading contender what with free housing and all. What I do know for sure is don't teach English in Spain. Talk about broke. I only put up with it for 3 months. |
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pidgin
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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| poet13 wrote: |
So what was base pay, and on top of that, how many hours a week did you have to do privates to make up the difference?
How would you compare quality of life in Korea vs Saudi Arabia?
My family enjoys food, both cooking in the house and eating out.
How would you compare cost of living? I think Korea is relatively cheap, bearing in mind that I live out in the country. |
Keep in mind that I was in Saudi from 99 - 02' 
My base pay started at about 2,300 USD and steadily climbed to 3 (I finished as admin.)
My privates ranged from a few hours up to 12 a week. (I carried a solid 30 hours with my contracted job)..
..with the 12 hrs of privates a week I hit 5,000 per mo. BUT that is including the Royals in which I got paid up to 200USD per hour.
The quality of life in Saudi very much depended on you. You have to be proactive in order to get invited onto compounds (where a sense of Western living prevails) and to be able to attend desert outings, etc.... Once the compound doors get opened the sky is the limit! Clubs for about anything from sports to activities are available. If you're a culturalist, the Saudis are very welcoming and accomodating after they get to know you.
Western food (and a myriad of international cusines) is available at grocery stores and restaurants. Food rocks there, in short.
Saudi is the best kept secret (for people who can hack the Islamic culture)...as it has a potentially VERY LOW cost of living coupled with a competitive salary range. My salary was fairly low in comparison with uni. positions, military contracts, jobs within the Oil industry and public schools.
Some schools/orgs to consider might be: KFUPM in Dharan, Aramco and a few others I forget. The Saudi forum on Dave's is fairly lively with a few true Saudi EFL gurus. |
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pidgin
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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| WoBW wrote: |
| I'm no expert, but I would say after the Middle East Korea must be a leading contender what with free housing and all. What I do know for sure is don't teach English in Spain. Talk about broke. I only put up with it for 3 months. |
I would strongly agree. (I don't know about Spain except I love to travel there) Free housing is HUGE, and when you go say...to Thailand and have to find it AND pay for it, it is such a drag! |
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poet13
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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Hmm...looking better all the time. Been reading good stuff abotu UAE also.
Hey, what about beer in KSA? Is that strict no go? Love my beer, but I can do without if need be. |
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pidgin
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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| poet13 wrote: |
Hmm...looking better all the time. Been reading good stuff abotu UAE also.
Hey, what about beer in KSA? Is that strict no go? Love my beer, but I can do without if need be. |
Make your own beer/wine. Everything you need is at the grocery store....long way with yeast, short way with "near beer." |
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pidgin
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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But..yeh illegal. Keep it inside or on the compound.
UAE is less strict and alcohol is NOT illegal there. |
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