Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sadebugo1]

I think the person who wrote the article in the referenced thread focused on the worst people in the worst part of the profession. I totally disagree with the implication that all people who enter the field are losers who have no ambition. Yes, there are people like that, but certainly not the majority. To prove my point, I cite my own EFL career. I have been teaching overseas now for 10 years. I began in Korea without a TEFL cert. or degree in the field although I did have a graduate degree in another area. My first job in a language institute wasn't great, but I moved on to bigger and better things. I've worked at EFL jobs that paid as high as $50,000 American/year plus benefits and am currently working in a university that gives five months of paid vacation a year! I have never had a job that I couldn't save at least $1,000/month thanks to free acommodation and minimal taxes. Although I have since acquired an MATEFL, I got these jobs before I had this qualification. I don't mean to go on about salary and benefits so much, but that seems to be a big part of the author's emphasis.

Anyway, there are so many opportunities out there to have wonderful teaching experiences and receive good salary/benefits. I have never worked in Europe and therefore, can't speak for that situation. However, I suspect that a rule I formulated a long time ago also applies to Europe. The rule is that the job situation is more a reflection of the country that the teacher is working in than a reflection of the teacher or the EFL industry at large. You don't have the same problems in Saudi Arabia that you do in Korea and vice versa.

Just my two cents . . . any comments appreciated.

[TECO]

A lot of people may not want to go teach in Dubai or Saudi Arabia but English teachers in these places are making pretty good salaries.

Most places only hire thsoe with M.A. degrees. These teachers also need to know what they're doing to get hired.

Korea, Taiwan and Japan - more of a mixed bag IMO. In the North East Asia context I could relate to the authors points.

If you're getting 5 months paid vacation - you're one lucky dude and not representative of the rest of the thousands of EFL'ers out there.

[Sadebugo1]

Thanks for your comments! I appreciate it. I just wanted to demonstrate that the EFL lifestyle could offer much better circumstances than the article reflected. Sure, not everyone wants to work in the Middle East, but I've known a lot of people who have also gotten rich in East Asia. Unless you really don't have much ambition, most teachers move on from the language institutes to public schools or universities resulting in more stable situations. I guess if you have your heart set on staying in one place that happens to pay peanuts then you might end up in a negative situation.

As for having five months vacation, it's a little unusual but not so rare at Asian universities. However, it's very common to have at least three months off.

Take care and keep hanging in there!

[philinkorea]

your post is really good. ive met some losers here. but some are really great colourful characters just not opting to go for the conventional life. wanting to do a masters then move on from korea. they save loads too. maybe that will be for me but not sure. i really like it here and just want to get into the language to get more out of my time. i dony feel i want to do anything in england right now. carry on enjoying yourself

[philinkorea]

hey mate

i think your post is great. actually im at the end of my second year. i like to think of myself in a similar situation maybe id hope of the none loser variety. my first year also was difficult, i saved bugger all although i didnt intend to and saw it as do a good job teaching and enjoy it which i did had some luxurious holidays within and at the end. now im about to finish my second year which has been a good improvement. started not saving so much but now on the 1 million a month for my final few months then i get my bonus. im sure there is possibility for improvement.

i wondered if you could tell me something about where youve worked and how you got the jobs etc. i may think about staying around here or somewhere else

[SuperHero]