Korean Job Discussion Forums

[margaret]

I have already been p.m.ing another member about my query, and would like opinions.
For anyone who has taught both places: what are the pros and cons of living in each place? I'm in Korea now but would trade making more money for having more time. I'll also post on the Job Discussion forum so on this I'm looking for comparison of living rather than working environments.
Margaret

[captain kirk]

I felt the same way looking over the China jobs. Not working so much and having more free time. Some jobs even offered connection to Chinese lessons at a local Uni.
I've looked seriously at teaching English in China at a couple of crossroads, but haven't gone. Looking over the Dave's China board I noted that English First is a big franchise that was tempting at first because they appear organized. But posters on Dave's China seemed in agreement that EF works you hard. And each school of that franchise is different. So there isn't really any security or consistency. They may take care of you to a degree but they work you.

Funny, those China jobs. Schools offer guided trips at holiday times and, in their advertising, cater to the tourist in you. 'Amazing, splendiferous China', and so on. Perhaps like you, I wonder if it's really a better life, teaching fewer hours and having more time to do personal things. The jobs offer decent sounding places to live, outfitted with TV and washer and all that.

I sort of picture myself taking Tai Chi and studying Chinese and doing a bit of teaching, if it isn't too good to be true . The money sure isn't there. But the China Dave's posters often say, 'people teaching in China aren't in it for the money'.

It's said, 'money isn't everything'. It's also been said, 'money makes the world go 'round'. So what's teaching in China, a holding pattern of running 'round in circles?. Have to go with a goal of leaning Chinese or something to do with that purported free time.

I looked up a Tai Chi course in Beijing that was something like 2,000 dollars for a six month course, that's six days a week six hours a day of instruction. I thought that was pretty wild.

[JacktheCat]

I lived and worked in China for a little over a year before coming to Korea (and Japan before that).

It's hard to compare quality of life in China to Korea as it depends totally on what kind of person you are; but to make some generalisations: people in China are far more friendly and accommodating to foreigners, more people speak English, there are a lot fewer western style shops and restaurants outside the big eastern cities, the people are a lot more rational and not as emotionally highstrung, and there is this upbeat, we are marching forward, going to become a great country, vibe and energy to the place.

Personally I perfered living in China to Korea. If only the money was as good.

[adventureman]

[JacktheCat]