Teaching English Abroad 2014

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,829
184
106
Seriously considering doing this. I've reviewed some of the threads from the past few years. Opinions seem generally positive: it's not all good, but there are things to watch out for.

Anyone have any updates on their experiences or the job market in 2014?

Countries of interest are Korean and Japan. Leaning towards Korea.

China isn't on my priority list. And I read something about new visa requirements like two years of teaching experience.
 

Markbnj

Elite Member <br>Moderator Emeritus
Moderator
Sep 16, 2005
15,682
13
81
www.markbetz.net
My sister did this in Japan for two years, and she still regards it as a tremendously valuable experience.
 

NetWareHead

THAT guy
Aug 10, 2002
5,854
154
106
My friend was considering this. He said that they prefer native English speaking Americans with no knowledge of the host country's language. I don't know which agency you are using but do you know if this is the case with yours?
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,829
184
106
My friend was considering this. He said that they prefer native English speaking Americans with no knowledge of the host country's language. I don't know which agency you are using but do you know if this is the case with yours?

Still in the preliminary stages of planning. No agency yet.

I can pretend to be an American... I've watched you on TV for over two decades, many hours a day. And my accent is "neutral"-American with a touch of southern.

Absolutely zero knowledge of either Korean or Japanese language despite the fact that I can get around in 3 languages and am learning 2 more for fun. Biggest thing working against me is that I not be the whites -- let's just say that I'll probably blend in there.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
52,930
5,802
126
My friend lived in Spain doing this and teaching Spanish. He even lived rent free in return he had to teach the owners kid English. Sounded like a really awesome experience.
 

pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
7,579
3,124
136
Are you doing it because you don't know what you want to do with your life and are just delaying the decision?
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,829
184
106
Are you doing it because you don't know what you want to do with your life and are just delaying the decision?

Surprisingly not. I've worked for about 6 years past college and have really tried to bear with my field -- I hate it.

This is the first "real" idea I've had in years. If this goes well, the plan is to get a teaching degree and actually teach back home-ish. Worst case scenario, I take a 1-year graduate diploma and do what I do now. Or become a man whore.
 

Mai72

Lifer
Sep 12, 2012
11,578
1,741
126
I taught in Korea for 2 years and I enjoyed it. You have the option to teach in 3 areas...

1) Hagwon: If you look online you will see a lot of negative press on hagwons. These are private schools run for profit. There are good ones and there are bad ones. The things that a bad hagwon can do is make you work 12+ hour days, late pay, harass you, fire you at the 11th month so they can avoid paying you the bonus, put you in an awful apartment, etc... I would try to talk to the teachers who work at the school so you can get a view of the school. A good hagwon can be a rewarding experience and I know a few people who have stayed 2+ years at their school because they were treated well.

2) Public Schools (EPIK): EPIK is a program run by the public schools that places foreign teachers in their schools. If you were to get a position with them you would be placed in an elementary grade as this is where the program is focusing their attention. The application process is quite long. 10+ pages plus you need to write a 500-800 word essay on why you want to teach in Korea. Then, you need to submit a 5 page lesson plan. If you pass this step the next phase will be the Skype interview. If you pass this you will have to get everything into place. The FBI background check can take 6-8 weeks. You will work by yourself as there are no other foreign teachers. You may feel a bit isolated. You will always be paid on time, and you get more off time when you work in the public school setting.

3) University: This is the best situation to teach ESL in. The pay is good, and you're only working 20-25 hours a week. These positions have gotten more difficult to acquire, and I believe you need a masters now.

I would continue w/ the research. A good recruiter is footprints. I would look into contacting them. Korea is still the best country to teach ESL because the schools pay for your flights, pay is better, room and board are paid for and you get an extra paycheck at the end of your contract. You can easily save $10-15k a year if you budget your money. You can even tutor on the side as well.

Good luck.
 

CptObvious

Platinum Member
Mar 5, 2004
2,500
1
76
I taught in Seoul. Check out the forums at eslcafe.com, there's a lot of info to consider. I came back in 2010 but from what I can tell, the job market for English teachers has only gotten worse since then. If you find a good place to work though, it's a great experience and a good opportunity to travel around Asia.
 

Mai72

Lifer
Sep 12, 2012
11,578
1,741
126
I taught in Seoul. Check out the forums at eslcafe.com, there's a lot of info to consider. I came back in 2010 but from what I can tell, the job market for English teachers has only gotten worse since then. If you find a good place to work though, it's a great experience and a good opportunity to travel around Asia.

I started in 2011 and my experience was pretty good. I was at the same school for over 2 years. Op, if you go to Dave's ESL or other ESL teaching forums remember to take everything you read w/ a grain of salt. There is a lot of negative posts by people who only say bad things. The people who have had wonderful experiences teaching ESL in Korea don't post on Dave's ESL.
 

marvdmartian

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2002
5,552
19
81
Do a LOT of research, before you take the plunge. Make sure you know exactly the situation you'll be getting into (classes, class sizes, expectations of your performance, etc.). Also make sure that you're fully understanding what your financial assets need to be, when you get over there, to get set up.

My niece and her best friend both did this type of work in Japan. My niece's friend went over first, ended up in a smaller town in southern Japan (can't remember where, exactly, but it was on the southern most of the Japanese islands). She loved the people and the children she got to teach, but missed some of the advantages of being in a bigger city, as well as some of the attitudes from the old-school way of thinking in Japan, concerning how women should be respected.....or NOT respected. Being female, as well as a foreigner, she dealt with one clown who kept talking down to her, until one of the native Japanese female teachers finally had had enough, and put him in his place.

My niece is still over there now, but is working for a company in Osaka, doing lessons over the internet. Her schedule is crazy (some days, some nights, weird times, etc), which makes for a weird sleep/wake cycle, and she really isn't that crazy about teaching over the internet. But she loves being in the city, and loves being there, along with some of her other American friends she's made since she arrived, as they all enjoy the culture, and they all speak somewhat fluently.

My niece's friend had a place already arranged for her when she got there, my niece had to find her own place (with some assistance from her company). That's why I said to make sure you realize what your financial requirements will be, and how often (and how soon) you'll get paid.

If you want more info, PM me with any questions you might have, and I'll try to get some answers from the two girls.
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,829
184
106
I taught in Korea for 2 years and I enjoyed it. You have the option to teach in 3 areas...

1) Hagwon: If you look online you will see a lot of negative press on hagwons. These are private schools run for profit.

2) Public Schools (EPIK): EPIK is a program run by the public schools that places foreign teachers in their schools.

How big a difference would there be between a relatively good "hagwon" and Public school? Here, it'd be union + standards + good pay versus a big range from elite school for rich kids to degree/grade mill in a plaza.

And is Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) type certification any good? Seems like everyone's offering some sort of training, even online.

I taught in Seoul. Check out the forums at eslcafe.com, there's a lot of info to consider. I came back in 2010 but from what I can tell, the job market for English teachers has only gotten worse since then. If you find a good place to work though, it's a great experience and a good opportunity to travel around Asia.

All those teachers in Western countries who can't find a job or got laid off have probably thought of going over there or just gone.

Do a LOT of research, before you take the plunge. Make sure you know exactly the situation you'll be getting into (classes, class sizes, expectations of your performance, etc.). Also make sure that you're fully understanding what your financial assets need to be, when you get over there, to get set up.

Yep, a lot more to think about before giving up a stable and reasonably well paying job to teach in a strange place where I don't speak the language.

Thanks all for input so far!
 

Mide

Golden Member
Mar 27, 2008
1,547
0
71
I taught in a University in China for a year. Experience-wise it did nothing for my IT career but as a life experience, its hard to beat having to adapt and living in a different country.

I would not recommend China though...go to Japan if you can then Korea. I had a friend teach in Korea and China and although different, it's still better in a more modern non-firewalled country.
 

Mai72

Lifer
Sep 12, 2012
11,578
1,741
126
IMP,

As far as the TEFL is concerned you are going to need it if you don't have a teaching degree. The TEFL cert is good for an ESL gig, but it's not going to allow you to teach at an international school. Even a CELTA doesn't hold the same weight as a teaching degree. If you want to spend a year or two teaching overseas you are going to need a TEFL certificate.

In regard to your good hagwon vs public school concerns I think the public school option is the safest plan for most people. The problem is the competition has become quite fierce as there are a lot of applicants and the positions have been diminishing. As a way to save money, Korea has eliminated teaching at the middle/high school level. They are placing foreign teachers in their elementary schools. There are still positions in EPIK, but it's become much more difficult to get hired. The process is long, tiring and can be difficult.

There are still good hagwons out there. The hagwon I worked for always paid me on time, and I got my end of the year bonus. The apartment was decent and the working conditions were fine. I was working 10 hour days. I'd go into work at 9:30am and I didn't get done until 7:30pm. Please keep in mind that hagwons are businesses first. They are in it to make money.

You should check out You Tube videos on Hagwon/Public Schools. There are a lot of videos that cover the subject. Check out this link.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hagwon+vs+public+schools
 

unokitty

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2012
3,346
1
0
Seriously considering doing this. I've reviewed some of the threads from the past few years. Opinions seem generally positive: it's not all good, but there are things to watch out for.

Anyone have any updates on their experiences or the job market in 2014?

Countries of interest are Korean and Japan. Leaning towards Korea.

China isn't on my priority list. And I read something about new visa requirements like two years of teaching experience.

While I have lived in Japan, I've never taught there...

But I have met people that taught there through the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET). The people that I've met that taught through JET all had good things to say about the program.

If you qualify, it might be worth checking out.

Best of luck,
Uno
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,829
184
106
While I have lived in Japan, I've never taught there...

But I have met people that taught there through the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET). The people that I've met that taught through JET all had good things to say about the program.

If you qualify, it might be worth checking out.

Interesting program. Unfortunately, no estoy Americano -- too bad South American countries don't pay as well because I know a little bit of Spanish.
 
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