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Teaching English Abroad, part 5

June 19, 2008

This is the last part in our series on teaching English overseas. This final section gives you resources on the web where you can go to find jobs and other ESL related information

General Information
Dave’s ESL Cafe- The PREMIER ESL site out there. This site has everything you could ever need and should be the first place you look for information.
TEFL Institute- TEFL information and courses.
TEFL- TEFL information.
Cross Cultural Solutions- Will help you getting a degree and finding a job.
Transitions Abroad- Information about moving abroad.
Teach Abroad- Information about how to teach and where to sign up for courses.
ELT News- Same as the rest.
International School Society- Information about international schools.

Job Boards
ESL Jobs World
International School Service- For international schools.
Teaching English Asia- Focus on Japan and Korea
Ajarn- Thailand Specific
ESL Job Find
Serious Teachers
The Beijinger- China Specific

Related Posts
Teaching English Abroad- Types of Jobs
Teaching English Abroad, part 2- Requirements/Expectations
Teaching English Abroad, part 3- Teaching in Asia
Teaching English Abroad, part 4- Teaching Elsewhere

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Teaching | 11 Comments

Teaching English Abroad, Part 4

June 9, 2008

Continuing our series on teaching English overseas, we’re going to discuss teaching English in different areas of the world. In Part One, we talked about the various jobs you can get. In Part Two, we discussed what you need, and in Part Three, we discussed teaching in Asia.

Since Asia tends to be the primary focus for ESL teachers, I devoted more attention to it than other regions in the world. However, teachers are needed all over the world. Here’s a run down on the other major regions of the world.

Europe
Finding a job in Europe can be difficult, especially for those with little experience. Stiff EU visa rules keep many people out and countries typically try to hire EU natives (i.e. UK citizens) first. That being said it’s not impossible to do so, as Gypsy Princess(Germany) and Monna (Spain) show us. They’re both non-Europeans who found work in Europe.

Salaries in Europe tend to be lower than Asia. Though actual real money value might be higher, your earning power is a lot less. Not only is Europe more expensive but taxes are also very high. Teacher salaries vary a lot from country to country but, on average, you can earn around $2500 USD a month in Western Europe. In the East, salaries are lower but so is the cost of living. Salaries are usually about $1000 USD a month in Eastern Europe.

Demand for teachers varies from country to country as some countries put a lot more emphasis on learning English than others. Countries like France and Germany don’t make it a high priority while Holland, Scandinavian countries, and Eastern Europe place more emphasize on learning the language.

Though salaries are nothing to write home about, the standard of living in Europe is very high. You’ll love comfortably and let’s face it- you’re in Europe. That’s why you’re teaching there. You’ll eek out a middle class lifestyle and be comfortable but you’re not going to get rich! However, the reward is you get to be in Europe and another culture is a simple RyanAir flight away.

The Middle East
With the rapid growth in the Middle East right now, there is a huge demand for English teachers, especially in places like Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. They are all in desperate need of teachers and a trip to any ESL site will show a lot of listings.

Salaries in the Middle East tend to be very high. Teachers can earn $30,000 dollars or more (sometimes as high as $60,000) per year and it’s all tax free. All the benefits you normally see in Asia are also included. A year teaching in the Middle East can leave you very well off.

Though teaching jobs are abundant, don’t expect to walk right into one right out of university. Countries here prefer older, licensed, and experienced teachers. They aren’t looking to hire young backpackers looking to make a few bucks but legit mate people with experience. Because of that, teachers here tend to be older (30s), more settled, and more family oriented. You won’t find the crazy, young, ex-pat teacher scene here like you would in Asia. (Note: Dubai does have a world famous night life though.)

Living in these countries is very expensive. Dubai is not cheap. Doha is not cheap. You’ll need a car, and since most everything is imported, your food and goods will be pricey. Oil money and a new found consumerism mean that everyone knows they can charge a lot here and people will still pay. However, you can save a lot of money here if you are frugal. This part of the world tends to be better suited for those looking for a more older crowd, a couple, or someone more settled down in life.

Central Asia
Jobs in Central Asia tend to pay about the same or less than Eastern Europe. In some cases salaries can be high but it’s unusual. Living conditions in Central Asia tend to be pretty low and the standard of living isn’t great. There’s problems with transportation, roads, technology, etc. While many of the cities have plenty of modern amenities, much of central Asia lives an agrarian lifestyle and you will probably long for many of the comforts of home.

However, you aren’t going here to be rich and live in luxury but to immerse yourself in a different culture. These countries are culturally very rich and teaching here offers an amazing chance to sort of step back to a more simpler time. People here are very friendly and usually happy to show you their part of the world. Moreover, the landscape here is beautiful and pristine. You’ll avoid the tourists, the crowds, and the chaos in what is a fast growing part of the world.

Latin America
Teaching in Latin America is a cultural rich but momentarily poor experience. Salaries in Central America rarely tend to be high than about $700 US dollars a month, with South America not much better The upside is that cost of living is ridiculously low across Central and South America.

Some of the schools here prefer someone with a TEFL degree or experience but, typically, as long as you speak English, you’ll be hired. The international or private schools here pay the most. Public schools pay nothing all across the board. Many of the rich families will hire you to tutor on the side and that’s where the real money is.

When working with the younger kids it helps to know a little bit of Spanish but classes are all taught in English for older students. Working conditions tend to be pretty good and, while problems can occur, employers are pretty good about honoring contracts.

But the culture of Latin America is very vibrant and “fiery.” Great food, great people, dancing, and excitement- Latin America has it all. No matter where you go from Brazil to Costa Rica to Honduras to Argentina, culturally you are in for an amazing time. You just won’t leave with much savings.

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Teaching | 6 Comments

Teaching English Abroad, part 3

May 19, 2008

Part One one of the series dealt with the various types of job a teacher can get and Part Two dealt with the qualifications needed to be a teacher. In part three, we’ll begin to discuss the places teachers can work. We’ll start with Asia, the hotbed of ESL activity.

Korea. This country is at the top of the heap. ESL jobs in Korea pay over $2,400 USD (or more) a month and come with a free round trip air ticket, free housing, 50% medical, and a one month bonus at the end of the contract. With a little experience or a little luck, you might also land a job paying closer to $3,000 USD a month. Cost of living varies greatly but on average you can get by on $1,000 or less a month as long as your Ouzo intake is kept under control. On average, a person can walk away with around $20,000 USD after one year.

Working conditions, like anywhere you teach ESL, can be really great or really bad. Sometimes you’ll find employers who will try to cheat you, apartments won’t be as described, air ticket reimbursement could be slow, etc etc. However, Korea has a pretty good labor board that allows you to complain and get some justice if you are screwed. Keep in mind though Korean culture is pretty serious and you’ll be expected to work hard and long hours. Sick days aren’t liberally given. Korea is a very “serious” place, but, it’s filled with a lot of young expats and Seoul has a vibrant nightlife.

The country recently changed their visa rules and have made the application process more time consuming. Teachers now need to be interviewed in their home country, go through a criminal background check, and pass a physical. For more information on visas, visit this web page.

Japan. Salaries in Japan tend to be pretty uniform throughout the country. Typically, most people earn about 280,000 Yen a month (about $2,800 USD). Sometimes one can find a job for 300,000 yen or if they have been there longer, a little more. Though that may sound good, living expenses are not usually covered and the high cost of living in Japan, especially in Tokyo, can eat up 50% of your monthly salary. However, living standards are pretty high, jobs are pretty stable, and Japan has a lot of culture to offer. Tokyo is an exciting place. You can save a lot of money here if you are frugal but you won’t walk away with a wad like in Korea.

Work conditions are pretty good and companies tend to be more honest than in other parts of Asia. There tends to be a lot of private tutoring available, especially in rural areas where foreigners aren’t as abundant. Keep in mind that the language school, NOVA, recently collapsed at the end of last year so there is still a glut of teachers around. Social life, especially in the big cities, is vibrant and Japan offers a lot to offer.

The visa rules in this country are pretty standard. You need to be sponsored by a company in order to obtain a work visa and permit. Note that the visa is company specific and it’s illegal to have a second job. For more information, visit the Japanese government’s web page here.

Taiwan. This country is like a richer China. The pay is pretty good and the jobs in high demand. The average salary is about 50,000 NT a month (roughly a little over $2,000 dollars). You get some of the perks of Korea but for the most part you are on your own. Typically, perks extend to an apartment and completion bonus.

Taiwan, like China, is pretty loose about hiring and firing. They’ll do a lot to get the teachers there and when they don’t like them, they fire them without warning. You lack the protections you get in places like Japan or Korea. However, whereas Korea can be a “cold” country, Taiwan is pretty friendly and once you can overcome the culture barrier, you’ll find the country pretty great and the nightlife, especially in Taipei, pretty robust.

Visas here are also pretty standard and teaching on the side is also technically illegal. For more information, visit the this web page.

Thailand. The average salary here is about 50,000 baht a month ($1,800 USD). If you land a job at one of the international schools or do corporate training, you can earn over 100,000 baht. However, even on 50,000 baht, you’ll have plenty to live on. A Thai lifestyle costs about 10,000 baht a month and, unless you are a serious partier, you can live a western/Thai lifestyle for about 20,000. However, Thailand has a pretty active social life and it’s easy to spend a lot more. Schools here to do not provide any perks- no airfare, no free room, and, generally, no completion bonus.

Companies here are pretty easy. The biggest issue is that you will have very rude bosses and the hours they promised might not appear. Since the whole system is pretty unregulated and Thais are very “whatever” about everything, you’ll find that companies just go with the flow. You’ll be expected to work hard but what’s more important to many of these schools (especially the language schools) is return business. Expect to act as a baby sister a lot and not a teacher. As long as people are happy, no one really cares if they learned English or not.

In order to get a visa and work permit here, you must be sponsored by a company. However, it should be noted that a larger percentage of teachers do not have proper work visas. Thailand’s visa system allows for easy border runs. One could effectively live there forever on a tourist visa. The system is constantly changing and a headache but because of its ease and the legal red tape, many companies will drag their feet on getting you the work visa.

For more information, visit the Thai government’s web page here.

China. Typically, salaries tend to be very low (around 6,000 yuan a month). However, if you live in one of the big cities and work hard you can earn a lot and, given the low cost of living, can save quite a bit. The going rate for a teacher is 150 Yuan an hour in Beijing ($21 USD). That’s not too bad. If you can fill your work week, you can earn and save a lot. However, once you leave the big cities, salaries and working conditions drop drastically. Typically, you will earn about 1/3rd of what you could in the big cities. Though living expenses will be lower, don’t expect to save much. You’ll also be one of the few foreigners around but it would give you a chance to see and experience rural China.

Chinese companies can be pretty unscrupulous. Hiring and firing at random, benefits not given, apartments not looking like they promised. Things in China operate on an informal relationship system meaning while laws are there, what’s more important is who you know (and who you bribed.) If teachers work for companies in good favor with the officials, things are easy. If you work for a company who isn’t, things can be hard. Get on the wrong side of someone who’s “connected” and you’ll find your life hell.

However, since China is now the “it” place, there are a lot of people there and it’s an exciting time. You’ll find a lot of young expats, a willing population, and a culture steeped in history. ESL is all about dealing with bullshit and there is a lot in China but if you are flexible, you can have a wonderful time.

Until recently, Chinese visas were not that difficult to get or change. However, in light of the recent violence in Tibet and the upcoming Olympics, the Chinese government has cracked down on issuing and renewing visas. Whereas before you could get away with working on a tourist visa, now it is very risky. Moreover, many westerners are having problem renewing their visas. Don’t risk it- follow the rules.

For more information, visit the Chinese government’s page here.

The Rest (Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia)

At the bottom of it all are the other Asian countries. These countries require little in terms of experience or credentials and offer the lowest salary ranges. The jobs are fairly easy and simple. Since not many applicants go there, they are also pretty readily available. Experiences in each country vary but most people go to these countries for the people and not the rewards. In these countries, you’ll find low wages and no perks but the benefits of the society you are in outweigh everything else.

For more visa information, check out these web pages:

Vietnam (lots of red tape)
Indonesia (even more red tape)
Cambodia (Easy!) - You can just buy a multi-entry, business visa when you are in the country!
Malaysia (Standard)

For more information on each country, check out the boards at Dave’s ESL cafe.

And a note on Singapore.

Singapore expects a lot of their teachers. They have great education system and are proud of it. There are a lot of expats in the country as it is a major financial and business hub for the world. You’ll need at least $3,500 SGD per month as rents are fast rising in this ever growing metropolis. The going rate for teaching is about $30-60 SGD an hour.

Singapore is a strict society but it is slowly (very slowly) opening up and there is a nightlife there. You’ll find Singapore a multi-cultural nation with people from all corners of the globe and all walks of life.

Visa rules are standard issue here. Work permit is required and there’s no “under the table” work going on. Singapore is a strict country all around. For more information, this page is a good resource.

One man can’t know it all, so I encourage you to leave comments expanding on this info.

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Teaching | 11 Comments

Teaching English Abroad, part 2

May 12, 2008

In part one, we talked about the different types of jobs you can get. In part two, we’ll discuss the qualifications you need to teach.

Teaching English around the world requires different things in different places. Depending on where you go and what type of job you want, what you need is different.

In general, you must meet the following requirements:

Be from an English speaking country.
Have a bachelor’s degree.
Have a TEFL/Celta certificate.
Have some experience.

More about qualifications
All countries require that you be a native speaker. This means from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. While some countries will hire Filipinos, they typically prefer Western employees.You will also need a bachelor’s degree from a 4 year accredited university. It doesn’t matter what your degree is in. Whether you have a degree in biochemistry to English to yoga doesn’t matter so long as you have a university degree. A four year degree is a MUST in the higher end countries like Korea and Japan. (Note: In countries that have looser restrictions, many of the schools will turn a blind eye and hire you without a degree. This usually occurs in more rural areas where attracting western teachers can be tough. I met a few teachers in Thailand without any college experience.)

Lastly, while experience is not required, it helps, especially with the high paying jobs. If you have a valid teaching degree or a TEFL certificate, your chances of getting hired also dramatically increase. Having a teaching degree from a Western University will pretty much guarantee you a job, even without experience, at the majority of government, private, or language schools.

What’s TEFL?
A TEFL degree is what can give you an edge or be a total waste of money. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It’s a certificate program given that teaches you how to teach English as foreign language. The program typically lasts for 120 hrs or roughly 4 weeks. It combines lectures and classwork with a practicum at the end. The program is offered anywhere around the world and prices vary depending on where you get it. In America, you can pay as much as $2,000 dollars while paying half that in Asia. Moreover, the quality of the program also depends on where you take it. Classes can be very rigorous if taken in some one’s home country but more lax in foreign countries.

Is the certificate worth getting? That depends on the type of job you wanted. As we talked in part one, each job type requires something different skills. As we’ll find out in the next part, each country also requires something different. The short answer is that there is no short answer. Depending on where you go, what previous experience you have, and the type of job you have, you may need it or you may not. As a rule though, if you have no experience and no teaching degree, it is worth getting. This will help give you credibility when applying for jobs.

Benefits
Not all places will offer you benefits but some of the better countries and jobs do. Benefits usually include the following:

Free round trip airfare- Upon completion of your contract, companies will reimburse you for the airfare in and out of the country.
Free Accommodation- Many companies offer you a free apartment, though its usually tiny and sparse.
One months severance package- This is given at the end of your contract.
A lot of vacation time- You’ll get Western holidays and local holidays off plus usually 3 weeks holiday.

In the past, only countries like Korea and Japan offered these benefits. Now, they are also standard in Taiwan and are being offered more in China. Outside of Asia, benefits, outside free housing, are rare but do occur, especially in the Middle East. Typically, international schools anywhere will also offer these benefits.

Salary
Salary varies greatly from country to country and job to job. You can earn as little as 500 dollars a month to upwards of over $3,200 dollars a month. (We’ll discuss salary more in depth in the next part.)

Other requirements
Keep in mind that each country also as their own rules when giving out visas. Be sure to check the rules and requirements for each country before you apply for a job.

Next up in our series, we go into depth about the various countries and what you can expect there.

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Teaching | 7 Comments

Teaching English Abroad

May 7, 2008

(This is the first part in a five part series about teaching English overseas)

It’s not that hard to become a teacher overseas. When I began looking for ESL jobs, I thought that without a TEFL degree, I wouldn’t find anything but before I knew it I was getting jobs offers left and right. While teaching, I meet people who didn’t even have college degrees that were teaching English.

You’re ability to get a job teaching English various tremendously around the world. Europe is an extremely hard place to go to and, even when you find a job, the pay isn’t great. Jobs in Central and South America can be abundant sometimes but, again, the pay is mediocre. The real panacea of ESL teaching is Asia. No place pays better or has a wider availability of work. Some of these countries pay such a substantial rate when compared to their cost of living that it’s like earning 60,000 USD a year.

PART 1- JOB TYPES

Jobs, both in quality and quantity, vary from country to country. There are typically 5 big categories:

Government schools- No matter where you are, these typically pay the worst. However, they are reliable. You know the place isn’t going to close, you will get your pay check each week, you’ll have some sort of support, and they aren’t going to unexpectantly terminate you. Depending on the country and the school, kids will either pay a lot of attention or pay none. Moreover, many of the government school locations are assigned (e.g. Japan’s Jet program, Korea’s EPIK) so you may not end up where you want.

Language schools- The next step up are the language schools, such as Berlitz or InLingua. (Of course, each country has plenty of locally owned language schools too). The pay here is better and you’ll have more flexibility with your schedule and curriculum. However, your job is not as secure as in a government school and guarantees by these companies don’t always appear. Many parents also use these schools as a form of baby sitting so the kids have little real motivation to learn and, because schools are motivated by money, rarely discipline their students for fear they will stop coming.

Private schools- Private schools are the rich version of government schools. They offer better pay and a slightly better student body. They’re better than government schools but lack the flexibility of language schools.

International Schools- International schools are the daddy of all schools. The kids here are children of international expats, diplomats, or very rich locals. The curriculum is the same from your country of origin and each country usually has an “outpost” everywhere (American, British, Canadian, Japanese, Australian, etc). It’s just like teaching at home. All the kids speak English, are usually more motivated, and involved. As an added bonus, you get heaps of money. The downside is that competition for these jobs is very, very stiff and typically applicants have a lot of experience. Teachers are usually required to sign long contracts and many don’t like leaving so few openings occur, especially at the better international schools.

Corporate training- Another option is to do corporate training. Corporate training jobs typically pay very high, the schedules are flexible, the students are adults who want to learn, and the work can last a few months. However, these jobs are usually before or after business hours so can be very early or very late in the day. Moreover, these jobs, like the language school jobs, are typically hard to get and require experience, at least at the more reputable companies.

(Remember: The higher up the ladder you go, the more experience and credentials you need.)

Posted by NomadicMatt | Filed Under Teaching | 10 Comments

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