English Teaching abroad. e.g Japan

quinn1

Hi, looking for some advice on teaching abroad. I'm 33, just finished a hons degree as a mature student, and now thinking of going to japan, china etc, to teach english for awhile. Anyone ( esp someone my age) done it and got any advice on where to start Thanks

AARRRGH

There's an Irish company who sort out everything for you called Tiger English I believe if you wanna google them...

ArcadeFred

I wouldn't go through any agency for Japan, its often dodgy, your best bet is to go directly through the JET programme http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/aspiring/index.html

the_syco

ArcadeFred wrote: »

I wouldn't go through any agency for Japan, its often dodgy, your best bet is to go directly through the JET programme http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/aspiring/index.html

2nd this. Mate did this, and enoyed it. They gave him all the stuff needed to learn Japanese, as well as providing info for Japan. Also, there is seemingly a some sort JET community, so you can meet up with fellow teachers from time to time. Think they usually give you some sort of option of where to teach.

pepsi1234

I taught for a year in China when I was 20. Don't worry most of my colleagues were in their late twenties and early thirties.
I wouldn't advise going through an agency (for China anyway). Just search the jobs on Dave's esl cafe, that's how I found mine.
You'll have a brilliant time, any of those countries are fascinating and you can have a great lifestyle on a teacher's salary.

supermouse

Would love to get into this myself, but dont have a degree. Have the TEFL course but is it any good without a degree??

pepsi1234

supermouse wrote: »

Would love to get into this myself, but dont have a degree. Have the TEFL course but is it any good without a degree??

For Japan, Korea and Taiwan and China's big cities you would need a degree. When I was in China I hadn't yet completed my degree so my choices were quite limited but I still got a job so it really depends on the city and how short they are of teachers. In fact, most of the teachers I worked with had no degree (I avoided them - they bottom of the barrel kind of people) so you could be stuck with those kind of people. Generally, the educated people were a pleasure.
I know taiwan accept a 2 year diploma plus a TEFL course as valid to teach there

supermouse

Cool thanks a million!

quinn1

pepsi1234 wrote: »

For Japan, Korea and Taiwan and China's big cities you would need a degree. When I was in China I hadn't yet completed my degree so my choices were quite limited but I still got a job so it really depends on the city and how short they are of teachers. In fact, most of the teachers I worked with had no degree (I avoided them - they bottom of the barrel kind of people) so you could be stuck with those kind of people. Generally, the educated people were a pleasure.
I know taiwan accept a 2 year diploma plus a TEFL course as valid to teach there

Am I reading this right? You think that if someone doesnt have a degree then they are 'bottom of the barrel kid of people'? And 'educated people are a pleasure'??? Are you kiding me? No offence, but I think you need to get out more love!

Priapus

g'day g'day

I spent a month in Beijing this time last year and loved it. I was purely a holiday maker who just arrived there and liked it so much I stayed longer than expected. I'm out of work a few weeks now and really thinking of going back to teach for a year or something like that. Just seeing how a couple of potential jobs I've applied for turn out. It's my plan B....I suppose.

Don't have a TEFL, but doesn't seem to be that big an issue if you have a degree. I see jobs on Dave's ESL Cafe and other sites. Going rate seems to be about €800 - €1000 a month roughly. I think €1,000 would actually be good going. So say €200 a week, that's plenty over there to live comfortably.

Regarding the JET programme. I haven't applied for that and I won't, but I have heard it's quite a rigourous process to get into. And you have to apply during certain time windows to go the following year. But if you get in they are supposed to take good care of you.

South Korea is another good option to go teaching for a year. There is huge demand over there for English speakers. Need to be careful though cause some of the private schools are a bit dodgy I believe. Public schools, pay a little less, but are more reliable.

In any case, if you wanted to disappear for a year, teaching English in Asia is the thing to do I reckon. Don't worry about your age btw. The average age of the English teachers I met in Beijing was late 20s.

Best of luck!

Annesa

hey lads,

I am actually an english teacher in the final 2 months of her contract in Korea!! I would definetly recommend the whole process. You can earn 1200 euro and month, rent free, paid airfare!!

Check my job out!!

If interested in this position please send a copy of your resume to annesaobrien@hotmail.com. I have been working at this school for the past 10 months and my contract is due to finish in January so the person we are looking for will be replacing me. It is a great school with great hours and the curriculum is fully layed out for you. I teach mostly converstional classes so there is no need to submit lesson plans in advance.

Requirement : BA (Honours degree)

Job Description

Location information; Uijeongbu, Gyeonngi Do, Seoul (1)

Type of Students : Elementary school and Middle School Students

Working days a week : Monday ~Friday

Working hours: 3:00pm - 9:00 pm

Classes are 50 minutes long with a 10 minute break between each class. The maximum number of classes you will have per day is 6.


BENEFITS:
Benefits
- Housing is included (you get your own studio apartment, fully furnished)
- Medical Benefits are included
- Job is walking distance from your apartment
- 2.2 million won per month minimum
- Overtime available for 20,000 Won per hour
- 10 days vacation and all Korean National Holidays
- 3 Sick days
- Understanding and really caring boss
- Round trip ticket
- Severance pay equal to one month salary paid on completion of contract


Class size: 10 students

Operating hours: Monday to Friday 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Starting date: January 25th 2010 (1 year contract) ---

Teacher`s Vacation: Paid 10 days + National holidays+ Sat+Sun

Health Insurance: 50 % -

Pension : Provided

Airfare : provided

Location: Uijeongbu, Gyeonngi do
Compensation: 2.2 million won