Teaching English Overseas

[Prawn_86]

Do any of our members teach/or have taught english overseas for a job?

My partner and I are considering heading off overseas while the economy is bad and travelling a bit and teaching English a bit. I hear South Korea is a good place for it wages wise, but any first hand info would be appreciated :)

[GumbyLearner]

Do any of our members teach/or have taught english overseas for a job?

My partner and I are considering heading off overseas while the economy is bad and travelling a bit and teaching English a bit. I hear South Korea is a good place for it wages wise, but any first hand info would be appreciated :)

Yes. Been teaching in South Korea since 2005.

Other good places friends have told me about include Japan, Poland, Czech Rep and Spain.

[Prawn_86]

Hi GL,

Welcome to ATF :)

Can i ask what the 'standard' wages and cost of living is like in Korea as compared to the other places?

[GumbyLearner]

Well it really depends where you work.

You can find a variety of salary packages offered at www.eslcafe.com.
Just go to the Korean Job Forum.

Well in Korea. Living costs are generally much cheaper.
I would say some goods are on par with OZ, whereas services are much cheaper. Also they have a similar GST to OZ. 10% V.A.T same rate as OZ.
Do you have any living expenses specifically in mind?

[Prawn_86]

I guess rent would be the main one, and the style of apartments there?

Also what would a weekly food bill cost you?

[GumbyLearner]

I guess rent would be the main one, and the style of apartments there?

Also what would a weekly food bill cost you?

There is no rent. Usually a small apartment maintenance fee anywhere
btw $40 - $80 per month. Whereas if you work in Japan, you will pay rent usually minimum of $500 - $700 per month.

The apartments are usually quite good. It is reasonable to request photos of the accomodation available from the recruiter/employer.
Most apartments have an "ondol" style of heating system. Which is really smart, energy efficient and will keep you warm in winter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ondol
All apartments are fully furnished.

Food would come to about $80 per week. It really depends if you want to eat western style food, most is tariffed and slightly more expensive than in OZ. Aussie steak is fantastic quality and reasonably priced. About 1.5-2kg of rump steak is about $20 Australian. Fruit and vege is expensive b/c Korea is 70% mountains and they just dont have the agricultural output like OZ. An apple for instance will cost you at least $1.20 sometimes double that! :eek:

Then again when in Rome, if you get stuck into the local tucker its pretty cheap. Usually 3 to 5 bucks for a cheap meal. Heres some links to their chow, its usually very healthy, developed over centuries, great stuff. Korean dishes are more art than food! So if your a Bachelor who doesnt like cooking too much, its perfect!

Heres some links to look at the great food of Korea.
Remember every Korean meal comes with copious amounts of FREE side dishes. So it is really easy to fill up!

Sam Gye Tang - Usually btw $8 - $10 (My personal favourite)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samgyetang

Dduk Guk - Usually btw $4-5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tteokguk

Dduk Boki - Usually btw $2-3

Bibimbap - Usually btw $3-4 (But can pay up to $15 if you eat the traditional bibimbap with 40 odd side dishes in the ancient city of Jeonju) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeonju

Certainly one of the healthiest meals you can eat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibimbap

Kimbap - Usually btw 50 cents and $1.50
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimbap

Also most contracts will pay a one month severance at the end. Which is a great bonus for rewarding hard working english teachers.

[Umike]

Most countries require a uni degree to teach there.

[Prawn_86]

Well with the way jobs are looking for grads, we are seriously considering this as an option.

GL, do you know if there is much of a market for english speaking tour guides or something similar over in Korea? Or if an Aussie went over there without a degree, would there be any type of work they might be able to pick up?

[Prawn_86]

As time goes on this is looking like a good option for us.

One question i do have:

Does anyone know what would happen if you broke your contract? Im thinking of Korea in particular here. I assume they would not pay for your flight home, you wouldnt get the bonus months worth of pay etc, but is there anything else that they could do?

[Prawn_86]

Also,

If someone was to head to Korea with no degree what would the chances be of them finding some form of english speaking work (doesnt have to be teaching)?

[nathanblack]

bit off topic, but i taught for a few months in philippines. i have a degree but not related to language or teaching. i was not asked if i had degree. but it wasnt a contract job, i found it over there and used it just to fund my experiences.

the main reason i bring it up is, most the students were korean and japanese. aparently the richer families prefer to send there kids to philippines to learn english on the cheap. they then spend the big $$$$ to send there kids to aust or usa to finish off there education.

[buddinghealth]

I taught English in Thailand and then in Australia for a bit. In Thailand unless you want to work unoffically for very low pay you need a degree (won't get a visa without one). I would imagine the situation in Korea is very similar but unfortunately don't know for sure.

I know in Taiwan I was offered a job over the phone and a degree wasnt important at all - so i'm not sure...

[EverNothing]

If most overseas schools need a 4-year bachelors degree (that's undergraduate, right?) then what's the point of forking out money, time and effort to obtain a TESOL certificate. I'm already a native english speaker. Bah.

I'm currently studying a Bachelor of Business through OUA, offered by Swinburne University of Technology. Apparently most BA DG's are accepted overseas, it doesn't matter if it relates to education or teaching. I know some teachers burn out after the first few years due to stress and pressure so if that happens to me I want a different field to fall back on when I return to Oz.

Even with high-priced rental apartments I still aspire to make it to Japan one day but I think I will try to settle for a 6-12 month contract with a school in China for my first assignment.

It seemed like you had your heart set on Korea Prawn, this page might help mate...

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/

[EverNothing]

I contacted SEEK Learning a few days ago in relation to obtaining a TESOL Certificate and if anyone's interested here's the email I was sent back:

A Globally Recognised Qualification

With a TESOL certification, you'll be able to teach conversational English classes in more than 80 countries around the world. You'll also have access to more than 25,000 job opportunities worldwide.


Earn While You Travel

TESOL College's English teaching courses are your passport to travel the world while getting a great income and an unforgettable cultural experience. Job placement is guaranteed after the completion of your certificate or diploma course. You can also increase your employability through a range of specialisation courses.


Our TESOL courses cover the process of finding an overseas job placement in great detail. You'll learn about:

Organising employment contracts and connections

How to avoid common contract pitfalls

Overseas work and travel tips

Dealing with culture shock

Having a TESOL Certificate will allow you to teach TESL (Teachers of English as a Second Language), TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL classes worldwide.


Courses

Industry courses for teaching English overseas

Level 1: Advanced TESOL Certificate: AU$1595
Foundation course + 1 specialisation (max 120 hours)

Level 2: Professional TESOL Certificate: AU$1795
Foundation course + 3 specialisations (max 240 hours)

Level 3: Advanced TESOL Diploma: AU$2495
Foundation course + 5 specialisations (max 360 hours)

Level 4: Professional TESOL Diploma: AU$2995
Foundation course + 9 specialisations (max 600 hours)

Note: All specialisations for industry courses are self-pacedand a maximum of 60 hours study per specialisation. The above coursesmeet industry requirements for overseas schools.


Accredited course for teaching English in Australia

Certificate IV in TESOL (30522QLD): AU$2995
Foundation course + 1 Australian module + 3 specialisations + 10 hour Practical component.

Note: All specialisations have to be recorded and monitored as required by ANTA (government body). Therefore, assignments need to besubmitted weekly for marking (approximately 20 hours of study per week).


Where You Can Work


Western Europe

Native English speakers, degree and non-degree TESOL certified teachersrequired

Must have a valid EU work visa and be prepared to go to Western Europe for personal interviews (somejobs are arranged online)

Working holiday visas are available to 18-30 year olds, allowing work for up to 6 months (maximum 3months in one school)

Semester starts in September, with peak hiring in August


Eastern Europe

Native English speakers, degree and non-degree TESOL certified teachers required

Working visas can be obtained in most countries or arranged beforehand

Personal interviews will be required for some jobs so you may need to travel to Eastern Europe for these;some jobs are arranged online

Semester starts in September, with peak hiring in August


China

Native English speakers, degree and non-degree TESOL certified teachers required

Visas are easily obtained in Australia and also in China (you can enter on a tourist visa, and you may change your visa status without having to leave the country)

Thousands of online jobs are readily available

High hiring season all year round

Low cost of living compared to income earned

Schools offer excellent benefits (e.g. accommodation, food, airfares, etc.)


South East Asia - Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, East Timor & Brunei

Native English speakers, degree and non-degree TESOL certified teachers required

Some jobs are arranged online; jobs can also be found while travelling

Australian passport holders can easily obtain visas

Low cost of living compared to income earned


Vietnam, Laos, Thailand & Cambodia

Native English speakers, degree and non-degree TESOL certified teachers required

Work is most easily obtained in the country; some jobs are arranged online

Australian passport holders can easily obtain visas


Japan, South Korea & Taiwan

Native English-speakers, non-degree TESOL certified teachers between the ages of 18 and 30 are required (if you are over 30 you will require a degree)

Some jobs are arranged online; jobs can also be found while travelling

Australian passport holders can easily obtain visas


Central & South America

Native English speakers, degree and non-degree TESOL certified teachers required

Working visas can be obtained in most countries or arranged beforehand

Personal interviews will be required

Some jobs are arranged online

This is simply one institution. There are MANY other ways to teach English overseas.

[bt674]

I agree with the above. Once you have your TEFL you can teach anywhere with any institution.

__________________
diy solar power (http://www.unplugelectric.com/green-diy-energy-review)

[ClemRob]

There's loads of really good information about teaching overseas as well as country specific stuff like expected wages, costs etc on onlinetefl.com

[CWBush]

I taught English in South Korea from 2007 until the end of 2009, and I'm headed back in Feb/March of next year to do some more.

After my year, I hope to use my savings to get my CELTA in Thailand so I can open up the Middle East and Europe. It's a great way to earn some cash and experience a new culture on a budget.

[Prawn_86]

I taught English in South Korea from 2007 until the end of 2009, and I'm headed back in Feb/March of next year to do some more.

After my year, I hope to use my savings to get my CELTA in Thailand so I can open up the Middle East and Europe. It's a great way to earn some cash and experience a new culture on a budget.
Did you find you managed to save much money on a teachers wage over there? And what was the culture towards teachers like?