A question for people who have taught English overseas- Where in Asia is there the greatest demand for American english teachers? I always thought Japan, but a friend told me that market is saturated..... My friend told me though Japan is saturated with a surplus of english teachers, South Korea isTHE place for Americans to teach English. Is this true? I was thinking of teaching in japan via the Jet program- but I'm 38, and believe once a person is over 35, they can't be hired by JET plus I wonder how much $$$ one must bring along
Teaching - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I have taught in Taiwan, and am currently teaching in Japan. There are plenty of jobs to be had in Japan, but many of them are ALT jobs as an assistant teacher in public high schools. ALT jobs don't pay much unless you can get one through the JET program, which is sponsored by the Japanese government (unfortunately, I think the deadline for the JET program has just passed). My current job is at a private cram/conversation school. The hours and pay are good, but the management insists we teach according to their style and they have NO idea how to teach. I would recommend either coming to Japan and looking for jobs with smaller schools so you can see them up close, or applying to one of the chain schools in Japan (Nova, Geos, Aeon). The good thing about teaching in Japan is that your work visa is not tied to your place of employment. In Taiwan or Korea, if you quit your job your work visa becomes void, whereas in Japan you can sign with another school on a preexisting visa.
2 :
I can't tell you anything specific to teaching in Japan, but I can tell you what it's like teaching in Korea. There is a pretty high demand in Korea and in terms of pay vs. cost of living it is one of the better places to teach. You have to really be careful in terms of the recruiters and schools you deal with. There are lots of unscrupulous people that will screw you over in a heartbeat, especially if you are a newbie and don't know what your doing. That being said, make sure you research the school before you sign. If you use a recruiter, research them as well. If a recruiter tries to get you to sign with the first school they offer, tell them to take a hike. Keep in mind they get about $1,000 a pop for placing teachers so your just a sucker with a dollar sign on your forehead. Think about these things: 1) Do you want to teach kids or adults? 2) If you want to teach kids, what ages do you want to teach? 3) If you want to teach kids, would you rather teach at a hagwon (cram school) or a public school (there are advantages and disadvantages for both). 4) Would you rather be in a large city or a small city?
3 :
I taught there for 13 years and my kids (I had there) go back every summer. My friends there have private English conversation schools and/or teach at the various schools - both public and private. Some are American, some have no TESL, TEFL or any training specific to language teaching or teaching at all. I didn't and I worked there consistently the whole time. Word of mouth is great; connections you will make with Japanese and other teachers will pave the way if you have a bit of money (to live on) and time to get your foot in the door. I was employed and found a residence within 3 weeks of my arrival but I am also very outgoing and love meeting people and sharing my culture. I also didn't confine myself solely to gaijin (foreign) people and hang-outs. That probably helped a lot. The work visa advice/info another poster gave is correct and timely. You don't go to a saturated market if you want a job, that part's pretty obvious. Avoid upscale suburban areas of Tokyo and Osaka, kobe - they just wouldn't need you! I lived wayy south of Osaka and my friends who have their own schools or are teaching for a university now are not in the major centers, either.
