Looking to teach! - ESL Teaching

Jedidiah · Wed 14-Sep-05, 01:40 PM

Howdy all,
I recently graduated with a BA in Elementary Ed. and have been teaching 5th grade for a few months here in the USA. I have plans to get an ESL certificate as well. I've thought about teaching overseas before and I've decided I'd like to give it a shot after this year is up. I have a few questions for those who know:

What sort of salaries can an elementary teacher expect to make in various places overseas? ESL or regular classroom teacher (And is it possible for a forigner to teach in a regular classroom setting) I am interested in a full time job.. 30+ hours a week. I am currently working 48+ so 30+ would be pretty sweet!

How do salaries compare with cost of living? For example: In your situation how much are you able to save each month? Are living accomodations included? Food? If not what do these cost in your area?

My current salary is $27500 (year) USD. Is there any chance I would find a comprable paying job in Asia? Higher?

I dont know that this information is relevant but I am a 23 year old male and single.

Much obliged for any help on the subject!

Mr. E

Billy · Wed 14-Sep-05, 09:20 PM

Your 48+ hours in the US, I'm sure they are not teaching hours right? When teaching overseas, the average would be teaching 30 hours per week, and then another 10 hours office work which includes prep of your classes. Some schools allow you to do the teaching prep at home or before classes.

Read in another post that you want to teach in Taiwan. If so, expect around TWD $55,000 including accommodation subsidy or even free. That's about the best rule of thumb I could give. If you are game and time on your hands, you can always find privates to teach outside your main hours.

In Taiwan, Korea and Japan, I think you can expect to save around USD1300 per month. Sure, the cost of living in higher in Japan, but so too are the wages. So it all balances itself out.

It's possible to have a classroom set just to yourself. Probably about 60% of the time, you would have your own classroom where students come to your classroom. The other 40% would be you going to external classes or rotating around the classrooms at the school.

23 and single is great! Enjoy your overseas teaching experience.

Jedidiah · Thu 15-Sep-05, 09:02 AM

Thanks for the reply!
A few other questions as I make a final decision on location...
For those who have been to many places, what places have you enjoyed the most and what made them so enjoyable?

I've been to Tokyo and I love the city. I found the people difficult to get to know, however. Once I did get to know a few of them they were fantastic though!

What is Hong Kong like? Taiwan? Thailand?

Much obliged!

-Jed

english grammar man · Thu 15-Sep-05, 07:57 PM

I think all places are great. It's what you make of them. People are people, and basically they don't change throughout the world.

What you need to ask is what type of environment, food, activities etc. you require. If you can't stand pollution, then forget about Taipei and Tokyo. If you prefer the beaches and cheap living, then consider Thailand.

I believe that cities around the world are pretty much all the same. Really depends on what type of atmosphere and surrounds you want.

Jedidiah · Fri 16-Sep-05, 01:41 PM

Ok then specifically can anyone tell me anything about Incheon, Korea?

ESL Teacher · Fri 16-Sep-05, 01:59 PM

Take a look at http://english.incheon.go.kr/index.html for living in Incheon.

Melissia · Wed 21-Sep-05, 12:17 PM

Hi, I am currently living in Korea. I think it is amazing. I live 45 minutes outside of Seoul. There are plenty of things to do and the transportation system is one of the greatest in the world. I am able to save about $1500 a month and have plenty of money to have fun on. The people are really nice and usually willing do anything to help you. If you have anymore questions please feel free to ask. I believe that you should consider Korea, it has been one of my favorite places I have visited and worked. Teaching overseas is amazing compared to teaching in the states. I taught a year in a high school in the states and this does not even come close to comparing. The students are extemely nice and very willing to learn.
Good Luck

doogie · Wed 21-Sep-05, 12:23 PM

Hey, that's so cool Melissia. I remember reading in one of your other posts that you were teaching in Mexico?? And now a few months later you are now teaching in Korea. Sounds like you are really experiencing a great life!

Am very happy for you.

english grammar man · Fri 23-Sep-05, 11:25 AM

Checkout http://korea.banoffeepie.com/ for a list of blogs of those living and working in Korea. Good information to be found.

Wed 14-Sep-05, 01:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jedidiah ESL Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Nationality: Arizona, USA Occupation: Teacher Posts: 4	Looking to teach! Howdy all, I recently graduated with a BA in Elementary Ed. and have been teaching 5th grade for a few months here in the USA. I have plans to get an ESL certificate as well. I've thought about teaching overseas before and I've decided I'd like to give it a shot after this year is up. I have a few questions for those who know: What sort of salaries can an elementary teacher expect to make in various places overseas? ESL or regular classroom teacher (And is it possible for a forigner to teach in a regular classroom setting) I am interested in a full time job.. 30+ hours a week. I am currently working 48+ so 30+ would be pretty sweet! How do salaries compare with cost of living? For example: In your situation how much are you able to save each month? Are living accomodations included? Food? If not what do these cost in your area? My current salary is $27500 (year) USD. Is there any chance I would find a comprable paying job in Asia? Higher? I dont know that this information is relevant but I am a 23 year old male and single. Much obliged for any help on the subject! Mr. E

Thu 15-Sep-05, 07:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
english grammar man Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Occupation: Head Teacher Location: Posts: 111	I think all places are great. It's what you make of them. People are people, and basically they don't change throughout the world. What you need to ask is what type of environment, food, activities etc. you require. If you can't stand pollution, then forget about Taipei and Tokyo. If you prefer the beaches and cheap living, then consider Thailand. I believe that cities around the world are pretty much all the same. Really depends on what type of atmosphere and surrounds you want. __________________ English Grammar questions? ----- Fire Away! -----

Wed 21-Sep-05, 12:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Melissia ESL Rookie Join Date: Jun 2005 Nationality: USA Occupation: High School Teacher Location: Posts: 19	I am living in Korea Hi, I am currently living in Korea. I think it is amazing. I live 45 minutes outside of Seoul. There are plenty of things to do and the transportation system is one of the greatest in the world. I am able to save about $1500 a month and have plenty of money to have fun on. The people are really nice and usually willing do anything to help you. If you have anymore questions please feel free to ask. I believe that you should consider Korea, it has been one of my favorite places I have visited and worked. Teaching overseas is amazing compared to teaching in the states. I taught a year in a high school in the states and this does not even come close to comparing. The students are extemely nice and very willing to learn. Good Luck

Fri 23-Sep-05, 11:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
english grammar man Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Occupation: Head Teacher Location: Posts: 111	Checkout http://korea.banoffeepie.com/ for a list of blogs of those living and working in Korea. Good information to be found. __________________ English Grammar questions? ----- Fire Away! -----

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Wed 14-Sep-05, 09:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Billy Wannabe Guru Join Date: Oct 2005 Occupation: Teacher Location: Posts: 34	Your 48+ hours in the US, I'm sure they are not teaching hours right? When teaching overseas, the average would be teaching 30 hours per week, and then another 10 hours office work which includes prep of your classes. Some schools allow you to do the teaching prep at home or before classes. Read in another post that you want to teach in Taiwan. If so, expect around TWD $55,000 including accommodation subsidy or even free. That's about the best rule of thumb I could give. If you are game and time on your hands, you can always find privates to teach outside your main hours. In Taiwan, Korea and Japan, I think you can expect to save around USD1300 per month. Sure, the cost of living in higher in Japan, but so too are the wages. So it all balances itself out. It's possible to have a classroom set just to yourself. Probably about 60% of the time, you would have your own classroom where students come to your classroom. The other 40% would be you going to external classes or rotating around the classrooms at the school. 23 and single is great! Enjoy your overseas teaching experience.

Thu 15-Sep-05, 09:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jedidiah ESL Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Nationality: Arizona, USA Occupation: Teacher Posts: 4	Thanks for the reply! A few other questions as I make a final decision on location... For those who have been to many places, what places have you enjoyed the most and what made them so enjoyable? I've been to Tokyo and I love the city. I found the people difficult to get to know, however. Once I did get to know a few of them they were fantastic though! What is Hong Kong like? Taiwan? Thailand? Much obliged! -Jed

Fri 16-Sep-05, 01:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jedidiah ESL Newbie Join Date: Sep 2005 Nationality: Arizona, USA Occupation: Teacher Posts: 4	Ok then specifically can anyone tell me anything about Incheon, Korea?

Fri 16-Sep-05, 01:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
ESL Teacher Wannabe Guru Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Posts: 31	Take a look at http://english.incheon.go.kr/index.html for living in Incheon.

Wed 21-Sep-05, 12:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
doogie ESL Rookie Join Date: Jun 2005 Nationality: British Occupation: Teacher Location: Posts: 16	Hey, that's so cool Melissia. I remember reading in one of your other posts that you were teaching in Mexico?? And now a few months later you are now teaching in Korea. Sounds like you are really experiencing a great life! Am very happy for you.

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