what's the best Asian country to work for? - ESL Teaching

bubblekitkat · Thu 24-Aug-06, 08:40 AM

Have you tried working in three or more Asian countries as an ESL teacher? Which country do you think is the best place to live and work? Why?

Thanks.

gfell · Thu 24-Aug-06, 09:41 AM

Personally I like Japan. Love the food and public safety. It's also a very convenient place to get around in with an extensive network of trains, buses and airports.

harold h · Thu 24-Aug-06, 08:54 PM

I've taught in both Japan and South Korea. Both are very similar in landscape. Both countries have similar high-rise cities and crowded trains. Both have beautiful countryside.

So it comes down to the food. Do you like spicy food such as kimchi? Or soya sauce flavoured dishes and sushi?

auperne · Mon 02-Oct-06, 08:09 PM

I haven't been to either South Korea or Japan but I feel Taiwan is a great country to live as well. Taipei is an easy city to get around and has plenty to keep you entertained. Again only a short trip out of the city there are tons of places to visit. Moderately cheap and seems to be a very safe country.

Im not really happy with the food here, there are things I like but in general a lot of the food doesn't seem very appealing to me. The food in Taichung, a central city on the island is actually much nicer, spicier and saltier whereas Taipei is quite sweet.

Job market is pretty good, I went off to Hong Kong and Macau for a bit, came to Taipei on a Saturday night and had a job with a contract by end of the week, so 6 days but I have experience and it was close to the begining of a semester.

Cheers.
-Rob

mycolumbus · Mon 02-Oct-06, 09:03 PM

Hmmm... I think the first country you head to you seems to find the best. I first came to teach in Japan - like the food and always a plentiful supply of work available.

Many say the cost of living in Japan is high, but this is only what's passed around on the grape vine. Just today I had a full meal for 550 yen (about $US6). If I were to eat a full meal back home, it would cost more I'm sure.

To sum up, there is really no best country to teach in. You have to look at yourself and try and think what you will like. Some love teaching in Taiwan whilst an equal number would love teaching in Japan.

10cents · Wed 29-Nov-06, 05:33 PM

I'd love to visit Japan. It's such a beautiful country. But, ahemn, the best place to teach is here. However, I've got to warn you people that the pay and conditions sucks!

borea · Sun 28-Jan-07, 08:43 PM

anybody been to s korea? how does it compare say to japan and taiwan?

Billy · Sun 28-Jan-07, 08:47 PM

How does it compare? What are you trying to compare? Salary, cost of living, culture, language, work environment, manners? I can easily write a book on this. Please be more specific.

You really need to take a look at what you like and then choose the country.

borea · Tue 30-Jan-07, 12:53 AM

Hi,

Well obviously there will be big differences, i'm just trying to get a perspective from someone thats worked in both places. I'm not concerned with money or cost of living because from what i hear korea offers more but taiwan is still good. both have advantages and disadvantages but i cant make up my mind, i really dont care about where i can get the most money or better apartment, im going for the experience not luxury

- for example i like hiking and camping, i know in taiwan this is ok but havnt found any info on korea.

- working conditions are very top on my list, like friendly coworkers, some kinda curriculum

- weather? i'm from the tropics, how bad is winter in korea anyways

- transport? pretty much the same??

- one of my main reasons for going over is that i'm buddhist, is there a strong following in both countries, done some research but difficult to fully know

I was more interested in day to day stuff, the little things that ulimately makes ones choice, i understand one can never pin point everything and to jus take the plunge

so any insights would be fantastic but i must admit i'm leaning towards Taiwan.

many thanks!!

Enoch83 · Thu 01-Mar-07, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10cents

I'd love to visit Japan. It's such a beautiful country. But, ahemn, the best place to teach is here. However, I've got to warn you people that the pay and conditions sucks!

can you elaborate on the pay and conditions sucking part? b/c i am interested in going to the philipines and/or other places in southeast asia to teach. i dont mind the simplistic lifestyle, in fact thats something i'm looking for.

Thu 24-Aug-06, 08:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
bubblekitkat ESL Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Nationality: Filipino Occupation: ESL Teacher Location: Posts: 4	what's the best Asian country to work for? Have you tried working in three or more Asian countries as an ESL teacher? Which country do you think is the best place to live and work? Why? Thanks. Last edited by gfell; Thu 24-Aug-06 at 09:39 AM. Reason: redundancy

Thu 24-Aug-06, 09:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
gfell Administrator Join Date: May 2005 Nationality: American Occupation: Teacher Location: Posts: 656	Best Asian country to work in Personally I like Japan. Love the food and public safety. It's also a very convenient place to get around in with an extensive network of trains, buses and airports. __________________ English Teacher and Student Site Teach English and Study Abroad! Teaching Community at Teacher Forums ESL Teacher and Student Directory!

Thu 24-Aug-06, 08:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
harold h Guru Join Date: Jun 2005 Nationality: Australian Occupation: Teechaaaa Location: Posts: 61	Best country to teach in I've taught in both Japan and South Korea. Both are very similar in landscape. Both countries have similar high-rise cities and crowded trains. Both have beautiful countryside. So it comes down to the food. Do you like spicy food such as kimchi? Or soya sauce flavoured dishes and sushi?

Mon 02-Oct-06, 09:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
mycolumbus THE Teacher Join Date: May 2005 Nationality: Australian Occupation: English Teacher Location: Posts: 92	Best country to teach in Hmmm... I think the first country you head to you seems to find the best. I first came to teach in Japan - like the food and always a plentiful supply of work available. Many say the cost of living in Japan is high, but this is only what's passed around on the grape vine. Just today I had a full meal for 550 yen (about $US6). If I were to eat a full meal back home, it would cost more I'm sure. To sum up, there is really no best country to teach in. You have to look at yourself and try and think what you will like. Some love teaching in Taiwan whilst an equal number would love teaching in Japan. __________________ Gotta Love Teaching in Japan.

Wed 29-Nov-06, 05:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
10cents Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Occupation: Forester Location: Posts: 14	Re: what's the best Asian country to work for? I'd love to visit Japan. It's such a beautiful country. But, ahemn, the best place to teach is here. However, I've got to warn you people that the pay and conditions sucks!

Mon 02-Oct-06, 08:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
auperne Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Occupation: Looking for a teaching Job Location: Posts: 12	I haven't been to either South Korea or Japan but I feel Taiwan is a great country to live as well. Taipei is an easy city to get around and has plenty to keep you entertained. Again only a short trip out of the city there are tons of places to visit. Moderately cheap and seems to be a very safe country. Im not really happy with the food here, there are things I like but in general a lot of the food doesn't seem very appealing to me. The food in Taichung, a central city on the island is actually much nicer, spicier and saltier whereas Taipei is quite sweet. Job market is pretty good, I went off to Hong Kong and Macau for a bit, came to Taipei on a Saturday night and had a job with a contract by end of the week, so 6 days but I have experience and it was close to the begining of a semester. Cheers. -Rob

Sun 28-Jan-07, 08:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
borea Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Occupation: student Location: Posts: 8	Re: what's the best Asian country to work for? anybody been to s korea? how does it compare say to japan and taiwan?

Sun 28-Jan-07, 08:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
Billy Wannabe Guru Join Date: Oct 2005 Occupation: Teacher Location: Posts: 34	Re: what's the best Asian country to work for? How does it compare? What are you trying to compare? Salary, cost of living, culture, language, work environment, manners? I can easily write a book on this. Please be more specific. You really need to take a look at what you like and then choose the country.

Tue 30-Jan-07, 12:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
borea Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Occupation: student Location: Posts: 8	Re: what's the best Asian country to work for? Hi, Well obviously there will be big differences, i'm just trying to get a perspective from someone thats worked in both places. I'm not concerned with money or cost of living because from what i hear korea offers more but taiwan is still good. both have advantages and disadvantages but i cant make up my mind, i really dont care about where i can get the most money or better apartment, im going for the experience not luxury - for example i like hiking and camping, i know in taiwan this is ok but havnt found any info on korea. - working conditions are very top on my list, like friendly coworkers, some kinda curriculum - weather? i'm from the tropics, how bad is winter in korea anyways - transport? pretty much the same?? - one of my main reasons for going over is that i'm buddhist, is there a strong following in both countries, done some research but difficult to fully know I was more interested in day to day stuff, the little things that ulimately makes ones choice, i understand one can never pin point everything and to jus take the plunge so any insights would be fantastic but i must admit i'm leaning towards Taiwan. many thanks!!

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