With my stats, is there an Asian town/city you recommend teaching English?
I have an Associate degree in writing and literature, a BA in Creative writing, and a certificate to teach ESL/EFL. I've taught intermediate writing students in New York City and True beginner level (my favorite!) students in Poland. I am a 26-year-old female from the US, currently working in the UK. My plan is to fly back to the US at the end of August and fly out to Asia as soon as possible afterwards. I should also mention that I'm black/hispanic, with a mane of thick curly hair and all. I understand from what I've been reading that my race may close some occupational doors for me, but it's not enough of a reason for me to completely discount any one location. I respect the horror stories I've heard and do take them into consideration (I understand South Korea may be the most harsh in this respect?). I'm not a big party animal, but I don't want to spend weeks on my own either. I do like to go out, but I'm okay going to the same few places over and over again, ya know? I'm a lot more pub than club. I'm not looking to save a HUGE amount of money, but I don't want to get to the end of a contract with absolutely nothing left to move somewhere else if I choose to. I sort of have my heart set on south east Asia but I haven't... completely discounted ::grumble:: Korea or ::grumble:: Japan (if anyone has major reasons not go to these places I am very open to them!). Also (most importantly for me at this time) would it be logical for me to fly out in October/Novemberish and expect to find a decent job? Should I look for work ahead of time? All of the little 'boring' and mundane details about any place are fully welcomed as well. It would be great to hear some details I haven't heard before. Don't think I won't be interested because, believe me, I will! Help! Thanks for the info, biker babe. I've actually already posted a very similar question in the eslcafe forum :). I love it, but so often the threads turn into people venemously attacking each other's opinions.
Teaching - 2 Answers
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1 :
Hi Latte- I've taught TESL/TEC to international teachers for over 12 yrs - most of them from Asia. Race is less of an issue in Asia than in easter Europe. However, here are a couple of amazing websites you might want to check out and post your questions on there. One of them is http://www.eslcafe.com/ - the other is http://www.transitionsabroad.com/ - ESL cafe has a huge forum where you can get very straight answers from others already there or having had experience there. Good luck.
2 :
The venom of ESL Cafe is based on a lack of accountability. All venom is spat out of fear of course. Be aware in Asia we are all global curiosities in a local sphere. Competitiveness factors deem youthful and generally white teachers as preferred in areas where student expectations are being closely generalized. The more experience you have sending loads of emails, CVs and contacts out the better your chances of being hired. It is typical to see more ethnically non-white teachers in more semi-urban or rural environments in my experience here in Korea. Along the same lines, older, or sometimes wiser teachers are out on the fringes as well. Koreans are the same as any body else. When offered the opportunity to compare real life encounters with non-white foreigners versus stereotype they usually learn from the experience. However you might often be mistaken for a low-wage worker from Africa which could be difficult at times.
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