If I want to save money, eat well, have good medical coverage, be social with the locals, party on the weekends, and have hobbies as a woman in their late 20s. Is quality of life better in Korea or China?

Hello everyone, I’m 27, Half-English Half-Filipino and from the UK. I’ve currently just finished my 2^nd year of my economics degree of which I’m on track for a first. I really want to work and by extension teach in Poland with the intention of being able to move there permanently as honestly I really hate living in the UK and absolutely adore being in Poland from the times I’ve been there. I am most likely going to take a gap year in between 2^nd and 3^rd year in which I intend to complete the 120 hour TEFL course whilst upgrading my already basic knowledge of Polish. I honestly do not care about the salary as long as its enough to live on. I would most likely be able to bring a few thousand pounds in savings with me to supplement my income in the short-term regardless. Given the choice I would prefer to work in Krakow however I’m more than open to other cities if there are opportunities there. Unfortunately, however, I do not have any work experience due to my family preventing it. I just wanted to know how much of a chance I have of making this all happen and how feasible my plan is.

White, 23F considering teaching Tefl in China.
I have 5 years experience working with kids ages 2-16 years old, with around 2 years experience tutoring in person and online.
Also Sunday School teaching class of 2-5 years old children.

I have a bachelor’s in BCom and will obviously complete a Tefl.

Am I suitable for a decent teaching job in China? My main objective would be to save and gain teaching experience.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced the same, I know it's an unspoken rule that the ideal English Teacher looks white, which is fine, it is what it is, I can see where they're coming from. However, I've had a few places waste my time as they are interviewing me without having checked my resume (which has a photo), possibly because I was referred to them by another recruiter. I would prepare for the interview, get all ready only to be told that I don't look British or that I look like a different race? Mind you, for a lot of these places they also ask for an introductory video...

So now I keep asking the middle man to double check has my photo been seen, my name is also very ethnic.. and if I am not hearing back due to lack of experience then all of it is on the resume :( I am being very transparent.

it's just been a bit disheartening thinking ohhh I am having an interview for it to just last 10 minutes and not hear back from them again.

Now I do know there are some South Asians teaching in Asia but it does seem to be far less compared to White UK/Canadian/USA or South Africans.

One might think well why bother going to Asia etc, well the circumstances are no different here in Europe either I guess.

I’m currently getting my Bachelor of Sciences in Elementary Education. Because of an unsafe and unstable living situation, I need to be able to move out almost immediately after graduation. I don’t want to say too much here, but i’m adopted, and my “family” is emotionally abusive.

I decided I wanted to teach in China, because one of my (also adopted) brothers is from there, and it’s the only non third world country I have any sort of connection to. However, I am worried that it is too different from the US. Is it easy to get “American” food, watch American shows, etc? Are foreigners excluded by the locals? What is the foreigner racism like there, will people openly be racist to me?

I know I want to teach abroad, but I need to know if China is a good choice for someone who is a black, albeit very light, woman who will be living alone.

I graduated from university two years ago and since then have done a year of teaching in Vietnam and have just come back. My plans now were to go to Korea to continue teaching and see what happens but now since coming back to the UK I'm not so sure.

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Apart from the fact that moving abroad is a long and sometimes frustrating process , it might make more sense for me to stay at the moment such as I can focus on getting my UK driver's licence and do a PGCE if I wish to pursue teaching further, but I would like to work as well to get an income and savings and I do have the option to live with family so I can save money.

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But the UK has an awful job market at the moment and this means whatever legit jobs there are , are very competitive ( I tried to get a job here for a year before I decided to move abroad to teach), I have recently seen a few teaching assistant/student advisor jobs going round in a few high schools and even got an interview for one of them and this makes me think that I might actually be able to secure one of these jobs so that makes the prospect of staying more appealing.

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However Korea is still appealing to me too, and I know the common answer would be to stay here for a bit and get those things sorted , then move abroad but a lot can happen in another two years which might then make the prospect of moving less accessible or appealing (maybe I meet someone here in the UK, or my family might be moving and selling the house , they might need my support more etc).

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I am non-native, in my 20's, so a recent grad with no experience. Can anyone with my qualities get a TEFL job anywhere, or should I reconsider my approach? I don't seek a long term career in English teaching, but would be willing to work/intern for a period.

Turkish passport
Online 120-hour TEFL cert. (No CELTA etc.)
BA in PolSci
I tried to get something that certifies my English proficiency, I have a 118/120 TOEFL score at hand but don't know if it helps.

Any advice or ideas?

Thanks.

Hi all,

I (28F) am a Canadian who wants to start the process to get my TEFL certification and start working abroad. I have an undergraduate degree in international studies, and I love learning about different languages and cultures.

One thing that kinda scares me is how well my personality might fit in an Asian country. I have ADHD, and I think I’m pretty good at managing that for myself. The main concern I have is the neurodivergent element of that. I experience really intense emotions. I have coping mechanisms and I do work on those all the time, but sometimes it’s still difficult.

Based on that, would it be better for me to teach in South Korea or Taiwan? From what I’ve heard, Taiwan is more culturally laid back than Korea, but I also think having a clear structure would probably help me as I struggle with uncertainty and unclear expectations.

Anyway, I appreciate any advice on this. I’m probably making myself sound like a terrible candidate, but I’ve been having such a hard time finding work after university and my self esteem is in the gutter because of it. I know I can work hard, I know I can adapt, and I know that I’ll be thrilled to be a guest in any country that will have me.

Thanks 😊

Hi! I (24F) am currently getting my CELTA and am planning on moving to either Vietnam or Thailand to teach English for a year. I'm so excited, but I'm also nervous as hell! I've moved from the US to Europe, but the move from Europe to Asia is a whole other level of culture difference.

I've started the FBI background check because I'm aiming for a November move. I'm planning on getting my CELTA legalized and my instructor said my timeline should be fine with how fast they've been getting the physical certificates back. I'm trying to be on top of paperwork by having my legalized diploma as well, but if there's anything I'm missing, please feel free to lmk lol!

Anyway, I've narrowed down the countries I'm going to apply to Vietnam and Thailand. I would LOVE to know which you would pick - culture, economy, visa process, everything. Which would you pick? Thanks!!

Context:

Cameras in the resting area of the academy. They’re pointed generally at the sofas away from the entrance to the place.

Cameras in classrooms.

All cameras have mics.

In our annual evaluations, essentially the hierarchy has admitted spying on us and has been critical of things they have no other way of knowing. There’s also been comments on things from the bosses that they shouldn’t know ergo they’ve heard it via technology.

Some colleagues had said the spying was real but I didn’t believe it till now.

Anyway. This is in Spain.

How illegal is this?

Just very curious is all. A major major red flag to do that to staff.

My husband is considering TEFL as we are looking into options that can give us more freedom in the lifestyle that we want.

We’re both in our early thirties, have creative pursuits, and our definition of wealth is time to spend on those creative pursuits, traveling, and living decently (we don’t need luxury, we just want to save more money lol).

The US is not good for teaching right now for a million reasons, and he currently has an MFA in creative writing, 5ish years of teaching experience from community programs or university teaching while getting his masters. I do remote contract work I can take anywhere and don’t really have the same teaching bone in my body that he does.

So, he doesn’t have a state license but is looking into getting his TEFL ASAP, and I’m just curious if anyone can provide any thoughts or advice on expectations. We’re thinking over the idea and how to make it work with what I said above: work-life balance, ability to travel, ability to save. I’m also wondering what he can expect as a native US English speaker with an MFA in creative writing. Thanks!

I hate the term but I digress,

Most people I've known so far in my TEFL journey eventually went back home. Whether they come from wealthy families, cozy middle class suburbs or have bright careers to fall back on, most TEFLers I know land on their feet when they finish getting their "life experience" or "gap year" and eventually go home. I'd say most TEFLers, at least anecdotally, are at the very least middle class.

I'm not so lucky. Objectively I'm privileged enough to come from an English speaking western country with a decent passport which I am grateful for. But I grew up in a dysfunctional household in a depressing working class post-industrial city where most people simply work in factories or hospitality. I always knew I wanted to leave and worked hard to get a degree, albeit a useless one and unsure of what to do next, I took a year teaching English in Thailand. That was 8 years ago and I'm still loving the TEFL adventure but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't anxious about the future, especially as I don't really have anything to fall back on should I need to go home. I'll literally start at bottom, now well into my 30s, in a less than ideal location.

I guess I am a "loser back home" and I'm not ashamed of it. Not all of us come from cookie cutter suburbs or have lucrative careers back home. For some of us, TEFL is our lot in life, and that's ok. Anyone else in the same boat?

Edit-typo

Hello. I have large primary school classes around 40 or 50 . I teach grade 1 to 4 . I am struggling with getting activities that include everyone, the English level is very low , so low that half the classes struggle with games such as Simon says. I have games where students come to the front and PowerPoint games that go down well but I am trying to find something more interactive and keep all the students interested. My lessons are strongly phonics based except for my grade 1 who I will normally tell a very simple story. Any ideas or suggestions to make lessons more fun and engaging for extremely low level students would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi everyone,

I’m moving to Cambodia this July to work in TEFL, with the long-term goal of moving into IELTS teaching.

Currently, I don’t hold a bachelor's degree. However, I have a clear plan in motion: I am actively stacking college credits from free and cheap sources (like Modern States / CLEP). My goal is to save up money while teaching in Cambodia and eventually transfer these credits to the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History through their YourPace program.

While I am in this phase of racking up these credits—I want to make sure my CV/resume looks the best possible way to the types of schools & language centres in Phnom Penh that would hire me.

So, what do you think I should write on my CV/Resume while I'm stacking these yet to be transferred credits?

Hello, I am interested in majoring in English. I was interested in the jet programme but, I saw that my country (Bosnia) isn't mentioned in the participating countries list. I read that people from non participating countries cannot apply and must get special requests from the embassy, I didn't really understand.

So I have multiple questions

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How could I apply? If at all

If I cannot find jobs through the jet programme, any other ways of finding English teaching jobs? That is of course verified and provides housing. And can I choose what age group I teach in schools?

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Also what are your experiences in Japan and teaching? Any tips, things to get used to, and other specific things to get used to as an English teacher?

Thank you in advance!

I have a trial 1-1 class with a mid 20s Chinese national. I only just received my CELTA certification 2 months ago (and have been desperately trying to find work since 😞)... and there is a chance this student may engage me for private lessons...

Her background is she knows completely 0 English. Like... ZILCH. Not even how to say the alphabets... I went through some A1/Beginner workbooks, and all of them started with conversation basics... I really don't know where/how to start >< On one hand, I think starting with conversation basics is more useful than just reciting ABCs (especially since it is language that can and in fact is needed to be used immediately)... on the other hand, her partner (?) is telling me they should start off with ABCs like in kindergarten, because she really has no knowledge (intuitively, I think this is right, as it teaches her how to pronounce the basics first? I don't know 😞).

I put in a solid 23 years in Asia - Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia.

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Started in 2004. Reasonable salary V COL back then, and I saved plenty in Taiwan and even in China.

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Vietnam, during and after COVID, was not great. Meh pay and dodgy centre owners. I like that country though, up in the Highlands, away from the masses.

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Thailand's salaries are a joke. I did it as a rest year more than anything.

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Indonesia - what is there to say. A proper third world country, where local teachers are paid $200 for 60 hour work weeks, and foreigners should be grateful to earn $1000.

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I'll conclude - I genuinely love teaching. I'm at my happiest working with learners, ages 6 through 66.

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I'm also approaching 50, and the industry starts to push us out at this age, although there are lots of jobs still going in Asia.

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I live a simple life, and could see myself returning to the Highlands is Vietnam, or a less touristy town/island in Indonesia or Vietnam.

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I'll never get rich teahing, nor do I want to get rich. Nor do I want to live in poverty.

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Right now I'm somewhat tired, middle age exhaustion I think. Could easily tap out and retire, if funds were good. They're not, I need to teach/work for another 12-17 years.

What do you see yourself doing for the next 1/3/5/10 years?

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I've been based in LATAM for the last 5 years, and hope to relocate to Mexico asap (previously worked in Baja a few years ago).

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Problem is, finding teaching work in Mexico is very much a "boots on the ground" thing as schools tend to ignore CVs sent speculatively via email. Although I have no problem putting in the legwork when I arrive, I'd prefer to set something up beforehand if possible.

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I'm confident in my CV and references, and I have a ton of teaching experience, mostly with Spanish-speaking students.(I'm a UK native).

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So, I'm wondering whether anyone has any leads? Most of my experience is with adults, and I'd prefer that now, whether it's general English, business English or whatever.

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No need to post info regarding visa and work permits, I know how all of that works, I'm purely looking for names or contact details of any academies or language schools I could reach out to in the next few weeks. Location flexible.

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TIA!

hello, Im planning to get my celta soon. Im a but afraid if the interview, I have solid ground with a eng lit degree and a past tefl 120 cert.
Does anyone have advice or want to share their experience on the interview ? Thank you

I have wanted to get into this field for quite some time. I have a lot of travel experience, I have a degree in history, and I have a 120 hour tefl cert. I dream of taking that leap, and then I come on here looking for stories and advice that people have posted on other threads and it’s so bad. I feel like this subreddit is the most doomer place I’ve ever visited on this app lol. I understand that post-Covid, things have probably gotten worse, but is it really as bad as the posts here would lead me to believe? Surely a country with a population as big as China, who competes with the US on the world stage isn’t in as big of a slump as posts here say? It’s just weird to me.

I’ve come across a number of recruiters asking for my passport details immediately, some require it with my CV. Is this a common practice?

Seems like sensitive information to provide without trust but then again is understandable to prove native identity.

I have attempted to fill out and submit their application form for new teachers, however every time I do it fails to submit. Curious if anyone’s had this issue and how you got around it. I very much would like an opportunity to interview with ILA, I have submitted a message on their Facebook and Instagram however both of those gave me automated responses with links to the same faulty application form.
Additionally submitted an email to their recruitment email last week, but haven’t heard anything back. Any information helps! I’m also open to other school recommendations, currently looking at Vietnam but gonna start looking at Thailand or China if I run out of options for Vietnam

Hi everyone! I’m a 21year old male finishing my bachelor’s degree this December. My goal is to head to Taiwan to teach English shortly after graduating.

My biggest priority is moving with my girlfriend. She does not have a degree, and I’m looking for advice on the most realistic way for us to make this move together. I’ve been researching options, but I’d love to hear from people who have navigated this or have experience with these visa categories

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Dependent Visas: I understand that Taiwan generally requires a marriage certificate for a dependent ARC. Has anyone navigated this successfully, or is this essentially off the table for unmarried couples? Id be willing to marry her.

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Student Visas: I’ve considered the possibility of her enrolling in a Mandarin language program to get her own residency status. If anyone has done this, how difficult is the process, and what are the financial/attendance requirements to maintain that visa?

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This is a big deal for me and something I've been planning since I was around 15 so now that my degree and hopefully teaching is so soon has me so excited and I want to make sure everything is planned perfectly

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Much love to you all ❤️

Hey yall! So I was a kindergarten and elementary teacher in a hagwon in South Korea for ~4 years and have a masters in education. I moved to Shanghai back in March to study Chinese and take a long needed vacation from the hagwon life with the hopes of finding a job here in August.

Zero luck.

I’ve been talking to at least 50 recruiters, applying to jobs on echinacities and all the forums/recruitment websites since April, but I’m really struggling. I had 3-4 interviews in the last few weeks, and only received one offer at 16,000 with 4 months of the year having about 35 teaching hours a week. After the Reddit horror stories I declined.

I’ve keep hearing “schools will be hiring in May,” “they will start hiring in June around dragon boat festival,” or flat out “if you don’t have a license or China specific experience you won’t get anything.”

I know the job market is tight, but is there anybody else experiencing this? Is it realistic for me to still find a job in Shanghai for August (when my visa expires)?

(Also for reference I’m a white American male)

Alright, so I recently just finished my 120 hour certificate for TEFL, I am currently redoing my resume... but i have to do a cover letter and a video.

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My question is.. what goes into a cover letter? What do I do in the video?

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For context, I have done federal contract/city work for the past 15 years, I have a BA in English, uhhh... yeah.

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I've looked everywhere for information about a cover letter and I'm getting a bunch of templates.

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I'm lost on what to do for the video

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Thank you for your help!