Teach English around the World

Teach English in Italy, Interview with Sheila Marie Corwin

Teach English in Italy with Sheila Marie Cowin
Teach English in Italy with Sheila Marie Cowin

Please tell us a little about your English teaching background

Before coming to Italy in October 2002, I was working for a private language school in the States which had a European agent in Florence, Italy. My boss in California, who knew of my desire to teach in Italy, put in a good word for me. When I arrived in Florence, I had a job already waiting for me.
After two years in Florence, I decided to accept a job at a university in Mexico where I worked for one year and then returned to California to pursue an MA TESOL degree. I returned to Italy permanently in 2007 to work as the principal trainer and academic director of a TEFL certificate program. I have been teaching English (and teaching others how to teach English) in Italy ever since.

Please tell us about all the jobs you have had teaching English in Italy?

When I first came to Italy, I worked for a private language school in the city of Florence. I worked about 15-20 (in class) hours or less per week, more if I could get it. Most of my lessons were organized through the school and were usually off-site one-to-one language lessons where I would meet the student at his/her place of work during the day. I also taught private lessons and small group classes at the language school. I was paid by the hour and received no benefits. When I worked full time at the teacher training center as the principal trainer, I received a fee (or salary) for every four-week course I did. If there was no course, I was not paid and there was no paid vacation. Currently, I am training English teachers online from Italy. I work with teacher trainees from all over the world.

Please tell us about your job in Mexico

I worked in the state of Oaxaca at the Universidad del Mar, which is located in the developing coastal resort area known as Huatulco, for one year. It was a fantastic experience living in Mexico; very culturally enriching, interesting and eye-opening. I worked in a language department with other professors from the States, Canada, the United Kingdom and France, and had paid vacation, holidays, and benefits.

How easy is it to find English teaching positions?

Teaching positions are definitely available and often advertised. Be prepared though to work for more than one language school to make ends meet. Better jobs can often be found in small lesser known towns where English language teachers are more of a novelty versus a dime a dozen like in some major tourist centers in Italy. Due to its size, I think Rome might also be a good place to look for work teaching English as well as Milan.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

At this point in time, I definitely think so. This wasn’t always the case but I think those with any kind of teaching certification (TEFL/TESL/ TESOL) are definitely considered before all others—and there are plenty of people looking for work who already possess a certificate. You’ll need one to compete for the best and available jobs—that’s for sure!

How valuable has your Masters in TESOL been to your career?

I think very valuable. My MA TESOL came in very handy when I was working in a teacher training center where I was constantly updating and developing curriculum and has also served me well in the online teacher training I am doing and the various projects I am involved in as a teacher of English in Italy.

How did you get your first work visa?

I didn’t have one. I worked in my first job for a private language school that hired a lot of Americans. I had a contract but no work visa.

Is it easy for non-EU citizens to obtain a work visa for Italy?

Not that easy, but possible. I suggest coming on a student visa, which allows non-EU citizens to stay longer than the three month tourist visa and work 20 hours a week. Another idea is to obtain Italian citizenship, if at all possible, through relatives. I also think pursuing jobs with private language schools in smaller out of the way places (with less competition) is a good idea. If a non-EU citizen marries an Italian, it will be a lot easier to acquire working papers and other documents.

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?

Yes, definitely. Italians prefer face to face contact and many people (Americans and those with or without an EU passport) look for and find jobs teaching English in private language schools or freelance. Bring extra cash and plan on working for more than one language school, at least in the beginning.

What is the cost of living in Italy?

Expensive compared to the average wage (even for Italians). Expenses vary depending on where you decide to live, how much you want to eat or go out, and whether you’re living in the northern or the southern parts of Italy.

How much of a salary can teachers expect to make?

Typical salaries in Italy are around 1000 Euros per month, but many English teachers are paid hourly. This can range from 12-16 Euro per hour on the average.

Are there many opportunities to earn income on the side?

Definitely. Freelance work can be found through advertising or through word of mouth through other teachers you meet.

Do you recommend Italy for other English teachers?

Definitely! Italy is a wonderful country and, in most cases, Italian students enjoy participating and interacting, which makes them very fun to teach.

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English in Italy or other countries Abroad?

Take an onsite or online TEFL/TESOL certificate course if you’re interested in finding work in private language schools. You will find the information invaluable to your teaching and the certificate will help you find work. I would also suggest Susan Griffith’s book, Teaching English Abroad, as well as my website: TeachingEnglishinItaly
Links
TeachingEnglishinItaly Sheila’s web site
Find English Teaching Jobs in Italy
Information on Teaching English in Italy
Teach English in Italy (Cost of Living)
Teach English in Italy (Visa Requirements)
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Teach English in China, Interview with Roger Jones

Teach English in China Roger Jones
Teach English in China Roger Jones

How long have you been teaching English in China?

I’m now in my 4th year in Chengdu, Sichuan.

How did you find your first teaching job?

I found my first teaching job in China on the internet, through AbroadChina.org. I also spent two years doing research about China and about teaching abroad, reading forums such as those on Dave’s ESL Café, and finding all the information I could about various cities and universities.

How easy is it to find teaching jobs?

One of the reasons I chose China is because of the high demand for English teachers there. Once you register your resume on a job website, for the first couple of months your inbox will be filled with job offers or advertisements for schools. Most jobs will tell you that they require a TESOL certificate and teaching experience, but in practice many teachers are hired wtihout these credentials. I didn’t even have a phone interview for my first teaching job here. As times goes by, however, if you’re a serious teacher looking for a professional environment and high standards, you will become much more discriminating in your search.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

In theory, yes, in practice, not always. I completed my TESOL after I’d arrived in China and had already started teaching. The universities I’ve been associated with base their pay scale on your education level (B.A., M.A., Ph.D.) rather than years of experience.

How did you get your first work visa?

The procedure is to have a job offer in hand; your future employer will send you a certified letter of employment, which you take to the Chinese consulate in your home country. You’ll be given a temporary visa, and once you’re in China your school must apply to the local PSB within a couple of weeks for the official residence permit.

What is the cost of living in China?

It depends on what kind of job you have, where you live, and what your expectations are. I teach in a university, which provides a furnished apartment and utlities in addition to my salary. I live simply; my monthly budget is about 2,000 RMB (US$293).

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

Once again, it depends. I save about 50% of my monthly salary. During my first 3 years in China I was still paying off my U.S. credit card debt; that was difficult and I don’t recommend brining your debt to China with you. Now, whatever I don’t spend on monthly expenses (food, clothing, books, etc.) goes into my travel fund. At the moment, it’s impossible for me to contribute to a retirement fund or save piles of money.

What is the typical number of teaching hours per week?

At a university, expect about 14-16 classroom periods (45-50 minutes) a week, with overtime paid for extra teaching hours. At a private, for-profit language school you may be expected to have 30-40 contact hours per week; the salary may be much higher but I don’t desire to work myself that hard.

How many weeks of holidays per year can teachers expect?

Depending on when the Spring Festival holiday falls, I have 4-6 weeks of paid winter vacation each year. You also get paid for the standard Chinese holidays – National Day, Spring Festival, etc. Summer vacation is unpaid.

Did your employer provide you with medical Insurance?

My employer requires teachers to buy medical insurance; I paid about 200 RMB (US$ 29) for 10,000 RMB (US$1465) worth of coverage.

Do you recommend China for other English teachers?

This depends on a lot of factors. The culture shock can be extreme; I came here with no knowledge of the language, and many people are immediately put off by the vast differences in cleanliness, sanitation, living conditions, or other factors. If you read the message boards online, there’s a vast amount of bitching and moaning about teaching environments, salary, and lifestyle that you have to take with a grain of salt. Do your homework before you come here; be sure to get contact information for at least two or three current or former teachers at your prospective school. Know what you want: are you coming to China for a one-year teaching “holiday” or for the long term? What are your professional goals?

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

As I said, do your homework. When I came to China I made a complete break: got rid of all my possessions, left my job and apartment, gave away a lifetime accumulation of books, put my cat up for adoption – all to basically make a new start in a country I’d never even visited before. I spent 2 years saving money, getting teaching experience in Los Angeles, paying down my debt, and doing research.
Have practical goals: save some money first, take language classes, know about the differences in education, etc. For example, in China you may have large classes, up to 50 students for “oral” English; there’s a huge emphasis on rote learning in the country’s education system; education is controlled by the single political party; there are “forbidden” topics – Tibet, Taiwan, religion, politics – that can’t be discussed in class. If you are gay or lesbian, don’t expect the kind of openness you would find in urban environments in the U.S.
Know about health issues: pollution levels in Chinese cities can be deadly; Chengdu is about twice as polluted as Los Angeles. Choose your country carefully; if you want to save piles of cash, China might not be for you. If you want a different or challenging experience, maybe it is.
Links RunningtoMyself Roger Jones’ blog.

Information on Teaching English in China
Find English Teaching Jobs in China
China (Cost of Living)
China (Visa Requirements)
Interview with Kelly Sandor, teaching English in China
Interview with Roger Jones, teaching English in China
Interview with Gordie Rogers, teaching English in China

Interview with Thailand English Teacher, Johnny Ward

Johnny Ward, Thailand English Teacher
Johnny Ward, Thailand English Teacher

How long did you teach English in Thailand?

I first arrived in Thailand in February 2007 and left around May 2008 but my first month or so was taken up by studying my CELTA diploma, I was employed almost immediately after completing that so I taught for around 15 months in Thailand in total

Please tell us about your job?

The job was great! The company I worked for, AUA, are a renowned language school throughout Thailand with branches in every city. The students ranged in age from around 15 to 30 and the class size probably average about 15 students. The working hours were the real highlight! I taught Tuesday to Friday 5pm-8.20pm and Saturday 9am-4pm, this gave me almost every day free to explore the country, study the language etc

Have you taught English in other countries?

Yeah, I have taught in Korea and that was a brilliant experience too – the cash was excellent and Korean students really appreciate being taught. The working hours in Korea are much longer than my awesome hours in Thailand so that took a bit of time to acclimatize too, but after that I only have positive memories J

How did you find your first teaching job?

I booked a one-way flight to Thailand and then pretty much ‘freestyled’ it from there! I had just finished my CELTA when I was applying so it was really just a case of me identifying the best places to teach and contacting them directly

How easy is it to find English teaching positions and is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

This can be a tough question to answer. Let me break it down:
if you have no degree, no TEFL and no experience – it will be very tough to get a job in Thailand (and illegal!)
if you have a degree and no TEFL – it can still be quite tough (and still illegal as you need a degree AND a TEFL for a work permit in Thailand) but you can find work in less reputable schools and if you’re willing to teach a class of around 40 students and get underpaid then you can find work – but who wants that stress?!
if you have a degree and a TEFL – easy street! You can find a few places you want to work and undoubtedly you will get a couple of interviews and before you know it you’re a fully fledged English teacher
if you have a degree, teaching qualification from your home country or education related masters – they’ll be fighting each other to get to you!!

How did you get your first work visa?

If you work for a decent school they should sort this out for you. I made a quick trip to Laos and the school filled all the paperwork out (which was a mountain of forms) so it wasn’t too painful for me. You need all copies of your degree, TEFL certificate and all the rest but it’s not too bad.

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?

For sure! This is pretty much what I did! Remember those qualifications though or you could run into hot water :S

What is the cost of living in Chiang Mai, Thailand?

Very cheap and very awesome! I earned around 25000 Baht a month, doesn’t sound much but it was more than enough for a cracking lifestyle. Rent in a decent serviced apartment is about 4k, you can get 3 deliciously delicious Thai meals for about 100 baht a day total, motorbike and petrol costs a couple of grand a month. The real cost is the traveling and partying – that can (and does) eat your money!!

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

Again it’s tough to say because the salaries can vary so much. The average salary in Chiang Mai is 25-30k per month and BKK is around 40k per month. I managed to save around 70k in just over a year which was more than enough for the airfare to my next adventure (Bangladesh – crazy place but that’s another story :P). Also, generally when you complete your 12 months at your school you get a bonus of around 30k which helps a lot. Also, because my teaching hours were so small you can work 2 jobs and earn 40-50k per month and then save 200k+ in a year but you’d be sleeping teaching and sleeping again and who wants to do that when they’re living the dream in a foreign country!?

Are there many opportunities to earn income on the side?

When I arrived in Thailand I was a backpacking novice and I would have said no, aside from private tuition of course. But now, 3 ½ years on and still traveling I would certainly say yes – one of my friends is a freelance writer, writing posts for the Times (UK), Bangkok post etc. Another one of my friends works for an NGO, traveling around Thailand which is great. Also, you can earn (a little) money from maintaining a travel blog which is what I’m starting to get into now and hopefully that will help me travel a little bit further for a little bit longer (check out my stories on http://onestep4ward.com)

Do you recommend Thailand for other English teachers?

Absolutely! I couldn’t recommend it any higher, I had such an amazing time, met brilliant people, saw awesome things. Thai students must be the best in the world – easygoing, respectful, upbeat and fun! The quality of life is second to none with delicious food, breathtaking scenery, opportunities to travel on your doorstep, Thai people are so nice too. I only have positive things to say about it!

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

I would say get that degree and get your TEFL (preferably CELTA) – after that, the world is your oyster and you can go to any country, I mean literally almost ANY country, in the whole world and you can have a good job within a month, there’s not many qualifications or jobs that can guarantee that sort of freedom! I would also like to say, don’t be scared – just take the plunge, you most certainly will regret it if you don’t!
Links
OneStep4ward Johnny Ward’s blog.
Follow Johnny Ward on Twitter
Information on Teaching English in Thailand
English Teaching Jobs in Thailand

Teach English in Colombia, Interview with Colin Post

Teach English in Colombia, Interview with Colin Post
Teach English in Colombia, Interview with Colin Post

How long have you been teaching English in Colombia?

Almost one year.

Please tell us about your job?

I work for an institute at the high end of the English industry here in Colombia. The institute charges companies top dollar and sends us to busy professionals’ offices for classes early in the morning or after their workday. Most classes are at multinationals you’d know. My hours are very irregular, rarely keeping the same schedule from one month to the next. But it pays well and I never teach more than 20 hours a week.

How did you find your first teaching job?

I found my institute through a referral from a gringa at the same hostel. I didn’t have an English-teaching job before arriving.

How easy is it to find English teaching positions?

If you’re a native speaker, it will be difficult NOT teaching English. In other words, very easy.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

I imagine it depends on the country and the institute. I was TESOL-certified and that helped me get on where I am, but you can teach English with no training if you’re a native speaker.

How did you get your first work visa?

My institute sponsored mine.

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?

That’s what I did. Tourist visas in Colombia are limited to six months per calendar year.

What is the cost of living in Bogota?

I pay $300 / month in rent, average restaurant meal costs $3, going out can run the gamut depending on your scene. The most expensive beer in town is $3.

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

Save? Teaching English? HAHA!

Are there many opportunities to earn income on the side?

I offer web development and e-marketing services, I have an import deal from Peru, I do freelance writing, and I actually launched my own English language business.

Do you recommend Colombia for other English teachers?

Students are friendly, life is great. Crime may be higher than many are willing to tolerate. The catch-22 is that I highly recommend Colombia but I don’t want it to be flooded with gringos.

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

Pull the trigger.

How long do you plan on staying in Colombia?

At least another few years, maybe my whole life.
LINKS
Expat-Chronicles Colin’s blog about life in Colombia

English Teaching Jobs in Colombia

Teach English in Korea, Interview with Jordan Lunan

Teach English in Korea with Jordan Lunan
Teach English in Korea with Jordan Lunan

How long have you been teaching English in Korea?

Just over 10 months ago. My wife and I started in early March 2009.

How did you find your first teaching job?

On the internet. There are several websites (Dave’s ESL Cafe) dedicated to providing job postings for teachers from schools and recruiters.
We initially dealt with a recruiter who was helpful in explaining the process and helping us prepare all the paperwork, but we eventually found the school through another recruiter and negotiated a contract about 6 weeks before our departure.

How easy is it to find English teaching positions?

I found it very easy at the time. There were plenty of opportunities, but we were patient and interviewed with 15-20 different recruiters and schools before settling on our eventual destination. We received at least 10 offers but were very specific about salary, working conditions and location so we wanted to wait for the right fit.
I understand that it’s a little bit harder to find a good job as there’s been an influx of new teachers who are fleeing North America during the current economic downturn. Also, many of the current teachers here are opting to renew or extend their contracts instead of returning home to uncertain job prospects.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

No, I have no formal training or teaching certificates. My wife is a certified teacher so it certainly helps and will garner a higher salary, but as long as you have university degree and your native tongue is English, most schools will give you consideration.

How did you get your first work visa?

The school arranged all of this for us. We had to go to the Korean consulate in Canada to finalize some paperwork and an informal interview, but most of it was just procedural. I recommend getting all of your documentation in order prior to beginning the job search so that there isn’t any delay once you find a school you’re comfortable with.

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?

I believe so. Sometimes schools hire teachers but can’t get all the Visa documentation finalized before the start of the school year. So they bring the Teacher to Korea on a tourist Visa and then once the work Visa is ready, they ship the teacher to Japan for 48 hours and bring them back in order for the work Visa to take effect. This is commonly referred to as a “Visa-run” and I know several people who have done it. The school pays for everything in the cases I’ve been privy to.

What is the cost of living in Korea?

In my experience, most schools will pay for your accommodation. I highly recommend asking for pictures and description of the dwelling and to speak or correspond with current teachers at the school to ensure that they are provided with appropriate living quarters.
The cost of living is actually quite cheap compared to North America. Most restaurants are dirt cheap compared to back home and there’s no shortage or eating options, especially in our neighbourhood.
It helps to live with someone else and share certain costs or being able to buy food in bulk without having it go bad, but I know certain individuals who are smart with their money and are able to live comfortably and still save money to send home for other expenses (student loans) and put into savings.
My wife and I have actually been able to able to live off just one of our salaries for the entire year and put the other salary in savings to use for our 3-month long trip at the end of our contract. We have  been more frugal than we are accustomed to  living back in North America but still go out to eat a couple times a week and enjoy at least one night out at the bar with friends during the week as well. Others aren’t as disciplined and live paycheck to paycheck but saving money is very possible.

Do you recommend Korea for other English teachers?

Yes. My expectations have been exceeded and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome of our experience. The students are very respectful for the most part and our working and living conditions have been favourable.

What do you love and hate about Korea?

I don’t really hate anything about it. Sometimes it can be frustrating not being able to communicate with strangers or being starred at on the subway, but these are small petty things that you have to expect coming in.
I like most of the food. I admire the pride and work ethic of the Korean people and their rise from virtual poverty as a nation. I like living in central Asian country that has allowed us to take trips to China, Japan, Taiwan and all over Korea for much much less than it would cost coming from North America.
I love the friends I’ve made with both the foreign and Korean people that I’ve met here and throughout our travels abroad. I love going to Korean baseball games for less than $5 and drinking beers that cost less than $2, not to mention being able to drink anywhere you want whenever you want.
Some of the public bathrooms can be pretty nasty and people have less regard for personal space here, but once again, petty differences that shouldn’t deter someone from the benefits of the overall experience.

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

Do as much research as possible and familiarize yourself with Korean culture and etiquette prior to arrival. Don’t obsess and compare everything to how things are done back home. Be respectful of their cultural differences and embrace them as best you can.
With patience and the right attitude, you’ll have no problem getting comfortable and integrating yourself into their society.

How long to you plan on staying in Korea?

Two more months. We signed a one year contract and will be traveling for three months throughout Southeast Asia and Europe before returning home to Toronto in June 2010.
Links
An Asian Odyssey Jordan Lunan’s Blog
English teaching jobs in Korea
Information on teaching English in Korea

Teach English in France, Interview with Roni Weiss

Teach English in France, Interview with Roni Weiss
Teach English in France, Interview with Roni Weiss

How long have you been teaching English in France?

I have two jobs currently. One is as an English language assistant in the French public schools. The other is in a school teaching Business English. I started the first job on October 1st, which is the start date for everyone for that job. I started the second job during the first week of December. My first time working in France was last summer.

Please tell us about your jobs?

Language assistant: I work in two middle schools in Vaulx-en-Velin, which is in the Lyon metro area. In theory, I work 12 hours a week. In reality, this fluctuates (meaning, sometimes it is less) if teachers have tests, etc. I have a lot of vacation, actually.
My vacation schedule: Oct 24-Nov 5, Dec 19-Jan 4, Feb 13-Mar 1 and Apr 10-Apr 26.
Vaulx-en-Velin does not have a great reputation. In 1990, they burnt the city down. My students are mostly of North and Central African descent. It has been an interesting adjustment, but after a few weeks, I found my groove. I work with kids ages 12-16.
The main way to get this job is via a big application process that you mail to the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. Another way is to be a local recruit, in which case you need to contact the local Academie (equivalent of a school district) directly.
Business English: I just started, but what I can say is that they have proven themselves to be very flexible, so far. They asked me when I could work and have yet to pressure me to add more hours than I am comfortable with. My students are business people at multinational companies. So far, it is very similar to the job I had in Chile, with the exception that classes can be up to 3 hours with one student at one time. Most of my classes are one-on-one, while a few are multiple people.

Have you taught English in other countries?

I have taught English in 4 different countries (in chronological order): Italy, Taiwan, France and Chile. I have found all of my jobs via the internet, with the exception of my current English Assistantship job, which was something that many people in my English immersion camp job had been doing and recommended.
My jobs in Italy, Taiwan and initially in France were all in English immersion camps. My job in Chile was my first time professionally teaching English to adults.
It was interesting how vastly different the English immersion camps were in the 3 different countries.
Italy: There were a group of native English speakers that worked with the Site Director to come up with a schedule, part of which involved a final performance by the kids. There was no set curriculum, but everyone went through a 5-day training course at the beginning which gave us a sense of what they wanted the program to look like. We had cheers and songs that we taught the kids every day. As English Tutors, we usually lived with host families, but sometimes lived in other situations, such as the company apartment in the outskirts of Milan or a shared room in a bed and breakfast. One important note was that this was a day camp. We ate lunch with the kids. We were done with camp before dinner.
Taiwan: This was also a day camp, but the English Assistants were put up at hotels and taken via taxi to the camp. This was my only immersion job where the kids (only at the highest level) were not allowed to speak their native language to one another. The curriculum was more set. We had classes in the morning, lunch, then a group activity, such as a mock-exercise involving the kids booking a ticket and taking an airplane.
France: In this job, every day had a theme centered around the US, such as “Wild West and Native American Day”. This is the only camp where we had “camp names”, which we decided. (Mine is ‘Ace’.) This is a residential camp. We live at the site with the kids. There are 3 different types of counselors. ESL counselors, who run 2 hours of classes in the morning, Activites Counselors, who run 2 hours and 45 minutes of activities in the afternoon and Daily Life Counselors, who are fluent in French and oversee the kids during bedtime, wakeup, teeth brushing, etc. We eat meals with the kids, making sure they are using English to ask for items, etc. In addition to the above schedule, we also have Congress, which is where the kids see skits, learn songs and cheers and hear about the day’s schedule. There is also an Evening Activity, which is a camp-wide event, usually some sort of competition.
In all of the jobs, I have worked with a lot of people that don’t seem to know what they are in for. Camp life is a lot different from ‘normal’ life. A lot happens, quickly. It helps to really like kids and to truly be flexible to be able to succeed at an English immersion camp.

How did you find your first teaching job?

I found my first job the way I’ve found most, via the internet. My sites of choice have been eslcafe.com and tefl.com. I know other people that like seriousteachers.com and anyjobanywhere.com

How easy is it to find English teaching positions?

I have found it fairly easy to find jobs that I want. I have only been rejected once, which was for the JET program in Japan, which seems to be at least as competitive as they claim, if not more so, based on the rejection of myself and others that I know. It is even easier if you’re willing to work anywhere. South Korea, China and SE Asia in general have no shortage of jobs. South America is pretty chock-full, as well. Contract lengths vary. My current job is the longest contract I have taken (with a contract of Oct-Apr). Year-long contracts are the norm in a lot of places, but I have always found ways around it.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

I was trained for 5 days during my initial orientation at my first job in Italy. That TEFL training has taken me through all of my positions. At this point, I have built up enough experience that I think I could get most jobs that I am interested in. I do not have a teaching certificate back home. I don’t have a CELTA or any other sort of TEFL certificate. My bachelor’s degrees from the University of Washington are in English (with a Literature Emphasis) and Drama.

How did you get your first work visa?

I have only gotten one work visa, and that is with my current position working for the Ministry of Education of the French government. I have always had contracts. I have never looked too hard at how legitimately they fit into the myriad tax codes of the local government. All of my jobs have been explained to me as reasonably official. In Chile, I was in the process of getting a work visa, a process that was not completed before I left, although I was required to do various paperwork.
It used to be that you could not get outside work while working as an English language assistant in France, but they changed that within the past couple of years.

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a  job?

It depends on how official one wants to be. There are plenty of teachers that do tutoring under the table. In Western Europe, I don’t think one will have much luck with just showing up (in regard to getting a totally official job). In Southeast Asia or South America, I think you would be fairly welcomed. It is more a matter of how comfortable one would feel showing up with no guaranteed income and the potential to be paid in a less than legitimate fashion.

Are you an EU citizen?

I am not an EU citizen. My grandmother was born in Poland. I have tried to get EU/Polish citizenship via that, to no avail.

Are teachers without an EU visa at a disadvantage?

Teachers without an EU visa are at a great disadvantage. That doesn’t make it impossible, as my experience proves. English immersion camps and the French Assistantship program are good methods.

What is the cost of living in France?

Wow, as for cost of living, I am the totally wrong guy to ask. I spend as little as possible and I got fairly lucky with housing (after a month and a half of not having somewhere permanent to live and moving around to 12 different places). I live in the Lyon area, but not exactly close to where I work. A bus ride to a metro to another metro to another bus is how I get to school. It takes me about an hour. I pay 49 Euros a month for a dorm room in a high school. My understanding is that the only way I have this is because I work in the assistantship program. If I were to have shared a room in an apartment, it seemed like 250-300 Euros was a going rate. Depending on the situation, one might be eligible for government assistance (CAF), which is a higher amount for people under 26. Students also have more options for housing.
I don’t drink alcohol, so I can’t speak to how much drinks really are. Nor do I eat at restaurants. In the end, I generally am saving up money, while others seem to be spending a lot of it going out. My expenses:

  • Rent 49 Euros
  • Metro card; 22 Euros for students, 46 Euros for others
  • Groceries run me; 40-60 Euros a week, but I probably could be eating a lot cheaper than that.

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

Saving really depends person-to-person. I make 780 Euros (give or take) after tax for the Assistant job. Rates at private English language institutes seem to range from 9-15 Euros an hour. Private lessons seem to be 10-20 Euros an hour, depending on a variety of factors.

Do you recommend France for other English teachers?

I would highly recommend teaching English in France. The lifestyle is a lot different than the States or Canada, which some people take for granted. It definitely requires adjustment. The students vary greatly. At the immersion camp, they are mostly kids from wealthy families, with at least half from the Paris area. In the assistantship job, it varies greatly, depending on placement.
Business students tend to be more similar from country to country, with cultural differences sometimes coming into play.

How long to you plan on staying there?

I will finish my Assistant contract at the end of April. After that, I will work at the English immersion camp through the end of July. Depending on circumstances, I might return to either try the assistantship job again or continue my work with the Business English school.

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

My biggest piece of advice for teaching English abroad is to figure out what you are doing it for. If it’s for the money, definitely don’t do immersion camp. If you need to have a certain lifestyle, don’t settle for a country that won’t provide that. If you really don’t like kids, don’t work with them. There are plenty of ways to teach English abroad without working with kids.
Know exactly what you’re getting into before you go. Ask any question you may have before committing to a job. And always contact other people that have done the job, to know what it’s like from the perspective of someone that was where you once were. Look over your contract very carefully, knowing if you are required to go to meetings or do paperwork. Know about your overtime and what days, and hours of the day they will be having you work.
Once you get there, use whatever resources you may have at your disposal. Ask people for help if you need it or if you’re confused about something. Don’t suffer in silence. Don’t accept random changes that you never agreed to.
Most importantly: Don’t give up too quickly. If you arrive somewhereand it’s difficult, that’s normal. If you’re really, really miserableand feel like you’ve done everything you can, don’t force yourself to stay. With all the times I’ve moved and all the different jobs I’ve had, I still give myself a 2 month adjustment time. Sometimes things go quicker, but sometimes it takes that long. It took about 2 months for me to settle into my current situation and now I’m starting to feel like I’m thriving.
Links
RoniWeiss.com
Follow Roni on Twitter
Roni On Location His video travel show on YouTube
Roni’s Facebook Fan Page
Email Roni at roni@dontworry.tv

Information on Teaching English in France

Teach English in Korea, Interview with Simon and Martina Stawski

Teach English in Korea EatYourKimchi.com

How long have you been teaching English in Korea?

We’ve been teaching in Korea now for a year and a half.

Have you taught English in other countries?

We taught English in two high schools and one elementary school in Canada. This was during our practicum for our Bachelor’s of Education. It was much different than what we teach now, because here we’re teaching the basics of conversation while there we worked with students who already knew English, and were already conversationally competent. So, apart from the obvious proficiency difference, the biggest differences are the class sizes here (40, compared to roughly 26 in Canada) and the lesson planning prep time. Here I’ll make two lessons, one for every grade, and teach them for a week, which adds up to two lesson plans a week, essentially. Back in Canada, we had to make two to three different lesson plans PER DAY! It was intense. We’d stay up until 3AM every night trying to make decent lessons. So the workload is much lighter here, and the quality of sleep is muuuuuuch greater.

How did you find your first teaching job?

We attended a presentation during a workshop day for teachers while at Teacher’s College. Different representatives from different districts came by to give presentations to prospective teachers, and among them was a small recruiting agency. We listened to this recruiting agency talk about teaching in Korea. We spoke with them for a bit after the presentation, and then got job offers immediately. It was a very bizarre experience.

How easy is it to find English teaching positions?

Well, for us it was exceptionally easy. Step 1) Sit through a presentation. Step 2) Talk to the presenters afterwards. Step 3) Get offered a job. I can’t say what it will be like for others, because we haven’t really looked for any other positions since. We were placed in two good schools and we haven’t thought about finding jobs elsewhere. We have looked into this for other people, though, since we get many emails about how to become a teacher in Korea. And so we made a video, which we call “How to Become a Teacher in Korea,” in which we outline the difference between public schools and after school programs, as well as what recruiting agency you should go through. Essentially, we suggest that you teach in Public schools, and that you go through Korvia Consulting.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

It’s not necessary, but it’s very, VERY helpful. You’ll have your “Teacher Voice” which will do you a world of good in a class full of 40 students, and you’ll also have a better sense of how to prepare lessons. Many schools – from what I’ve heard – will simply put you in your class and say “teach!” and the experience can be overwhelming if you haven’t had teaching experience beforehand.

How did you get your first work visa?

We got it through our recruiters. They told us to fill out some paperwork and mail it to them. We did as we were told and, voila! Visa in hand. Getting the paperwork done was a bit of a hassle, because we had to get criminal record checks, notarized copies of our degrees, have an interview at the Korean Consulate in Toronto, have a health check in Canada and then another in Korea after we arrived. What makes this process a bit easier is that your recruiter should give you a checklist of things you need, so you won’t have to do the research yourself. Just complete the list and you’re good.

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?

I’m not too sure about that, so I don’t want to give a definite answer about this. I know of someone who was between jobs in Korea for a couple of months, and surely his Visa must have expired by then, so I’d assume it’s possible to be in Korea without a Visa, then find a job and get a Visa for it afterwards.

What is the cost of living in Korea?

God! So cheap! Our rent is covered by our schools (and our place is totally awesome as well!). Taxis cost us an average of 5 bucks or so. The subway starts at 90 cents and charges you for distance, but the most we’ve ever paid (for a two hour subway ride) was something like a buck fifty! Can you believe it! Compare this to the TTC we’re used to in Toronto, which is charging something close to three bucks! Absurd! Otherwise, we can eat for anywhere from 2 bucks if we’re feeling cheap or 20 bucks if we’re feeling lavish. The only things that are more expensive, we’ve found, is fruit and clothing. Watermelons can set you back 12 bucks. Yes. 12 bucks. They are the most delicious watermelons I’ve ever tasted, though, so quality over quantity wins out here. Also, clothing is more expensive. Levis jeans will set you back over 100 bucks. I’m not joking.

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

That really depends on your saving habits, but it is definitely very easy to save money here. We live very comfortably, eat out every day, take the taxis whenever we want to, and still send back half of our paycheques. I think our situation might be a bit misleading, though: I’m sure if we could fit into the clothing here, we’d be sending back a lot less. We really like Korea’s fashion sense, but we both don’t really fit into Korean clothes. It’s heartbreaking, but good for saving money.

Do you recommend Korea for other English teachers?

I highly, highly recommend Korea for other English teachers. We love it here. We’re staying another year, as soon as our contracts expire in June. Teaching presents different challenges than what we were used to as teachers in Canada, but it’s still a lot less work (did I mention I don’t have to mark any homework or tests? Yeah: no homework or tests). As well, since we were teachers in Canada, teaching English is a very useful experience for us if we ever go back. Since Canada has a very high immigration population, I feel like we can much better understand the students in Canada who are struggling because of the language, and I feel like we will be better teachers for them now as a result.

What do you love and hate about Korea?

This isn’t something that I hate about Korea as much as I find it a bit disappointing: as a teacher in Canada, I was able to communicate with my students much better, to joke with them more. Here, I can’t speak with my students as much as I’d like to. There’s a big bridge between us. The more I pick up on Korean the smaller that bridge will become, but right now the ability to joke with my students is something I sorely miss. As for the stuff I love, the list is huge, but I think my number one choice is the streetfood. I have no clue how we will be able to go on without it.

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

I think it depends on how long you have before your planned teaching stint. If you want to go in a few years, and want to prepare yourself for it in the meanwhile, I think the best things you can do is a) pick up some teaching experience and b) learn the language beforehand. I think that would make things much easier for you. If you don’t have the time to put into getting teaching experience, I’d still suggest learning the language. It’s something I kinda regret not putting enough effort into beforehand.

How long to you plan on staying in Korea?

We still don’t know. When our contracts expire in June we plan on re-signing with our schools, so that means we’re here for at least another year and a half. What started out as “oh, we’ll teach for a year and then go back” has now become a three-year plan. Maybe more. Who knows. What we do know is that we’re enjoying our time in Korea far more than we ever imagined we would, and we have far more reasons to stay here than to leave.
EatYourKimchi Simon and Martina’s Blog
Follow EatYourKimchi on Twitter
Simon and Martina on YouTube
Eat-Your-Kimchi on Facebook
More Information on Teaching English in Korea
English Teaching Jobs in Korea

Teach English in Vietnam, Interview with Sherry Ott

Teach English in Vietnam with Sherry Ott

How long did you teach English in Vietnam?

I taught English there for 1 year – all in and around Ho Chi Minh City. I held a couple of different teaching jobs – one in an English Language School and one private job at a factory teaching business English.

Have you taught English in other countries?

Sort of. I did volunteer work teaching English in Delhi, India and in a small village in Nepal. This was before I had any ‘formal’ training on how to teach English – so it was a rather haphazard. I didn’t really know what I was doing and like most volunteering gigs it didn’t have many resources to work with. You had to be really creative!

How did you find your first teaching job?

Six months before I arrived, I secured the job with ILA Vietnam, one of the large English Language Schools in Vietnam, After I finished my CELTA certification in the US, I wasn’t ready to leave the US right away. However I subscribed to daily email newsletters such as TEFL.com joblink daily. It lists vacancies which range from immediate to 6 months out by country. There was an opening at ILA Vietnam and it had various start dates in the future, so I contacted them and sent my resume. They sent me some pre-interview work which basically asked me to prepare a lesson plan. I sent them back the lesson plan I prepared and then had an interview on skype and was offered a position. They didn’t mind that I couldn’t start for 6 months – so it worked out perfectly.

How easy is it to find English teaching positions?

I’ve only done the job search once and I have to admit it seemed rather easy because I wanted to work in Asia. There are lots of teaching opportunities in Asia. Plus – when I received my CELTA certification I did really well and passed with an above average mark; therefore schools seemed to be very eager to speak with me. I am also older than your average ESL teacher. I’m 39 and had been working in corporate business for most of my career, so I think that was appealing to potential employers too. I interviewed with a couple of schools – one in Vietnam and one in Prague and had job offers from both of them.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

In my opinion – it really, really helps. Most of the big schools in Vietnam require a CELTA or TEFL certificate. However – you can find some more ‘local’ type schools that will simply hire you if you are a native speaker. The problem is that it’s hard to learn about the more ‘local’ schools prior to arriving there. If you arrive in Vietnam and give yourself a month or so to find a job – then you can probably find some places that don’t require a certificate, you just need time to make some contacts and get to know the city.

How did you get your first work visa?

Well, I technically never had a work visa in Vietnam. Vietnam is a country where you can work pretty easily on a tourist visa and simply have it renewed from time to time. I know people that have been there for over 3 years working on a tourist visa! However – if you get a job with a bigger school such as ILA, then they will take care of the visa for you. You will initially come over on a tourist visa with their assistance, and then they will apply for a work permit on your behalf. It took about 6 months for me to actually get my work permit – so it’s not too strict!

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?

Yes – absolutely. You can come in on a 3 or 6 month tourist visa and then find a job that fits you once you are there and make some contacts. If you are the type of person that can live with uncertainty – then I totally recommend that. You make a much more informed decision once you’ve lived in the city for a few weeks or a month!

What is the cost of living in Vietnam?

You can live quite nicely with a monthly salary of $1200 to $1500. You will most likely live with a roommate – but you can also live alone if you want for a bit more. With a roommate, a furnished apartment will cost about $300 to $500. Food can vary depending on if you shop at a local outdoor market or an expat grocery store. If you like fresh produce then go to the local markets and you can buy seafood and produce for a complete dinner for less than $10. However, if you don’t like to take the time to cook for yourself – then there are many great cheap restaurant options that will also run you about $10 for dinner and a beer! Beer is normally $1. If you want to be brave and rent a motorbike (which I totally recommend!) it will cost about $50 to $70 a month for your own motorbike. Medical costs are also much cheaper then in the western world and insurance is easy and cheap to get. I basically lived quite comfortably on a small salary which is why so many people stay in Vietnam for much longer than a year!

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

One great thing about working in Vietnam was that you could actually save money. This was one of the reasons why I chose Vietnam over Prague. Plus – it’s really easy and fun to travel around the area for very little money. Thanks to some additional freelance work that I did and house-sitting when other expats went home for the summer – I was able to save about $3000. This was after I made trips to Mongolia, Taiwan, Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines, and places within Vietnam. Other teachers I knew also saved a similar amount and also did a great deal of travel around the area.

Do you recommend Vietnam for other English teachers?

Yes, I would recommend it to other teachers. However, you do have to be comfortable with living in a developing country and you have to be pretty independent. So – if you know that you like developing/challenging environments – then it can be a really rewarding experience.
The good: low cost of living, amazing food choices, great travel around the area, beach is a short 2 hr trip away, very strong culture to explore, fun expat community and lots of good live music. The bad: pollution, traffic, rainy season can be challenging, no pedestrian rights, difficult to walk anywhere in the city, no good public transportation (only taxis), no art scene and few museums.
The students are pretty good to teach, yet the teenagers seem a bit immature, but that seems pretty typical in most Asian countries. I usually taught adults. My biggest complaint about the students is that they were frequently late and they seldom did homework assignments on time.

What do you love and hate about Vietnam?

I really loved the food – there was such a variety of food and everything was great! I also loved driving a motorbike there in the heart of the city. At first it was terrifying – but once you got the hang of it, it was so much fun – even in the rain! Overall, I loved the freedom that you had – there are very few rules in Vietnam and if there are rules, they are seldom followed! Hate is a strong word – but Vietnam certainly had many challenges. I was a single woman in my upper 30’s – one of the worst demographics to be in Vietnam. It was a real challenge to live there solo at times. I hated the fact that you were unable to really relax when you were walking on the sidewalk – there were always motorbikes driving on the sidewalks or parked on the sidewalks – you could never take your guard down. The pollution was also really tough. I’m an athletic person and tried to run outside for the first few months – however I quickly found that it was about impossible thanks to the lack of room on the sidewalks and the lack of public park space.

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

I think you really have to examine why you want to live abroad. Do you want to make money, do you want to explore a culture, do you want to strengthen your CV? Teaching English is really fun and can be really rewarding; it’s a super way to delve into a country and a culture. However – I personally feel like you have to be a really strong, independent, and an adventuresome person – especially if you choose a developing country to work in. I was looking for a challenge – and I found it in Vietnam. However with most challenges – if you can overcome them and make it successful – it is super rewarding.
Links
OttsWorld Read about Sherry’s teaching and living in Vietnam at her blog
Pictures of Ho Chi Minh City at her photography site
Photography of Vietnam Motorbike Culture
BriefcaseToBackpack Sherry’s Travel and Career Break site
Follow Sherry Ott on Twitter
More Information on Teaching English in Vietnam
English Teaching Jobs in Vietnam

Interview with Taiwan English Teacher, Tina Wu

Teach English in Taiwan

How long have you been teaching English in Taiwan?

I have been teaching English since August 2008, so a little bit over a year.

How did you find your first teaching job?

Back when I was still in the States and trying to make contacts here in Taiwan, I emailed many schools and a place called Asian Consultants International. Some of them didn’t respond, and some of them told me to contact them again when I arrived in Taiwan for openings at that time. So when I arrived, I emailed Julie Teng again, through ACI. Her company is to help schools find English teachers, and so she helped me to find interviews at schools that fit me and also had what I was looking for. All I had to do was to go to the interviews and accept the school that I wanted.
There are some companies who do similar things, and they require a consultant’s fee which is usually 10% of the first month’s salary. But through ACI, the fee was paid by the school I accepted.

How easy is it to find English teaching positions?

It was pretty difficult in the beginning, especially trying to find teaching positions while still in the US because most schools wanted to meet in person immediately, or they needed someone right away. They were also really bad with responding to emails right away. I later learned that making phone calls and showing up in person are definitely more effective than emails. However, once I arrived in Taiwan, I used websites such as tealit.com and esl99.com to find listings. ACI was also very helpful. I was able to obtain interviews rather quickly and within a couple of weeks of landing in Taiwan, I had accepted a position.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

Teaching certificates are not required when teaching at bushibans (the private after-school programs) in Taiwan. Some schools would prefer work experience, however, most of them seemed to require only a bachelor’s degree and a native English accent.

How did you get your first work visa?

I did not need one since I am a Taiwanese citizen. However, my roommate last year obtained hers rather quickly and efficiently through the school she was working at. My understanding so far is that the schools will issue one for those who need it upon hire.

Have their been any benefits or problems with being a Taiwanese American?

Some benefits are definitely not having to worry about work visas and paying the ridiculous amounts of taxes foreigners have to pay. Some problems are that there are some schools that are strictly looking for Caucasians in their teaching positions (Why? I still haven’t quite figured it out yet.) so getting hired by them is quite impossible. Also, if you do get hired at a school, you have to pretend to not know any Chinese!

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?

Yes, very possible. My roommate last year showed up without one, found a job within a couple of weeks using the websites mentioned before, and her work issued her a visa. She entered on a visitor’s visa which was good for 30 days, so as long as she found a job within 30 days, there were no problems.

What is the cost of living in Taiwan?

Rent would probably average about $10,000NT ($311USD) a person including bills, maybe a little less if there are roommates involved. Food is relatively cheap. A simple meal from a roadside vendor can range from $50-$100NT ($1.55 – $3.11USD). Although, one would expect to eat out more often because most studio apartments here do not have kitchens. Going out on a weekend night can range from $500-$2000NT ($15.55 – $62.20USD), depending on the location and costs of drinks/meals. Most covers at clubs/bars tend to be around $700-$1000NT ($21.77 – $31.10USD).

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

The typical salary for an English teacher is $50,000-$60,0000NT ($1555 – $1866USD). After food, bills, entertainment expenses, one can expect to save about $20,000 – $30,000NT ($622 – $933USD) a month.

Do you recommend Taiwan for other English teachers?

I definitely recommend Taiwan to other English teachers. The students are pretty easy to teach. Most of them are pretty well-mannered and genuinely want to study English. The quality of life is excellent, especially in a big city like Taipei. For those city-lovers, Taipei is definitely the place to be. And on an English teacher’s salary, you could live quite comfortably in Taiwan. Public transportation is also clean and easy to navigate, so you can get anywhere without trouble. There are also signs in English, so you wouldn’t have to worry about getting lost either.

What do you love and hate about Taiwan?

In Taipei, I love that there’s always something to do, somewhere to go, a diverse group of people to meet, and endless amounts of food and shopping here. The other cities in Taiwan, as well as the coasts, are close by and could easily be made in one-day or weekend-trips so there’s so much to explore around the island.
I hate that Taiwan is so far away from the US, and the plane rides are 13+ hours just to go home.

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

Bring at least $1000USD to hold you over before you finally get a job. Come with an open mind, especially when trying some of the local food. Sometimes, the locals can make you feel like an outsider with the stares and the “Oh, you sound like you’re American,” comments, but most importantly, that it’s important to try to adapt and learn a little bit to be able to somewhat understand and fully experience the local culture. Oh, and it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on your basic grammar and phonics rules that you’ve forgotten you learned way back in elementary school.

How long to you plan on staying in Taiwan?

As of right now, maybe a few more years, but I thought I was only staying for a year when I arrived, and now I’m going on two. So I’m really not quite sure yet.
A Blend of Both Tina Wu’s Blog
Follow Tina on Twitter
More Information on Teaching English in Taiwan
English Teaching Jobs in Taiwan


Interview with Thailand English Teacher, Amanda Dorough

Teach English in Thailand with Amanda Dorough
Teach English in Thailand with Amanda Dorough

How long have you been teaching English in Thailand?

A year and a half. I came in on a one year contract and I loved it so much I signed on for another year.

How did you find your first teaching job?

I had never planned to teach. Even more than that I had no desire to teach. Then, a few months after I graduated from college, something changed. I had a some friends that were teaching at different schools in Thailand and the more I read their blogs and looked at their pictures the more I wanted to be there too. I did a lot of research and looked at several schools but eventually settled on one that my friend was currently teaching at, Global English School. I sent my application to the school fairly early (November) and I was officially hired the next March for the 2008-2009 school year.

How easy is it to find English teaching positions?

Very easy. Education is a high priority in Thailand and many students will take extra classes in the afternoons and on weekends. English based international schools are viewed as the premier schools in the country and parents view English as THE way to help their children be successful in life. Nearly every school, whether Thai, International or a language academy, will have at least one position for an English teacher.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

This will depend on the school and the position. In Thailand, International Schools only hire teachers with TEFL teaching certificates and experience is preferred. I work at a Bilingual school where they prefer, but do not require teachers to have teaching certificates. I have a degree in history and no teaching certificate and I was hired without a problem.

How did you get your first work visa?

Obtaining a work visa in Thailand is a long process that can’t officially be started until you arrive in the country. Many schools, including the one I work at will take care of it for you, making the process markedly less painful.
For me the entire process took about 2 months. I signed maybe 20 copies of my passport pages, made a trip to the work permit office and finally immigration, and then I had my visa.

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?

You can’t get a work Visa until you arrive in Thailand but the process is much easier if you already have a school to sponsor you.

What is the cost of living in Thailand?

Thailand is cheap; that is what makes it so amazing. I can eat for less than $5 a day, I rarely have to spend more than $6 on a taxi ride (and that is across the city), and a movie will run about $4.

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

Salaries in Thailand vary depending on the school and your experience. I am able to add about 10,000 Baht (US$301) a month to my income through extra tutoring. It’s this money that I live off of primarily (except on occasions when I take a trip) and I am able to save the rest of my salary to put towards American bills and any adventures I may go on.

Do you recommend Thailand for other English teachers?

Yes! It’s easy to get around, you can eat amazing Thai food everyday or go to McDonalds for a hamburger if you’re having a craving. A beach vacation is only hours away and if you want to see the latest Tom Cruise movie it will be in the theaters and you wont have to sell your firstborn just to pay for a ticket.
What sets Thailand apart even more are the people. They are genuinely friendly and kind. It is called the land of smiles for a reason and if you can speak even a little bit of Thai to a Thai person their spirits will raise even more. Teachers are also highly respected in Thailand, and there are special holidays set aside for students to show teachers their gratitude.

What do you love and hate about Thailand?

Love: The food, people, beaches, markets and beautiful countryside
Hate: The general dirtiness of the city. Thankfully you can easily escape…

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

Do your research and know what you want. I knew that I would feel most comfortable moving literally across the world if I would be working in a school with many other foreign teachers so that was high on my priority list when I chose my school. Also, be open minded and willing to try new things. It will make the experience so much more memorable.

How long to you plan on staying in Thailand?

Right now my contract is until April 2010. I may come back for another year, which I would love to do, or I might move on. I’m still deciding.

Are there many holidays or days off?

The Thai calendar is filled with holidays. Unfortunately they change days of the week from year to year so sometimes we get lucky and have a holiday on a Monday or a Friday, giving a three-day weekend with extended opportunities to travel, but quite often they also fall in the middle of the workweek, which is still appreciated but a little more awkward. For extended breaks we are given 2 weeks off when the semester ends in October, 2 weeks for Christmas and a week for the Songkran festival in March.

How easy is it to travel around Thailand?

Traveling around Thailand is both cheap and easy. I’m based in the Bangkok area and frequently take weekend trips to Kanchanaburi, a town in the mountains, and Koh Samet, a gorgeous island in the Gulf of Thailand. When I’ve had more time to travel I have taken night buses to each region of Thailand. A ticket costs about $15. And the overnight train to Chaing Mai is not to be missed. Flights can also be found for decent prices through Air Asia when the destination is far and your time is short.
Links
A World Extraordinary Amanda Dorough’s blog.
A Life Extraordinary Amanda Dorough’s other blog.
More Information on Teaching English in Thailand
English Teaching Jobs in Thailand