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Thread: Teaching English in foreign countries

  1. #1
    Veteran Member taylormadison's Avatar
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    Travel Teaching English in foreign countries

    I was wondering if anyone has taught English in a Foreign country.

    If so, how was your experience?

    What company or agency did you work for?

    What country did you work in?

    What was the pay?

    What accommodations did they provide if any?

    Did the experience help you become fluent in another language?

    What did you like the most about it?

    What things did you not like about it?

    What advice would you give someone interested in doing it?

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    Featured Member MsClaireVoyant's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    I spent a few months in South East Asia and many, many if not MOST of my friends were doing this over there. It helps if you have an english degree. But not always required. I know people who did it in Laos, Thailand and Cambodia (the places I traveled in) but you can likely do it many places. The pay isnt that good but its more than enough to live over there, as its extremely cheap. English teachers are always in demand. No accomodations provided that I know of but every situation is different. You wouldn't likely become fluent in another language as everyone over there is trying to learn english. So youd mostly be speaking English to them.

    Obviously I havent done it myself but for the most part, people I talked to didnt enjoy it too much. Most of them were just doing it so they could live over there. A lot of them said the Thai people were unnapreciative and not very respectful. One of my close friends was treated with a lot of racism because of his middle eastern heritage/name. There is a lot of bullshit, but thats just Thailand, I cant speak for anywhere else.

    Id say go for it, if youre interested! If nothing else you get an experience and some travels. Where are you thinking of going?



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    God/dess Kylea2's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    One of my best friends has been teaching English in other countries for a few years. She has her degree in Russian language and folklore, but they've sent her to a ton of places other than Russia. PM me and I can put you in contact with her. She doesn't make a ton of money but she's really enjoyed the experience and has a lot of free time.
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    Veteran Member taylormadison's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    I was thinking Korea but am open to different places.

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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    hmmm i havent, but i have a few friends who teach english in korea, so maybe i can help.

    if you're thinking asia, Korea, Japan, China are the way to go. I wouldn't want to go to the south east countries, and there's probably no money in them anyway.

    About 2 summers ago, my friend.. who was just your typical, college frat, white boy taught in Korea. he spoke no korean. he got paid about 2500 us a month, and got like a few hundred weekly stipend.

    i know he went through like, dave's esl cafe or something. can't remember exactly, but google that and i'm sure something will come up. everyone i know who's done it has loved it. it's great now since the US job market is so bad... most places provide you with a small apt, where you probably live with about 2-3 other people who are tutors. So you'll be making money, rent free.

    I know for a while Korea wanted foreign, non-korean tutors, but i heard lately they want Korean Americans..just for some nationalism bs..but you'll still be able to find a job.

    In Korea (i think), there's 2 types of tutoring. Hakwon (which is like after school tutor), and a tutor who works at a school during school hours. Working at a school is more money. I hear you need a bachelors (doesnt have to be in english but would help)...and Hakwons are more lenient. And they usually don't want you to speak any korean. just english.


    hmmm what else... Korean night life is the man... i love Korea. I would definitely teach english there. I tried to talk to my friends dad who helps sends tutors but he took one look at me and said they wont hire me, even if i flew over there just for an interview. I'm not too bad, just a blonde asian, big boobs, and visible tattoos. So if u do ever get an interview or something, conservative is the way to go.

    okay thats all lol..hope i helped a little bit

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    God/dess dlabtot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    A friend of mine went to France and taught English in high school. His only qualification was a degree in Philosophy. Applied to and worked for the French government.

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    Veteran Member taylormadison's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    Thanks everybody for sharing

    Claire: I have heard similar things about Thai people and am sorry to hear about your friend's experience.

    Cupcake: cool links.

    Xfatrabbitz: Yes you definitely need a bachelors degree to teach and you're right it doesn't have to be in English.

    diabtot: I haven't seen any jobs in France. I am glad you shared that.

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    Featured Member sexy_celeste's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    I taught English in Malaysia, but it was through private arrangement.
    My Hubbie is Chinese Malay and we were in Malaysia for unrelated work, I started tutoring the neighbours kids, then ended up at the village school 3 days a week.
    I was already pretty fluent in (schoolbook) Malay, my Chinese needs work, but I found that I picked up alot of slang/colloquialisms that I wouldnt have learnt without in country experience.
    I wasnt paid, but I was always getting gifts/food/treats from the families. Now Im pregnant Ive been getting special herbal drinks sent over to make the baby strong
    Id recommend teaching abroad, it was so rewarding, and I made some great friends.
    Theres no sense crying over every mistake,
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    Veteran Member taylormadison's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    Sexy_celeste: Your post makes me even more excited. I am glad to hear that you had a rewarding experience!

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    Featured Member MsClaireVoyant's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    I just wanted to add, despite some of the negative views about Thailand, you might want to consider Laos. Laos is honestly one of my favorite places I've been to on this earth, somewhere I will never forget. Vientiane (the capital city) is a relatively nice city with a lot of art galleries, good restaurants, interesting architecture, etc. I met some girls there who were from America and they enjoyed teaching English there. Plus the river town of Vang Vieng is only about a 3 hour bus ride away and one of the craziest most awesome places on this earth!



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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    good thread!

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    Veteran Member taylormadison's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    MsClareV: My best friend in 5Th grade was from Laos. I have not been anywhere in Asia, yet. Thank you for posting your positive experience there.

    Camille: I am glad you think this is a good thread!

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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    I found this blog this morning about an American female teaching English in Korea. It is informative to someone that doesn't know what to expect.

    http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/South...og-118713.html

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    Veteran Member jadelady's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    Quote Originally Posted by taylormadison View Post
    I found this blog this morning about an American female teaching English in Korea. It is informative to someone that doesn't know what to expect.

    http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/South...og-118713.html
    Thanks for this link! Lots of info.. good links on there, too..

    I'm thinking about doing this before I go back to school

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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    jadelady: you're welcome. Please feel free to share any info you find.

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    Veteran Member Qi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    Not to thread jack but..

    Does anyone know someone who taught English in China?
    I really wanna go. Perhaps Beijing or Shanghai.

    I do speak intermediate mandarin Chinese, and a liiiitle bit of Shanghainese.

    (Problem: I'm half Japanese, and about 1/3 of all Chinese people I've met HERE hate me because of that. Should I just not tell anyone if I go there?)

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    Veteran Member taylormadison's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    Qi: The thread is "Teaching English in foreign countries" so you're not thread jacking. I think any and all info is great to know.

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    Veteran Member Qi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    ^^D Alright, thanks!

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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries

    Id go back in a second, if I could!
    Qi, I was planning on going to China in October 2010, before I fell pregnant. My Mandarin is shocking, but they assured me Id be mainly working in English so it wouldnt matter too much
    I wouldnt mention any Japanese background if youve already had problems.
    Theres no sense crying over every mistake,
    you just keep on trying till you run out of cake

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    Veteran Member taylormadison's Avatar
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    Default Re: Teaching English in foreign countries


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