Has anyone done teaching English abroad?

[AFC-911]

I've always thought about taking a year and doing this. Any thoughts, advice, experience from this board?

I'm curious.

[djmcmath]

I haven't myself, but I've had a couple of friends who have. One was a college student, just taking time off early in life while she had few obligations. She loved it, developed a taste for international travel, and is now pursuing a career with the State Department. Another friend started somewhat later in life, married some foreign woman, and has settled down overseas as an expat. So I guess he liked the life so much he just stuck with it.

[Rick Lee]

I have a buddy who did it in Korea and ended up staying for eight yrs. He loved it. I don't know if it's still an easy job to get in China, but they used to run ads all the time. It was low pay, but then 10 yrs. ago China was super cheap. Mrs. Lee just came back from a visit home and was shocked at the inflation. I kind of wonder if wages for foreign English teachers have kept up.

[motion]

Mrs Motion has read up on it and determined that the pay is pretty much atrocious - like can barely pay for living expenses. Great way to experience a new culture if you aren't in it for the money.

[motion]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I have a buddy who did it in Korea and ended up staying for eight yrs. He loved it. I don't know if it's still an easy job to get in China, but they used to run ads all the time. It was low pay, but then 10 yrs. ago China was super cheap. Mrs. Lee just came back from a visit home and was shocked at the inflation. I kind of wonder if wages for foreign English teachers have kept up.

I was pretty amazed at how pricey everything has become after a trip there a couple months ago. Totally different picture than just 2 years ago. I also saw a lot of young guys cruising around in the back seats of Maybachs. Its just crazy over there.

[Jeff Higgins]

It's a great thing to do if you are tagging along with a spouse on international assignment. I've met any number of field service reps and whatnot whose wives teach English while they are living abroad. It is pretty much an "egg money" job, though, like a few here have said already. It does, however, look great on resumes.

[VINMAN]

[unclebilly]

Reach out to Andrew15...

[sugarwood]

What is your current career?

[Mark Henry]

My niece and her husband spent about ten years teaching abroad, in Egypt two years, Malaysia 6 years and Paris for 2 years. Real teachers, international schools.

Of them all France has real sketchy ways to fuchs over foreign workers. By their language they don't consider pay tax as the same as income tax, so they will screw you out of say 30% of what you thought was take home pay.

Malaysia after 6 years (IIRC) they stop paying you in USD and start paying in Malaysian bucks. About half of what you did make.
Egypt was just a poopy place to live.

[dan79brooklyn]

I moved to Japan with my (Japanese) wife in 2010. We were thinking of just taking a break from life in NYC and she said if I could find a job in her hometown that she would be happy to try moving back. Now we're pretty settled here!
We built a house and had our second child here.
Teaching English in Japan is a pretty good gig and the pay is decent considering I only work 30 hours a week.
It's a great way to experience other parts of the world and teaching is a valuable skill.
I decided to get a TESOL certificate before looking for jobs, but it's really not necessary here, but some companies like that you have some experience or certifications, in Japan all you need to have is a BA to apply for jobs.

[AFC-911]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

What is your current career?

I work in television production. Write scripts, edit videos, produce network show promos.

It's really slowed down for me here in FL and I am going to have to move to NYC, Atlanta, LA if I want to stay in this career though. I really need to think things through and a year away from the industry might provide me some insight.

[dan79brooklyn]

I recommend Tokyo. It's a very exciting city and you might be able to find some work in your current career as well. Or you could make some youtube videos and become famous!
The yen is strong at the moment so converting some dollars will be in your favor.

[LakeCleElum]

Better money teaching school overseas at US military bases....I have friends that do this in Germany and Asia....Pay is much better.........

[WPOZZZ]

I've had friends do the JET Program and they loved it. JET is through the Japanese Embassy so it is a little different than other programs. Your paycheck is okay money, but you can make much more tutoring on the side 20 years ago, friends used to get paid $50 hr by parents wanting their kids to be English proficient. One friend is still in Japan after 18 years. Another friend taught English in Korea and then China. He liked Korea, but China was just okay.

If you are young, go for it!

[widgeon13]

If you are a certified teacher the best option would be to get a teaching job at a US Military school.

[RonDent]

My nephew works with with a place in Prague. Has been asking me to come over after I retire.

TEFL in Prague - The Language House