Post: #676

@ Heart Break Kid. It is a no-brainer, as long as you have a degree from the U.S or Canada and a year teaching experience you can apply. If you are interested send me a PM and I can give you all the details.

I actually referred a guy from the forum a few months ago who is now in the Philippines, saving big time. It's 100% doable.

Post: #677

If you want to do the online teaching thing, it's probably best to get in with a few different companies. I say this because Asian tutoring agencies can be rather fickle in their student placements. Just assume that they're going to screw with you. Having several sources from which to draw clients is better than being beholden to just one company that could terminate your sessions without warning or just decide not to pay you.

It'd be a good idea (not the only idea or method of doing this) to go to China for at least 6 months or a year, teach in-person classes so you get a feel for what you're doing, start to shift over your hours to online instruction towards the end of your stint, and then head to another destination like the Phils or wherever. This way your agency will think you're actually in China, which means they'll be a little less likely to screw with you because you could always storm into their office and cause them to lose face in front of all of their colleagues. You'll almost surely get a higher hourly rate in RMB paid through a Chinese bank than through PayPal.

You can then take your Chinese ATM cards out of the country and withdraw cash in local currency. RMB 5,000 per day is the limit, plus an RMB 60 Chinese bank fee, and whatever the local bank charges. If you look on Chinese job sites, you'll see online English teaching rates of RMB 120-200. If you're in China, you'll most likely interview in their corporate office and be able to negotiate a bit higher, if they like you.

Also, if you're on the ground in China, other opportunities like translation polishing (can be done remotely) that have less of a fixed schedule will be offered to you.

Post: #678

(03-05-2017 02:34 PM)jdreise Wrote:  If you want to do the online teaching thing, it's probably best to get in with a few different companies. I say this because Asian tutoring agencies can be rather fickle in their student placements. Just assume that they're going to screw with you. Having several sources from which to draw clients is better than being beholden to just one company that could terminate your sessions without warning or just decide not to pay you.

It'd be a good idea (not the only idea or method of doing this) to go to China for at least 6 months or a year, teach in-person classes so you get a feel for what you're doing, start to shift over your hours to online instruction towards the end of your stint, and then head to another destination like the Phils or wherever. This way your agency will think you're actually in China, which means they'll be a little less likely to screw with you because you could always storm into their office and cause them to lose face in front of all of their colleagues. You'll almost surely get a higher hourly rate in RMB paid through a Chinese bank than through PayPal.

You can then take your Chinese ATM cards out of the country and withdraw cash in local currency. RMB 5,000 per day is the limit, plus an RMB 60 Chinese bank fee, and whatever the local bank charges. If you look on Chinese job sites, you'll see online English teaching rates of RMB 120-200. If you're in China, you'll most likely interview in their corporate office and be able to negotiate a bit higher, if they like you.

Also, if you're on the ground in China, other opportunities like translation polishing (can be done remotely) that have less of a fixed schedule will be offered to you.

Yeah that is another option. Go to China get a job then look for some online gigs on the side. If your looking for online stuff try to sort by the most reputable companies first. There are tons of them but only a few very large ones with good international backing.

Post: #679

I've sent this message before, but I'll send it again. The tone here is meant to be more motivating than critical of others or self-indulgent.

I see guys here coming out to South East Asia and making a killing at $3k a month teaching English. I see guys talking about studying for TOEFL or CELTA certificates and thus giving them the upper hand to get into the highest paying language schools. Great.

However, you're shooting yourselves in the foot. I mean really guys? A career teaching fucking English?

If you love teaching or working in education, suck it up and get a master's in education, indenture yourselves for two or three years in a public education system, then move to an international school.

I work in a world class international school, and enjoy every bit of the perks that come along with it. My salary is top notch, housing is paid for, flights home are paid for, a retirement plan, global health insurance, and 13 weeks of paid vacation. It's the full on expat package. You'd shit yourself if you saw my tax return once these perks are itemized out. I didn't think people working in education could make that much, either.

Sure I work hard and don't get to name my hours. I can't just take a break whenever I want. However, I also get to work with fascinating young people from all over the world. I'm deeply satisfied with what I do. Hanging with young people keeps you young, keeps you sharp, and keeps you aware of the future. I feel more optimism and energy than I did while I was a teenager myself.

I live well and travel well, as other men I'm friends with on this forum could attest. I haven't a care in the world. I'm having my cake and eating it too.

Did I sell my soul a bit working in public education? Yes.
Would I trade my current lifestyle for anything? Absolutely not.

Post: #680

(03-08-2017 10:27 AM)MaleDefined Wrote:  I've sent this message before, but I'll send it again. The tone here is meant to be more motivating than critical of others or self-indulgent.

I see guys here coming out to South East Asia and making a killing at $3k a month teaching English. I see guys talking about studying for TOEFL or CELTA certificates and thus giving them the upper hand to get into the highest paying language schools. Great.

However, you're shooting yourselves in the foot. I mean really guys? A career teaching fucking English?

If you love teaching or working in education, suck it up and get a master's in education, indenture yourselves for two or three years in a public education system, then move to an international school.

I work in a world class international school, and enjoy every bit of the perks that come along with it. My salary is top notch, housing is paid for, flights home are paid for, a retirement plan, global health insurance, and 13 weeks of paid vacation. It's the full on expat package. You'd shit yourself if you saw my tax return once these perks are itemized out. I didn't think people working in education could make that much, either.

Sure I work hard and don't get to name my hours. I can't just take a break whenever I want. However, I also get to work with fascinating young people from all over the world. I'm deeply satisfied with what I do. Hanging with young people keeps you young, keeps you sharp, and keeps you aware of the future. I feel more optimism and energy than I did while I was a teenager myself.

I live well and travel well, as other men I'm friends with on this forum could attest. I haven't a care in the world. I'm having my cake and eating it too.

Did I sell my soul a bit working in public education? Yes.
Would I trade my current lifestyle for anything? Absolutely not.

How is that any different from having a career in teaching in your home country though?

Post: #681

(03-08-2017 11:18 AM)Heart Break Kid Wrote:  How is that any different from having a career in teaching in your home country though?

Because you're not in your home country. That's the point, right? Plus you can move from country to country.

(03-08-2017 10:27 AM)MaleDefined Wrote:  If you love teaching or working in education, suck it up and get a master's in education, indenture yourselves for two or three years in a public education system, then move to an international school.

MaleDefined, are you an English teacher in an international school (not in an English-speaking country)? I don't see an RVF thread about how to do this. Maybe you'd consider dropping a few more details here about how that's done. As I understand it, you don't have to get there via teaching in public schools or even necessarily with a master's. You can just teach for two years in a private 'independent' school in your home country and then you're eligible to be considered by international schools. And you typically get those jobs (domestic and international) by going through one of the big recruiting agencies. Am I right about this?

It's been a long time since I last researched this (not for English but for the subject area of my degree), so maybe the situation has changed.

Post: #682

@HBK - Well just about everything. I'm qualified to work in nearly every county on earth. For example, I live in a country that requires a visa for entry. Instead, I have a resident card that allows for visa free entry/exit. Also, since I don't live in America anymore, I don't pay taxes on my first 100k of earnings. In terms of students, many students are diplomatic or come from very wealthy/influential families. Discipline problems are minimal and petty. Kids want to work hard, are well traveled and have interesting perspectives. I was joking with one of our seniors that I've been to more countries with her than I have with my best friend.

Flaco - No I am not teaching English. If you took a quick look at my school, it would probably look like a high functioning school in the west, sans the crazy parents and standardized testing. You could teach at a private or independent school as well to gain experience. It is essential to have this experience, as you won't be able to gain work permits in most foreign countries without a master's and experience. In terms of finding a job, SEARCH Associates, The International Educator, and University of Northrrn Iowa are good places to look as a start, though many schools are starting to do their own recruiting process. Keep your mind open as it's unlikely you'll work in the country you've always dreamed of living in from the start. Once you're in the door, networking and relationships are key to go pretty much anywhere you want.

Post: #683

(03-08-2017 07:42 PM)MaleDefined Wrote:  @HBK - Well just about everything. I'm qualified to work in nearly every county on earth. For example, I live in a country that requires a visa for entry. Instead, I have a resident card that allows for visa free entry/exit. Also, since I don't live in America anymore, I don't pay taxes on my first 100k of earnings. In terms of students, many students are diplomatic or come from very wealthy/influential families. Discipline problems are minimal and petty. Kids want to work hard, are well traveled and have interesting perspectives. I was joking with one of our seniors that I've been to more countries with her than I have with my best friend.

Flaco - No I am not teaching English. If you took a quick look at my school, it would probably look like a high functioning school in the west, sans the crazy parents and standardized testing. You could teach at a private or independent school as well to gain experience. It is essential to have this experience, as you won't be able to gain work permits in most foreign countries without a master's and experience. In terms of finding a job, SEARCH Associates, The International Educator, and University of Northrrn Iowa are good places to look as a start, though many schools are starting to do their own recruiting process. Keep your mind open as it's unlikely you'll work in the country you've always dreamed of living in from the start. Once you're in the door, networking and relationships are key to go pretty much anywhere you want.

Hows the market for teaching history/social studies in international schools?

Post: #684

Maledefined knows his shit.

Trust him.

I had the pleasure of meeting him before he started his International school journey and he is not the sort of dude to talk down to others and I didn't see his post as such and I AM an English teacher in China.

English teaching in China is what you do while you plot another step. Unless you are really enterprising and good at keeping students and growing your teaching business you will cap out in the public schools and learning centers. To give you an idea of how it is to run your own teaching business in china, I know guys who put in insane hours to pull down 100k usd a year. Based on what MD has said he works regular hours and pulls down that much. I'd rather be MD.

It's a simple fact. Moving to Shenzhen and want to teach at a public school? Expect to cap out at like 2.5k-3k usd a month. Sure you only work 11 hours a week (like me!), but imagine if you worked 8 hours a day and tripled your income. Not rocket science guys.

I'm pretty sure if I were to follow MD's plan I'd see myself in a pretty solid position. Why don't I? I have other plans, but don't think for a second that teaching at an international school is anything like teaching at a shit public school in america full of ingrates.

I have a few friends who are international school teachers and they kill it. They say the kids are solid and have that classic asian work ethic that we all know and love and they get shit done. My friends are also allowed quite a bit of freedom when it comes to making lesson plans.

They work your classic school office hours, but the amount of money they don't pay in taxes is insane.

My friend was telling me about the monthly stipend he gets from the school and its bigger than my paycheck. He doesn't even touch his paycheck each month and he works at a pretty normal international school in China.

Post: #685

(03-09-2017 12:48 AM)Fortis Wrote:  English teaching in China is what you do while you plot another step. Unless you are really enterprising and good at keeping students and growing your teaching business you will cap out in the public schools and learning centers. To give you an idea of how it is to run your own teaching business in china, I know guys who put in insane hours to pull down 100k usd a year. Based on what MD has said he works regular hours and pulls down that much. I'd rather be MD.

This is do able for some, but don't show up and expect to pull this off. First off, you'll have to be a very solid teacher with good social skills to have enough demand to have that many hours. Second, working enough hours to earn $50K USD a year will have most people hopelessly exhausted. Working hard enough to earn $100K a year is no different from working the low end of the industry...it's something to do as a stepping stone to something else.

Either you work minimal hours, pay your bills and put your time into creating a business OR you work your ass off to generate start up capital and then you quit your teaching job and get started on building a business.

Post: #686

(03-09-2017 12:48 AM)Fortis Wrote:  Maledefined knows his shit.

Trust him.

I had the pleasure of meeting him before he started his International school journey and he is not the sort of dude to talk down to others and I didn't see his post as such and I AM an English teacher in China.

English teaching in China is what you do while you plot another step. Unless you are really enterprising and good at keeping students and growing your teaching business you will cap out in the public schools and learning centers. To give you an idea of how it is to run your own teaching business in china, I know guys who put in insane hours to pull down 100k usd a year. Based on what MD has said he works regular hours and pulls down that much. I'd rather be MD.

It's a simple fact. Moving to Shenzhen and want to teach at a public school? Expect to cap out at like 2.5k-3k usd a month. Sure you only work 11 hours a week (like me!), but imagine if you worked 8 hours a day and tripled your income. Not rocket science guys.

I'm pretty sure if I were to follow MD's plan I'd see myself in a pretty solid position. Why don't I? I have other plans, but don't think for a second that teaching at an international school is anything like teaching at a shit public school in america full of ingrates.

I have a few friends who are international school teachers and they kill it. They say the kids are solid and have that classic asian work ethic that we all know and love and they get shit done. My friends are also allowed quite a bit of freedom when it comes to making lesson plans.

They work your classic school office hours, but the amount of money they don't pay in taxes is insane.

My friend was telling me about the monthly stipend he gets from the school and its bigger than my paycheck. He doesn't even touch his paycheck each month and he works at a pretty normal international school in China.

Do teachers at international schools really earn 6 figures? I figure they get paid as much as normal teachers in the US do.

Post: #687

^ I don't think that Maledefined is simply just a teacher (he can address that if he likes). If you are at the top of your field china offers VERY competitive packages from what I have seen. I am not an international school teacher so I cannot really comment on that, though. Maybe MaleDefined can jump in on that.

My friends won't tell me exactly what they make, but my boy gets a stipend that I think is bigger than my monthly paycheck, so i figure they do alright.

Also you gotta understand that 40k usd a year in China and Vietnam is wayyyyy more than 40k USD a year in USA. I live comfortably on around 2.5k a month. with 3k+ in China, you have access to way better logistics.

Post: #688

Its worth bearing in mind teachers in the US are spectacularly underpaid by international standards too. Normal public elementary or high school teachers in a lot of Europe can earn $80k/year towards the end of their careers. And significantly more if they're in high status private schools, or if they become principals.

Its one of the reasons the US education system is so poor - pay peanuts get monkeys and all that.

Post: #689

Wow, I've received over a dozen PM's in the last few days. I'm glad my post came off as more informative and inspiring than critical. Many PM's were similar, so I'll address common questions in no particular order.

Fortis is correct in that I am not exclusively a teacher. I spit my time 50/50 between administration and teaching. I was hired as a teacher and have worked hard in the past few years to distinguish myself. Thankfully, I work for a very meritocratic school where performance and competence are rewarded. I cannot be thankful enough to land in the situation I am in. I'd like to say I deserved to get where I am, however I can't help but think I lucked out a bit.

Pay scales vary widely depending on country, position, negotiation skill, and school prestige. It would be hard to give a number to expect since it's so contextual. I guess the easiest way to put it is, I work for what would be considered a top of the line international school, and am paid very well to do it. I could not live the type of lifestyle I do in the US or Europe. Not even close. The quality of my lifestyle can be vouched for by some of the senior members of the forum. Of equal note is that I was able to save/invest over $30k last year.

Unfortunately, teaching English or having CELTA certifications won't get you a sniff. In most countries it's required that you have a master's degree in education. There is no work around for this, regardless of how long you've been teaching or living in said country. These are generally parameters set by governments, not the schools themselves. If you can't bear sucking it up in your home country for a few years getting a master's and teaching, then sorry it's not going to work out for you. Schools want teaching experience in your home country as it shows demonstrated skill in teaching a similar curriculum or style to what you'd be teaching at an international school.

I don't wish to reveal exactly where I work for personal reasons. I'll reveal that I work in Asia, but that's about it. Nonetheless it shouldn't influence your decision one way or another.

The market for one subject or another is no better or worse than any other subject. Teacher transition is high in international schools, as it's a pretty cool feeling to know that every couple of years you can move somewhere completely new and have a quality lifestyle. Teach what you're passionate about, do it well, and you won't be short of offers. During the last hiring cycle I received a dozen or so inquiries from people I've networked with regarding if I'd like to interview with their school.

Post: #690

MD, thanks for coming back in and clarifying. Very enviable set-up you have going on there.

Post: #691

(03-11-2017 07:33 AM)MaleDefined Wrote:  Wow, I've received over a dozen PM's in the last few days. I'm glad my post came off as more informative and inspiring than critical. Many PM's were similar, so I'll address common questions in no particular order.

Fortis is correct in that I am not exclusively a teacher. I spit my time 50/50 between administration and teaching. I was hired as a teacher and have worked hard in the past few years to distinguish myself. Thankfully, I work for a very meritocratic school where performance and competence are rewarded. I cannot be thankful enough to land in the situation I am in. I'd like to say I deserved to get where I am, however I can't help but think I lucked out a bit.

Pay scales vary widely depending on country, position, negotiation skill, and school prestige. It would be hard to give a number to expect since it's so contextual. I guess the easiest way to put it is, I work for what would be considered a top of the line international school, and am paid very well to do it. I could not live the type of lifestyle I do in the US or Europe. Not even close. The quality of my lifestyle can be vouched for by some of the senior members of the forum. Of equal note is that I was able to save/invest over $30k last year.

Unfortunately, teaching English or having CELTA certifications won't get you a sniff. In most countries it's required that you have a master's degree in education. There is no work around for this, regardless of how long you've been teaching or living in said country. These are generally parameters set by governments, not the schools themselves. If you can't bear sucking it up in your home country for a few years getting a master's and teaching, then sorry it's not going to work out for you. Schools want teaching experience in your home country as it shows demonstrated skill in teaching a similar curriculum or style to what you'd be teaching at an international school.

I don't wish to reveal exactly where I work for personal reasons. I'll reveal that I work in Asia, but that's about it. Nonetheless it shouldn't influence your decision one way or another.

The market for one subject or another is no better or worse than any other subject. Teacher transition is high in international schools, as it's a pretty cool feeling to know that every couple of years you can move somewhere completely new and have a quality lifestyle. Teach what you're passionate about, do it well, and you won't be short of offers. During the last hiring cycle I received a dozen or so inquiries from people I've networked with regarding if I'd like to interview with their school.

Awesome, I've always wanted to go into teaching, but wasn't sure if I'd have enough flexibility to travel as much as I'd like too. I'll look into this for sure.

If I may ask, did an employer make you get a degree in administration, or did they just promote you none the less?

Post: #692

Anyone know how teaching English in Poland is?

Post: #693

(03-11-2017 07:33 AM)MaleDefined Wrote:  Pay scales vary widely depending on country, position, negotiation skill, and school prestige. It would be hard to give a number to expect since it's so contextual. I guess the easiest way to put it is, I work for what would be considered a top of the line international school, and am paid very well to do it. I could not live the type of lifestyle I do in the US or Europe. Not even close. The quality of my lifestyle can be vouched for by some of the senior members of the forum. Of equal note is that I was able to save/invest over $30k last year.

MaleDefined gave a great run-down so I'll quantify salary potential with a couple of concrete examples. I make a little over $35k per year, tax free, paid in USD to my US account, in the IS I'm in right now in a Latin American country, plus housing, insurance, summer flights, and contract completion bonuses. The complete package is equivalent to more than $50k per year. I also have a maid. In comparison, local teachers make $10-$18k per year, which is solidly middle class here. It's a privileged position.

I'll be headed back to the PRC for the next academic year and am set to pull in just a tad under RMB 900,000 over the two-year contract plus housing, flights, insurance, etc. one of the most desirable (and cheapest) second-tier cities. By comparison, the full-time, 20 or 25-contact hour ESL gigs I see posted right now in that same city are advertising salaries mostly in the vicinity of RMB 9,000 to 15,000 per month plus RMB 2,000 per month for housing. International schools are the way to go.

MD is right in that, if you want to teach long-term, you need to get a masters and license in a subject area (meaning, not ESL). Working in an IS is actually a very good gig. If you can manage your money, you're talking about the potential to become relatively well-off after a few years in Asia, while at the same time, getting 10 to 13 weeks of paid vacation per year. It's the right way to go about it. No one wants to be 45 years old and working in a language academy for their principal paycheck. If that's where you're at, that's where you're at. I would take that type of work over some office drone job in suburban America. However, the younger guys should map out their career path before making the move.

Suits is right in that you can bust your ass teaching ESL for a few years to raise start-up or investment capital. There are cities in East Asia and the Middle East where you can fetch $50 to $100 per hour for private instruction. Suits is also right in that you should not expect to be making that type of money right out of the gate. You need experience and the right public image. Like in most industries, better looking people get paid more and will have more options. It's just human nature. You can't help it if you're balding or short, but you can definitely be in good shape and dress well. Game principles apply in teaching.

Post: #694

(03-12-2017 02:13 PM)jdreise Wrote:  

(03-11-2017 07:33 AM)MaleDefined Wrote:  Pay scales vary widely depending on country, position, negotiation skill, and school prestige. It would be hard to give a number to expect since it's so contextual. I guess the easiest way to put it is, I work for what would be considered a top of the line international school, and am paid very well to do it. I could not live the type of lifestyle I do in the US or Europe. Not even close. The quality of my lifestyle can be vouched for by some of the senior members of the forum. Of equal note is that I was able to save/invest over $30k last year.

MaleDefined gave a great run-down so I'll quantify salary potential with a couple of concrete examples. I make a little over $35k per year, tax free, paid in USD to my US account, in the IS I'm in right now in a Latin American country, plus housing, insurance, summer flights, and contract completion bonuses. The complete package is equivalent to more than $50k per year. I also have a maid. In comparison, local teachers make $10-$18k per year, which is solidly middle class here. It's a privileged position.

I'll be headed back to the PRC for the next academic year and am set to pull in just a tad under RMB 900,000 over the two-year contract plus housing, flights, insurance, etc. one of the most desirable (and cheapest) second-tier cities. By comparison, the full-time, 20 or 25-contact hour ESL gigs I see posted right now in that same city are advertising salaries mostly in the vicinity of RMB 9,000 to 15,000 per month plus RMB 2,000 per month for housing. International schools are the way to go.

MD is right in that, if you want to teach long-term, you need to get a masters and license in a subject area (meaning, not ESL). Working in an IS is actually a very good gig. If you can manage your money, you're talking about the potential to become relatively well-off after a few years in Asia, while at the same time, getting 10 to 13 weeks of paid vacation per year. It's the right way to go about it. No one wants to be 45 years old and working in a language academy for their principal paycheck. If that's where you're at, that's where you're at. I would take that type of work over some office drone job in suburban America. However, the younger guys should map out their career path before making the move.

Suits is right in that you can bust your ass teaching ESL for a few years to raise start-up or investment capital. There are cities in East Asia and the Middle East where you can fetch $50 to $100 per hour for private instruction. Suits is also right in that you should not expect to be making that type of money right out of the gate. You need experience and the right public image. Like in most industries, better looking people get paid more and will have more options. It's just human nature. You can't help it if you're balding or short, but you can definitely be in good shape and dress well. Game principles apply in teaching.

Great post jdreise!

Post: #695

(03-11-2017 07:33 AM)MaleDefined Wrote:  Unfortunately, teaching English or having CELTA certifications won't get you a sniff. In most countries it's required that you have a master's degree in education. There is no work around for this, regardless of how long you've been teaching or living in said country.

Does it have to strictly be in education, or is something like a masters in management or administration permissible?

Post: #696

Great content, MaleDefined. Please consider writing up a datasheet on how to teach (subjects besides English) in international schools and starting a thread for that, based on what you've written here. There's obviously a lot of interest here and it would be a shame for it to just get lost in this thread.

Getting back to English teaching, I've written earlier in the thread about the business side of getting your own private students and also forming your own groups. Here's a great writeup on teflpedia.com that touches on a lot of things that a beginning freelance English teacher should know and think about, from marketing to company contracts to where to give classes and much more. It's too long to post here so I'll just give the link:

http://teflpedia.com/Freelance_teachers

Post: #697

Teaching ENglish is a suckers game, always yesteryear being better than the present. Use it for a year or two in your 20s to meet chicks, then move on.

Some countries pay so little, you're paying to work there.

Post: #698

Hello, I'm new here just today, and theres wayyy too much to read on here for me to have read this thread, so I'm sure what I will say will not be new.

Feel free to ask me any Q's you may have.

Ive just recently spent about two weeks intensively discussing teaching gigs in China with potential employers.

China: Expect to be in demand, if you are white and a native speaker. If you have a B.A. its a slam dunk. A TESOL seals the deal. You are in a good position for negotiating the best deal, especially if you are not in a hurry. Remember, everything is negotiable in China. A work visa is a Z, and makes it legal for you to work. Without a BA you cannot get a legal working visa. They will offer you a L (tourist) or an M (business) visa, however, your contract will be worthless for the purposes of enforcement, and you will be taken advantage of. I wouldn't do it.

The higher paying jobs are with the youngest children, and even in government schools you could do well, with less teaching hours, good pay and apartment, flights and bonus's. The other higher paying gigs are the learning centers which are modern with good support materials. But, its a 40 hour work week with about 25 teaching hours. These are mostly high school age kids and adults.

There are some innovative programs where you can come and study Chinese for two days a week and then teach 4 days a week, you are paid about 7000 RMB plus a daily food stipend and an apartment. Although this is not the best, it is superb for someone who wants to learn the language and immerse themselves in the culture, it is more than enough to live. This is on a legal student visa.

Chinese people are arrogant and think of us as white monkeys. Their culture also doesn't understand friendship for the sake of friendship, theres always a "whats in it for me" catch, so if that would bother you it would be difficult.

Apparently its quite easy to land a Chinese GF there if you are white, but they are marriage minded and will pretty much be insistent on it from the very beginning, with a second focus on your being a good provider/income earner. Being an English teacher is quite incompatible with that and with being generous. Cheating is endemic with Chinese men, so the ladies have good reason for being suspicious and will be insecure all the time.

Cambodia: Conversely, Cambodia is an entry level (no BA or qualifications required) place for gaining English teacher employment, although there is little else for 'barangs' to do there so there is an over supply of available teachers. Its all theater, so if you look good, are white and native, and can stand up for an hour at a time, they will pay you to do it. Pay is about 8-12 USD with no other benefits and no paid holidays. But, that being said, you can rent a basic room there for $65 dollars a month so your money would go pretty far. (I could not live in a basic room however)

The people are very friendly and accessible/open. They also respect you for being a teacher, and even your Khmer GF would be very proud of you if you did that.

If you are female, you are most in demand. They are ageist, so older people have a bit of a harder time landing good teaching gigs, although there are still a ton of them employed, so younger males will have an easier time. The good thing is that the younger males will fill the positions with younger kids who don't really demand much knowledge and the older guys like me can teach at a Uni and hold their own.

Apparently Burma is paying well, as well as Vietnam, but they are also seeking well qualified people.

If you want to sustain yourself, its a good way to go somewhere and get a bit established while learning about the place and integrating. But overall, its not going to bring much luxury.

The on-line teaching programs, mostly out of china are now booming, and provide a pretty good opportunity, especially for digital nomads. Its a bit of a revolution and worth checking out. All you need is a computer and a button up shirt and you can be naked from the waist down.

Namaste

Post: #699

(03-15-2017 12:20 AM)nampa1234 Wrote:  Teaching ENglish is a suckers game, always yesteryear being better than the present. Use it for a year or two in your 20s to meet chicks, then move on.

Some countries pay so little, you're paying to work there.

I guess I'm a sucker because I can pocket $1500USD just working Saturday and Sunday each week.

Post: #700

(03-15-2017 12:20 AM)nampa1234 Wrote:  Teaching ENglish is a suckers game, always yesteryear being better than the present. Use it for a year or two in your 20s to meet chicks, then move on.

Some countries pay so little, you're paying to work there.

You have to be selective and have a niche. There is money if you try. Some countries pay a lot also.