has anyone on DU ever taught overseas?

[patrick t. cakes]

i've looked at some websites about this but have never spoke
with anyone who has actually done it.
from what i gather its mainly teaching english in places like china.

are these sites trustworthy or is there something else going on?

also how big is the market for teachers abroad?
can anyone shed some light for me on this?

it sounds like it could be a neat opportunity, or it could
be some kind of a scam.:shrug:

[pkdu]

1. Google "teaching english abroad" and "Scam" ..

plenty there to warn you about. I'm sure there are "some" legit operations but I'd say most are looking for your cash with no real jobs to offer.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/281/RipOff0281240.htm

Cheers
P

[patrick t. cakes]

4. thanks for the tip..

now im wondering if they're all scams or are there actual
legit organizations to work for?

[izquierdista]

2. They are a scam

The market for English teachers abroad is complex. As a native English speaker, the need for your expertise is in teaching advanced students who want to increase their fluency. If you are bi- or tri-lingual, you may be qualified to teach students at a more introductory level, but you have to be able to explain the idiosyncracies of English in the other language without tripping up on it yourself.

Also, there are lots and lots of people around the world who speak English as a second language well enough to explain it in their own language to their own countrymen who are learning. The idea that you can walk in and have a classroom full of eager students and earn money while you travel the world is romantic silliness that these sites use to con the gullible. Then they take your money to give you "special ESL training" or some such bullshit and at the end give you a list of language schools in some far off place and you have to set up the teaching gig all by yourself.

[grantcart]

3. I have taught English as a Second language overseas.

but it was a long time ago 1978.


Basically what I found is that it is a "minimum wage" type of employment. Even if you work for a higher end brand like Berlitz, the hourly rate is not high and the hours limited.


If you want an adventure for a couple of years and have some savings and can live frugally it is a great experience. For alot of people it is a grind with no disposable income. You have to be aware that places that look like they pay alot are in large cities with expensive rents.


If you are going then it is very useful to have some type of certification in ESL. Also if you set up tutorials on the side you can make a decent living.


Also don't overlook teaching in International or American schools overseas. Of course you would have to have the normal certification and experience. These schools are very reputable and pay well.

[Dollface]

5. I have family currently teaching English in Korea. The website is a little outdated but the

information shown on it conforms to what he received before he left last year. The pay is not great but housing is included. I think the website shows a pay scale based on experience levels.

http://www.epik.go.kr/

[DrDan]

6. right here - my wife and I taught in Ethiopia for 2 years

In addition, my wife taught in Saudi for a number of years as I worked for a corporation there.

There is a legitimate need for teachers at private schools around the world. There is also a cadre of teachers that move from school to school ever 2-4 years.

There is also the China scam - beware of that.

If interested, drop me a pm and I can direct you to some legitimate sites and orgs where "real" opportunities exist.

[DrDan]

7. let me add that it is "more" than a neat opportunity - you develop

life-long friends.

My wife and I were in Ethiopia teaching 30 years ago. Just this past year there was a large reunion at the Ethiopian Embassy in DC - and we were able to reconnect with students from years ago.

In addition, we remain in contact with a number of teachers we taught with.

Once in your blood - you will want to continue with new adventures and opportunities in other parts of the world. If you get started, you will love it.

However, watch for the scams.

[patrick t. cakes]

8. thanks DrDan

this sounds like something i really want to look further into.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Does teaching Paramedics in TJ count?

:-)

[kestrel91316]

10. About 12 yrs ago I leased my spare parking space at my condo

to a young man who went to Japan for a few months to teach English. He had a legitimate gig, enjoyed it immensely, sent me postcards. Unfortunately I have no idea how he got the job or whar if any organization was involved.

[Wiley50]

11. My son is, right now, teaching music and drama at American University, Morrocco

He got a single semester contract.

Says he has the workload of a full professor

but is getting paid like an intern.

That's all I know until he gets back home in July

[readmoreoften]

14. That's the same as in the US though.

Adjunct professors tend to make around $3 to $4K a course per semester in the US, even in expensive locales like NYC. It's pretty close to fast-food wages since there are usually few or no benefits or institutional support (you have to buy your own equipment, books, etc.)

[rvablue]

12. Some are good opportunities and some are scams.

I have never done it but I know some that have.

It's mostly teaching English.

If you are interested, do what you are doing here and reach out to those who have already done it and ask them who are the good organizations and who are the bad.

I know some will make YOU PAY for their services. These are largely scams. You should be able to find a placement agency who will not charge you and make sure you ask a lot of questions about wages and living expenses.

I had one friend who did it and he was basically living hand to mouth and came away with nothing but a very cool cultural experiment.

You also have to factor in the cost of living in a country. Making $500/week might sound good if you are just graduating and want a year of some cool experiences. But, let's say, if that is in Moscow, for instance, you will be living on the lowest rung of society and won't have any money to go do things on weekends anyway.

You might look into Peace Corps. Yes, it's volunteer, but they give money to live on quite well, rent is paid for and you get a chunk of change after two years of service to resettle yourself.

Good luck and don't be totally discouraged by the negative responses here if it is something you think you might like to do. There are many legitimate opportunities out there.

[patrick t. cakes]

19. peace corp is something else ive been contemplating

and the low wages i could live with.

thanks for the response.
ive got a lot of good info off this thread.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. I taught a bargirl in Yokohama how to play poker.

I'll refrain from saying the far more interesting things she taught me as an 18 year old GI.

[Godhumor]

15. JET Program for Japan is legit

Taught in Saitama for two years, and it was a wonderful experience.

http://www.jetprogramme.org/


Big listing of teaching jobs for Japan

http://www.ohayosensei.com/

[GoldenOldie]

18. My daughter and SIL ......

Hired by American International Schools, she as an English/Theater Art at the high school level and he as an ESL teacher, both elementary through high school level. Their daughter/my granddaughter began her International education along with their first assignment, in 6th grade, at the American International School, Moscow, Russia. They signed a required 2-year contract which they re-upped for 2 additional years. They received free housing/utilities and purchased a new Volvo for $1500., which had to be re-sold, in-country prior to departure. For the past 3-years they have been working at the American International School, in Bucharest, Romania. My granddaughter, graduates high school, this Spring. In Bucharest, they receive free housing along with utilities, free car (Volkswagen). The staff/teachers children receive free educations which can be as high as $23,000 depending on which country and the majority of the students are children of Ambassadors and their staffs,International Corporations and in-country citizens.

If you are truly interested and have a good educational background, suggest you go on-line and search American International School along with a city you are interested in. Their menu should reflect job opportunities and how to apply. Once hired and proving yourself, the world-wide networking is fantastic.

[patrick t. cakes]

20. im currently working on a degree in elm ed.

and i plan to work in my community for a few years before beginning
something like this but im extremely interested in pursuing this
and the information im getting is encouraging. thanks

[Lyric]

16. A friend of mine taught English in South Korea for about three years.

It was a legit job--they gave him an apartment, paid him well, and he loved his job. He only quit when he got married and moved back to the States to pursue a career related to his major (Psychology, not English.)

[LuckyLib]

17. Look carefully, as others have said, at every prospect. Many Americans seem to believe,

and folks in other countries believe it as well, that "any warm body" can teach English. Although it may be your native language, know what to do to provide a context in which it can be learned successfully is both a science, and an art. There is a whole professional world out there of folks who work in the area of second language teaching and learning, and have for years. We don't pretend to know everything, but believe me, the most successful language teachers have preparation, background, and have applied what research has shown about language teaching and learning to real classroom/informal/tutoring experiences. It's very difficult work that requires insight, preparation, and the ability to provide for language learning in context -- that's why there are graduate programs at many colleges/universities.

Most international schools abroad, and savvy programs at international universities, require folks with training and background. The "cram schools" in places like south Korea and Japan, are often on the lookout for young Americans interested in a little money and some adventure. They usually find them, but the experience is less likely to be advantageous for either the teacher or the learners.

[patrick t. cakes]

21. thanks for the heads up

i plan on a degree in elm ed, focusing in art
will this be a bonus or a set back for me?

[HEyHEY]

22. They are not all a scam - I'm in China right now and my roomie teaches

PM me and I'll get in touch with you about what school he's with.