So you've decided to take a year off to teach overseas...
Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:32 pm
...and you have no clue where to begin the transition?
Well, I was in your shoes 2 years ago and am here to guide you on the dos and don'ts of teaching overseas, predominately in Asia.
Like many of you, I chose to take a year off to teach English in China. I chose to teach overseas because I wasn't prepared for Law School, not because I was trying to give my application a "boost." I chose China for many reasons; I wanted to learn Mandarin, living in a country that has very little Western influence was fascinating, and the opportunity to travel the many ancient cities of China motivated me. I spent a year in China where I taught in a private university and a month in Seoul, South Korea where I taught in a private summer English Camp.
Should I teach in China or Korea?
China and Korea are very different. I loved both countries and can't wait to visit both again, hopefully soon. I will be honest though, working in China isn’t for everyone. China recently overcame Japan for the title of the second largest global economy, however it’s still pretty poor. You won’t have all of the western commodities like deodorant (forget about it), shaving cream (I found conditioner worked like a charm), and air conditioner (did I mention there's no deodorant)? You will experience a very different culture in China however, people will stare at you, strangers will ask you go eat dinner with them even though they don't know a word of English (not recommended btw) and you will see markets unlike anything in Korea. China is very dirty. Its commonplace to see children and the elderly urinate in the middle of the street, to come to their defense it’s very difficult to find a public bathroom. Korea is the opposite, it’s very clean in Seoul, though I heard outside of the capital is another story. Seoul is similar to large cities in the USA, except cleaner. There are western restaurants, supermarkets, commodities, and hangouts. It’s not easy getting homesick in Seoul.
Another difference is the salary. First the similarities. Both China and Korea usually pay for your apartment and airfare for year long contracts. The biggest difference is the salary. As you would expect you will make significantly more money in South Korea than you will make in China, however it’s also much easier to spend it… Everything is an adventure in China, and there will always be a native Chinese person begging to help you with everything. Very helpful culture.
There are like 2 brackets of pay in China, the first being the University teacher which usually makes around 5,000rmb ($766) a month. The pay sucks to Western standards but you won’t pay for your apartment, electricity (usually) or water (usually). You’ll also only work 18 teaching hours with no required office hours. You teach you go home, very easy. The other job is the elementary-middle-high school teacher, which will pay around 8,000rmb ($1,149) a month. This job is more much demanding, but nothing unreasonable. You will work 40 hours a week and be exhausted by the time you get home. With both jobs in China you will be paraded around as the schools pride and joy, other schools will visit and be in aww of your westerness. Korea will normally pay you around 2,000,000 Won (+or-$1800)a month and again you won’t pay for your apartment unless you work for a hagwon, (private language school) but from what I hear avoid hagwons at all cost. Koreans will work you, you’re not just a pretty foreigner to show off to parents, you are expected to work HARD.
I found the best way to get jobs was to post my resume on http://www.eslteachersboard.com and http://www.eslcafe.com. Both have a China and Korea subforum. I usually just posted my resume and waited for schools to contact me, rather than search for them. A good forum to visit to ask questions on living and working in China is http://www.raulschinasaloon.com. I’m not a supporter of using recruiters because they are notorious for deceiving unsuspecting foreigners. It’s best to work for a government run school in China because they won’t normally rip you off because they are licensed to hire foreigners. It’s not easy for a school to become licensed, and you don’t have any legal right to unpaid wages if you work for a unlicensed school. In fact they can even pay off the local police and have you deported. THE BEST WAY TO TELL IF A CHINESE SCHOOL HAS A LICENSE TO HIRE FOREIGNERS IS TO ASK IF THEY WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH A Z VISA (WORK VISA) BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY. The oldest trick in the book is to tell you they will give you a Z visa in China, however it’s impossible and they know you won’t leave once you get there.
Getting a work visa is like $150 for Americans and $30 for everyone else… It’s not difficult, you just mail in your passport, copy of 4-year degree, medical exam papers, and payment to the Chinese Consulate in your home country and they mail you your Passport with the visa. Korea is a little more confusing. You have to send the Korean Embassy an appostille (super notary) of your degree, passport, medical exam papers, payment, and college transcripts. You are required to go to a Korean Consulate IN YOUR COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP in person. If you are in another country, you must go back to your country just to do the interview that takes 2 minutes (Guam counts). The employer must send an invitation letter including their license to employ you. If you just want a temporary work visa (good for 3 months) you have to do everything else, but you don’t have to go your country of citizenship. These things take time, if a school tells you to hurry and come on a tourist visa, reject the offer immediately and cut contact with them, it’s a scam.
If you decide to give it a shot here’s a list of items I would advise on stocking up on:
1. Undershirts
2. Deodorant (year supply, you can buy this in Korea, but the quality is awful and the pricetag frightening!)
3. Shaving cream
4. If you’re a girl, tampons (china only)
5. If you have large feet, bring a couple pairs of shoes (china only, Koreans tend to be bigger people).
6. English to Chinese/Korean translation book
Other general comments: Chinese people aren’t yelling at you, they are just loud. They aren’t trying to spook you, they are just staring at you because they are interested in you. My average meal in China was less than a dollar for good quality food. I received the best and most professional haircuts in China for .80 cents (crazy). Koreans may expect you to pay for everyone’s drink, but they will get you back next time. Don’t point out the similarities between the Korean and Japanese spoken language, actually don’t mention Japan over there…
My advice: Go and enjoy yourself. Travel Asia and come back with great stories. Just don’t get burned by an unlicensed school.
Well, I was in your shoes 2 years ago and am here to guide you on the dos and don'ts of teaching overseas, predominately in Asia.
Like many of you, I chose to take a year off to teach English in China. I chose to teach overseas because I wasn't prepared for Law School, not because I was trying to give my application a "boost." I chose China for many reasons; I wanted to learn Mandarin, living in a country that has very little Western influence was fascinating, and the opportunity to travel the many ancient cities of China motivated me. I spent a year in China where I taught in a private university and a month in Seoul, South Korea where I taught in a private summer English Camp.
Should I teach in China or Korea?
China and Korea are very different. I loved both countries and can't wait to visit both again, hopefully soon. I will be honest though, working in China isn’t for everyone. China recently overcame Japan for the title of the second largest global economy, however it’s still pretty poor. You won’t have all of the western commodities like deodorant (forget about it), shaving cream (I found conditioner worked like a charm), and air conditioner (did I mention there's no deodorant)? You will experience a very different culture in China however, people will stare at you, strangers will ask you go eat dinner with them even though they don't know a word of English (not recommended btw) and you will see markets unlike anything in Korea. China is very dirty. Its commonplace to see children and the elderly urinate in the middle of the street, to come to their defense it’s very difficult to find a public bathroom. Korea is the opposite, it’s very clean in Seoul, though I heard outside of the capital is another story. Seoul is similar to large cities in the USA, except cleaner. There are western restaurants, supermarkets, commodities, and hangouts. It’s not easy getting homesick in Seoul.
Another difference is the salary. First the similarities. Both China and Korea usually pay for your apartment and airfare for year long contracts. The biggest difference is the salary. As you would expect you will make significantly more money in South Korea than you will make in China, however it’s also much easier to spend it… Everything is an adventure in China, and there will always be a native Chinese person begging to help you with everything. Very helpful culture.
There are like 2 brackets of pay in China, the first being the University teacher which usually makes around 5,000rmb ($766) a month. The pay sucks to Western standards but you won’t pay for your apartment, electricity (usually) or water (usually). You’ll also only work 18 teaching hours with no required office hours. You teach you go home, very easy. The other job is the elementary-middle-high school teacher, which will pay around 8,000rmb ($1,149) a month. This job is more much demanding, but nothing unreasonable. You will work 40 hours a week and be exhausted by the time you get home. With both jobs in China you will be paraded around as the schools pride and joy, other schools will visit and be in aww of your westerness. Korea will normally pay you around 2,000,000 Won (+or-$1800)a month and again you won’t pay for your apartment unless you work for a hagwon, (private language school) but from what I hear avoid hagwons at all cost. Koreans will work you, you’re not just a pretty foreigner to show off to parents, you are expected to work HARD.
I found the best way to get jobs was to post my resume on http://www.eslteachersboard.com and http://www.eslcafe.com. Both have a China and Korea subforum. I usually just posted my resume and waited for schools to contact me, rather than search for them. A good forum to visit to ask questions on living and working in China is http://www.raulschinasaloon.com. I’m not a supporter of using recruiters because they are notorious for deceiving unsuspecting foreigners. It’s best to work for a government run school in China because they won’t normally rip you off because they are licensed to hire foreigners. It’s not easy for a school to become licensed, and you don’t have any legal right to unpaid wages if you work for a unlicensed school. In fact they can even pay off the local police and have you deported. THE BEST WAY TO TELL IF A CHINESE SCHOOL HAS A LICENSE TO HIRE FOREIGNERS IS TO ASK IF THEY WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH A Z VISA (WORK VISA) BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY. The oldest trick in the book is to tell you they will give you a Z visa in China, however it’s impossible and they know you won’t leave once you get there.
Getting a work visa is like $150 for Americans and $30 for everyone else… It’s not difficult, you just mail in your passport, copy of 4-year degree, medical exam papers, and payment to the Chinese Consulate in your home country and they mail you your Passport with the visa. Korea is a little more confusing. You have to send the Korean Embassy an appostille (super notary) of your degree, passport, medical exam papers, payment, and college transcripts. You are required to go to a Korean Consulate IN YOUR COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP in person. If you are in another country, you must go back to your country just to do the interview that takes 2 minutes (Guam counts). The employer must send an invitation letter including their license to employ you. If you just want a temporary work visa (good for 3 months) you have to do everything else, but you don’t have to go your country of citizenship. These things take time, if a school tells you to hurry and come on a tourist visa, reject the offer immediately and cut contact with them, it’s a scam.
If you decide to give it a shot here’s a list of items I would advise on stocking up on:
1. Undershirts
2. Deodorant (year supply, you can buy this in Korea, but the quality is awful and the pricetag frightening!)
3. Shaving cream
4. If you’re a girl, tampons (china only)
5. If you have large feet, bring a couple pairs of shoes (china only, Koreans tend to be bigger people).
6. English to Chinese/Korean translation book
Other general comments: Chinese people aren’t yelling at you, they are just loud. They aren’t trying to spook you, they are just staring at you because they are interested in you. My average meal in China was less than a dollar for good quality food. I received the best and most professional haircuts in China for .80 cents (crazy). Koreans may expect you to pay for everyone’s drink, but they will get you back next time. Don’t point out the similarities between the Korean and Japanese spoken language, actually don’t mention Japan over there…
My advice: Go and enjoy yourself. Travel Asia and come back with great stories. Just don’t get burned by an unlicensed school.
Holy fuck, that cheap?