Teaching English Overseas
Everything You Need to Know
All Countries are Not Equal
Japan, China, U.A.E., Russia, Colombia, Chile, South Korea; some of the best countries to teach English, however, not all countries are created equal when it comes to living and working overseas. Each country offers various perks including but not limited to housing, pay, health insurance and travel expenses. And of course, lifestyle adjustments in some countries may be more than you bargained for.
For me, South Korea offered the total package. Schools pay well with opportunities to earn more (under the table private teaching pays $50-$100/hour and is tax free but illegal so be cautious). Schools in Korea also cover your housing costs and purchase your flights to and from the country as long as you finish a one year contract. And most importantly, I didn’t need additional teaching certificates to quality, Bachelor’s Degree only.
Other countries like Japan sound wonderful but apartments are tiny and living expenses are incredibly steep, especially when schools don’t pay your rent or flights to and from. The Middle East is another interesting option. Pay is high but one’s lifestyle could drastically change. Alcohol is prohibited (along with cinemas) and females may be unable to drive (or ride a bike), show their hair and face or even speak to men in public. Countries in both Central and South America offer so much in the way of experience and culture but if your goal is to save money, think twice.
In the end, do your due diligence and research all aspects of life before committing to any school. Weigh every option and consider your ultimate goal: money, experience or a combination of the two?
Qualifications
Most countries require teaching certificates such as TOEFL or educational degrees just to get your foot in the door, while others aren’t as strict. From personal experience, South Korea requires native English speakers, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in any subject. Of course, you’ll need to pass an interview, background check and physical. Note, there are other disqualifiers, such as DUI’s.
Cultural Influences
Language, food, people and overall culture should all be seriously considered when looking to teach overseas. Many teachers arrive in Korea complaining of the food and language barriers while drinking their nights away. Unfortunately, not much will be gained if you look at your experience that way. Do your best to embrace the culture by making local friends, eating the food, visiting the sights and learning the language. South Korea turned out to be the strangest place in the world but incredibly wonderful in so many ways and I truly fell in love because I embraced every aspect of life.
Recruiter or Independent Search
I’d recommend searching for schools on your own rather than using recruiters. Recruiters are often dishonest and don't necessarily have your best interest at heart. Plus, this way you’ll have bargaining power and know exactly where things stand which isn’t always the case with a middleman.
Take a look at Dave's ESL Cafe and contact schools directly. Always check reviews for your specific school location and not just the chain. Blacklists exist for schools who treat their staff poorly and trust me, this is necessary. You’ll avoid any nightmare situations like missing paychecks, verbal abuse or other manipulations once you arrive.
Public vs. Private
Age preference and schedule may help decide which type of school suits you best. In Korea, many children attend private “hagwons” where owners treat schools more like a business than a public service. Preschoolers arrive in the morning and stay until early afternoon. Teachers stay with their class throughout the day and serve lunch in homeroom. After preschoolers leave for the day, elementary students arrive for after-hours classes. And depending upon age, some classes may run late into the evening such as 10 p.m. for middle school students.
Private schools generally pay more and positions are strangely easier to secure, especially if you have a teaching certificate. In 2014, private schools paid about $2,000 USD a month without any experience. Pay goes up slightly each year of teaching (about a $100 USD a month on average). And though these numbers might sound low, there’s really nothing to spend your earnings on other than food and vacations (two weeks each summer and winter). Rent is covered, flights are covered and public transportation is very affordable.
Public schools typically pay less but offer a lighter schedule and more vacation days. However, students are older so educational requirements are a bit more strict. If you’re lucky enough to get into a university, that’s where the real money is.
The Korean educational system is a beast of its own. For more insight into the system and its intense pressures, take a look at my Interior Design thesis, East Meets West. Just know ahead of time that Korean students are brilliant and work incredibly hard but it’s due to societal pressure to succeed which can be very demanding on young children. Often times, you’ll find preschool age children attending lessons late into the evening and it only gets worse as they age.
Location
Give thought to your new home and neighborhood. It’s pretty common for schools in the countryside to pay much more because it’s tough to get takers in the middle of nowhere. It’s quite possible to be the only foreigner in your entire town so watch for recruiters who push certain locations or schools too hard. They may not be desirable. Typically, anywhere in Seoul is amazing. Hongdae is particularly exciting and Itaewon is full of tourists and international restaurants. Just northwest of Seoul is Ilsan, which I found particularly special with its big city vibe but tons of green.
Housing
Schools provide all kinds of housing. Larger schools (just ask, anything more than 10 English teachers is fairly large) usually pair you in a two bedroom apartment with a roommate (another teacher). Some of these apartments are quite nice and others, not so much. Smaller schools often provide a single studio style apartment or will even pay an apartment stipend, if requested (around $500 USD a month).
School Size
School size does make a difference. In my opinion, it's usually best to work for larger schools. Larger schools offer more stability, resources and flexibility. Foreign teachers band together and become close friends because the cultural gap with staff can be huge. Small schools have less resources and close often, leaving you unemployed or stranded.
It's a Long Process
There are lots of hoops to jump through and it will likely take a few months to get everything in order including interviews, documents, contracts and your Visa. Countries like South Korea require you to send your actual degree for verification, not a copy, so shipping time alone can take weeks. Oh, and don’t count on getting your degree back, just order a new copy from your university to be safe.
Most of all, enjoy the process and be patient. It’ll definitely be worth it in the end. And it’s possible your one year may just turn into several, so pack accordingly and good luck!
