What is TESL and Teaching Jobs in Philippines and Asia
Some of my S. Korean Sixth Graders
Teaching English, known as ESL, TESL, TESOL, TEFL and CELTA in the Philippines or any country is a good opportunity for a foreigner to experience a new culture. ESL, English as a Second Language, TESL Teaching English as a Second Language, TESOL Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and CELTA Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults are the common terms used when someone teaches English as a second language. Most Asian TESL jobs require just a BA/BS degree in any major. Asian Countries also require TESL teachers be NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS from the US, Canada, Ireland, UK, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. Many European countries require a EU passport and TESL Certification and some want one or two years experience. Some schools will accept only those with a MA/MS in teaching. Certification requirements vary greatly from 40 hours to 100 hours of training and more. Salaries also vary greatly by country and the type of school hiring. Most all schools require you to sign a one year teaching contract. Your Visa to work in Asian countries is tied to your school. If you quit your job or the school closes you must leave the country.
Asian countries such as, South Korea and China/Taiwan normally require teachers have just a four year college degree in any major. However, having TESL certification can help secure a better paying job. These two countries will usually provide free housing. Generally the housing is just a studio type apartment with furniture and sometimes even a TV, microwave and washing machine provided by the school. Sometimes the housing is shared, so make sure you know what you are getting into. The teaching contract will usually be one year. By far, South Korea pays much better than China. Both private and Public school salaries in Korea will start at around $2,000.00 to $2,500.00 China may only pay half of what Korean schools pay. Teaching for a private school can be risky as many of these schools tend to be here today and gone tomorrow. The Chinese government has cracked down on unlicensed schools and shut them down. Many times the foreign teachers were not aware the schools were unlicensed. Once that happens the teachers must leave the country as their visa will be revoked. In Korea the problem tends to be shady private schools that lure the teachers in and then run out of money to pay the teachers and eventually the school will close. Once that happens the teacher must leave the country. This is not common in Korea, but it has happened. The safest thing to do in Korea is teach in Public schools and stay away from the private schools called (hagwons). Here is a typical Korean Public School Contract, the contract has many blank spaces because it is written in both English and Korean and the Korean writing won’t download.
Tesl-contract"south Korean teaching Contract"
Japan, like Korea pays pretty good compared to other Asian countries. Japan can be a little more difficult than China or Korea when looking for a job, but the jobs are available. The requirements may also be a little tougher as they normally want teachers with a little experience. However, you may end up having to pay for your housing. A huge private English school in Japan went bankrupt in November 2007 forcing some 3,000 TESL teachers to leave the country or find another job quickly before being ordered to leave the country. Japan does seem to be much more desirable for teachers looking for TESL than many other Asian countries. I think Japan is a safe bet as long as you teach for a public school. Thailand is another option, but I really don’t know anything about the requirements to teach in the country.
Teaching English in Asia can be very rewarding. You can experience a new country and make a few dollars while in the country. Many times you will be able to save a little of your monthly salary and most countries will pay you a bonus at the end of the contract. Just be sure you are ready for a new culture. I lived and taught in Korea for two years. There are things I like about Korea and things I don’t like. Koreans can make New Yorkers look very polite. I find that many Koreans in public are more than rude. Often times, Koreans in Stores, sidewalks and public places will bumped into you, shove, push and you will seldom hear an apology. You may also find that a few Koreans are not overly fond of Foreigners and in the old culture of Korea if you are not a Korean you don't exist. In the old Korean culture, Korean blood is the only blood totally accepted in the country. Of course that could be said about any country when it comes to foreigners. Korea has become an economic power. However, as the country grows globally it is struggling with the old culture as it is accepting the many cultures of foreigners visiting and working in the country. I have met and made many wonderful friends in Korea and I enjoy the county. Just remember, it may take you a while to become comfortable in the country. Koreans certainly don't mean to be rude or view folks from other countries as less than a Korean. This is a country with a 5,000 year old history and it has made HUGE changes in the last 20 years. Give the country time to catch up to all the changes it has achieved.The same could also be said for Japan.
Teaching ESL in the Philippines is a great way for any expat to experience the country. However, don’t think you will make lots of money. Teaching jobs in the Philippines are very competitive and many TESL jobs will go to Filipinos. That’s because so many Filipinos speak English and the schools can pay them peanuts. Many ESL schools in the Philippines are serving the huge Korean population living in the Philippines and they pay very little. However, if you look long and hard enough you may find a position that pays up to $1,000.00 monthly, but don’t hold your breath. If you want to live in the Philippines it may be easier to find an On-Line teaching job through one of the many ESL jobs site. Just type in a search for ESL, TESL or CELTA jobs and you will find hundreds of sites advertising for teachers. Some of these jobs, but not many may be for an on-line teachers. Also Philippine schools will most likely NOT offer housing.
Finally, when considering a teaching job be sure to get as much information as possible about the school, teaching hours, bonus, contract and so on. Read all the information several times. Also, if you have a wife and kids and plan on bringing them along to your host country think again. You need to get a visa for them and the housing offered by the school will not be big enough for more than you and maybe your spouse.. You also need to consider schools for your children. Teaching aboard is really for a single person and sometimes for a couple, but certainly not a family. However, if you already live in a country like the Philippines then maybe go for it.
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