January 04, 2006

Curious George: Teaching English Overseas: Any monkeys have experience teaching English overseas?

Specifically, I am interested in SE Asia, and more specifically, Thailand. I am mainly curious if people had a TESOL certificate before leaving, the names of reputable companies or schools, how people secured employment, whether individuals' found working before leaving, cost of living. I have a Bachelors degree in Anthropology and Film Studies and some ESL teaching experience, and wonder how easy it would be to secure work. Dave's ESL Cafe has provided some answers...but it seems people always have a unique perspective over here. Plus, it seems there quite a few scam teaching companies and schools. I know for Japan there is more a streamlined programs for sending teachers like Nova or Jet. But it seems more the case that one finds individual jobs in SE Asia.

posted by T AL Z 18 years ago
  • There's a lot of info on the web about teaching English overseas, and I've found a bit on Thailand in the past. One site of note is Stickman in Bangkok. Apparently he went there to sample the nightlife and stayed to teach English and get married. I've read his site over the years, and while it is less oriented towards the naughty nightlife these days, you may still find it NSFW. If you are interested in Japan, you must read Azrael's I am a Japanese School Teacher Blog. It's raunchy, and hilarious. Beware the Kancho. Basically, from what I've read, these days you really need to get a teaching certificate before you go. You can get a job in Thailand with a shady company without one, but you'll regret it. Stickman talks all about that stuff.
  • How very Gary Glitter of you. (Obligatory "/joking" "/just kidding" for they hyper sensitive monkeys who may be reading this and thus attempt to paint me as a troll) Seriously, I have a friend of mine who teaches English in Luxembourg. He didn't get any certifications and (according to him) is make €25 per hour. He did, however have to learn French and German and did so by locking him self up with a local girl and listening to Michel Thomas CDs constantly. I guess the immersion aspect helped as well. Best of luck with your venture.
  • er, is making*
  • That japanese blog is great, un-.
  • Seriously, I have a friend of mine who teaches English in Luxembourg. He didn't get any certifications and (according to him) is make €25 per hour. He did, however have to learn French and German and did so by locking him self up with a local girl and listening to Michel Thomas CDs constantly. Umm...are you sure he's teaching English over there? Sounds like it could be a cover story. A darn good one, but still...
  • I am fairly sure. ;) He freelances and has about 30 students who he meets up with anywhere from 1 to 3 days a week. I am thinking about getting into that racket as well; so if anyone asks me to carry an suspicious packages I'll know pretty quickly.
  • I just like the job perks--locking yourself in a room with a Luxie chick. Rowr. Luxemborgian? Luxemborg? Lexemboryer?
  • Luxembourger.
  • No thanks, I stick with the fries.
  • You got a shake goes wid dat, baybee?
  • I spent 6 months teaching English in Prague. I didn't have a certificate, and I had no idea what I was doing up to the point that I boarded the plane. Fortunately, everything worked out pretty well since I had a friend who had worked for a company and he put in a good for me. So far, the best experience of my life.
  • I teach English in a foreign country. I also teach prospective English teachers. It's hard work, but fun. HTH!
  • Skrik actually has some good stories to tell, I think. He's just a man of few words. Plus they're probably not helpful, just entertaining.
  • Oh, and a reminder to all: don't forget to put more than just "Curious George" in the title so we can see on the sidebar what Curious George post it is.
  • Have you considered doing a year or two through Peace Corps or VSO or some such organization instead of going the ESL route. You may not be able to go to the place you desire (SE Asia), but you will have a fulfilling and fun experience. And it will be MUCH better organized than doing it through these hole-in-the-wall english language schools.