Teaching English Abroad

[theshoegazer]

Anyone here done this or thinking about doing this?

I'm within a year of graduating with a BA in a completely impractical major and I'm seriously considering teaching abroad to explore a little bit before I come back home and find a real life career. Any input or experiences are much appreciated.

[colin]

That was my plan when I was finishing up my BA in history. I was going to take full advantage of my dad's Scottishness to get myself a British passport and go teach English somewhere in the EU, like the Czech Republic or something. But, then I met a girl... blah blah blah, decided I didn't want to leave the country, et cetera. Really wish I'd gone and done it now though, so I say do it.

[DarkAxel]

COME TO CZECH REPUBLIC, SO WE CAN REJOICE TOGETHER

[smile_man]

my cousin taught in China last year.

http://livinginthezhuhai.blogspot.com/

he din't have a degree or anything though.

[unownunown]

do it. it'll be an adventure! did you study any languages in college?

[futuresailors]

Pick a country, google it with something like "english teacher program."

I'd assume there's a fair number of government sponsored ones

[Achtane]

There's a huge thread about teaching English in Japan here:
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showth ... genumber=1

There are also various threads about Korea/Taiwan/...some other places if you look around in ask/tell. Sounds like a cool experience.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

my bro is currently doing this. he's been over in south korea for maybe 5+ years now? he started out teaching english, now I think he teaches science as well. he seems really happy and he gets to travel to awesome places around there...japan. bali. to name a few.

[tuffteef]

what we want all want to know is
does it pay big bills
or is it a chump change job

[unownunown]

I've thought this or volunteering for the peace corps after college but idk if i could do it/ go through with it.

my cousin's friend did that. she was the last person you'd expect to, too. she came back an entirely different person. it's a truly life changing experience. i don't know if i could ever do it, though

[devnulljp]

Japan used to be the place to go for that -- good money and all. After the bubble, its not as easy or as lucrative but still doable. I knew lots of English teachers when I was there.
You can look into the JET program (they don't pay tax either the bastards) or go privately. Depends on what you want to do. It's a good idea to have a visa before you go though as it's kinda a hassle once you're there.

[metalmariachi]

My niece taught English for 3 years in Austria

She enjoyed it
I don’t know how her students did but she now speaks fluent German with an Austrian accent.

MM

[Christopher]

HEY
HEY
KOREA
(south)

unless some amazing shit happens soon with regards to my employment, I'm gonna be applying for epik next school term

because I am afraid of succeeding in an actual career and 30 years from now regretting my life choices while i roll around on my piles of money

or something like that

[Gearmond]

my cousin did it, and freakin' loved it.

also seconding the south korea rec.

[theshoegazer]

Right now I am considering South Korea and China (as far as I can tell they have the most generous job opportunities). Does anyone know if it's worth it to get a TESOL, CERTA, etc Certification?