How to Teach English Oversea

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels


Table of Contents
Introduction 4

Chapter 1
TEFL Certificates and Programs 7

Chapter 2
Teacher Requirements 13

Chapter 3
Different Types of Teaching Jobs 16

Chapter 4
Benefits and Salaries 22

Chapter 5
Country Information 27

Conclusion 188

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels




© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels


Every year, thousands of people travel the world teaching English. Most are young
college graduates looking to fill a few years before returning home and settling down.
However, many are also people on career breaks or older retirees looking to do
something different and change their lives a bit. Many travelers, especially those in
Southeast Asia, take teaching jobs as a way to fund future travels and avoid going
home. Then there are those who just love to teach. In short, you’ll find all walks of life
teaching overseas. Whatever category you fall into, people choose this profession for
one underlying reason: it is a great and easy way to work and live in a foreign country
while earning a good wage. Yet the process for getting a teaching job is often
confusing to many people. What requirements do you need? Should you get a TEFL
certificate? What is a TEFL? Are there other degrees? How do you find jobs? What
are the visa processes?
Do you need to have an English degree? The list of questions goes on and on. When I
looked for my first ESL job in 2006 in Thailand, I had more questions than answers
and I spent a lot of time looking through job boards, Google searches, and reading
forums to find out everything I could ever know about the subject. It was a time
consuming process and I always walked away still feeling confused. When I was
thinking about moving to Korea or Japan to teach, I spent even longer looking up
information.

Good information, especially on salaries, working conditions, and cost of living was
scarce. And even I did find something, it was hard to know what was accurate, what
was out of date, what was there just to try to sell me something not help me. Finding
the information took up time that could have been spent on what was important:
looking for an actual job. This ebook is here to help you better use your time. I’ve
included everything you could ever want to know about the process of becoming a
teacher, TEFL degrees, picking the right TEFL course, the requirements, various jobs
you can get, and salaries.

Most importantly, this book has the country information that took me hours of Google
searches, years of living experience, and endless forum questions to find out. There is in

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
depth coverage of each major and minor destination for potential ESL teachers. The
country information includes costs of living information, salaries, job boards, and
basic country facts. This information is all based on first hand experience, not only
from me but from other ESL teachers.

The purpose this book is to help you make sense of the whole process of becoming an
English teacher as well as put all the information in one place. I’m here to cut down
your time and share my personal experience with you. I’ve taught throughout Asia and
had teacher friends throughout the world share their tips and information. This book
was written by English teachers to help future English teachers.

You won’t find any of the bullshit you find elsewhere in the information. We get right
down to it and cover it all – the good, the bad, the ugly.













© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

TEFL Certificates
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It’s a certificate program
that teaches you how to teach English as a foreign language. The program is offered
around the world, and prices vary depending on where you enroll. Moreover, the
quality of the program also depends on where you take it. Before you sign up for any
program, it is important that you make sure the degree they give out will be accepted
around the world as some schools don’t recognize certain training programs.

Most TEFL courses run from a few weeks to a few months. For the more established
and respected programs, you can expect at least a hundred hours of class time as well
as some practice teaching in a classroom. Courses often offered in the west, as
compared to places like Thailand, are much more intensive and more expensive. The
smart approach would be to learn what kind of course is required for the jobs you
want, and get that course. You don’t want to sign up for an extensive course when you
don’t need it- you’ll simply be wasting money. Prices for TEFL courses range
between $1,000 and $2,000 USD.

Although there may be some general linguistic theory included, the focus of a TEFL
course is to give you practical knowledge. Any theory provided is there to provide a
backdrop for the practical skills being learned. They aren’t trying to give you a college
level English degree. They simply teach you how to teach as well as some basic
grammar rules.



Their goal isn’t to make you a great teacher but good enough to answer basic question
about grammar from students. (And trust me, you will get a lot of grammar questions
from students!)


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
The typical TEFL certificate program will focus on a variety of aspects of language
teaching from very practical skills, such as learning how to teach vocabulary,
grammar, using games effectively, keeping the kids involved as well as practical
teacher skills such as classroom management.

This is the second big aspect to a TEFL. Besides knowing what to teach, it’s important
you know how to manage a classroom so to make sure the subject is being taught
affectively. You’ll find most programs offer classroom hours with their course so they
can give practical advice on how to engage and control a bunch of screaming kids.

The question most potential teachers have is whether or not they should even get a
TEFL certificate. The answer to that question depends on a number of factors. Every
different type of job requires a different set of skills. Depending on where you go,
what previous experience you have, and the type of job you want, you may or may not
need a TEFL.
Moreover, you need to find out if the country you are going to work in requires a
TEFL for a work visa. There’s no right or wrong answer to this. Sometimes you
should have one, sometimes it’s useless. Decide where you want to teach first and
then see what the requirements are. However, as a good rule of thumb, if you have no
experience or a teaching degree, it is probably worth getting your TEFL certification.
The degree helps give you credibility when applying for jobs.

There are two other teacher certification programs besides TEFL, though there’s really
no difference between any of them, and all are accepted worldwide:
Cambridge ELT Certificate (CELTA)
This certificate course is often considered to be the most similar to TEFL and is
widely respected internationally. The full name is the Cambridge ELT Certificate in
English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). CELTA places greater emphasis on
teaching practice than classroom time. It is one of the most popular degrees to get,
especially among UK residents.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
The course is quite rigorous. CELTA courses are usually 4-week full time intensive
programs, although it is sometimes possible to take the course on a part-time basis. In
all CELTA courses, observed teaching practice is important, and the courses spend
more time having you in a classroom than teaching you theory.

Entry requirements for CELTA courses vary from place to place around the world.
Although the course is open to native and non-native speakers, all candidates are
interviewed and have to take a language awareness test. Some places require
candidates to be graduates, while others accept candidates with a good general
education and command of English.

There are more than 200 centers offering CELTA courses around the world and like
TEFL courses, getting a CELTA outside of a western country will be a lot cheaper.

Trinity Certificate in TESOL
The third many teachers get is the Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching
English to Speakers of Other Languages, or TESOL certificate. This course is the
most work and all trainees are expected to experience learning a foreign language
(don’t worry- you don’t need to become fluent in one!).


The course is usually full time, following a 4-6 week intensive program with 130
tuition hours or part-time over a number of months. The Trinity certificate is the most
intensive of the teaching courses. Entry requirements vary between a good educational
background and a university degree, with a good command of English obviously
being a prime requirement. No distinction is made between native and non-native
speakers.

Most Trinity Centers are in the UK, although there are now a growing number
overseas.
No matter what degree you get, you’ll be able to teach English anywhere around the
world. While different places might have a preference for one degree or the other, if

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
you have any one of these program certificates, you’ll meet a school’s requirement
and they won’t turn you away.

Should you get one of these certificates?
I never got a TEFL (or similar) degree. I went to school for education so my teaching
license was even better to have than a TEFL. But since even the cheapest courses are
expensive, it is a valid question to ask if you even need to both getting one. In truth, it
all depends on where you plan to teach and at what level. In parts of Central and South
America, they don’t care. I’ve known people in Thailand who taught without them
either. But if you don’t have one in East Asia or Europe (or at least an education
degree), you won’t find a job at all. Moreover, normally an official work visa requires
you to have one so without one, you’ll be working under the table, which in some
places is fine. But remember the less qualifications you have, the less attractive of a
candidate you are to hire.

If you plan on signing up for a TEFL course, I highly recommend I-to-I courses. I
have partnered with them exclusively because their courses are very detailed,
recognized globally, feature helpful instructors, and will help you find a job when the
course is over. If you are going to choose any company, choose them. They have been
doing this a long

time now and know exactly what they are doing. Best in the business and highly
affordable. Order your course here.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
The requirements for teaching English vary greatly from region to region. Depending
on where you go and what type of job you want, what you need is different. Generally

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
speaking, you’ll need to meet the following requirements in order to teach English
overseas:
i. Be from an English speaking country.
ii . Have a bachelor’s degree.
iii. Have a TEFL/CELTA certificate.
iv. Have some experience (optional).

See? It’s not really that much! Unless you plan to teach at an international school or
do corporate training, most schools will take you if you are a native English speaker
and college graduate. Most time experience level is irrelevant.

All countries require you be a native English speaker. This means you were born in
the UK, US, Canada, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand. While some countries
might hire Filipinos (as they speak fluent English), they typically prefer Western
employees as it is viewed as a sign of authenticity. This is especially true in Asia,
where being young, white, or female is often the most important thing. They simply
have a prejudice for these three attributes. (Note: There is always exceptions so if you
aren’t one of those three don’t think you can’t find a job.)

You will also need a bachelor’s degree from a 4 year accredited university. It doesn’t
matter what your degree is in. Whether you have a degree in biochemistry, English or
yoga, the schools and countries just want to see that you have a degree. While some
places might overlook this requirement and will hire you under the table, more
reputable schools and countries like Korea, U.A.E, or Japan, you will need to have a
university degree in order to get a job as well as a working visa.

While experience is not required, it certainly helps when applying for higher paying
jobs at international schools and corporate training programs. They prefer people who
know what they are doing and can be effective teachers. It is also why these jobs pay
the most money – they don’t take just anyone. Moreover, since there is a lack of
qualified teachers in many parts of the world having a teaching license or experience
will pretty much guarantee you a job somewhere. My teaching license got me any job
I wanted.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
If you don’t have any experience, don’t fear. Tons of places around the world hire first
year teachers. In many rural parts of the world where it is much harder to find
teachers, they are happy to take anyone. Asian countries always take first year
teachers. If you don’t have experience, then having a TEFL certificate will
dramatically increase your chances of getting hired. A TEFL degree will negate any
experience deficiencies you might have as employers view this as a training course.


Some countries will require you to have a TEFL degree in order to get a working visa.
If you are planning to work in a country that requires it, you will need to get it no
matter what experience or other teaching license you might have. Be sure to check out
the visa requirements for each country. Don’t just assume that a teaching license or
years of
experience matter regardless of what the school might say. In sum, teaching English
generally requires a BA and experience, while higher paying positions will also
require a TEFL and a teaching certificate. Qualifications are looser in most developing
countries or rural areas. Visa rules determine what you will need for each country, but
overall, if you want to teach English in most places in the world, you simply need to
have a college degree, be a native speaker, and be competent.



© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Types of Teacher
Jobs

Potential English teachers can choose from a variety of ESL jobs. All jobs have the
same basic requirements that are listed in the previous section, but as you move up the
pay scale, the requirements also increase. The types of jobs a potential English teacher
can get usually falls into one these categories:
Government schools
These English schools are operated by the government and usually pay the worst.
However, the schools are reliable. You know the school won’t suddenly close, you
will get your paycheck on time, you’ll have some professional support, they will
fulfill their contract obligations, and they won’t terminate you without cause. (Note: In
Korea and Japan, government schools pay just as well as language schools and offer a
lot of vacation time.)

These schools will require you to do all the things teachers in your home country do:
run classes, grade papers, make up exams, set the curriculum, and keep office hours.
Most of those extra responsibilities are unpaid. The trade off is that you have a stable
job for as long as you want it. Teaching at the government schools is just like teaching
at a school back where you live. The expectations they have for you are the same.
Your salary is being paid for your whole job, not just classroom time.

Moreover, in most countries, you will have a local teacher who will be there to help
you with the students and deal with problems. They serve as your language assistant
to help you understand the students when English fails.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Language schools
The next step up are the language schools, such as Berlitz, Hess, ECC, EF, InLingua,
or any one of the millions of language schools around the world. The pay is better and
you’ll have more flexibility in your schedule and curriculum than you would at a

government school. You won’t have to do prep time or parent meetings. If you do,
you are often paid for the extra time. Your salary is based solely on classroom hours.
That being said I have often found that while parent meetings and other meetings get
paid, the prep time doesn’t. You’ll find yourself making copies and tests on your own
time, unless you have a really great school (which does happen!).

The down side to these schools is that your job is less secure and guarantees by these
companies don’t always appear. Some go bankrupt without any notice, or bonuses and
perks aren’t what they were promised. (When a language school went bust in Japan,
thousands of teachers suddenly found themselves without pay, a job, or even a home.)
You may find yourself fighting with your company for promised return airfare, work
hours, or more. You’ll have fewer problems with larger, more established companies,
but always check out the company’s reputation before you sign a contract.

Moreover, many parents also use these schools as a form of babysitting. They just
drop their kids off and hope they learn something. Since many of these schools are
motivated by money, they rarely discipline the students for fear they will stop coming.
This is especially true in Asia and one reason I stopped working at these types of
places. Overall, while the pay is better, the jobs abundant, and the hours more flexible,
the work environment can sometimes be more difficult.

Private schools
Private schools are similar to government schools in terms of job expectations. You’ll
be expected to perform all the functions of a normal teacher, and your salary is based
on total work time, not just class hours. The difference is that private schools offer

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
better pay and support than government schools, and sometimes, a better student
body.


Depending on the private school, English may or may not be the main language
taught. If English isn’t the school’s primary language, there is usually a special
curriculum of all English courses.

Since parents are paying a lot of money for these schools, they kids are generally
expected to produce results. Think of them like the private schools in the West.

International Schools
International schools are the best schools to teach English. They are pinnacle and the
most highly sought after jobs in the ESL world. The kids are children of international
expats, diplomats, or very rich locals. There is usually a lot of expectations for them
and pressure for them to do well. Most are looking to go to school in American or
England and thus focus hard on their studies, though you do get a number of spoiled
little rich kids. What this usually means is that you get a much more enjoyable and
relaxing teaching experience. The curriculum is usually the same as your country of
origin: it’s just like teaching at home.

International schools pay the most out of any ESL job. You’ll get an equivalent salary
or more to that as you would back home but without the same prices. When you are
making $3,000 USD per month in a country that costs $500 USD to live in, you can
live very well and save a lot. Moreover, the better the school, the higher the pay. I
know teachers who make close to $5,000 USD per month. However, competition for
these jobs is very stiff, and typically, applicants need a lot of experience. These
schools expect you to be a certified teacher and you are usually required to sign a one
– two year contract. Only qualified teachers should consider applying to these jobs.



© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Corporate Training
Corporate training jobs typically pay very high, the schedules are flexible, the students
are adults who want to learn (though many are forced to take classes by their boss, but
most see the value in learning English), and the work can last a few months. These
jobs are usually before or after business hours or during lunch. The most fun I ever
had was
teaching corporate classes. You could joke around with the students in a way you
couldn’t with kids.

However, these jobs, like the language school jobs, are typically hard to get and
usually require teaching experience. If you have a business degree, you will almost be
guaranteed a job but you don’t need one as a prerequisite. Classes will revolve around
teaching people grammar and communication skills as well as email writing and
formal business
practices. You won’t be teaching any business theory- just how business is conducted
in English. However, in some low level classes, you might need to teach sales and
customer interactions.

Tutoring
No matter where you go, you’ll find people wanting private English lessons. This is a
great source of extra income and tutoring pays a lot more than regular teaching. If you
can get a lot of private students, you’ll earn more money than a regular teaching job
and have much more flexibility in your schedule. You won’t be able to get a working
visa as a tutor so visa situations can become a little difficult to manage. You’ll be
working illegally if you do this as your sole job.

Keep in mind that it’s possible to just come into a country and do freelance work.
However, countries do not allow work visas for this. Tutor pay varies from country to
country, but private lessons start at around $25 USD per hour. The best place to find

private students is via word of mouth or through local teaching boards. The hours are
much more flexible and the work environment is usually a lot better. Moreover,

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
during the summer time, you can find extra work teaching at summer camps. Kids are
on break and it’s a great way for parents to kill two birds with one stone.

Volunteering
Many times these days people volunteer to be a teacher. There are many aid
organizations out there that look for people to teach their group English. This includes
orphanages, refugee camps, homeless shelters, aid organization, and more. For
example, the US Peace Corps offers a lot of English language teaching as part of their
volunteer program. If you simply want to give back to people and help overseas,
you’ll find a lot of organizations in the world willing to “hire” you for a short period
of time (usually a minimum of 1 month) in exchange for helping.




© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

Benefits and Salaries

Have you heard about the perks teachers get abroad? Have the stories of free flights
enticed you to Asia or lands beyond? There are a lot of myths and rumors out there
about teacher benefits but English teachers do get great perks, especially in the Middle
East and Asia.

Salaries for English teachers tend to be much higher than the local salary. While in
some parts of the world, these salaries can still be pretty low, you’ll always have more
disposable income than most, and if you live a local lifestyle, you can manage to save
quite a bit of money and still live very well.

The benefits teachers get are often exaggerated. While it’s true that teachers usually
get a good number of benefits, they aren’t uniform around the world. You won’t get
any special benefits in Europe. In fact, there is no one uniform benefits package. Some
countries offer lavish packages while some offer none. Benefits vary as much as
teacher pay.

So what benefits can you expect?
In Asia, you will generally get the following package:
• Return airfare
• Subsidized or free housing
• Paid vacation
• 4 weeks sick leave and vacation leave

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
• One year completion bonus

In the Middle East, you will generally get:
• Roundtrip airfare

• Full housing
• Completion bonus
• Tax free income
• Health Care

In Europe, you will generally get:
• Nothing (sometimes there’s an exception but in general, don’t expect
anything)

In Central America, you will generally get:
• Housing if it is on site.
• A completion bonus

Remember that these benefits usually happen. In some places, you might get more
and, in some, less. You might not get any. You might find a job in Europe that
lavishes stuff on you and an international school in Asia that hardly gives you
vacation time. The point is you never know but overall, you can clearly see what part
of the world gives you the most benefits. (As you can see, Asia gives you a lot and
that’s why it’s very popular with young college graduates).

Signing Contracts
Signing contracts is pretty straightforward. You sign. They sign. There you go. Life is
good. But there are a few things you want to think about before you sign the contract.

It is said that contracts are only as good as the paper they are printed on. I’ve broken
contracts before. It happens. Infact, contracts aren’t really that important. People break
them all the time, especially at language schools around Asia. It’s common practice.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

People get sick of a job and they decide that said country isn’t good for them and they
go home. But there are good reasons to not break a contract. In most countries, all the
perks are given upon completion of your contract. If you leave, you won’t see any of
those great benefits that enticed you to teach in the first place. I’m not encouraging
you to break any contracts, but you should know that you don’t have to be tied to it if
you suddenly decide that you hate living in that country and want to leave.

Before you sign any contract, remember to do the following:
Read it over- Make sure you know exactly what is in the contract. After you finished
reading it over, read it over again. Often times, teacher contracts are simple one page
statements but it’s always important to know exactly what you are getting yourself
into.

Include Everything- If the company promised you a return flight, make sure it is in
the contract. Anything not in the contract will make easy for them to avoid giving you.
It will also make any arguments go smoother because you can always say “you put in
the contract.” If companies don’t honor that, you can complain to authorities and the
local job boards. As they say, always get it in writing.

Do Your Research – If you are just a traveler looking to make extra money, then
where you work probably doesn’t matter. You won’t be sticking around long
anyways. However, if you plan on staying awhile, you should check out the school
before you go. Talk to other teachers, ask on teacher forums, or Google the school to
see what comes up. Don’t walk into a place blind. Knowing what the school is like
will help you avoid any problems and management issues that might clash with your
own teaching style.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels



ARGENTINA
While there are not a ton of ESL jobs outside of Buenos Aires, those who want to
teach in Argentina will find ESL jobs somewhat plentiful in the capital city. Native
English speakers are a prized commodity in this stretch of the world and, with just a
little legwork, can find placement in classrooms in a matter of weeks or even days.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Moreover, there is a high demand for private tutors and though the start up time can
be quite slow, once you get going, jobs can be quite abundant. Argentina is a perfect
place for someone who wants a fashionable South American city, great nightlife, good
wine, great steak, and easy living.

Working Conditions
Once employed in Argentina, you may find that a school offers just a few hours a
week initially. You may be required to cover for sick colleagues or take on small
classes. This is quite normal in Argentina;schools like to check new teacher’s
reliability and classroom performance before giving them a full time schedule.

Often times you will be teaching in multiple locations so make sure to factor travel
time into your day. It is possible to ‘work’ a 12-hour day, but only actually work a few
hours. The rest of the time is spent traveling between destinations and employers
generally do not compensate you for travel time and expenses.


Teacher Salary Information
Most teachers are generally paid by the hour. Though the pay is hourly, salaries are
paid on a monthly basis and are not always paid on time. (Sometimes they can be a
few days late.) A teacher in Argentina usually makes about 16-27 ARS ($4.30-7 USD)
per hour. Teachers may only receive 10-15 hours of classes each week (initially?) and
once you are
determined to be reliable and can do well with their classes, your hours will increase.
ESL classes can require a lot of travel time because classes are often held at a
student’s home or workplace.

Most ‘full-time’ teachers average about four or five classes per day, which would net
you $800-$1000 ARS per week. For private lessons, you can be paid between 30-75
ARS ($7-17 USD) per hour, depending on how qualified you are, how much
experience you have, and how good your Spanish is. The average monthly salary is

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
2,224 -5,016 ARS ($522.50-1178 USD) and vacation time is typically paid.
University teaching jobs pay around $5,000 ARS per month while public schools pay
on the lower end.

Benefits
Teachers typically get health care and paid holidays. Unlike other parts in the world,
you don’t get paid accommodation or paid airfare. Argentina provides structured
Social Health Care Plan for its Government Teachers, however, the health and
benefits for Language Teachers vary from school to school. Most internationals
schools offer a two-year contract with the benefits including housing, health
insurance, and moving allowance.



Working Visa Information
In order to receive a work permit, you must first obtain an entry permit from the
Argentine Immigration Authority. Usually, your expected employer will act on your
behalf and submit all the necessary paperwork for you. If you are already in
Argentina, it should take around one month to receive your entry permit. However, if
you are still in your home country and submitting through a consulate in your own
country, it can take up to four months to receive your entry permit.

While this is being processed, you should receive your employment contract, which
should provide all the details of your employment (such as length of contract, wage or
yearly salary) as well as a statement confirming that the contract is in compliance with
the Labor Laws of Argentina. This contract is only binding once you have been fully
authorized to work by the Argentine Immigration Authority. Your employer’s
signature on this contract must be certified by a public notary in Argentina as well as
authenticated by the “Colegio de Escribanos.” Your signature on the contract must be

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
witnessed by either the Argentine Immigration Authority or a Consul in your own
country.

After you’ve received your entry permit, you can then apply for a work visa. For this,
you will need the following documents:
• Passport: valid for a minimum of 1 year.
• A completed visa application form.
• 4 recent passport-sized photos
• Evidence of immigration status in the U.S. if not US National
• Entry Permit (Permiso de Ingreso).
• Contract Of Employment.
• Birth certificate.
• Marriage certificate (if applicable).

• Police Records
• No national/international criminal records affidavit.
• Fees (paid in money orders).

The work visa is valid for nine months and is renewable. It should be noted that your
work visa is only valid with the employer for which the visa was issued. If you decide
to change jobs, you will need to apply for an entirely new work visa.

Cost of Living
Rental fees generally start around 400 ARS ($93.97 USD) per month for a room in a
shared apartment. You can sometimes find a suitable apartment for about1,600 ARS
($375.89 USD), but they often cost more like 2.,00 ARS ($516.85USD). These costs
may seem a bit expensive, but apartments in Buenos Aires come fully furnished, have
their own kitchen and bathroom, and offer air conditioning and a pre-existing Internet
connection. Electricity while using the heat and air modestly will cost you anywhere
from 117-312 ARS ($30-80 USD) per month, internet with high speed cable will cost
160 ARS ($37.58 USD), and a phone with a phone line will cost 140 ARS ($32.89
USD), although an internet café will charge 3 ARS (0.70 USD) per hour.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

Meals are very reasonably priced in Argentina and will probably cost you 400-1500
ARS a month ($102-352 USD). Even someone on a tight budget can afford to eat in a
high-end restaurant from time to time, where a three-course dinner with wine only
costs around 125 ARS ($29.36 USD). A simple steak dinner can cost about 75 ARS
($17.30 USD), a large pizza costs about 5 ARS ($1.17 USD), and a regular bottle of
beer in a bar costs about 8 ARS ($1.87 USD). Your monthly grocery expenses will
usually be about half of what they are in the US.


You won’t want to miss going out and celebrating all Argentina has to offer. Going to
the movie theater will cost on an average 6 ARS ($1.40 USD) and a cocktail will cost
15-40 ARS ($3.5-9.39 USD).

Public transportation is very inexpensive in Argentina, with a two way subway ride
costing only .94 ARS ($0.22 USD), and a bus ride costing 1.10-1.75 ARS ($0.25-0.41
USD) to the suburbs. Public transportation to other parts of the country costs about
110-490 ARS ($25.84-115 USD).A taxi ride within the city limits will cost about 12-
30 ARS ($2.8-7.04 USD), but you can sometimes haggle to get a lower rate.

Job Links
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/


BELGIUM
General Information
To find a teaching position in Belgium, there are a few ways you can go about it.
There is no teaching center in the country, but you can put yourself on a list that’s
available to people interested in finding English teachers. There are other networks as

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
well, including the Belgian English Teachers and Trainers Association (BETTA) that
can help you find
leads and offer contact information. Language schools, such as CLL and Foundation
9, continually search for English teachers throughout the year. Also, word of mouth is
always a good way to find work.

Working Conditions
Working conditions in Belgium are very good. You’ll receive a good salary, and
decent benefits. You’ll find employers friendly, you get sick leave, and paid vacations.
There’s nothing overwhelmingly good or bad about working in Belgium. It’s like
working anywhere else in the world.

Teacher Salary Information
Working in Belgium will see you earning a salary that is considered to be above
average in Europe, with the exception of Germany and France. Germany and France
are the only countries in Western Europe where the salaries are higher than they are in
Belgium.

As an English teacher, you can expect to earn about 20-40 EUR ($25-50 USD) per
hour, with the higher pay going to those with more qualifications and experience.
Having your own clients will pay the best, but occasionally you can find a steady
position. Most salaried teachers usually have a master’s degree, as a DELTA or
CELTA doesn’t mean much in this country, and you may also have to speak Dutch
and/or French as well. If you are getting a salaried job, expect around 1,000 to 1800
Euros per month. Be prepared to pay 20-25% of your income in taxes.

Benefits
While you get health care and vacation time, like most jobs in Europe, depending on
the institution you are working for, possible benefits include:
• Holiday Bonus
• End of the Year Bonus

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
• Costs for travel between Work and Home
• Hearth and Status Compensation
• Maternity Bonus
• Child Care Benefit
• Union Bonus
• Extra fee or compensation for special certificates or degrees.
When you are working in Belgium you are entitled to a vacation bonus of 85 percent
of one month’s salary. You will get this bonus paid to you when you elect to use your
vacation time. In most cases, this amount is already included in your stated salary
amount.

Working Visa Information
All residents EU and non-EU citizens will need to obtain a residence card from the
local town hall in Belgium in order to live in the country. Citizens of the EU, Norway,
and Iceland are allowed to work in Belgium without attaining a work permit. Non-EU
citizens must apply for a work permit in order to legally work in the country, which
your prospective employer should help you with. Keep in mind EU visa rules give
preference to people within the union first, so if you aren’t not an EU resident, it will
be harder to get a job.

The employer, not the individual, files the work permit application, and before a
permit is granted, the employer must prove that no Belgian or European Union citizen
is able to do the job. (Which makes working in the EU as a foreigner
really hard!)

Cost of Living
It all depends on where you live in Belgium. Brussels has a higher cost of living than
if you lived on the outskirts. It costs about 1,500-4,000 EUR ($2,020 – 5,408 USD) to
live in Belgium, which is usually most of a teacher’s salary. Living in the outskirts of
the city will cost you around 550 EUR ($743 USD). Electric, water and gas cost

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
155.45 EUR ($210.18 USD), and Internet costs 25-50 EUR ($33-67 USD) per month.
Cooking all your food usually costs about 160-325 EUR ($216-439 USD).

For an average priced meal in a nice restaurant with a good reputation, expect to spend
15-57 EUR ($20.28-77 USD). Fast food will cost you between 6.35-11 EUR ($8.58-
14.87 USD) a meal, although some street food vendors will only cost 1.5 – 3 EUR
($2-4 USD). You’ll have to make sure to budget when you consider your
transportation costs. Although it isn’t expensive to travel in Belgium, it does add up
when you’re taking the bus on a daily basis. A one way ticket is 1.87 EUR ($2.52
USD) and a one month pass is roughly 38.57 EUR ($40 USD).

Job Links
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
http://www.jobsabroad.com/Belgium.cfm
http://www.jobsinbrussels.com/


CHINA
General Information
China is a burgeoning market for ESL teachers, much like Japan was in the 1980s.
China is becoming a more popular destination for teachers, especially its major cities
like Hong Kong, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing, so you can expect a lot more
competition for a job. While some private institutions are just looking for native
English speakers to teach
conversational English, most universities will only hire teachers who have a
bachelor’s degree. While it is not required for short-term positions, a teaching
certificate or teaching experience is obviously preferred.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Working Conditions
The key to a successful English teaching experience in China is to be employed by a
reputable school and to negotiate a well-written contract before leaving the United
States. Private English language schools employ the most teachers but they are known
for having the highest rate of exploitation so be careful. Teachers are often required to
work 20 hours per week on split shifts and are often expected to hold office hours
during their free time. Also, many schools do not allow their teachers to work part-
time outside of the school. If you do decide to work for one of these schools, do some
investigating to ensure that the one you choose is in good standing with other teachers
who have worked there.

The better option is to teach at a university as they have standardized working
conditions, but you need a bachelor’s degree to teach here. Though the pay may be
slightly lower than a private language school, universities and public schools offer
more free time and paid vacation time, and they allow their teachers to work part-time
work outside of the
school.

On average you’ll have 25 contact hours per week with 10 hours available for
preparation.

Teacher Salary Information
A beginner teacher with a bachelor’s degree can expect to make about 3000-6800
CNY ($471.95-1069.76 USD) per month in an urban area and 5000-9,000 CNY
($786-1415 USD) per month in a more rural area. A more experienced teacher or one
with a master’s degree can make up to 15,000 CNY ($2,359.78 USD) per month,
depending on if they are teaching in a rural or urban area. You are sometimes able to
negotiate your salary or terms of employment, such as living conditions and medical
insurance. Moreover, you may be able to earn overtime pay, particularly in larger
cities.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
One thing to remember is that working conditions and salaries vary greatly in China.
Pay in the cities is much, much higher than it is in the countryside. There is even a big
difference between top cities like Beijing and middle cities like Nanjing. Rural ESL
jobs in China pay the least amount of money but the upside is that there’s virtually
nothing to do there and cost of living is cheap so you’ll save a lot of money.

Benefits
Most employers offer their teachers reimbursement for roundtrip airfare to China
along with free accommodation. Recently there has been more competition among
employers. The Chinese population is huge and there aren’t that many teachers to go
around. Competition is so great that schools offer lots of benefits to ensure they get
the best
quality teachers. You can usually get the following:
• Health insurance
• Holidays: there are 16 national holidays in China, excluding spring festival
(Chinese New Year).
For spring festival holidays different institutions have different schedules, but the
minimum holiday time should be 7 days; in colleges or universities you might
have up to a month off. All the national holidays should be paid by the employer.
• Vacations: Depending on the employer you may have 7-14 days for your vacation
per year, but private schools are more unlikly to offer you such benefit.
• Housing: All Chinese institutions offer some form of housing. The housing quality
can vary a lot – it can be an apartment, a furnished dormitory or small, single
rooms. Single rooms are usually rudimentarily furnished, heated and air-
conditioned, with a private bathroom. They are usually in a foreign housing
complex on the campus or close to school for teacher’s convenience.
• Taxes: in most cases teachers are taxed directly and the employer covers all the
taxes. But in some institutions, especially if you earn a high salary around 15000-
18000 Yuan a month, you may have to pay your own taxes. Discuss this issue with
your employer before signing the contract.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
In many public schools and universities, you even get free lunch. Sometimes there are
even completion bonuses for finishing your contract, though schools often try to get
around paying that.

Working Visa Information
The Z visa is only granted if you and the employer meet certain requirements. First,
the organization must be accredited to employ foreigners. You must meet the
requirements as a ‘foreign expert’ and the employer must obtain a certificate stating
that you comply. Teaching in China is very strictly regulated and everyone is required
to have a work visa, or “Z visa” from the Chinese embassy before arriving in the
country.

To apply for the Z visa, you or someone you trust (a personal contact, travel agency,
visa handling agency, etc.) must submit the appropriate paperwork to the Chinese
embassy in accordance with the rules of that particular embassy. Youmust submit the
following:
• A valid passport as well as a copy of its information page.
• One completed Visa Application Form (Q1)
• One recent photo of 2*2 square inch (black & white or color is acceptable) glued
or stapled on the application form.
• A visa notification issued by the authorized Chinese unit.
• An original and a photocopy of the Work Permit for Aliens issued by the Chinese
Labor Ministry or the original of Foreign Expert’s License issued by the Chinese
Foreign Expert Bureau.
• A visa notification issued by the authorized Chinese unit or proof of kinship, e.g.
marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc, is required for the accompanying family
members.

Obtaining the Z Visa:
• Step 1: Visit a Chinese embassy and get a Z-class application form and medical
check form.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Complete the forms.
• Step 2: You will need to go to a government-approved hospital to get a medical
check. This involves an x-ray and blood work. Have the doctor fill in the Chinese
medical check form, sign and stamp it.
• Step 3: You must fax or mail these forms directly to the school. With these
documents, a school can offer a letter of invitation. This procedure takes 7-10
days.
• Step 4: When you receive the letter of invitation take it and the Z-class application
forms to the Chinese embassy.
They will give you a Z-class ENTRY visa.

Cost of Living
The cost of living in China is generally very low, especially if you live like a local.
Local food and products will always be cheaper than imports. Eating local food and
buying produce from the Chinese markets gives our English teachers amazing insight
into the Chinese diet and a glimpse at traditional Eastern medicine. It also leaves them
with money in their pockets for massages and traveling. Eating in local food stalls or
restaurants can cost about 8-43 CNY ($ 1.26-6.84 USD) for three Chinese dishes plus
rice for two people. However, they do have western restaurants, which are more
expensive at about 69.9-216 CNY ($11-34 USD) for a meal.

China has excellent, yet inexpensive, public transport and even taxi rides are quite
reasonably-priced, if sometimes harrowing. Chinese people often commute by bicycle,
but this mode of transport is only for the bravest of foreigners.

Most of China’s cities have a good public transportation system, with trips usually
costing about 2.03 CNY ($0.32 USD) per trip and a monthly pass of 114.35 CNY
($17.99 USD)

Job Links:
http://jobs.echinacities.com/

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
http://www.4icj.com/cn/01-job-boards.htm
http://www.danwei.org/
http://www.rileyguide.com/internat.html
http://www.jobs-world.biz/
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/

What It’s Like To Teach In China: Part I
Sally is a writer, teacher, traveler, performer and all-around scaredy cat. She has
been working, living and traveling in Asia since 2007. She currently lives in China,
where she teaches English and blogs about cookies, pants and her fear of pretty much
everything at www.unbravegirl.com
Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
I first started teaching ESL about thirteen years ago right after I graduated from
college. I had spent my summers during college working in the UK and Ireland on
student work visas and had really fallen in love with living and working abroad. For
me this was the best way to see a country – I got to experience the culture and meet
lots of local people while making money and not having to live out of backpack.

When I graduated, I wasn’t ready to settle down and get a “real job,” plus I still
wanted to travel and live overseas some more. A professor of mine in college had
suggested I apply for the JET Program in Japan, which sets up native speakers with
jobs teaching English in public schools across the country. I ended up teaching in a
high school in this tiny little
fishing village on the coast of the Japan Sea for a year.

After a couple years of working in the States off and on and teaching overseas off and
on, I finally decided to make teaching English my “real job” and have been teaching
ESL continuously for the past five years.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
Besides my year of teaching with the JET Program in Japan, I taught for a year at a
private language school in Manaus, Brazil and for three years at a university in Kobe,

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Japan. I’m now currently teaching at a university in Wuxi, China, where I’ve been for
almost a year. Additionally, I’ve done some volunteer teaching in Nepal and Thailand,
and have taught both professionally and as a volunteer in the States.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
Prior to my first year of teaching, I didn’t have any experience at all. I had a degree in
English, but all of my coursework had been in creative writing and literature. Like
most native speakers of English, I had no idea what the grammar rules for English
were (or that we even had any!) until I had to start teaching them. Needless to say,
I’ve learned a lot of things the hard way – basically by having lots of students tell me
I’m wrong.

When I decided to make teaching my “real job,” I went back to school and got my
Master’s degree in TESOL. A lot of jobs out there don’t require that you have a
degree or certification in TESOL, but I do think having my degree has opened a lot of
doors for me and made me a much better teacher. Regardless, I still have plenty of
students tell me I’m wrong. (And, unfortunately, they’re usually right!)

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
This really depends – both on the school you’re working for and the city you work in.
From what I understand, in China, it is a government law that all native speaker
English teachers must have at least two years of experience prior to getting a job here.
The university that I work for does abide by this law when hiring teachers, but,
honestly, I’ve met plenty of people who’ve gotten jobs in China without the required
two years of experience. It can be pretty competitive in the big cities, like Shanghai or
Beijing, but in the smaller cities, like Wuxi, or more rural areas, they tend to be a bit
more flexible.

What was your experience like?
Each of my experiences teaching ESL has been drastically different.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
My first teaching experience in Japan was pretty easy. I usually only taught for an
hour or two each day, and I was teamteaching with a Japanese teacher, so if I had any
problems in the classroom or needed help translating, they were always there to help
me out.

My current job in China is definitely not such a cakewalk. I teach about four hours a
day for four days a week, and I’m totally on my own. The school hands me a syllabus
and my books at the beginning of the semester and expects me to hand in my grades at
the end of the semester, and that’s about it. This means I have a lot of autonomy in the
classroom,
which I like, but it also means I have to work a lot.

Was it easy to find work?
Finding work in China was pretty easy. I knew I wanted to teach at the university
level, and I knew I wanted to find a job that would allow me to sign up for a one-
semester contract. I found a couple job listings online that fit these criteria and I
applied. After sending in all my application materials, I did a phone interview with my
current employer and got the job.

Probably the hardest thing was all the visa paperwork, which required a full physical
and copies of my original diploma and all kinds of other stuff. In fact, I was in Asia
when I first applied for the job, but ended up going back to the States before moving
to China as it was proving really hard to take care of the visa paperwork while
overseas.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
I probably wouldn’t have left Japan so quickly the first time I was there. At the time, I
just saw teaching English as a kind of “gap year” thing. I was really determined to
spend only a year in Japan and then come home and get started with my “real life.” It
wasn’t until I had moved back to the States to live in Washington, DC, that I really
regretted my decision. In Japan, I had had a well-paid job, subsidized housing, lots of
amazing coworkers and a really great social life. Meanwhile, in DC, I had to work two

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
jobs just to be able to make my rent. After only two years of that, I was ready to ditch
my “real life” and go back overseas – that’s why I ended up in Brazil.

I probably also would have gotten my TEFL certification or gone back to get my
degree a little bit earlier. Of course, when I first started teaching, I thought I was an
awesome teacher – mostly because I had no clue that everything I was doing was
wrong. It wasn’t until I got my degree that I was like, “Oh, so that’s how you teach
this stuff.”

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
Life in China is surprisingly easy. I had heard a lot of horror stories about China from
people who had traveled here, so I was preparing myself for the worst. But I think
living here is much different from traveling here. I live in school-provided
accommodation, which is pretty cushy. The city I live in has pretty much anything you
could possibly want – from super cheap street food to huge, fancy, schmancy
Western-style shopping malls. Plus, I only live about an hour away from Shanghai, so
if I can’t find whatever I’m looking for here, I can always go to Shanghai for a
weekend and get it there.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
I’d say the hardest part about living here is meeting people to hang out with, aside
from my coworkers. In Japan, I lived in a big international city where there were tons
of other foreigners and plenty of Japanese people who were interested in making
foreign friends. There were also tons of international groups and organizations and
classes you could take, where you could meet people. I did everything from take belly
dance classes to perform in an improvisational comedy group.

Wuxi, on the other hand, is not so cosmopolitan. I’ve ended up mostly hanging out
with my coworkers, as it’s hard to meet other people here. Most of the foreigners I
meet are only here for short-term on business, and most Chinese people my age are
married and have families and can’t really hang out. Plus, the language barrier is a
problem as I don’t
speak much Chinese.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

What are your top three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
First of all, I’d definitely recommend all new teachers get some kind of TEFL training
or certification before they start teaching. Not only will this help them get a job, but
also this will make them more confident in the classroom. I really wish I had done this
before I started teaching.

Secondly, I’d suggest doing some research about the schools you’re applying to work
with. Check out the online ESL teaching forums for anything negative written about
the schools, and see if the school will let you get in touch with people who are
currently teaching with their program. Most schools are legit, but there are some
dodgy programs out there, so it’s best to do a little research before committing
yourself.

And, finally, be flexible and open to staying longer than you originally intended. I
applied for my current job because it allowed me to sign up for a one-semester
contract because I didn’t think I’d want to stay here longer than six months. I ended
up liking my job and the area I’m living in a lot more than I expected, so I signed up
for two more semesters. I’m actually kind of surprised I’ve stayed as long as I have,
but I’m glad I have. I think I’ve been able to learn a lot more about the country and
have a lot more experiences by staying longer. Who knows, I may even start learning
Chinese one of
these days!

What It’s Like To Teach In China: Part II
At the tender age of 21 with incurably itchy feet Sasha left her tourism studies and life
back home in Canberra, Australia to make life as an English teacher in China. So far
she has taught Middle Eastern Students in an international primary school in a small
rural Chinese city and taught Chinese students in Primary Schools, Middle Schools
and language schools throughout Shanghai. She is currently teaching Korean
Kindergarten Students in Shanghai.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

You can find out more about Sasha on her website http://shanghainovice.com/ or on
Twitter at @shanghainovice.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
I was in my first year of tourism studies after taking two gap years saving money and
traveling. I thought when I got back from my travels that I was ready to settle into
study, ready to settle into a career how wrong I was! I soon found myself yearning to
get away from the pile of books I was studying, away from the computer and away
from my small
home city Canberra, Australia to experience life somewhere else in the world.

Having just drained all my savings on my trip to Europe the year before it was clear
that there was know way I could afford to backpack like I wanted to, at least not with
the little the money I had. Not content with staying at home working and saving I
decide the best option was to work overseas and so it seemed the best option for a
culture enthusiast, loud and talkative person like myself was to teach English.

By the time re-enrolments for the next year of study came around I was done with my
boring stagnant life and walking down the path towards an even more boring stagnant
career. Within a week of making the decision not to continue my studies I enrolled in
a TEFL course that just so happened to include a China teaching placement service. 4
months later I arrived in the middle kingdom for what would so far be the biggest
adventure in my life!

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
When I decided to teach English in China, it never occurred to me that I would live
here for 2 years. And it certainly never occurred to me that at the tender age of 21 I
would be stuck living on a school campus with a 10pm curfew in a damp apartment
with squat toilet in a small Chinese city, where as far as I knew I was the only ‘white’
foreigner. But that is exactly how I spent my first 5 months in China. Although I loved
the small city life I felt alone and out of place and when I could stand it no longer I

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
packed up my backpack and headed to Shanghai for a life of Eastern, Western fusion
and haven’t left since!

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
When I headed off to China to teach English I hadn’t completed my studies in
tourism, I didn’t have a degree, I didn’t have any teaching experience and only had a
120hr online TEFL course certificate. In most countries they wouldn’t even consider
me but in China being a native English speaker with TEFL qualifications was more
then enough to get a job in a rural city. It was that experience in the rural city that set
me up to get a job in Shanghai.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
In China most schools require that you at least have a university degree and TEFL
certification while many are not so worried by a lack of teaching experience. In many
respects I was thankful for not having any prior teaching experience coming to China
as I was able to quickly adapt to the unique and frustrating Chinese education system
where as many teacher’s with experience in other countries found the transition a long
and difficult one.

What was your experience like?
In China by far the best thing about teaching is the students, they are so well behaved
and keen to learn. Never have I seen students have such admiration and respect for
their teacher’s. It doesn’t hurt being a foreigner you are a novelty and treated like a
rock star by the students. English class with the foreign teacher is often the most
exciting part of the school day for the students and they don’t shield their excitement.
Never have I had such and enthusiastic, warm and loud welcome reception then every
time I walk into a classroom!

But with the joys of the students comes the challenges of working within a Chinese
education system. Besides the big international school and language schools many
schools do not have much experience dealing with foreign teacher’s hence there is
often conflicting opinions on how things should be taught. An added frustration is that

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
in many cases these requirements and expectations are never made clear or even
shared with the foreign teaching staff. It’s only when you do something ‘wrong’ that
you’ll hear about these ‘requirements’ leaving you to ask both yourself and them
‘Why is
it I’m only hearing about these expectations and requirements now!’

Was it easy to find work?
China with its large population has a huge demand for English teachers. If you have a
university degree and TEFL certificate it is easy to find work in all corners of the
country particularity high paying jobs in the larger cities. If you don’t have a
university degree but have a TEFL and teaching experience you will also find finding
a job quite easy
particularly in the smaller cities although the pay will often be lower.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
One of the biggest problems I’ve experienced teaching in China is having less then
honest employers that don’t abide by the contract or worse don’t give you a contract at
all. Going back I would have been more selective with my employers, gone only for
companies that had many reputable reviews online as well as one that would allow me
to
speak to some staff members about their experiences beforehand. If I’d done it all
over again I certainly wouldn’t work fulltime without a contract!

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
When I first moved to China living on a school campus with a 10pm curfew, no
foreign friends and next to no Chinese speaking ability was a huge challenge. I felt
isolated, alone and bored. Once I moved to Shanghai life picked up. I have a nice
apartment down town, I have lots of friends both Chinese and expats. I love my life in
Shanghai with my Chinese roommate and best friend, I love my life living in my very
Chinese neighborhood where I know who to buy the best tomatoes off from at the
local market, where my nosey neighbors want to know what I’m cooking for dinner,
where the 3 year old upstairs always wants to knock on my door to say hi. But when
I’m tired of my Chinese life I can just as easily escape into expat life with western

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
restaurants, bars and clubs just 20 minutes walk away. It is the best of both worlds,
local culture with the comforts of home not to far away, what’s not to love! It is this
East meets West fusion that has made my life in Shanghai so fantastic and even more
difficult for me to ever leave!

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
China is an incredibly frustrating country for a westerner as the Chinese way is often
at loggerheads with how we do things in the West. Nothing is simple in China, things
are often made unnecessarily difficult to do and the bureaucracy you have to deal with
as a foreigner is both frustrating and downright confusing. On top of that China has a
culture that discourages open communication and this often ripples into both your
work and personal life. Often it feels like it’s impossible to ever get straight answers
and to ever find the information you’re looking for. Despite having lived in China for
nearly 2 years the communication issues is something I’ve never gotten used to and
still often struggle with in everyday life.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
1. Read up on Chinese culture. It’s so different to western culture and if you land
in China armed with an understanding it will be that much easier to adjust to all
the frustrating differences.
2. Research your future employer. Worker’s rights are pretty much non existent in
China and contracts are almost worthless. To avoid getting stuck in a job with a
bad employer do your research. Look at online forums, ask to speak to current
teachers and make sure you have a comprehensive contract.
3. Give China time! It takes time to get used to all of China’s idiosyncrasy’s but if
you give it time and do everything you can to integrate into the local culture
then maybe you will discover the China I love so much and the China you
could call home for a least a small part of your life!

What It’s Like To Teach In China: Part III

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Michael Tieso has been traveling around the world writing, photographing, and
filming his adventures for the last 3 years. He is the Editor-in-chief of Art of
Backpacking -- a website that provides stories, tips, and advice about all things
backpacking.

He writes about being a male teaching in China.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
I wanted to immerse myself in the culture and learn Chinese. It was a great
opportunity and I learned quite a lot from doing it.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I taught in Xi’an, China at a university for almost one year. It went from end of
August till end of December. Then I had January and February off for the holidays.
During that time I went traveling around Thailand and Vietnam. I had to go back at
the end of February and teach till the beginning of July.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
I don’t have a TEFL certification nor do I have a bachelors degree.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
China is desperate for teachers and many of the schools outside of Shanghai and
Beijing will probably take just about anyone from an English speaking country. I
walked into the classroom with zero teaching experience. I learned and adapted
quickly to the environment. It may have helped if I had been a qualified teacher but I
think most importantly, the teacher needs to be able to adapt. Teaching and learning
methods in China are different than the USA so I had to adapt to the culture while still
implementing some of my own methods.

There’s a certain personality that I think that’s needed to be a good teacher that can’t
be learned from qualifications. Patience is certainly one of them but also being social,

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
talkative, funny and yet serious. It’s easy to be a teacher but harder to have the
personality for it.

What was your experience like?
I had my ups and downs. Overall though, it was easy work. During my first semester,
I worked 26 hours a week. Taught in class rooms from 20 to 40 students. The second
semester I taught only 10 hours a week but since my contract required a minimum of
16 hours, I was getting paid for 16 instead of 10. They didn’t have enough classes to
assign me. I was provided material to teach with but the books ended up being useless
and unhelpful. The books were written by the school and had an incredible amount of
errors. I quickly realized that and had to throw away any lesson plans I had with the
book and do my own thing. From there, I researched lessons and games and planned
things one week at atime.

I was teaching English majors at the university oral english. Some classes did not care
whatsoever if I even came to class and showed absolutely no interest. Those classes
were always difficult to motivate but I always reminded myself that it was beyond my
control because they were notorious for being the bad class. The good classes were
beyond good. They always listened and showed the highest respect for me as a
teacher. The majority of the classes I had were like this. It was nice and definitely
made teaching much easier. At the end of the year, I received dozens of small gifts
from those students.

Was it easy to find work?
It was extremely easy. I knew I wanted to teach in China. All I did was search on
Google for teaching position and basically had a dozen or so cities to choose from. I
sent out as many emails as I could with my resume.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
I would have planned better and more interactive lesson plans. As the year went on, I
started to get better at connecting with the students and finding out which lesson plans
they liked. Since it was my first year ever teaching, I had no idea what to look for.
Eventually I figured out that they loved to be more involved. Although they wanted to

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
participate, the Chinese are typically very shy so I had to figure out a way to break
that barrier and make them feel more comfortable. One of the many cultural lessons I
learned and what I mean by adapting to the environment while teaching.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
It was never boring. I lived on the University campus with seven other foreign
teachers and about thirty minutes from downtown. We were the only foreigners in the
area. The town was as local as it could possibly get. No English at all at any of the
stores or restaurants. The people were extremely friendly and helpful. I was never an
inconvenience for not knowing enough of the language. It was definitely an
experience that was totally different from when I had backpacked around China the
year prior. I was forced to eat the local food (Chinese food is delicious) and entertain
myself the ways
the Chinese did like going to KTV’s (Karaoke). If I wanted pizza or to meet other
foreigners, it was simple enough to take a taxi or bus downtown but since it was thirty
minutes away, I generally stayed within the neighborhood.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
I’ve never been so popular in my life. I was asked out on a date by a student on the
first day of class, which was all women (40 of them). At first, it was an overwhelming
amount of attention. I could not walk anywhere without someone saying “hello” to
me. That was probably the only word they knew. It was more like being a celebrity.

Another major thing is the lack of organization and corruption. The cultural
differences were sometimes frustrating. Once they tried to get rid of of my days off by
making me work on Sundays. My contract specifically said that I was to have
weekends off. I knew this but they seemed to have forgotten this. They were baffled
why I would ever complain and battle to have my day off when I’m given the
opportunity to work and earn more money. Typically, the Chinese teachers would be
grateful and willing to work as many hours as possible while I wanted to work less
and just chill out.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Chinese schools work by quantity and not by quality. They want as many students as
possible to enter their school and graduate. No matter how hard I tried, I could never
fail a student. Even if I had failed a student, the student would be passed anyway by
their Chinese teachers. It was impossible for a foreigner to fail a student. Grades
meant almost
nothing. The only thing it actually meant was the student being disappointed but they
moved onto the next grade anyway.

It was these cultural differences that sometimes made things difficult.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
1. DO IT! Stop thinking about it. It was one of the best things I have ever done in
my life. You’ll learn more things about yourself than this book could ever
describe to you. There’s really no risk in doing it. If you don’t like it and it’s
not for you, just go home. Don’t worry about the contract. It’s not prison.
Worst case scenario is that you pay for your plane ticket. That’s it.
2. Memorize the contract. Look through it as much as possible. Make sure you
fully understand what’s expected of you and them. Overtime, pay, vacation,
flights – look through it all.
3. Learn as much as you can of the local language before you leave. It goes a long
way. It’s difficult to study without someone being around to help you but
something is better than nothing. Take language courses during your first
month in China or wherever you are. Whether you choose to further study the
language or not is up to you but it will definitely help you teach better. You
don’t need to know a single word but it just makes life easier.

CZECH REPUBLIC
General Information

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Considered the corporate hub of the old “Eastern Block,” tourism is up in Czech
Republic, and with it the need for English teachers has grown. Instructors flock to the
largest cities (Prague, Plzen, Brno) because jobs are abundant and there is a laid-back
culture of young people. Czech Republic is one of more popular teaching destinations
because teachers are paid a good wage teaching business professionals. Younger
learners must complete a required English proficiency exam in school.

Working Conditions
Competition for English teaching jobs in Prague is intense and there are many
teachers looking for employment at any one time. However, demand does outstrip
supply and teaching English in the Czech Republic is still a teachers’ market. Having
been offered a job, do expect your timetable to be quite small initially, as schools like
to evaluate teachers before giving them a full time schedule. A native English speaker
with a bachelor’s degree and a few months of tutoring experience still stands a chance
even in Prague. Competition among teachers and schools in Prague is fierce, with
literally thousands of teachers offering courses at the same time. Teachers have to
prove their experience to private students and may have to wait several months to get
a full class load.

In East or North Bohemia and in Northern Moravia, the students will knock down
your door, even if you haven’t graduated from college. Most teachers live in Prague
and with so few elsewhere, you’ll find that you have a better market and better
working conditions outside the city as they try to retain teachers there.

The easiest places to look for jobs are the numerous private language schools, some of
which will even pay health insurance and get foreigners a “green card,” the little green
book that awards foreigners the right to live and work in the Czech Republic. A few
established schools are the Caledonian School, Languages at Work, and Elvis. The
other way is to teach private lessons. The best way to get private students is to post
advertisements in business newspapers, on the bulletin board outside the local British
Council, or at upscale hangouts. Czech language skills will be a major asset in dealing
with beginning students.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

Teacher Salary Information
Foreign teachers receive a salary of around 13,000 - 18,000 Czech crowns per month
before taxes and deduction of mandatory medical and social insurance payments.
While the salary is sufficient for living in the Czech Republic, it will not be enough,
for example, to travel around Western Europe.

A teacher in the Czech Republic will make around $600-900 USD for the usual work
week of 25hours, on average. However, if you are better qualified or perform well,
some schools may pay more. In the city of Prague, salaries can sometimes be double
what they pay in smaller towns. Also, depending on your total earnings, you should
anticipate paying 15-25% of your income in taxes.

Benefits
Teachers here get paid holidays, sick days, and health insurance. Some programs
reimburse the airfare after the contract is over. Housing is a benefit that is sometimes
included in ESL teacher contracts. When not included, assistance to find
accommodations is sometimes offered.

Working Visa Information
You need both a work permit and a residency visa to legally teach English in the
Czech Republic. It is a long process, so it’s best to give yourself about six months for
the application process. You need to first find an employer who will issue you a work
permit, and then apply for a residency visa. This must be done outside of the Czech
Republic, usually in the embassy closest to your home country. However if you are
already in the Czech Republic, you can do several visa runs to complete the
paperwork to nearby countries like Austria or Slovakia.

Typical process for getting a work visa in the Czech Republic:
• The applicant secures a contract with a legitimate school.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
• The employer initiates obtaining a work permit on behalf of the applicant through
the local.
Employment Administration Office.
• Required documentation must be legalized and verified.
• Required documentation must be translated into the Czech language and verified at
the embassy consulate.
• Once a work permit is obtained, application for a work visa is made through the
applicant’s local Czech embassy or consulate.
• The visa application is processed by the Ministry of the Interior.
• When approved by the Ministry of the Interior, the visa is entered into the
applicant’s passport and returned to him/her.
• Upon arrival in the Czech Republic, visa holders must report to the Czech
Foreigners Police Office within three days.

Applying for your residency visa is not easy, and your application may be delayed or
rejected a number of times before being issued, which is why you should allow
yourself time for this to be completed. In order to apply for the residency visa, you
will need both a notarized work permit from your employer in the Czech Republic and
a signed lease document for where you will be living. Everything must be translated
into Czech and notarized. Once your residency visa has been approved, you can pick it
up at the embassy.

The residency visa is only valid for the employer for which your work permit was
issued. Once it has been issued, you cannot change jobs. If you quit or lose your job,
your residency visa will become invalid and you must leave the Czech Republic
within one month.

Cost of Living Guide
While salaries in large city centers can be much higher than what they are elsewhere
in smaller centers, so too are accommodations. A one-bedroom flat in Prague, or other
city center, can cost between 8,100-14,000 CZK per month; the same flat in smaller
centers can range between 7,250–10,500 CZK per month.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Accommodations can cost around 7,528-13,174 CZK ($400-700 USD) per month for
a room in a shared house. You can also get a fully furnished room for around
6,455.60-10,125.70 ($343-538 USD), which includes utilities and an Internet
connection.

A week’s worth of groceries should cost about 683.57 CZK ($36.32 USD). Food and
entertainment is also inexpensive, with a full meal and a beer at a restaurant costing
about 143.98 CZK ($7.65 USD), a movie costing about 154.52 CZK ($8.21 USD),
drinks at a bar costing about 41.97 CZK ($2.23 USD).

Public transportation is affordable in the Czech Republic. There are a number of great
options for public transportation in the Czech Republic, with Prague having one of the
best systems in all of Europe. You can travel anywhere in the city with a monthly
metro pass for only 530.37 CZK ($28.18 USD). Individual tickets are available at
metro stations for 21.83 CZK ($1.16 USD).

Job Links
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
http://www.teachabroad.com/search/czech-republic
http://www.expats.cz/prague/f-51.html
http://www.englishtc.co.uk/tefl-tesol-jobs/czech-republic/
http://www.escapeartist.com/czech/jobs.html



DUBAI
General Information
Although the national curriculum of Dubai requires English to be taught as a second
language, native English-speakers are rarely found in the state education system.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Instead, teachers are found in language schools and universities. Jobs are usually
advertised in the teaching profession’s publications and national newspaper
supplements.

Working Conditions
There are a large number of private schools in Dubai, catering mainly to the needs of
the expatriate population. Englishis generally the language used for all lessons. As
well as being popular with Dubai nationals, private language schools are sometimes
used by expatriate workers from various countries to improve their English. If you
choose to work in one, remember that the hours can be long and classes are usually at
night. Foreign international language schools, such as Berlitz, have branches in Dubai.
They often require that their teachers attend their own teacher training courses to learn
the particular teaching methods of that language school.

Private English lessons are popular in Dubai and therefore a significant source of
employment. Many of the teachers offering them are ‘moonlighting’ from their full-
time employment in schools and colleges, private lessons being a lucrative way to
supplement their income. The demand for private English lessons is to some extent
seasonal, more people wanting them in the run-up to the examination season. There’s
another peak of demand when exam results are published, from those who have failed
and need to improve their skills for exam retakes. Study advertisements for tutors in
local newspapers, the yellow pages and on notice boards in clubs and sporting
institutions, or post advertisements yourself. Preference is given to male teachers or
teachers with families.

The working week is Sunday to Thursday with a handful of schools having an early
finish on Thursday.

Teacher Salary Information
Depending on your host school, you can expect to work about 40-48 hours in an
average work week in Dubai, with Thursdays and Fridays as the weekend (Friday is

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
the Muslim day of rest). The average salary for an English teacher is about 8,080-
11,018 AED ($2,200-3,000 USD) per month. With this salary, you are able to live
comfortably here and even save some money as well. You can also tutor lessons
privately for extra money, but this requires formal consent. If you have a master’s
degree as well as a lot of experience, you can expect to get a job that pays even more
than that. Teachers can earn up to 220,000 AED ($60,000 USD) per year here. (All of
which is tax free!)

Benefits
Teaching in the UAE gives you a lot of benefits. In fact, they have some of the best
benefit packages in the ESL world. You’ll get:
• Monthly Tax Free Salary
• Paid Round-Trip Airfare
• Free Housing
• Health Care
• Vacation time
• End of Service Bonus Payment

Working Visa Information
Applying for a visa in Dubai is extremely rigorous and firm, and the entire process
generally takes about one to three months. If your visa application is denied, it is
almost impossible to appeal. Most companies that hire internationally have what they
call “fixers,” which are people who help you throughout the entire visa application
process. Whenever you visit a department regarding your visa application, your
“fixer” should always be there as well. The government requires that all foreign
teachers coming to live and teach in the emirate have their qualifications attested.
What this means is that you have to take all your certificates to a public notary in your
home country before you leave for Dubai.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Foreign teachers are legally required to get a residence visa and labor card in order to
teach in Dubai, and most jobs are offered to men. Foreign teachers must undergo an
intensive medical exam in order to apply for a residence visa.

A work permit is not the same as a residency visa. The residency visa allows you to
live in Dubai and the UAE for a period of time (usually 3 years). To work in Dubai,
you also need to apply for a work permit or labor card. Usually the company you work
for will arrange both work permits and residency visas for you and your family, and
will explain to you what documents you need.

Cost of Living Guide
Dubai is an exciting city with some fabulous restaurants and great night activities, but
it is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in and can quickly eat up
your income. The cost of living in the country is increasing and inflation is growing.
The dirham is currently pegged to the US dollar.

A number of schools will offer accommodation for their teachers but if you have to
find your own accommodation, rent costs are about 2,000-6000 AED ($544-1633
USD) per month, and utilities would cost about 459 AED ($125 USD).

Dining in a local food stall in Dubai costs about 10-100 AED ($2.7-27.22 USD),
while dining in a western-style restaurant costs about 150 AUD ($40.83 USD), and
having some drinks and snacks in a pub or club costs about 100-500 AED ($27.22-
136.12 USD). Monthly costs for groceries should cost about 400-1,600 AED
($108.90-435.61 USD).

The best public transportation in Dubai is the taxi, which will cost 1.61 AED ($0.44
USD) per kilometer. There’s a lot of traffic in the city and a typical cab ride is usually
around 100 AED ($27.22 USD). Public buses will cost 5.87 AED ($1.60 USD) for a
long trip. If you want to drive yourself, you can choose to rent a car for 60-100 AED
($16.33-27.22 USD) per day, with the nicer models being more expensive.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Job Links
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
http://www.jobsindubai.com/TeachingEnglishJobsInDubai.asp?lstIndustryID=10
http://www.eslemployment.com/location/esl-jobs-Dubai-US.html

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

FRANCE
General Information
The romance of Paris and the beauty of the Loire Valley castles, the French Riviera
and the Alps, the scars of Lille and the glitter of Nice: these are just a few examples of
what attract millions of visitors each year. The country is internationally renowned for
fine dining, and unbeatable romance makes this a very popular ESL teaching
destination, especially for those wishing to live in Paris. However, France doesn’t put
a high priority on learning English so there aren’t many jobs around.

Working Conditions
Teachers can be required to work in the language school or away from it depending on
if classes are held on company premises. This can also mean a lot of travelling from
company to company, so a car is essential as buses or trams might not always go
where you need to be. For full-timers, the ratio is 35 hours paid for 25 hours taught,
i.e. ten hours of preparation. People want classes after work or at weekends. A teacher
must be very flexible to accommodate students and company schedules. This can
mean starting very early and finishing very late, sometimes with big gaps in the
middle of the day.

You need at least 4,800 EUR ($6,000 USD) with you when you go, as most landlords
are reluctant to rent to foreigners and will require a two months’ advance deposit. It
can take months to open a French bank account, since you need your carte de sejour,
or long-stay visa, before a bank will let you open a new account. Having extra funds
available is essential.

Telephone lessons are very popular among French businessmen and women, who may
not have time in their busy schedules for a 2-hour face-to-face lesson, but can

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
generally squeeze in a 30-minute phone call a couple of times a week with a native
English teacher. Teachers with Business English experience and knowledge of French
will have the pick of the jobs. Along with the hundreds of private language schools in
Paris, English lessons are frequently organized through the municipal City Halls and
through the Chamber of Commerce in most French towns.

Teacher Salary Information
In France, salaries can vary greatly for English teachers. For freelance teachers in
public schools and English institutions, the average pay is about 15-38 EUR ($20.28-
51.37 USD) per hour, while for contracted teachers, the average pay is about 1,400 –
2,000 EUR ($1,600-2,300 USD) per month. Though it is not common, you can
sometimes offer private tutoring lessons and earn an extra 28-35 EUR ($37-51.37
USD) per hour. Also, taxes and health insurance will take about 25% of your income.

Teaching English in France is not a good way to make money. In a good month you
could work 100 hours, but in slow periods like January and August you may only
work 10-20 hours for the entire month. Usually, this averages out to be about 1,000 –
1,300 EUR ($1,300-1,600 USD) a month, which is enough to cover basic living
expenses if you don’t live too extravagantly. Don’t expect to save money or send
money home.

Benefits
In France, you will get healthcare (50% deductible) and paid holidays. However, don’t
count on anything more.

Working Visa Information
While citizens of the EU are permitted to live and work in France, non-EU citizens
must submit a considerate amount of paperwork and go through the French
government. Teachers who are not EU citizens must apply for a “visa du long sejour”,
or a long-term visa, from your home country, and once you have this visa, you can
travel to France and begin working immediately. Once you arrive in France, you will

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
have to go through a medical exam through immigration. Once it is determined that
you don’t have any serious health issues, you will receive a “carte de sejour” or a
residence card.

French officials will prefer to hire a citizen of France for any position including
teaching English. The next preference would be given to a European Union passport
holder. If no one qualifies they would consider granting a visa to a citizen of a non-EU
nation. After finding a job, the company will fill out the paperwork needed to gain a
French work permit. If accepted, this application would provide the ESL teacher with
a ‘visa de long séjour’ (long-stay visa) and the ability to live in France, but not work.
Those whom have been granted a ‘visa de long séjour’ can apply for a carte de séjour
(residence). A TESOL/TESL/TEFL graduate must prove that they posses unique skills
no other ESL teacher in Europe would typically have that would be of value to a
French company.

Since it is difficult for non-EU citizens to find positions teaching English in France,
most of these people find the job at home with an international or French company
that has branches in France. This is the easiest way to do it since the company will be
able to sponsor you and you will receive your work permit much quicker.

Cost of Living Guide
Just like the rest of Europe, the cost of living in France is particularly high –
especially if you will settle in a major city like Paris. However, you can more than
make up for it in the salary that you will earn, especially if you work full hours or take
on extra English teaching jobs.

Accommodations in Paris are very expensive. To rent a room in a shared apartment,
it’s 300 EUR ($405 USD) for electricity, water, Internet, and telephone. Renting a
private apartment would cost about 1000 EUR ($1352 USD) per month, plus utilities.
Dining in France is expensive. A three-course dinner in a restaurant will cost about
30-65 EUR ($40-87 USD) per person, though fast food, obviously much cheaper, can
range from 6 EUR ($8 USD) for a hamburger to 8.50 EUR ($11 USD) for pizza.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
However, if you shop and eat like the locals do, French food can range from 1 ($1.3
USD) for a baguette to 3 EUR ($4.05 USD) for a croque-monsieur. Monthly groceries
will probably cost about 240 – 425 EUR ($324-574 USD).

Job Links
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
http://www.gonomad.com/alternatives/0403/teachinginparis.html
http://www.teflcourse.net/tefl-jobs/countryjob_list.php?country=France
http://www.fusac.com/
http://www.esljobs.com/teach-english/france/


GERMANY
General Information
English teachers are always in high demand in Germany, as they have close business
relations to many English-speaking nations and there are a lot of open positions in
their universities. Also, Germany doesn’t have a lot of the restrictions that some other
countries might, so it’s fairly easy and straightforward to find a job and become an
English teacher here.

To teach here, you must have a TEFL certificate and be a native English speaker
(those from the US and England are given preference). Also, if you know you’ll be
staying for at least one year, you should be able to find a job without a problem.
Schools in the smaller cities are usually in need of English teachers more than the
larger cities, so it should be easier to find work there.

Working Conditions

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
English teaching jobs in Germany are not known for their great wages, but most ESL
teachers come to Germany for the experience, not for a large paycheck. Many ESL
teachers in Germany have found more success applying to teach in smaller cities. The
German school year is similar to America. The school year is divided into two
semesters and children have a summer vacation which usually ends in the middle of
August. The best time to apply for an ESL teaching position at a public school is at the
end of the summer or during Christmas vacation.

Private classes are usually taught early in the morning and after business hours until
around 9:00 pm at night. Teachers in Germany are often hired to give one-on-one
English tutoring to students of all ages and backgrounds. If an ESL teacher does offer
private lessons, they must be sure to keep track of all earnings and expenditures as
they will be charged more tax for owning a business.

Teacher Salary Information
English teachers in Germany are usually paid very well, usually the equivalent of
about 17-22 EUR ($22-29 USD) per hour which, if you teach 20 classroom hours per
week, provides a good income. Salaries start at around 1500-2500 EUR ($ 2,028 to
$3,380 USD) per month when it is all said and done. Most teachers here work on a
freelance basis, but be careful because you will pay a lot in taxes, so make sure you
speak to your employer and factor that into your income calculations so you’re not
struggling. However, if you can find a school that will officially hire you on a full-
time basis,
your taxes should be more reasonable. Experienced teachers working directly for
companies can expect to earn two or three times as much, but they shouldn’t forget all
the travel time involved in getting to their courses.

Benefits
Like elsewhere in Europe, you’ll only really receive health insurance and paid
vacation.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Work Visa Information
To work in Germany, you will need to have a work permit and a residency permit.
You will need to have a job offer from a German company in writing, and then take
that to the local registration office where they will give you a three month working
visa while the rest of your visa documents are processed. Citizens of the US and UK
only need to have
a residency permit to work in Germany. To obtain a residency permit, you need to
have your three-month work permit, proof of employment, a German address, proof of
health insurance, and proof of payment into a pension fund. Once you submit these
things to the registry office, you will be able to receive your residency permit.
Remember E.U. visa rules requires them to give preference to citizens within the
union first, making it difficult for people from non-E.U. English speaking countries to
find work, though it is easier in Germany than in other parts of Europe.

Documents Needed for German Work Visa
• All areas of the application completed; when applying in the United States
applicants will need to fill two applications.
• Two passport photos.
• If applying in Germany, be sure to have evidence of a German address available.
• A letter from the applicant’s future employer stating that a job has been offered; be
sure to fill out the matching work permit application (part of the visa, not a
separate card like in many EU nations).
• Bring recent and past tax information, bank statements, and other financial
documents that show a healthy money situation.
• The public health system rarely covers Americans; bring evidence of private health
insurance which is going to provide full coverage while working in Germany.
• Bring cash to pay for the application.
• Any additional documentation which was requested before the application
appointment.

Cost of Living

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Germany is relatively inexpensive compared to other places in Europe. Cost of living,
even in big cities like Berlin and Munich. All in all for accommodation, food, leisure,
etc.1,500 EUR per month is a realistic amount, depending on where and how you
choose to live. A two-course meal in an average restaurant costs between €25 and €50
per person, including a glass of beer or wine. Drinks prices (even nonalcoholic ones)
can run surprisingly high, even in basic eateries. Eating out doesn’t have to take a
huge bite out of your budget, however, as long as you stick to cafés and casual
restaurants where you’ll get meals for under €10. Generally, prices in supermarkets
are a bit lower than in the UK, USA and Australia. Museum admission ranges from
€0.50 for small local history museums to €10 for international-caliber art museums,
even more for blockbuster exhibits.

Car-hire costs vary; expect to pay around €45 a day for a medium-sized new car.
Driving is the most comfortable and convenient mode of getting around the country,
although in cities parking may be elusive and expensive. One day Metro Ride costs
€2.29 and €55.07 for the monthly pass.

Job Links
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
http://www.esljobfind.com/
http://www.toytowngermany.com/jobs/
http://www.esljobs.com/teach-english/germany/
http://www.jobsabroad.com/search/germany

What It’s Like To Teach In Germany
Before setting off to travel the world as one of half of GlobetrotterGirls.com, Jessica
Ainlay lived abroad in four countries, working in each of the four (Costa Rica,
Guatemala, Germany and the United Kingdom) as a teacher of English as a Second
Language for seven years. Here she provides insight on being a teacher in Germany:

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
I had already taught English in Central America, so when I moved to Germany, I
knew I would continue to teach English there.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I taught in a town called Erfurt, Germany at two language schools for exactly three
years.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
I have a Bachelor’s in the Teaching of Spanish, a TEFL certificate (Teaching English
as a Foreign Language) and had taught English for two years already in Central
America.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
Regarding qualifications, that depends on what school you teach at and in what city.
In order to acquire the work visa, you need to prove you can provide a service that no
native German can – native English speakers pass that requirement for English
teaching every time. However, you have to have a signed work contract to get the
work visa (seems backwards, but that is how it works), and it was required at my
language school that all teachers have a Bachelor’s Degree (any subject) from a
qualified university before a contract of employment was issued.

I had no problem in Erfurt getting or extending my work visa, but there are not many
native English speakers. In places like Berlin, Cologne, Munich or Frankfurt,
however, the competition is more intense and jobs/visas are harder to come by.

In terms of experience, that varies by the school. I taught part-time at Berlitz, which
has the exact same curriculum in every country, meaning, for example, Level 2
Chapter 5 page 4 is exactly the same no matter where you teach. Because all lesson
plans are already written for you, there is no real need to have previous experience. At
other schools, however, teaching experience was necessary as creating effective lesson
plans was a major part of the job.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
What was your experience like?
I loved teaching English in Erfurt, and it was a life-changing experience to say the
least. I found it was difficult to get used to the students’ different learning style at first
(very much rule/grammar-oriented rather than a playful willingness to make mistakes
that I depend on for language teaching) but I ended up learning as much about
Germany and German people as they learnt English from me.

Was it easy to find work?
Because I had a BA in Language teaching and prior experience, I had two jobs within
four weeks of moving to Germany. Some people with less experience had a harder
time finding enough hours, though getting the work contract was rarely an issue.
Language schools always want more native speakers on the payroll to fill in, but
sometimes there wasn’t a lot of work to go around. You need a bit of hustle and charm
to get the hours, but I would imagine that while it might be harder in some of
Germany’s bigger cities to get your foot in the door, there is always work for English
teachers.

What advice would you give to first time teacher on finding a well paying
job and navigating the application process?
The most well-known language schools will not pay you a high hourly wage, but,
especially at first, you need to work with them. The schools have clout for the visa,
they have an abundance of hours and it will get you into a good rhythm to understand
what different students want. I did not teach at a high school or university. If I were to
teach in Germany again, I would consider a university but not a high school, as
Universities can pay very well, but high schools could offer you a monthly salary as
low as $900 a month and forbid you to work at any other school. Once you have put in
due diligence and you have gotten into the swing of things in Germany, you will find
that students are often unsatisfied by group classes, and that one-on-one instruction is
too expensive. Off the record – you can make very good money in Germany by
offering cash only private or group classes – conversation or full-on
grammar/writing/etc. This is off the record because it is not exactly street legal, and of
course I never did this, but many, many English teachers do this to supplement their
income.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

In terms of the application process in Germany – think formal. In Germany the
application process for any job is an extremely formal affair. A resume in German is
called a ‘Lebenslauf ‘– literally your life history. This means you need to prepare a
resume with information like your high school (with grades), your university – exactly
what you studied and your grades, and every job you have had since graduated. They
view a year or two gap as holes, or times that you were unemployed. So if you in fact
were unemployed between April and September one year, do what you can to connect
the dots so, if possible, there are no gaps.

Next, you need to include all related documents in your application. A copy of your
university diploma and transcripts, a teaching certificate if you have a degree in
Education, high school diploma if relevant, any and all TEFL or English Teaching
course diplomas, copies of your passport, the application if they have asked you to fill
out one, a cover letter and a resume – which needs to have a picture either attached or
actually printed out with it in the upper right or left corner. Your resume and cover
letter can be in English (most managers at least understand written English well
enough), but consider translating job titles or degrees that are specific, especially if
this would be relevant for current job application.

Lastly, in Germany there are so many documents in a job application, that you must
include them all in a folder. Go to any store that sells school and office supplies and
look for ‘Bewerbungsmappen’,or specific job application folders. You will find any
number of colors, sizes and prices. My advice is not black or red, thick, and somehow
slightly different to the others. Germans are well aware of how differently job
interviews are run in the U.S. / Britain / Australia, so they won’t fault you for not
doing things the same way, but getting this process done correctly will make you
shine, and reflects that you understand how things are done in Germany – which will
absolutely make a positive impression.

Dress well, ranging from business casual to a full suit if you would like. The interview
will take place in English, and there will most likely be a German and a native English
speaker in the interview. Be likeable, but remember that your qualifications and

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
degrees are what is the most important, so make sure to give as much hard proof as
possible as
to your experience. Expect to find out in a timely matter whether you have gotten the
job. Only after you have been offered a contract will you be able to apply for a work
visa, so it is critical that this entire process be finished within three months – as you
only get a 90 day tourist visa upon entry.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
I would have charged more per hour! I have learned over the years that you have to
value yourself and turn down jobs that don’t pay enough. Working as a freelancer
means you are paid for your time in class, but not all the extra hours grading and
preparing outside of school hours. I earned a fairly good salary, but when all the real
hours I spent doing job-related work were averaged together, I was making about 8
Euros an hour. I want students who want me to care, work hard planning and grade
fairly, so they have to be willing to pay the price for an engaged teacher who actually
gets them to speak English!

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
At first, not speaking a word of German, life was tough. As I said, there aren’t many
English speakers where I lived, so friendships were limited in the beginning.
However, after a while, I learned German and made many more local friends. People
always say that at first, it is hard to break in to a German social circle, but once you
do, you have friends for life. I found this to be 100% the case. I also loved all the
festivities like Oktoberfest and the Christmas markets, and most of all I love German
food!

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
I taught English while the Bush administration was in power, and I had a handful
students throughout the years who were initially very unhappy to be learning English
from an American. They didn’t want the accent (which, as beginners it is almost
impossible to pick up anyway!) and they wanted to learn about British, not American,
culture. This wasn’t everyone, of course, but even students who had no real problem
with my being American were quick to get into political debates about what we

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Americans were doing overseas and at home. Basically, I found it difficult to be an
unofficial ambassador to the U.S., especially because I also lived abroad and had a
hard time making sense of many of
the policies myself.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
1. Get a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification before
trying to teach English in Germany. In my case, even with experience
(including a year teaching in Germany already) and a BA in language teaching,
I was required by one school to take a 10 week TEFL course. Germans are very
big on documentation and paperwork, so even if you don’t technically need it,
a TEFL qualification will get or keep your foot in the door.
2. Don’t worry too much about not speaking German. I found that when I actually
couldn’t translate a quick work/sentence into German, the students had to work
harder to understand English and learned in a deeper, more lasting way.
Eventually you will pick up the language and while it is faster to just translate a
quick point, it actually doesn’t help the students learn.
3. Try your luck at some of the bigger language schools first, like Berlitz. It is
very difficult to get a job teaching in an actual elementary or high school (plus
the pay is worse). Starting off at a well-known language school teaching
business English or general evening classes, even if they only have ten or
fifteen hours a week available, will be enough to cover your costs while you
look for additional work at smaller schools. Eventually, most English teachers
have two to four schools who give them steady work every month. You will
have to notify the ‘Foreigner Office’ and have your visa updated to include
each school, but as long as you continue to prove that no native German could
take the job because it requires a native English speaker, you should get
permission to teach at each school as requested.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

GUATEMALA
General Information
There is a high demand among Guatemalans to learn English. Some students are just
out of high school and need to show proficiency in English as a second language to be
accepted into the university. However, while the desire to learn English is strong, the
resources are not always there. It’s hard to find teachers, most schools don’t have the
money to hire ESL teachers, and parents might not have the money to pay for private
tutoring.

Finding work in Guatemala City will require a lot of careful planning. The standard of
living is low. On a more positive note, cost of living is also low. Work visas are hard
to get so most foreigners work on a tourist visa. If you have a lot of experience and a
TEFL, finding work will be a lot easier.

Working Conditions
Hiring usually occurs during the spring months for the fall terms. Hours of work vary
from school to school and benefits depend upon qualifications. Schools prefer
qualified teachers but will provide training if necessary. The maximum class size is
20, with no private lessons offered. Full-time positions involve about 25 contact hours
per week. Resources vary from good to almost non-existent, so it’s best to be
prepared.

Teacher Salary Information
English teachers in Guatemala usually earn between 4,287-6,236 GTQ ($550-800
USD) per month, with language schools paying around 15.59-38.97 GTQ ($2-5 USD)
per hour, private tutoring of students paying around 38.97-62.36 GTQ ($5-8 USD) per
hour, and private tutoring employees of larger companies paying around 77.95-140.31

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
GTQ ($10-18 USD) per hour. Also, many of the schools provide free Spanish lessons
for English teachers along with training and teaching resources. On a typical teacher’s
salary, you’ll pay about 17% of your salary as income tax.

Benefits
You don’t get many benefits here. A lot of schools will offer free Spanish lessons and
some of the chain language schools or overseas exchange programs might provide
housing and limited vacation pay. Usually the following benefit package is available
for foreign teachers:
• Visa Renewal Sponsorship
• Week holiday plus Travel Stipend
• Free Spanish Lessons
As many positions are effectively voluntary, you will often be able to give lessons in
exchange for accommodation and food. Otherwise, you’ll probably have to stay in a
hostel, which starts at about $5 for a basic room.

Working Visa Information
You must obtain both a residence visa and a work permit to teach English in
Guatemala legally. US, Canadian, and EU citizens can visit Guatemala for up to 90
days without a visa, while citizens of other countries must apply for a visa to visit.

Often times, teachers will travel to Guatemala on their tourist visa, find a job once
there, and then have their visa status changed once they receive their work permit. To
get a work permit, you need:
• Solid job offer and declaration of responsibility from employer
• Resume/CV translated into Spanish
• Police record of good conduct from your home country
• Certificate from your country’s passport authority confirming your passport’s
validity
You must acquire a residence visa before you can receive your work permit in
Guatemala, and applications for both of these must go through the Ministry of Labor

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
in Guatemala. Your employer will be your sponsor for these visas, and they will assist
you and submit your paperwork to the Ministry of Labor on your behalf. Both the
residence visa and work permit are valid for one year and are able to be renewed.

Cost of Living Guide
Guatemala is quite inexpensive to live in. To rent a room in a shared apartment, it
would cost only about 974.43-1,948.87 GTQ ($125-250 USD) per month, plus
utilities, which cost about 39.52 GTQ ($5.07 USD). You can also find a fully
furnished in a safer area of town for about 2,182.74-6,236.4 GTQ ($280-800 USD)
per month, including telephone, drinking water, and laundry services, plus utilities.
Shared accommodations can run at slightly cheaper rates.

Dining out in Guatemala at a high-end restaurant, including a glass of wine, costs
about 233.86 GTQ ($30 USD) per person. Dinners are generally four plates, including
wheat or corn flour tortillas, rice, corn, beans, fruit juice, and fruit for dessert. A fast
food meal is obviously less expensive at about 31.18-37.02 GTQ ($4-4.75 USD).
Eating at home is always a good way to spend less, and you can get many reasonably
priced, fresh, locally grown fruits, such as a dozen bananas for 6.2 GTQ ($0.80 USD),
a pound of strawberries for 3.11 GTQ ($0.40 USD), and lemons and limes costing less
than 7.79 GTQ ($1 USD). You can also get a quart of milk for 10.83 GTQ ($1.39
USD), soda for 6.47 GTQ ($0.83 USD), and a bottle of beer for 10.75 GTQ ($1.38
USD).

Public transportation in Guatemala is also very cheap. An hour’s bus ride costs only
about a dollar, while short trips are just GTQ1.50 (US$0.20). Another means of
traveling within Guatemala are the “Tuk-tuk”, or three wheeled taxis.

Guatemalan Pullman Buses are also accessible and fares are priced at GTQ75
(US$10) for a 6-hour ride in a first class bus and (US$7) for a second class trip.

Job Links

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
http://www.esljobfind.com/
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/teaching_english_in_guatem
ala_resources.shtml
http://www.learn4good.com/jobs/language/english/list/country/guatemala/
http://www.esljobs.com/teach-english/guatemala/

What’s It’s Like To Teach In Guatemala
Before setting off to travel the world as one of half of GlobetrotterGirls.com, Jessica
Ainlay lived abroad in four countries, working in each of the four (Costa Rica,
Guatemala, Germany and the United Kingdom) as a teacher of English as a Second
Language for seven years. She has already provided her insight into teaching English
in Germany and know talks life as a teacher in Guatemala and living in Central
America:

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
I had visited Antigua, Guatemala during my Junior year abroad in Costa Rica and
desperately wanted to move there after graduation. I had a degree in Spanish teaching,
but since teaching Spanish to native speakers was out of my range, I decided to teach
English instead.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I taught at a bilingual school just outside of Antigua, Guatemala for one school year,
and did private classes both before and after, for just under two years total.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
I had a Bachelor’s in the Teaching of Spanish - Grades 9-12, but in Guatemala I
taught 4th and 5th graders. I had also worked as a day camp counselor for five
summers in the U.S., but while I was familiar with the age group, I was teaching them
not only English language lessons, but Math, Reading, Science, Spelling and Creative
Writing. It was intense, and I think I (re)learned as much about science as the kids did!


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
In Guatemala, people who want to teach English do not necessarily need any
qualifications. I was the only English teacher during my time there with a degree in
education. Some schools require it, but others are more interested in the authentic
experience students get from native speakers. The deeper your bag of tricks, the better,
especially with younger kids who need new activities every 10-15 minutes. Having
said that, the only way to really become a good teacher is through experience, so it’s
not bad to just jump right in and start teaching. The kids absolutely love foreigners
and most want to impress you, so you have an advantage there!

What was your experience like?
Teaching at the bilingual school in Antigua was totally rewarding. There was a lot of
work involved - seven hours per day at school were followed by hours planning and
grading throughout the week, so balancing my normally uber-active social life was not
easy, but even years later I can still name every student in both my 4th and 5th grade
classes.

Was it easy to find work?
Because I had a degree, it was super easy to find work in Guatemala and especially in
the foreigner-friendly town of Antigua. The locals there witness daily the increased
opportunities within the tourism industry for those with a command of English. These
parents want their kids to speak English, as do the countless ex-pat parents in Antigua
who want their kids to have a bilingual education, so the demand is there. Teaching
privately (adults and kids) was a bit trickier, but once a few people hear good things
about your English classes, you can easily get groups of 2-5 together once or twice a
week for classes for some under-the-table cash pay.

What advice would you give to first time teacher on finding a well paying
job and navigating the application process?
There is definitely a large discrepancy between best and worst paid teaching gigs in
Guatemala. The way to get a well-paying job has a few steps: First, avoid signing a
contract until you are on-site. You might not like the town or the school might not be

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
what you expected. Second, when you arrive in town, ask around. It might seem hard
at first, but ask around and get multiple perspectives on different schools (if the town
is big enough). Some teachers might say great things to get you to teach there, but in
general, teachers are happy to sound off and be honest about the work. Ask them, if
they don’t mind, how much they are making. Or ask what teachers at other schools are
making in comparison.

The best schools to teach at, as a general rule, are the bilingual and international
schools which have monthly or annual dues that secure your salary in the end. In
Guatemala City there are a couple of schools that pay very well, like the American
School, where you may be able to swing $30,000 a year – a respectable amount of
money in Guatemala.
The application process is going to be a lot less formal than you might expect. Most
schools desperately need native English speakers, so you’ll find qualified local
English teachers replaced by inexperienced native speakers. Have a resume ready, one
in Spanish and one in English. Spanish for the principal and decision-making staff,
and English for the head English teacher, who will hopefully be a native English
speaker him/herself. Look nice and in business casual, but unless you have heard
otherwise before hand, a suit will be over the top. Be able to say at least a few things
in Spanish, as if there is a secretary and you have to give your name, that there you
have an interview, and thank you. On the one hand, do not expect timely feedback
from the interview (things can move slowly), but on the other hand, be prepared for an
on-the-spot offer. The process is not as formal and it depends on how badly they need
a teacher to step in so they may just ask you to start as soon as possible.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
Honestly, I wouldn’t work as hard as I did. It sounds awful, but working at a bilingual
school meant that the two sets of teachers had two completely different teaching
styles, and their culture was much more laid-back than ours. The students were
incredibly fluent in English (near-native speakers by 4th grade!), and we even had
them in math and reading one year above their grade level using U.S. textbooks so we
knew what they were capable of. The Guatemalan teachers were more laid-back and
did not require as much original thought/ opinions from the same students who we

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
knew were capabale of so much more, and it was hard to accept the different style, but
in the end we all did. We were guests in their country, after all. But many of us
stressed out a lot about it, and looking back now, I would try harder to stress less and
accept more.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
Life was easy and fun! There is a fun mix of locals, ex-pats and backpackers to always
keep things interesting. The school paid a (relatively) good salary, so I was able to
travel a bit, eat well and easily cover rent. I loved walking to work every day directly
toward a giant (dormant) volcano, and having two others within view, and the sound
of the rain on our school’s tin roof during rainy season. There are plenty of great
restaurants, a movie theatre and cafes to keep you from missing anything from home,
really, and it is very easy to become friends with the locals in Antigua.

What is the social life like in destination? Is it easy to meet locals and make
lots of friends with other teachers?
My experience may vary greatly to others, as I taught English in Antigua, one of the
most popular destinations in the country. That means that even if I didn’t like any of
the teachers at my school, there were thousands of backpackers and other ex-pats on
hand to mix with. As it turns out, I was best friends with one teacher and became
really tight with the other teachers as well. However, because our school was a
bilingual school, there was a slight us-against-them mentality between the Guatemalan
teachers and the native English speakers. But we were all much younger, single and
full of energy, while they were all a bit older and married with kids. For people
looking to teach in other popular places like Xela (Quetzaltenango) or Lake Atitlan,
you’ll find the social life to be equally easy.

However, teaching at a rural school in a small village will be a much different
experience. You will most likely be the only English teacher, one of a few foreigners
in town who you may or may not like. Locals here may not even speak Spanish very
well, as there are 33 languages spoken in Guatemala. The children will all speak
Spanish, but just in terms of communicating on a daily basis, buying eggs or milk, you
might end up learning a few words from the indigenous people as well. When

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
teaching in a smaller community, keep things like bug spray, antibiotics and iodine
tablets for the water, as being ill in this environment can be very difficult. This differs
greatly to Antigua, where you can grab a cream cheese or pesto bagel and a takeaway
coffee before work! Overall, teachers, especially foreign teachers, are highly respected
no matter the size of the community.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
In general, life in Antigua was great. There were two aspects I could never adjust to,
however. One was violence. While I never knew anyone personally in any major
danger, restaurant and bar owners (usually ex-pats and friends of ours - Antigua is a
fairly small town), told stories of armed blackmail or robbery that would just never
happen at home. The other was worrying about clean water/vegetables. All the
English teachers were sick at least once from the water, and being a vegetarian it was
really frustrating not to just be able to safely gobble down salads/raw veggies without
knowing 100% that they were washed in purified water.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
Dedication- be ready to dedicate yourself for at least one full school year. Many
classes go through two or more English teachers per year as foreigners tend to come
and go, but this can be disruptive and hold students back. All six of our teachers
stayed on for the full year and the parents thanked us countless times, especially at the
end of the year.

Work visa - Some schools might specifically require you to get a six-month or year-
long visa, but they will help you every step of the way. Most schools, however, have
worked out a system with their foreign teachers. Upon arrival into Guatemala you get
a 90-day tourist visa, after which time you must leave for 72 hours before returning
and getting
another 90 days. Most of us went home for Christmas, so there were only two other
mandatory vacations to worry about, which I didn’t complain about at all!
Don’t expect to get rich. Obviously those who get into teaching know it’s no
millionaire profession, but earning Quetzales means that you will have no savings

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
after a year of teaching. I made about $250 a month and that was plenty to live on, but
even if I saved 20% each month, I would have only just had enough for a plane ticket
home. You can find loads of ways to make more money - private classes, translation
gigs, bar jobs on weekends, etc, but still there is no chance to save. If you would like
to earn a great wage, consider working specifically at The American School in
Guatemala City, which pays a salary in US Dollars comparable to first year salaries in
the U.S.



ITALY
General Information
Many people choose to look for a teaching position in Italy, and therefore jobs are a
bit hard to come by since there is a lot of competition. All English teachers must have
a TEFL certification and should also have a bachelor’s degree, though this is not
required. Companies in Italy require you to sit down for a face-to-face interview
before they will offer you a job.

One of the most common teaching positions in Italy is teaching English in schools,
primarily in universities and higher education schools. Another option for teaching is
in a language school or by being hired by a company to teach conversational or
business English to adults.

Working Conditions
Teachers are generally employed as ‘Contract workers’ or ‘Freelance workers’. Italy’s
corporate legislation on Social Security payments has made it more attractive for
private language schools to take on freelance teachers, as teachers who fall into this
category must make their own Social Security payments.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
International school chains like Wall Street, Linguarama, Berlitz and Inlingua are very
present in Italy, training many would-be EFL teachers for subsequent teaching
positions in their own schools. The British School has over 70 branches across the
country.

Schools in the North of Italy are certainly more organized and financially sound,
though living costs in the northern regions are much higher than in the South, whilst
teaching salaries are not reduced proportionately.

Teachers can expect to work about 20-25 hours per week, and a typical teaching
contract lasts nine months to one year. If you are contracted to work with a school,
you will most likely get paid holidays and vacation time. Fall is the peak hiring season
for teachers.

It is extremely difficult for non-EU citizens to secure a teaching position before
arriving in Italy, which does not allow them to negotiate a contract prior to departure.
Foreigners residing in Italy have obligatory public health insurance coverage by the
National Health Service. A percentage of an English teacher’s annual salary is
contributed to this insurance, which entitles them to medical assistance for lesser fees.

Teacher Salary Information
Each school is different when it comes to pay. At the lower end of the market you will
find schools paying 12 - 15 EUR per hour (often large chains pay this little). Small
schools will go from 15 - 20 EUR per hour and private colleges 20 – 35 per hour.
Wages at bigger and more exclusive schools can go much higher. Private lessons can
also be a good little earner. English in State schools is often confined to just a couple
of hours per week so many parents will turn to the help of a private teacher to ensure
their children get good grades. Hourly fees can be as high as 30 Euros.

English teachers in Italy can expect to make about 1,441-1,711 EUR ($1,065.78-
$1,265.48 USD) per month, which is lower than the salaries in some other countries.
Private schools do tend to pay better and also offer more job security, so those are

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
more highly recommended. You will also pay 22-46% in taxes, so make sure you
factor that into your income.

Benefits
Accommodation is usually not included but some institutions provide information on
hostel and hotel information, airfare is sometimes included and of course you get
health care and vacation time. Similarly, most of the language schools also offer free
airfare (round ticket) for a teaching position.

Working Visa Information
EU citizens are able to work and live in Italy without special visas. Non-EU citizens
must acquire an Italian work visa, but this is very difficult to get. The company that
hires you must be willing to sponsor your visa, and they must prove that you are an
expert in your field and therefore not taking the position from an EU citizen. The
Italians tend to be more strict about this so essentially they get their English language
teachers from the UK. There are often very few exceptions to this rule.

Italian work permits must be sponsored by an Italian company; they cannot be applied
for directly by a potential employee or by an agency. Processing times vary between
regions, but the average is about two months.

Cost of Living
Because the demand for teaching positions in Italy is so high, if you do get a position,
you will most likely not have your accommodations taken care of by your employer.
However, if you do not speak Italian, your employer may help you in your apartment
search. The cost of your apartment depends largely on the size and location, with the
larger cities being more expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere between €500-
1157 EUR ($369.80-855.73 USD) per month for a studio and €300-2,000 EUR
($221.88-1,479.23 USD) per month for a one bedroom apartment in a new or
renovated building. There is also a compulsory insurance fee and utilities fee which
can range anywhere from €70-200 EUR ($51.77-147.92 USD) per month, and this

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
covers your heat, hot water, maintenance and repairs, communal lighting, and garbage
removal. Other utilities, such as electricity, water, and gas, are not included in these
charges and should be paid separately.

Job Links
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
http://www.esljobfind.com/
http://www.eslbase.com/jobs/italy/
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/italy.shtml
http://www.learn4good.com/jobs/language/english/list/country/italy/
http://tesljobs.com/filter.php?id_country=Italy


JAPAN
General Information
Japan is a mecca for ESL teachers. Thought the heydays are long gone, the country
still attracts a lot of students. The best ways to get a teaching job is to work with one
of the four major English-teaching school chains, called Eikaiwa. Collectively, these
schools employ thousands of conversational English teachers. There is also another
option for teaching English in Japan, which is to become an Assistant Language
Teacher (ALT), where you would work side-by-side with a Japanese teacher in an
elementary or junior high school. This program is aimed towards recent college
graduates. To get a job here, you should apply for the Jet Program run by the Japanese
government, as this program is run in conjunction with the Japanese Ministry of
Education.
Working Conditions

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
The language schools provide a set curriculum, which is especially helpful for first
time teachers, along with teaching materials such as in-house texts and tapes. You are
expected to prepare for class on your own time.

Teachers can expect to work about 40 hours total per week, with 20-25 of these hours
in a classroom and 15-20 of these hours preparing lessons, grading, or holding one-on-
one time with students. Classes are generally held in the early afternoon through the
evening. The class sizes are usually small, giving teachers a chance to really develop
relationships with their students. Typical office hours are filled by grading student
work, taking class notes, preparing future lessons, or just chatting with students. All in
all, when all the hours are counted, your typical teacher works about 40 hours per
week. If you choose to work as an ALT, you can expect to work between 8am-5pm
with weekends and holidays off. The JET program is much better at providing help
and reliability than the language schools.

Teacher Salary Information
Salaries begin around 3000 JPY ($39 USD) hourly. Typically, for a teaching with a
TEFL and experience, you can expect 230,000-276,000 JPY ($2,990-$3,588 USD) per
month. If you work in an international school, you can earn double that amount.

Salaries for English teachers at most private English schools start in around 250,000
yen per month. The Japanese government sponsored Jet Program pays 300,000 yen
per month.

International schools pay between 3,000,000 and 6,000,000 yen per year but generally
require a teaching license from your home country.

Benefits
Like the rest of Asia, the benefits in Japan are great. (Though not as good as Korea).
In Japan, upon completion of your contract, you will get a return flight home and a
completion bonus. You get paid holidays, insurance, and sick days. Moreover, you get

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
subsidized accommodation. It is common for employers to reimburse teachers the cost
of airfare after they have fulfilled the contractual agreement. This entices employees
to stay the full duration of their contract and protects employers from losing their new
staff members prematurely.

A typical work week is five days long. Most teachers work at least one Saturday or
Sunday, with another weekday off. Vacation packages are quite similar for most
schools; expect two weeks of paid vacation and most national holidays off. The
majority of ESL teachers use the Japanese National Health Insurance.

Working Visa Information
In order to teach English in Japan legally, you must have a work visa. In order to
obtain a work visa, you must have a bachelor’s degree. Moreover, most schools and
programs will only hire native English speakers, so you should also consider that a
requirement. If you work in the JET program, you will be required to have an
interview in YOUR HOME country. You can’t apply outside of your home country.

Once you enter Japan, you have 90 days to register yourself to get an alien registration
card at the city hall or local ward office.

When immigration issues your working visa it will be for 1 to 3 years. The company
that sponsors you has nothing to do with how long your visa will be good for. This is
in the hands of immigration.

Visa processing times vary but expect 2 to 3 months for everything to get processed.

Cost of Living
Japan is considered to be one of the most expensive countries in the world, and it has a
very high cost of living. Living in the major cities, particularly Tokyo, is especially
expensive, so many foreigners choose to live in small, single-room apartments in the
city or live in the suburbs and commute in. Apartments can cost about 92,589.33 JPY

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
($1,203.78 USD) per month plus utilities, though some landlords may include
electricity and water. Japanese food is also quite costly, including the basics such as
meats, fruits, and vegetables, with local foods not being much cheaper than imports.
You can expect to spend about $400-500 USD per month on food and drink. There are
plenty of 100 Yen ($1.30 USD) shops around where you can get cheap ramen meals
and soups.

ESL teachers should know that some employers provide dorm style apartments with
shared bathrooms and kitchens. In this case, separate bedrooms would be included,
while typical one-room apartments (bachelor suites) may not contain a separate
bedroom. A futon mat rolled out on the floor is used for sleeping, which is then rolled
up and stored in a closet during the day to save space. The apartments are not
insulated, so space heaters, electric floor mats, and Kotatsu are used to keep
apartments and houses warm.

ESL teachers wanting to operate a motor vehicle must obtain an International Driving
Permit from their home country driving association. For shopping, you can find both
cheap and expensive options. There are cheap flea markets, supermarket chains, and
100 Yen shops in some downtown areas. There are also more pricey malls,
department stores,
and boutique shops that have more options for shoppers. During the winter, prices are
generally more expensive in Tokyo where you can find both local and imported
designer products.

Job Links
http://www.daijob.com/en/
http://www.findjobsinjapan.com
http://jobcube.com/
http://www.jobsinjapan.com/
http://www.tokyoconnections.com/
http://www.4icj.com/jp/
http://www.jobseekjapan.com/

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/

What It’s Like To Teach In Japan: Part I
Nate is an ESL teacher in Japan, and the creator of TweetSpeakEnglish.com
(http://www.tweetspeakenglish.com), a site that gives students a fun way to practice
English listening and speaking with examples from Twitter. He also plays in a local
band, Windbeat, and writes travel articles for JapanTouist.jp
(http://www.touristjapan.jp). He writes about teaching in Japan and what it’s like to
be Gaijan (outsider) in the country: Why did you decide to teach English
overseas?
When I was a university student, I wanted to study abroad, but after a volunteer
teaching experience in Budapest one summer, I realized that teaching English was a
great opportunity to make money, rather than spend it, while still gaining all of the
other benefits of living abroad.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I currently teach in rural Japan where I have been for the last five years.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
I only had a little experience teaching before I left for Japan. I had taught a couple of
summers in Budapest at culture centers, and helped university foreign exchange
students studying at my school.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
There is one thing about teaching that I’m pretty sure about, and that is, you’ve just
got to jump into it. While most schools in Japan don’t require any prior experience or
qualifications, it is probably a good idea to create a couple of personal benchmarks
before embarking on your journey.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
First, if you plan to teach in a normal school setting, give yourself exposure to
speaking to groups of about 20-40 people. Secondly, learn a little bit about language
teaching methods by reading up online. Then, try a few of them to see what works
best for your own personal style. You can do both of these by looking for volunteer
ESL opportunities in your area.

Again, there are no requirements for Japan, but doing these two things will probably
save you a lot of headache caused by the “hit the ground running” expectation most
schools will have for you.

What was your experience like?
As I’ve taught in many different kinds of schools, with age ranges from 1-73 years
old, my experience has been, to say the least, very diverse. That diversity is what I’ve
enjoyed so much, but it hasn’t always been easy.

One difficult aspect about teaching in Japan is that teachers at school rarely create
solid expectations for what and how they want you to teach the students. This can lead
to a lot of trial and error, but without clear feedback. In return, this can create a feeling
of dissatisfaction with your performance, creating a lot of negative emotions when
your experience in the country otherwise is great.

The best part of the experience, though, has to be the opportunity to meet, interact
with, and make friends with a variety of people (both Japanese and people from all
over the world). This, combined with the numerous travel opportunities I’ve had, has
opened my eyes to the world the most.

Was it easy to find work?
When I first came to Japan, I was hired through the JET Programme. So my position
and city were arranged for me. After JET, however, I had to find my own job. The job
search was not as easy as I had hoped, but that was in large part due to my desire to
stay in a rural area. Had I gone to a bigger city, I could have easily found work.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
I would have started making the most of my time here much earlier than I did. In the
beginning, I didn’t get out and find opportunities to get involved in the community. I
wish I had, because once I did, life became so much richer and full of the kinds of
experiences I wanted. It takes effort to make those things happen, but I wasted so
much time sitting around thinking people would find me.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
Life in southern Japan is great. The slow pace of life, the close proximity to the ocean
and mountains, and the ease of living are the top reasons why I’m still here. To
specify what I mean by ease of living, almost everything is within comfortable cycling
distance, fresh fruit and vegetables are in abundance, and the people are so welcoming
and inviting
that. All of this combines to make for one of the easiest and most comfortable places
I’ve ever lived.

Life in Japan, especially rural Japan, can feel very bizarre in the beginning as there’s
an almost total lack of diversity in demographics. Because of this, it is impossible not
to stick out everywhere you go. For a while, you began to feel as if everyone is staring
at you. I don’t think this is actually the case, but it is hard not to be sensitive to it in
the beginning.

I am lucky living in Kochi because people here are not as reserved as Japanese are
usually imagined to be. They are very warm and welcoming, and do their best to make
outsiders (even Japanese from other parts of Japan) feel at home.

While this happens with your students and people you meet in your personal life fairly
easily, working at a large school with busy teachers typically leaves you feeling a little
on your own in an office full of people. Not many teachers have ever gone out of the
way to try and get to know me. So remember, to make good relationships at work, it
has to come
from you.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
As far as the teacher scene in Japan, I feel that it is easier to connect with other
teachers you meet here faster than you would with the hodgepodged background of
co-workers in a typical company back home. Maybe it’s because you’ve both taken a
similar jump that not everyone wants to do. That being said, it doesn’t mean you will
automatically become friends. Just as anywhere you go, you’ll make a few really close
friends. But with everyone else, you will at least feel like you’re more or less on the
same wave length.

There are a lot of young teachers in their early to mid-twenties, and then others who
have chosen to settle down in Japan who are older. The longer you are here, and the
more like the latter group you become, the more those types start to come out of the
woodwork (or you move into it...). In the beginning, I remember feeling like it was
merely an extenuation of college, but now I have fellow teacher friends young and old
alike. I’ve also made some of the best friendships of my life here.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
Communication or lack thereof, was probably the biggest adjustment. I had studied
Japanese for a couple of years, so I think that probably helped me have less difficulty
than others. But even with some language skills, miscommunication happens.
Japanese are notoriously polite, and this is a great quality, but it sometimes led people
at work to not state that we did not understand each other.

The politeness can be contagious as well. I then found myself not stopping someone to
say I didn’t know what they were talking about because I was afraid of hurting their
confidence in English. Miscommunication was never a huge problem for me, but it is
something you have to be ready to work around.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
The JET Programme, Interac, and similar companies and organizations are the way to
get into Japan. These places will set you up with everything you need. You may not
have as much freedom to choose exactly where you’ll be, but if you request some nice

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
sounding small city or rural area, you’ll most likely get what you want. If you ever
want to branch
out and try something else, you will be much better suited to do this after a year of
experience.

My second suggestion is, if you would rather work for a language school, make a list
of conditions that you unwilling to compromise on (might be pay, number of lessons
per day, weekends, etc.). I’ve met a lot of people who take the first job they find on
the internet and have a rough first year because of it. Be honest about your list with
your future employer during the interview process.

My last suggestion would be to figure out what you want to get out of your experience
in Japan, and look for a place that will make that the most possible. If you want to
learn the language quickly, go to where there are few foreigners. If you want to go to a
lot of fun parties and meet people from all over the world, choose a major urban
center. Let this list be your guide not only for picking the best place for you, but also
to remind you of the things you want to do after you get here.

What It’s Like To Teach In Japan: Part II
Robert Fitzsimmons is from the UK and started his travels around the world in 2008.
He writes about travel related stuff on his website www.adventurerob.com and has a
personal blog over at www.robertfitzsimmons.co.uk. He describes his teaching
experience in Japan.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
It’s probably the easiest job to find as a foreigner. Plenty of teaching jobs about. It was
more a lack of options than a choice. Unable to speak a language upon arrival limits
your options somewhat.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
I taught in Japan. Once for a large company (which didn’t work out), privately (one on
one tuition), a small company, and for a start up company. All this over a period of 5
months.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
I have a TEFL certificate (a 3 day course I did in the UK) but otherwise no formal
teaching experience. Only certain favours as I went along with my travels (e.g. teach
my daughter some English in exchange for bed/board). Otherwise I lived with
teachers for a bit in my first 6 months in Japan so picked up a bit living with them and
helping out with earthquake/tsunami victims which we gave free lessons
for children in.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
No, but every bit helps. The more experienced and qualified you are, the more you’re
appreciated and the better jobs you’ll get. I mostly find being a native speaker is
enough to qualify me in certain jobs. Some established schools want experienced
teachers only, but that doesn’t always get them good teachers anyway. Some of the
best I’ve seen learn it as they go along.

What was your experience like?
Working for a large English teaching corporation was terrible and I got screwed over
with paperwork and dishonesty.

Private teaching was difficult as it was hard to find students that were reliable and
regular, but if you are in a country long term this can work out well if you get regulars
that like you. The small company was a one-off day job for very advanced students
(marine students, some with master degrees) but was enjoyable in it’s own as I got
more personal with students as they were similar age to me and had a high English
level. The start-up company (teaching children age 4-6) worked very well for me as it
was very flexible and open to my ideas.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Was it easy to find work?
All my jobs were found online, so in that respect, it wasn’t so hard. However there is a
lot of competition. Definitely research the market. Big English schools go into
liquidation occasionally which floods tonnes of English teachers on the market
making it difficult to stand out (and demand a decent wage).

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
Privately, I’d offer the first lesson free (usually I do for half price) and get cards made
for people to hand out and spread. Being known was the hardest part in a new
profession with little clients.

I’d also walk in more places like English schools and offer my services (even if I had
to do it for free), as it’s difficult to spread your credentials online compared to in
person when it comes to things like teaching English.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
Before teaching English I had a full time job as a receptionist which included food and
accommodation so quite comfortable. I however (as the story goes) met a girl, one
thing led to another and to be with her I needed to quit my job, move in with her and
attempt teaching English instead. The big corporate gig was my ticket into Tokyo and
the excuse I needed, but they cancelled my contract 3 days after I started as I was no
longer needed, which put a strain on things (but likewise made my experience more
rich after).

On a day to day basis, Japan doesn’t offer much excitement. It’s tame, ordered and
civilised, even when you are in a train squashed like cordial. However it’s a good
place to settle for a while and appreciate life, nature (which is stunning in Japan
outside the cities), food, and other parts of Japanese culture like tea ceremonies,
manga, arcades, anime, geisha’s, cosplay, AKB48, women with lovely legs and new
electronic devices.

The teacher social scene is what you make of it. It’s easy to get involved and make
some good friends, likewise, it’s no big deal if you sit a few nights out. Heavy

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
drinking isn’t as common as other teacher expat communities in other asian countries,
but maybe the cost compared to wage comes into effect there.

Japan is quite flexible, as long as you play by their rules you’re quite free to do what
you want. One of the best aspect though, if you’re teaching children, is they are lovely
and very responsive in English classes usually. Teenagers tend to get shy, and adults
get embarrassed about their English level so you have to coerce a few of them into
talking a bit sometime, which is a skill in itself.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
Formality. Such as the ‘do I bow or shake hands’ awkwardness that always occurs
when first meeting someone. Just like in most countries a bit of fake-ness which is
easy to see through with foreign eyes, but normal for Japanese people. In big
companies you will see employees running around looking busy, when in fact they are
moving no faster than a brisk walk - it’s for the ‘busy’ look. Another example when
your client pays, it will always be in a neat sealed envelope, and it is considered very
rude to look at the payment before they depart. I never did this and never had a
problem (a reasonable percentage of students overpay slightly anyway), just
something to bare in mind.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
1. Sign up for as many Teacher-Student meeting services as possible. This includes
friend finding services and give lessons (and cards) for free to get your name out
there, Japanese people (especially business men) love cards.
2. Get onto Mixi (a Japanese only social media platform) if you speak Japanese. Your
potential students just increased 10 fold. Get a Japanese friend/student to help you
along/advertise for you.
3. Find a loving and supportive partner, as it’s not easy when you don’t have a full
time job in expensive Japan, and they can make it a lot more pleasant.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
KOREA
General Information
South Korea is the number one spot for English teachers as jobs are fairly easy to find
and pay and benefits are the best. It’s the easiest place in Asia to teach and all you
need is a university degree. With the poor economy in recent years, Korea has seen an
influx of young people looking for jobs making competition fierce.

Working Conditions
Class schedules are based on the type of school that you teach for. Public schools are
generally the most desired positions due to the few classes taught by the teacher and
the longer vacation time. There are many private institutes which offer kindergarten
classes in the morning and elementary after school classes starting at 3:00 p.m. There
are also certain institutes that are strictly afternoon programs, meaning that classes are
taught between the hours of 3-10 P.M.

Class is usually held early in the morning and late in the evening. Be careful as some
employers try to get you to do a “split shift” i.e. have you work in the morning and
then again in the evening. Many of the English language schools treat their employees
poorly or do not honor contracts so it is important that you research your company
carefully. Lastly, Koreans have a strong work ethic. Vacations and sick days are not
something they give lightly. Even if you are entitled to them, you made find yourself
fighting with your employer over these days.

Teacher Salary Information
English teachers can expect to make anywhere between KRW 1.9-2.3 million ($1,660-
2000 USD) per month, with higher pay going to those with a TEFL certification, a
teaching license, graduate degree, and more experience. Teaching at a hagwon (private

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
institute), you will earn about KRW 2.1 (current starting salary) million per month for a
40 hour work week. Other teachers may earn around KRW 18,000-30,000 ($15-25 USD)
per hour for a 120-hour work month.

Private schools tend to pay more than public schools, though if you teach at a public
school for a few years, you can work your way up the salary ladder. A teacher’s salary is
considered pretty decent, and it’s likely that you can save money while working in Korea,
particularly if your employer covers your housing expenses. If you teach business or work
at an international school, you can earn upwards of 6 million Yen per month.

The tax year in Korea is from June 1 to May 31. The tax rate is from 5 to 10%. Most
foreign employees are required to pay Korean income taxes, which are generally withheld
and paid by the employer. Teachers working for colleges or universities are sometimes
entitled to an exemption from paying Korean taxes for up to 2 years.

Benefits
Korea offers the best benefits package out of any country in Asia. In Korea, you will get
free housing, 50% coverage of health care costs, paid vacation (depending on the school),
a completion bonus, and return airfare home. All schools close for Korean National
Holidays and most schools close for a week in summer and a week at the end of the
calendar year. This results in two full one-week breaks and 10-13 other days off
throughout the year. The distribution of the national holidays result in at least two 4-5
consecutive-day breaks, two or three long weekends, and a handful of less useful, but not
unwelcome, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.

English teachers in Korea occasionally have contract disputes with their employers. In
the Korean context, a contract is simply a rough working agreement, subject to change
depending upon the circumstances. Basic features of a contract should include the
following provisions:

• Housing
• Airline tickets
• Working hours

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
• Class sizes
• Severance pay
• Taxes
• Medical insurance

Working Visa Information
In order to teach English in Korea legally, you must have a visa. While many people still
choose to work illegally, if you are caught, you will be fined, deported, and likely not
allowed re-entry into Korea. Schools only hire teachers with a work permit.

Most English teachers acquire an E-2 visa. Visa issuance is very closely controlled by the
Korean government, and getting your visa can take from one week up to two months.
You must acquire your visa outside of Korea, so you can come to Korea on a tourist visa
to find a job and get the necessary paperwork and then go to a nearby country, such as
Japan, to get the actual visa. Once you are offered a job, your employer can help you get
your visa.

When you get your work visa, you have 90 days to register with the Korean
immigration and get a residence certificate and re-entry permit. Along with your visa,
you will need to bring the following to the Korean immigration:
1. A notarized sponsorship guarantee form from your employer.
2. Employment contract (must be minimum of one year, maximum of two years)
3. Certificate of employment (this is supplied by your employer)
4. Statement of purpose (this is sometimes optional)
5. Your resume
6. Passport Photos
7. College diploma (must have the original document and additional copies)
8. College transcripts
9. Criminal Background Check (notarized and Apostelle Seal)
10. Health Check
Changing employers is quite difficult and requires release consent from your original
employer for the remaining period of the contract. Permission from the Korean
immigration authorities is required and you must leave Korea and return with a new

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
visa with your new sponsor. You should direct any questions on this procedure to the
nearest immigration office.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Korea is less than in western countries and higher than most other
countries in Asia. Korea has a fairly low cost of living, with food, entertainment, and
public transportation all being quite inexpensive. However, accommodations can be a
little pricey, particularly in Seoul, but as a teacher, your housing will be provided for
you. The provided accommodation is usually small and not that great but at least it is
free. Your utilities, including electricity, water, gas, and TV will cost about KRW
11,2445.86 ($98.68 USD) per month plus 26880.80 KRW ($23.59 USD) for Internet
access.

If you choose to buy groceries and cook at home every day, you can probably get by
spending about KRW 28,4875 ($250 USD) on food per month. Dining out in Korea is
quite inexpensive, and you can eat a good meal at a restaurant for about KRW
4204.75-12,000 ($3.69-10 USD) per person. If you want fast food, you can pay about
KRW 4,774.50 ($4.19 USD) for a meal at either McDonalds or KFC. At a pizza place,
you will pay about KRW 7,885.34 ($6.92 USD) for a large.

Seoul has some foreign food restaurants, but they are mostly overpriced with subpar
food, so you may want to avoid those. Drinks can cost about KRW 400-1059.73
($.35-.93 USD) per can in a store or KRW 4068.01 ($3.57 USD) per glass in an
upscale restaurant. A large bottle of local beer will cost about KRW 1,500-1971.33
($1.25-1.73 USD) in a store and up to KRW 72,016.4 ($6.23 USD) in a restaurant.

Public transportation is pretty good and quite inexpensive in Korea, particularly in
Seoul. A local bus trip costs about KRW 1059.73 ($.93 USD), and a long distance bus
trip costs about KRW 1,185.08 ($1.04 USD). Three major cities, Seoul, Pusan, and
Daegu have subway systems, costing about KRW 13320.75 (1.69 USD) for an
average trip and up to KRW 2,449.92 ($2.15 USD) for a trip to one of Seoul’s outer
cities.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Job Links
http://hiteacher.com/
http://www.esljobfind.com/
http://www.gone2korea.com/
http://www.parkenglish.com/
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/
http://www.teachkorea.com/
http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/
http://www.eslemployment.com/esl-jobs/korea/
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/esljobs/index.pl

What It’s Like To Teach In Korea: Part I
Samuel Jeffery is a blogger at NomadicSamuel.com, who taught English in Korea for
three years. He shares his experience as an ESL teacher and life as a make teacher in
Korea. You can find more about him on his blog where he shares photos, videos &
quirky travel stories along with photography tips, interviews, ESL tips, and other
travel advice. One can get in touch with Samuel by following him on his Facebook
Fan Page , Twitter , Stumble Upon , Youtube & Google + .

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
During the last two years of college I started tutoring ESL to students on campus. The
majority of my students were from South Korea and I forged some close bonds that
still last today. It was at this time that I began to discover opportunities for teaching
English overseas. Overall, I would say my positive experiences tutoring my students
combined with my strong desire to live abroad made the choice to go and teach
English in Korea a no-brainer decision. In fact, I had my degree rushed to me and I
ended up skipping convocation, so that I could accept a position just days after
finishing my last college course.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I’ve taught three years in South Korea completing three separate contracts in different
areas of the country. I’ve taught in both the private and public sector teaching students

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
ranging from kindergartner all the way to mature adults in cram schools and
government funded programs. In between each individual contract I’ve backpacked
around select areas of Asia and South America for roughly a year at a time.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
My level of experience prior to teaching in South Korea was confined to only tutoring
students on campus; however, I did complete an extensive TESOL diploma before I
arrived. My tutoring experience gave me an added level of confidence and my TESOL
course really helped shape my teaching philosophy and lesson planning skills.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
To teach in South Korea you do not need any prior teaching experience but you do
require a four year college degree. Your major can literally be anything – ranging
from basket weaving to quantum physics. If one can pick up some teaching experience
prior to arriving by tutoring, volunteering at an international centre or any other
method I highly recommend that. Additionally, a TESOL diploma (in most cases)
qualifies one for a higher salary and really does helpone feel more confident as an
inexperienced teacher going overseas for the very first time.

What was your experience like?
My experiences in Korea are overwhelming positive but not without challenges. I’ve
found my jobs have ranged from below average to excellent and each time I’ve gone
back to Korea I’ve found better working conditions. In my opinion, doing a lot of
research about prospective schools and finding the right balance of work and play
creates for an optimal experience. I’ve personally been able to fund all of my
backpacking adventures - by teaching in Korea - being frugal but not cheap. On the
other hand, I know other teachers who live paycheck to paycheck because of wayward
spending habits and excessive partying. My advice for a newbie teacher would be to
make relationships that extend beyond expat drinking activities to really experience
the local culture, save money and have options afterwards.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Was it easy to find work?
Generally speaking it is very easy to find work in South Korea if one has a university
degree and demonstrates a positive attitude to their prospective employer during the
interview process. However, the process of gathering the right documents (criminal
record check, notarized degree, sealed transcripts, etc) in order to obtain a working
Visa is a rigorous and often tedious process that needs to be completed outside of the
country over several months. For those based in SE backpacking or doing something
else options such as Taiwan are far more attractive given you can just show up and
obtain an ARC (Alien Registration Card) shortly after arrival. On the other hand,
Korea offers a lot more
perks (return airfare, free housing, severance pay and pension refund) that other well
paying countries (such as Japan or Taiwan) generally don’t include. There are a lot of
good sites for contacting employers and recruiters directly and none probably more
famous than http://eslcafe.com.

What advice would you give to people navigating the jobs process? How
would you help them pick a good school?
South Korea, unlike other countries in Asia, is not somewhere you can just show up
and start teaching. The Visa process is very strict and stringent. Thus, it’s vital one
prepares all of their documents (apostatized criminal record check, notarized degree,
university sealed transcripts, etc) several months before they would like to begin
teaching. The two best sites for finding a job are daveseslcafe.com and
worknplay.co.kr. I’ve used http://www.worknplayconsulting.com to find quality jobs
in Korea. They’re a very professional outfit and generally only work with reputable
schools. I’ve said this earlier, but I honestly cannot stress it enough, that it is very
important to ask as many questions about your prospective school. Finding out details
about the apartment, manager, co-teachers, teaching materials and philosophy of the
school will save a lot of potential headaches. Furthermore, a school with a high
retention rate (teachers staying more than one year) is a very positive sign. Overall, I
suggest one is prepared well in advance and is selective before making a final decision
when it comes to teaching in Korea.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
If I could travel back in a time machine I would have selected better schools to work
at during my first two years in South Korea. My initial standards included finding
positions that did not involve weekend work commitments, free housing and close
proximity to Seoul. What I learned over time was that it is far more important to find
out the working conditions of your prospective school by directly talking to either
present or former teachers. Your entire year can be defined by your working
conditions and I recommend anybody going overseas to teach English to make sure
they’ve found out as much information about the school as possible before they sign
any one year contract.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
My life in Korea outside of the classroom was fantastic. Korea is a modern high-tech
nation that offers cutting edge arts, entertainment and technology as well as old world
charms. One can find fast paced city life in places such as Seoul or Busan or escape to
the countryside areas of destinations such as Sarak mountain or Gyeongju. I find
Korea has a lot to offer and can suit a wide variety of lifestyles. Any efforts made to
learn the language, sample the local food and embrace the local culture will be
appreciated by Koreans in a way that is often not found in other countries I’ve
previously lived or visited.

Life in Korea is what you make of it. It’s a place where you can be a party animal or a
reclusive hermit. There are opportunities for just about any lifestyle one can possibly
think of. For those interested in going out often it is recommended you choose a larger
urban centre such as Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Ulsan or Kwangju. If one is more
serious about saving money and enjoying scenic views the province of Kangwondo is
your best bet. Overall, it is possible to enjoy an active social life, make friends with
expats and locals and save a lot of money by the end of the year.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
Korea is the most Confucius nation on earth and as such defined relationships between
age, gender, level of education and social status are very different from Western
culture. Moments of culture shock included being encouraged to drink more (if I
refused it would have been extremely rude) by older Korean men when I had clearly

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
had enough and situations where less than stellar bosses tried to use coercive
techniques to make me do extra work above and beyond what was defined in my
contract.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
First, obtain a TESOL certificate to not only prepare you to become a better teacher
but also to receive a higher monthly salary. TESOL certificates can be done online or
on campus in locations all over the world. The school I went to
(http://globaltesol.com) is reputable and well recognized overseas.

Secondly, realize that a recruiter (most common way to secure a job) or prospective
employer is going to tell you all the right things to encourage you to sign a contract.
It’s totally up to you to get in contract with present and former teachers or to research
and ask the right questions about your job to find out as much as you can about the
school, your contract and director. Those who haven’t done their research may
possibly end up with bad working conditions that include substandard apartments,
unpaid overtime and deferred monthly payments to name just a few. ESL is very hit or
miss and the best way to ensure a great experience is to take the time to find a
reputable school and not rush into something that is less than ideal.

Finally, try as best to have clearly defined goals and something to look forward to at
the end of your teaching contract. In my opinion, nothing is worse than hanging out
with other expats continuously, spending the majority of your salary on drinking and
having nothing to show for your experience both culturally or materially by the end of
your contract. Unfortunately, this kind of situation is not atypical. I think the right
balance of work and play allows one to enjoy their teaching experience, save money,
make friends with both locals and other expats and have something to look forward to
at the end of the contract – including options such as saving to go to grad school or
enjoy a one year trip round the world. That in my opinion is the optimal teaching year
in South Korea.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
What It’s Like To Teach In Korea: Part II
Nicole Keslinke is an adventure seeking, life loving, travel writing and music loving
American girl whose been living abroad since 2006. After graduating from the
University of Illinois at Chicago, She promptly moved to the picturesque beaches of
Grand Cayman for over 2 years and worked for the Hard Rock Café. She moved to
Seoul, South Korea in April 2009 where she has been teaching ever since. You can
find out more at her website http://www.whereisnicole.com, or on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/nicolekeslinke. She opens up and shares her experience
teaching in South Korea, one of the most popular destinations for teaching in the
world.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
Funnily enough I had no idea that teaching abroad was an experience to be had until
one night while surfing jobs on Career Builder in Chicago I saw an advertisement
from a recruitment company offering etching positions in Asia with no teaching
experience required. I was a little confused that a company could advertise such a
position and after I sent a sternly worded letter I received a call from a well-informed
and experienced agent who spent 2 hours explaining the process to me and I
immediately fell in love with the opportunity teaching ESL abroad offered me and
was more than delighted she invited me to interview the following week. After
passing the interview I was in Seoul 4 weeks later.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I am still currently teaching here in Seoul Korea and have been for over 2 and a half
years.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
I had been a camp counselor and taught swimming lessons as far as actual instruction
to other individuals goes, but I had absolutely no classroom teaching experience upon
my arrival in Seoul.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
The first and foremost requirement is a Bachelors Degree (or higher) from an
established University or College before any school or recruitment agency will
consider you. Please also note that a teaching job at a University typically only hires
those with a Master Degree, several TEFL Certifications and prior experience with
adults. Once you have signed with a school they will give you necessary training and
what they expect you to do. I chose to come and teach because the recruiter had
explained exactly what I would expect from both my training course and my first class
in front of students and I was confident I would do well. I was also hungry for the
opportunity to go outside my comfort zone and try something else in another foreign
country.

I believe that any time spent explaining something to someone who has positively has
no idea what you are talking about, and having them walk away with the gist of what
you were trying to get at, is all the experience you need.

What was your experience like?
So far my experience has been life-changing. As an individual responsible for not only
instructing lessons to these kids, a lot of them see me as a role model and it has helped
shape my life’s outlook from a somewhat selfish standpoint to that of a someone who
wishes to give more than posses.

Was it easy to find work?
For my situation I felt like I accidentally fell down a sewer and came out smelling like
a bouquet of roses in terms of how my job situation turned out. I had an wonderfully
kind director, a beautiful apartment, and fantastic students; but many don’t have the
same luck. But in general terms yes, it was easy to find work both starting from my
home in North America and already in Seoul (for the second time around).

During my phone interview I was asked my response to a number of potential
classroom situations and based on my answers I was invited to their training program
in Seoul. Part of the training program included teaching in front of my peers and other

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
training staff. There were also instructional videos and plenty of reading to help
prepare me for the test.
Only after successfully completing the week-long training program and passing the 3
hour test was I given a chance to teach in an actual classroom and my flight money
reimbursed. I was not required to obtain a TEFL before coming to the training
program but chose to get one during my time here in Seoul.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
If I had to choose something I would have brought a suitcase full of peanut butter and
western-sized shoes; both are hard to find and if you do, they’re overpriced.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
Life in Korea is has been a jaw dropping experience. I have participated in a thousand
year old tea ceremony, chanted with Buddhist Monks at 3 am, rubbed shoulders with
famous musicians because I was one of a few foreigners at the show, walked in
ancient lava tubes, and have seen a liger. Almost 99 percent of the Koreans I have
interacted with have been warm and friendly to me and even if the only word they can
say in English is, “Hello!” I always reciprocate with a big warm, “Hi!” and both of us
walk away with a smile.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
I have found trying to communicate what I need when there isn’t a plain or direct
translation for it to be most difficult. It can become exhausting translating word after
word after word but ultimately rewarding because you learn how to skip a lot of
unnecessary steps the next time that happens.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
First and foremost I would suggest saving as much as you can and come to the country
first and explore potential employers before committing to one thousands of miles
away. If you are unable to do that I would suggest thoroughly researching your school
and its neighborhood to make sure it would be a right fit for you. I would also suggest

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
to have a sense of humor and an open mind every single day. There is a lot to be
learned if you just keep quiet, observe your surroundings and try and understand the
way other people think.

What It’s Like To Teach In Korea: Part III
Steven Sirski is a writer, musician, filmmaker, English teacher and sometimes a
tractor driver. He has been travelling all over the world since 2009. You can find out
more about his travels and other adventures at his website, stevensirski.com, follow
him on Twitter, or find him on Facebook.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
Simply, I wanted to get out and see the world. My home town, Winnipeg, is kind of
isolated from the rest of Canada. But money was on my mind as I didn’t want to leave
home without knowing I could recoup my expenses. South Korea was the perfect
starting place for me since they paid for my ticket over, covered my apartment rental
fee, and offered a generous salary.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I taught in Busan, South Korea for one year.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
I hold a BA and an MA but had never taught English before I went to South Korea.
However, I’ve been a performing musician and filmmaker my entire life so standing
up in front of people and trying to get them to understand what I’m saying has been a
large part of my life.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
Any prior experience will help. Certified or experienced teachers will have more ideas
with regard to how to handle students, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll
adapt to a country and its people well. The South Korean government’s English

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
teaching program, EPIK, offered an 8-day orientation that helped prepare me for the
classroom.

Financially speaking, certification might help you make more but not necessarily.

What was your experience like?
Great. I learned a lot about the countries and cultures I visited and I’ve developed a
greater appreciation for the teachers I’ve had throughout my life. I’ve also learned a
lot about myself as I’ve travelled so the benefits of travelling abroad have been very
rewarding.

Was it easy to find work?
It was easy to find work, but it was hard to allow myself to take the risk to go. South
Korea was the first time I left my home town and moved so far away.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
I’d like to say I should’ve stayed in Korea for another year to save more money, but I
wanted to keep moving. I’d be wiser with my money and try not to party so much,
both things that are easier said than done.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
Fantastic. Despite being constantly informed of the things Korea has invented or done
for the world, the people, the places and the general living standards in Korea were
absolutely fantastic. Not only that, I got to make a short film in Korea as a class
project titled Coffee and Milk. That’s something I’ll never forget.

It was also humbling to visit another country to teach a language I take for granted
while struggling and often failing in their native language. Many places and people are
very similar: the internet is all over the place; smiles are ubiquitous, free and catchy;
beer is cheap and a communal beverage; coffee is for reflection; lots of big cities have
lots of big

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
buildings; and many country sides, no matter the country, all start to look like a bunch
of trees. The idea of “being at one with nature” escapes me, can’t that happen
anywhere and everywhere?

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
Always being in “teacher” mode whenever someone wanted to practice their English.
Living in another country is sometimes awkward because you have off days and days
when you just want to be left alone, as happens in Canada, but then someone wants to
practice their English. I don’t want to be rude or even cut the conversation short
because
sometimes those conversations can be very interesting and revealing. I learned that it
pays to be courteous because often it’s nerve-racking for the non-English speaker to
build up the courage necessary to try to go beyond “Hello, what’s your name?” An
added bonus is that Koreans are extremely nice people.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
1. Go.
2. Keep an open mind.
3. Have a fall back plan.

What It’s Like To Teach In Korea: Part IV
Chris and Tawny met at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro and haven’t looked back since.
They decided to treat their severe case of wanderlust and also supplement their
income by packing up and teaching English in South Korea. They’ve been on the road,
exploring the world together for the last four years. Not wanting to keep their travels
to themselves, they began filming their adventures to share with friends and family
back home. They’re now gearing up for their next adventure that will take them
around the world, hand delivering letters that they got out of a post barrel in the
Galapagos. They can be found at the website Captain and Clark.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
We had just graduated from college and were itching to travel. We had explored
different options, many involved choosing a country, moving there, and trying to find
a job. We realized that getting a job beforehand was a better option. Originally, we
had planned to teach abroad for only six months. Six months turned into two years and
we fell in love with the country and our students.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
We taught in the coastal town of Pohang, South Korea. We were there for a total of
two years.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
None really. Chris double majored in English and Theater in college and both were
very useful in the ESL classroom. Tawny had worked with children before, but never
in the classroom. We both went into this with little hands on experience.

With a huge influx in foreign teachers over the past few years, the application process
and paperwork to get into Korea has gotten a little more strenuous. At the time that we
submitted our forms we needed our degrees and background checks apostilled. That
involved a long trip to the capital and a couple hundred dollars. We also needed to
send in two letters of recommendation, head shots, and our resumes.

We fortunately moved to Korea before FBI background checks were required. We
hear that those can take up to 4 months to process, so if you’re even thinking about
teaching abroad, you might want to start the application process now- just to be safe.

As far as visas go, the director of your school should take care of it for you. In our
case, she needed our actual degrees (not copies), head shots, and our signed contract.
Along with your visa, you director should also help you get your alien registration
card. This card is just like your drivers license and should be on you at all times. With
that said, be sure that you communicate with your director. While it is their
responsibility, some might think that you can take it all on by yourself. Make sure to
ask how the process is going and have them keep you update.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Do you think you need and prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
We think that prior experience would definitely be helpful. Getting CELTA, TEFL, or
TOEFL certified will not only get you a better paycheck, it will also prepare you for
the ESL teaching experience. It’s not necessary, but it’s something that we’d
definitely recommend.

There are some countries like Thailand and Vietnam where you can touchdown and
start the job search on your own. Korea is very different. To have a legal teaching job
in Korea you must find a school and director beforehand. That’s the way that you’ll
get your E2 visa and alien registration card. Unless you plan on working under the
table with no benefits (and having to leave the country every 3 months), it’s best to
find a legitimate job before you leave your home country. Not to say that it can’t be
done, just that it rarely works out in your best interest.

There are a plethora of jobs in the Korean school system waiting for teachers. Visit
sites like Daves ESL cafe and you’ll have hundreds of schools in various areas of the
country. Choose the ones that appeal to you, send in the criteria they’re asking for
(resume, head shot, letters of recommendation), and then wait for their call/e-mail. If
they like your paperwork, they’ll usually ask for a phone interview. If your interview
goes well, they’ll send you a contract and then tell you all of the required paperwork
that you’ll need.

What was your experience like?
It was a life changing experience. The first year was better than we ever could have
hoped for. We liked our director, we loved our hours, and the students were very well
behaved. Since we enjoyed it so much we decided to sign on for another year.

Our second year in Korea was vastly different from our first. Our director opened
stressed, irritable, and we could no longer depend on her. We were forced and we felt
like we were being mistreated. This is very typical of the hagwon downs. We also
didn’t receive the benefits that we deserved. We had to fight tooth and nail just to get
our severance money before we left. Even then, we only received a portion of it. Our

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
classroom teaching experience was wonderful. We really enjoyed our students and the
flexibility to teach our classes how we wanted them. Our second year we had to
follow a strict syllabus, but that just made our planning and teaching easier. Our
school became so big that we took on a few new teachers hailing from Scotland and
Canada. It was great to work with other foreigners and forge friendships.

Was it easy to find work?
As far as teaching English in Korea goes, it’s extremely easy to find work. Really all
you need is a 4-year college degree and a semi-clean background check. Is it easy to
find a job in a great environment with a wonderful director? Not so much. We heard
more horror stories than good while we were there. For us, our first year of teaching
went smoothly and we were so grateful that we had a wonderful and understanding
director. Our second year was not ideal, even though we stayed at the same school
with the same director. We ended up wishing we would’ve changed schools for our
last year.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
We obviously have no regrets when it comes to our time in Korea. Everything we did
lead us to where we are now and we are forever grateful for all of our experiences,
good and bad. That being said, in retrospect, we would have probably tried to get into
a public school instead of teaching at an after school academy.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life in your host country like?
Absolutely wonderful. We swear that Korean is probably one of the safest countries in
the world. There’s a huge code of honor and no one wants to bring shame or
disappointment upon their family. We often saw 4 and 5 year old children walking by
themselves to school, babies left in strollers outside markets while their parents
grocery shopped inside, and empty and unlocked cars left running with car keys
inside. Tawny would often go running late at night (we’re talking 10pm or 11pm) by
herself. People would pull up to her in their cars and start clapping for her or giving
her the thumbs up, often shouting, “good job” in broken English. There was never a
time we felt that we were in any danger.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Korean food is wonderful, albeit a bit spicy. You’ll be able to eat 5 start Thai food
once you return. It’s a country that can prove to be a little challenging for vegetarians
and vegans. There are a few vegan restaurants in the bigger cities and Buddhist
temples serve great meals sans meat. A lot of Korean dishes are built around meat.
Even if you attempt to tell a restaurant that you don’t want meat, they’ll attempt to
give you seafood instead.

Technology abounds in Korea and everywhere you look will be the newest smart
phone, tablet, and LCD screen. If you’re lucky, you might even have a fancy toilet in
your apartment. The one that comes with the plethora of buttonssome that heat your
seat, others that give you a “refreshing” shot of water. We wanted to immerse
ourselves in Korean culture as much as we could. We took hapkido, a self defense
based martial art, attended yoga classes, and took Korean courses. We’d often go out
on day trips and weekend outings with our hapkido master and his friends. We learned
so much about the culture and built friendships that will last our entire lives.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
Honestly? The lack of cheese. We’re not kidding. We had a smooth transition into
Korean living. The only time we ever really felt homesick was when we were craving
a delicious grilled cheese sandwich or quesadilla. I think being a couple made it easy
as well. We had each other and we could relate to what the other person was feeling
and going through. It would have probably been a little differed if we had gone alone.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
First, obtain a TESOL certificate to not only prepare you to become a better teacher
but also to receive a higher monthly salary. TESOL certificates can be done online or
on campus in locations all over the world. The school I went to
(http://globaltesol.com) is reputable and well recognized overseas.

Secondly, realize that a recruiter (most common way to secure a job) or prospective
employer is going to tell you all the right things to encourage you to sign a contract.
It’s totally up to you to get in contract with present and former teachers or to research

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
and ask the right questions about your job to find out as much as you can about the
school, your contract and director. Those who haven’t done their research may
possibly end up with bad working conditions that include substandard apartments,
unpaid overtime and deferred monthly payments to name just a few. ESL is very hit or
miss and the best way to ensure a great experience is to take the time to find a
reputable school and not rush into something that is less than ideal.
Finally, try as best to have clearly defined goals and something to look forward to at
the end of your teaching contract. In my opinion, nothing is worse than hanging out
with other expats continuously, spending the majority of your salary on drinking and
having nothing to show for your experience both culturally or materially by the end of
your contract.

Unfortunately, this kind of situation is not atypical. I think the right balance of work
and play allows one to enjoy their teaching experience, save money, make friends
with both locals and other expats and have something to look forward to at the end of
the contract – including options such as saving to go to grad school or enjoy a one
year trip around the world. That in my opinion is the optimal teaching year in South
Korea.

What It’s Like To Teach In Korea: Part II
Nicole Keslinke is an adventure seeking, life loving, travel writing and music loving
American girl whose been living abroad since 2006. After graduating from the
University of Illinois at Chicago, She promptly moved to the picturesque beaches of
Grand Cayman for over 2 years and worked for the Hard Rock Café. She moved to
Seoul, South Korea in April 2009 where she has been teaching ever since. You can
find out more at her website http://www.whereisnicole.com, or on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/nicolekeslinke. She opens up and shares her experience
teaching in South Korea, one of the most popular destinations for teaching in the
world.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Funnily enough I had no idea that teaching abroad was an experience to be had until
one night while surfing jobs on Career Builder in Chicago I saw an advertisement
from a recruitment company offering etching positions in Asia with no teaching
experience required. I was a little confused that a company could advertise such a
position and after I sent a sternly worded letter I received a call from a well-informed
and experienced agent who spent 2 hours explaining the process to me and I
immediately fell in love with the opportunity teaching ESL abroad offered me and
was more than delighted she invited me to interview the following week. After
passing the interview I was in Seoul 4 weeks later.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I am still currently teaching here in Seoul Korea and have been for over 2 and a half
years.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
I had been a camp counselor and taught swimming lessons as far as actual instruction
to other individuals goes, but I had absolutely no classroom teaching experience upon
my arrival in Seoul.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
The first and foremost requirement is a Bachelors Degree (or higher) from an
established University or College before any school or recruitment agency will
consider you. Please also note that a teaching job at a University typically only hires
those with a Master Degree, several TEFL Certifications and prior experience with
adults. Once you have signed with a school they will give you necessary training and
what they expect you to do. I chose to come and teach because the recruiter had
explained exactly what I would expect from both my training course and my first class
in front of students and I was confident I would do well. I was also hungry for the
opportunity to go outside my comfort zone and try something else in another foreign
country.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
I believe that any time spent explaining something to someone who has positively has
no idea what you are talking about, and having them walk away with the gist of what
you were trying to get at, is all the experience you need.

What was your experience like?
So far my experience has been life-changing. As an individual responsible for not only
instructing lessons to these kids, a lot of them see me as a role model and it has helped
shape my life’s outlook from a somewhat selfish standpoint to that of a someone who
wishes to give more than posses.
Was it easy to find work?
For my situation I felt like I accidentally fell down a sewer and came out smelling like
a bouquet of roses in terms of how my job situation turned out. I had an wonderfully
kind director, a beautiful apartment, and fantastic students; but many don’t have the
same luck. But in general terms yes, it was easy to find work both starting from my
home in North
America and already in Seoul (for the second time around).

During my phone interview I was asked my response to a number of potential
classroom situations and based on my answers I was invited to their training program
in Seoul. Part of the training program included teaching in front of my peers and other
training staff. There were also instructional videos and plenty of reading to help
prepare me for the test.
Only after successfully completing the week-long training program and passing the 3
hour test was I given a chance to teach in an actual classroom and my flight money
reimbursed. I was not required to obtain a TEFL before coming to the training
program but chose to get one during my time here in Seoul.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
If I had to choose something I would have brought a suitcase full of peanut butter and
western-sized shoes; both are hard to find and if you do, they’re overpriced.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Life in Korea is has been a jaw dropping experience. I have participated in a thousand
year old tea ceremony, chanted with Buddhist Monks at 3 am, rubbed shoulders with
famous musicians because I was one of a few foreigners at the show, walked in
ancient lava tubes, and have seen a liger. Almost 99 percent of the Koreans I have
interacted with have been warm and friendly to me and even if the only word they can
say in English is, “Hello!” I always reciprocate with a big warm, “Hi!” and both of us
walk away with a smile.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
I have found trying to communicate what I need when there isn’t a plain or direct
translation for it to be most difficult. It can become exhausting translating word after
word after word but ultimately rewarding because you learn how to skip a lot of
unnecessary steps the next time that happens.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
First and foremost I would suggest saving as much as you can and come to the country
first and explore potential employers before committing to one thousands of miles
away. If you are unable to do that I would suggest thoroughly researching your school
and its neighborhood to make sure it would be a right fit for you. I would also suggest
to have a sense of humor and an open mind every single day. There is a lot to be
learned if you just keep quiet, observe your surroundings and try and understand the
way other people think.

What It’s Like To Teach In Korea: Part III
Steven Sirski is a writer, musician, filmmaker, English teacher and sometimes a
tractor driver. He has been travelling all over the world since 2009. You can find out
more about his travels and other adventures at his website, stevensirski.com, follow
him on Twitter, or find him on Facebook.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Simply, I wanted to get out and see the world. My home town, Winnipeg, is kind of
isolated from the rest of Canada. But money was on my mind as I didn’t want to leave
home without knowing I could recoup my expenses. South Korea was the perfect
starting place for me since they paid for my ticket over, covered my apartment rental
fee, and offered a generous salary.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I taught in Busan, South Korea for one year.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
I hold a BA and an MA but had never taught English before I went to South Korea.
However, I’ve been a performing musician and filmmaker my entire life so standing
up in front of people and trying to get them to understand what I’m saying has been a
large part of my life.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
Any prior experience will help. Certified or experienced teachers will have more ideas
with regard to how to handle students, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll
adapt to a country and its people well. The South Korean government’s English
teaching program, EPIK, offered an 8-day orientation that helped prepare me for the
classroom. Financially speaking, certification might help you make more but not
necessarily.

What was your experience like?
Great. I learned a lot about the countries and cultures I visited and I’ve developed a
greater appreciation for the teachers I’ve had throughout my life. I’ve also learned a
lot about myself as I’ve travelled so the benefits of travelling abroad have been very
rewarding.

Was it easy to find work?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
It was easy to find work, but it was hard to allow myself to take the risk to go. South
Korea was the first time I left my home town and moved so far away.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
I’d like to say I should’ve stayed in Korea for another year to save more money, but I
wanted to keep moving. I’d be wiser with my money and try not to party so much,
both things that are easier said than done.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
Fantastic. Despite being constantly informed of the things Korea has invented or done
for the world, the people, the places and the general living standards in Korea were
absolutely fantastic. Not only that, I got to make a short film in Korea as a class
project titled Coffee and Milk. That’s something I’ll never forget.
It was also humbling to visit another country to teach a language I take for granted
while struggling and often failing in their native language. Many places and people are
very similar: the internet is all over the place; smiles are ubiquitous, free and catchy;
beer is cheap and a communal beverage; coffee is for reflection; lots of big cities have
lots of big buildings; and many country sides, no matter the country, all start to look
like a bunch of trees. The idea of “being at one with nature” escapes me, can’t that
happen anywhere and everywhere?

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
Always being in “teacher” mode whenever someone wanted to practice their English.
Living in another country is sometimes awkward because you have off days and days
when you just want to be left alone, as happens in Canada, but then someone wants to
practice their English. I don’t want to be rude or even cut the conversation short
because sometimes those conversations can be very interesting and revealing. I
learned that it pays to be courteous becauseoften it’s nerve-racking for the non-
English speaker to build up the courage necessary to try to go beyond “Hello, what’s
your name?” An added bonus is that Koreans are extremely nice people.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
1. Go.
2. Keep an open mind.
3. Have a fall back plan.

What It’s Like To Teach In Korea: Part IV
Chris and Tawny met at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro and haven’t looked back since.
They decided to treat their severe case of wanderlust and also supplement their
income by packing up and teaching English in South Korea. They’ve been on the road,
exploring the world together for the last four years. Not wanting to keep their travels
to themselves, they began filming their adventures to share with friends and family
back home. They’re now gearing up for their next adventure that will take them
around the world, hand delivering letters that they got out of a post barrel in the
Galapagos. They can be found at the website Captain and Clark.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
We had just graduated from college and were itching to travel. We had explored
different options, many involved choosing a country, moving there, and trying to find
a job. We realized that getting a job beforehand was a better option. Originally, we
had planned to teach abroad for only six months. Six months turned into two years and
we fell in love with the country and our students.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
We taught in the coastal town of Pohang, South Korea. We were there for a total of
two years.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
None really. Chris double majored in English and Theater in college and both were
very useful in the ESL classroom. Tawny had worked with children before, but never
in the classroom. We both went into this with little hands on experience.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
With a huge influx in foreign teachers over the past few years, the application process
and paperwork to get into Korea has gotten a little more strenuous. At the time that we
submitted our forms we needed our degrees and background checks apostilled. That
involved a long trip to the capital and a couple hundred dollars. We also needed to
send in two letters of recommendation, head shots, and our resumes.

We fortunately moved to Korea before FBI background checks were required. We
hear that those can take up to 4 months to process, so if you’re even thinking about
teaching abroad, you might want to start the application process now- just to be safe.
As far as visas go, the director of your school should take care of it for you. In our
case, she needed our actual degrees (not copies), head shots, and our signed contract.
Along with your visa, you director should also help you get your alien registration
card. This card is just like your drivers license and should be on you at all times. With
that said, be sure that
you communicate with your director. While it is their responsibility, some might think
that you can take it all on by yourself. Make sure to ask how the process is going and
have them keep you update.

Do you think you need and prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
We think that prior experience would definitely be helpful. Getting CELTA, TEFL, or
TOEFL certified will not only get you a better paycheck, it will also prepare you for
the ESL teaching experience. It’s not necessary, but it’s something that we’d
definitely recommend.

There are some countries like Thailand and Vietnam where you can touchdown and
start the job search on your own. Korea is very different. To have a legal teaching job
in Korea you must find a school and director beforehand. That’s the way that you’ll
get your E2 visa and alien registration card. Unless you plan on working under the
table with no benefits (and having to leave the country every 3 months), it’s best to
find a legitimate job before you leave your home country.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Not to say that it can’t be done, just that it rarely works out in your best interest. There
are a plethora of jobs in the Korean school system waiting for teachers. Visit sites like
Daves ESL cafe and you’ll have hundreds of schools in various areas of the country.
Choose the ones that appeal to you, send in the criteria they’re asking for (resume,
head shot, letters of recommendation), and then wait for their call/e-mail. If they like
your paperwork, they’ll usually ask for a phone interview. If your interview goes well,
they’ll send you a contract and then tell you all of the required paperwork that you’ll
need.

What was your experience like?
It was a life changing experience. The first year was better than we ever could have
hoped for. We liked our director, we loved our hours, and the students were very well
behaved. Since we enjoyed it so much we decided to sign on for another year.

Our second year in Korea was vastly different from our first. Our director opened
stressed, irritable, and we could no longer depend on her. We were forced and we felt
like we were being mistreated. This is very typical of the hagwon downs. We also
didn’t receive the benefits that we deserved. We had to fight tooth and nail just to get
our severance money before we left. Even then, we only received a portion of it. Our
classroom teaching experience was wonderful. We really enjoyed our students and the
flexibility to teach our classes how we wanted them. Our second year we had to
follow a strict syllabus, but that just made our planning and teaching easier. Our
school became so big that we took on a few new teachers hailing from Scotland and
Canada. It was great to work with other foreigners and forge friendships.

Was it easy to find work?
As far as teaching English in Korea goes, it’s extremely easy to find work. Really all
you need is a 4-year college degree and a semi-clean background check. Is it easy to
find a job in a great environment with a wonderful director? Not so much. We heard
more horror stories than good while we were there. For us, our first year of teaching
went smoothly and we were so grateful that we had a wonderful and understanding
director. Our second year was not ideal, even though we stayed at the same school

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
with the same director. We ended up wishing we would’ve changed schools for our
last year.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
We obviously have no regrets when it comes to our time in Korea. Everything we did
lead us to where we are now and we are forever grateful for all of our experiences,
good and bad. That being said, in retrospect, we would have probably tried to get into
a public school instead of teaching at an after school academy.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life in your host country like?
Absolutely wonderful. We swear that Korean is probably one of the safest countries in
the world. There’s a huge code of honor and no one wants to bring shame or
disappointment upon their family. We often saw 4 and 5 year old children walking by
themselves to school, babies left in strollers outside markets while their parents
grocery shopped inside, and empty and unlocked cars left running with car keys
inside. Tawny would often go running late at night (we’re talking 10pm or 11pm) by
herself. People would pull up to her in their cars and start clapping for her or giving
her the thumbs up, often shouting, “good job” in broken English. There was never a
time we felt that we were in any danger.

Korean food is wonderful, albeit a bit spicy. You’ll be able to eat 5 start Thai food
once you return. It’s a country that can prove to be a little challenging for vegetarians
and vegans. There are a few vegan restaurants in the bigger cities and Buddhist
temples serve great meals sans meat. A lot of Korean dishes are built around meat.
Even if you attempt to tell a restaurant that you don’t want meat, they’ll attempt to
give you seafood instead.
Technology abounds in Korea and everywhere you look will be the newest smart
phone, tablet, and LCD screen. If you’re lucky, you might even have a fancy toilet in
your apartment. The one that comes with the plethora of buttonssome that heat your
seat, others that give you a “refreshing” shot of water.

We wanted to immerse ourselves in Korean culture as much as we could. We took
hapkido, a self defense based martial art, attended yoga classes, and took Korean

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
courses. We’d often go out on day trips and weekend outings with our hapkido master
and his friends. We learned so much about the culture and built friendships that will
last our entire lives.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
Honestly? The lack of cheese. We’re not kidding. We had a smooth transition into
Korean living. The only time we ever really felt homesick was when we were craving
a delicious grilled cheese sandwich or quesadilla. I think being a couple made it easy
as well. We had each other and we could relate to what the other person was feeling
and going through. It would have probably been a little differed if we had gone alone.

What are your top three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
1. Do your research beforehand. You’ll need to decide whether teaching in a
public school or in an after-school academy is best for you and your lifestyle.
Like to have more control over your classroom and what you do/don’t teach?
Love to stay up late and sleep in? Don’t need the security of a government job?
A hagwon academy would probably be right up your alley. Want to start early
and get off early? Like working with other teachers and having a set schedule?
Are you able to control a higher volume of students who might speak little to
no English? A public school would be great for you.

In our case, we went with a hagwon and loved it However, dealing with the
parents, our director, and the politics of it all can get a little wearisome. That,
and you don’t have the security that you would if you taught at a public school.
These hagwons come and go and you might go into the office one day and be
told that you no longer have a job and have to be out of your apartment in two
days (true story, happened to many of our friends).

2. Keep an open mind and be sure to respect local customs. Koreans are typically
very friendly and inviting. There’s a big honor system and were rarely made
uncomfortable the entire two years we were there. Also, commit. The number
one difference between expats who were depressed in Korea and people who

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
loved it was that people who were sad and homesick, stuck to what they knew
and people who loved it, vampyrically drank all they could from it. Learn the
language, take a martial arts, visit the local digs, and if you’re single, maybe try
dating a local.

3. If you’re taller than 5’3”, weigh more than 120 pounds, and have a shoe size
bigger than a 7, you might want to bring a ton of clothes with you. Chris is 6’3”
and was literally scoffed at anytime he went into a Korean shoe store. Ladies,
it’s
very tricky to buy bras that are bigger than an American A. Make sure to bring
enough to last you throughout your time there. That, or have friends back home
who are willing to bra shop for you. Korean clothes are very modern and sleek.
There are some things that you’ll be able to wear, and some that will be
splitting at the seams. Better to be safe than sorry... and naked.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

MEXICO
General Information
English teachers in Mexico mostly work at schools, from elementary through
university level. You can also teach at a private language school. English teachers in
Mexico must have a TEFL or CELTA certification, and being a native English
speaker is also a necessity. You may also be able to work for a company that may hire
you to teach conversational English to their employees.

Working Conditions
For all EFL/ESL teachers, particularly North Americans, Mexico offers some of the
best opportunities for finding teaching work quickly. Currently, the demand for
English teachers in Mexico is at an all time high. Mexico City, Guadalajara, Puerto
Vallarta, Cancun, Acapulco, Monterrey & Chihuahua are all boom towns for teachers,
reliant as many are upon tourism for income.

Since Mexico’s inclusion in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the
need for Mexicans to learn English has risen dramatically. Private language schools
are now everywhere, including several large chains, and more and more companies
are providing in-house English lessons for their employees. There are also language
centers attached to state universities.

In Mexico, it is very common to have split-shift work at language schools, especially
ones that primarily cater to companies. Expect to work early in the morning and late in
the afternoon with a long break, or “siesta,” in the middle of the day. You will most
likely work around 25 hours per week at a language school, instead of a full 40 hours
per week.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
If you work at a university or private school, you can expect to teach a minimum of 20
hours per week plus another 10-20 hours of administrative work, lesson preparation,
and grading. And be advised, universities and private schools generally don’t offer
much of a budget for computers, Internet access, or high-end equipment, as their
resources are limited.

Teacher Salary Information
Teachers’ salaries in Mexico are not very high and can vary greatly through the
country. At a language school, you will usually earn around 6000-12000 MXN ($437-
874 USD) per month through either hourly wages or a monthly salary. You can live
off of this money locally, but you won’t be saving much to take home with you. The
better salary usually comes from universities and private schools, with salaries from
8,000-27,000 MXN ($582-1,966 USD) per month. Many times, these schools also
provide accommodation, health coverage, and vales, or coupons for local purchases.
Foreign teachers are responsible for paying income tax above the tax-exempted
amount of 4800 MXN per month.

Benefits
You don’t get many benefits included in Mexico. Sometimes you get accommodation
but not often. You’ll get vacation time and health insurance, though, if you work at a
public school, university, or language school. Mexico does not have any agreements
with other nations exchanging health benefits for their citizens. ESL teachers are not
entitled to use the Mexican public health system, therefore it is highly recommended
to purchase private health insurance before leaving home.

Working Visa Information
There are two types of Mexican visas that English teachers typically apply for. The T3
visa is meant for teachers interested in teaching for a period of time and eventually
returning to their native country to live, and can be extended for up to five years. For
those interested in gaining a Mexican citizenship, the T2 visa is a better option. The

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
T2 allows teachers to have immigrant status after a five-year probation period,
following which teachers can apply for Mexican citizenship.

Visa applicants will be required to have $1,000 MXN in their bank account and must
provide bank transaction records to prove this upon applying for a visa. ESL teachers
interested in gaining a visa can apply at a Mexican embassy or consulate office.

In order to apply for a Mexican work permit, you must have a registered Mexican
company to support your visa application. This company must submit a work permit
application on your behalf to the labor authorities in Mexico. The company must
include a copy of their incorporation articles, proof of tax payments, confirmation of
your job title with the company, job description, salary information, your current
resume, your original university diploma or transcript, a copy of your passport, and
your birth certificate.

Cost of Living Guide
Mexico is cheap. You can live on around 8,000 MXN ($582 USD) a month, even less
in rural areas. An apartment can cost about 4502.22MXN ($327.97 USD) per month,
plus utilities. In Mexico City and other major cities, rents might be higher depending
on the neighborhood. Food is very inexpensive in Mexico. You can eat cheap meals
for around 56.55 MXN ($4.12 USD) from street vendors.

Northern regions of Mexico often consist of more meat-based dishes, which feature a
lot of beef and goat. Dishes from the central region of the country have a combination
of flavors from both the North and South.

Job Links
http://www.eslbase.com/jobs/mexico/
http://www.esljobsworld.com/esl-jobs/latin-america.html
http://www.esljobs.com/teach-english/mexico/
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/|


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

POLAND
General Information
Since joining the European Union, Poland’s demand for English teachers has
increased dramatically. Students interested in a business-oriented career must take a
government-administered English proficiency exam. Salaries are usually lower in
Poland than in other parts of Europe, but the opportunity to make extra money with
private lessons is around every corner. English teachers in Poland can enter into short
contracts.

Working Conditions
The typical teaching schedule is around 24 hours per week (a 45 minute lesson often
counts as one hour). Pay in the private sector ranges can go up to 4001 PLN ($1,222
USD) per month gross and deductions are made at around 21%.

You can expect higher rates of pay for freelance work of up to52.38 PLN per hour
($16 USD) and for teaching business English or helping out at University level. As is
common in much of Eastern Europe, finding good quality, affordable accommodation
can be difficult. The cost of living is also rising. Despite this, working conditions are
not exploitative and Poland’s people and culture should make for an enriching
personal experience. But be prepared for cold, cloudy, and moderately severe winters
with lots of rain and snow.

Student ages vary from 6-60. Schools are mostly focused on providing business
English, general English, public speaking and conversation classes. On average,
teaching hours are between 20-30 hours per week. Most of schools provide their
teachers with a set a curriculum for the students to follow. However, teachers are
generally free to adapt these courses, as long as it caters to the needs of the students.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Teacher Salary Information
For EFL teachers, the average monthly salary is 2,500 PLN ($763.52 USD) for those
in government schools and between 3,000-9,168 PLN ($916-2,800 USD) in private
schools, which is a significantly more and why most people prefer private schools.
However, even foreign teachers are liable for an income tax rate of 20%.
Benefits
Many schools in Poland offers teachers free accommodation (if not, they will help you
find some), teacher training, Polish language classes, paid holidays, and work permit
assistance. Similarly, many language institutes also provide following benefits:
• 24 teaching hours a week; 720 hours per school year
• on-the-job teacher training assistance
• all the books and materials needed
• 4 weeks of paid holiday within school year.

Working Visa Information
EU citizens are permitted to live and work in Poland without any special visas. A few
countries have a special agreement with Poland, and their citizens are able to visit for
up to 90 days without a visa, but they still need a work visa to have a paying job. Non-
EU citizens, however, need a residence visa and a work permit from their potential
employer to legally work and live in Poland.

The company that hires you will send you a “work permit promise,” which can be a
complex and lengthy process. Companies in Poland are required to advertise any open
positions locally before they can offer it to a foreigner. If no Polish citizen is placed in
this job after one month, our employer is then responsible for the rest of the
application process of your residence visa, and they apply for your work permit.

Your work permit will be issued by the Regional Employment Office closest to where
you will actually be working in Poland. Generally, work permits are valid for 12
months, but this can vary depending on the terms of your “work permit promise.”


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
There is an additional way to work legally in Poland. Instead of getting a work permit
through a school, you can register with the local government as a ‘company’, and
work as a self-employed freelancer. In order to do this, you will need a school willing
to hire you and a contract in hand. But this status also means that you can work in as
many different schools as you want. Many schools in Wroclaw, for example, require
teachers to have their own company, or be willing to start their own company, to be
considered for the position. You also need a temporary residency permit to do this.

If you open your own company, you are completely responsible for having a local
address at which your company is registered, paying for your own taxes and for the
public health insurance.

Cost of Living Guide
Compared to many other European countries, Poland is a relatively cheap country in
which to live. Teaching English in Poland offers an excellent opportunity to
experience authentic European culture, cuisine and lifestyle. While the salary is not
lucrative, the experience is definitely worth the stay. Most schools offer their teachers
free accommodation in the form of shared housing with other teachers or living with a
host family. For schools that do not provide housing, they will still usually help in
finding accommodations. A room in a shared house or apartment will generally cost
around 651.88 PLN ($199.09 USD) per month (on the low end) or 800 PLN on the
high end, while a room with your own kitchen and bathroom will cost about 2,054.62-
2,672.77 PLN ($627.50-816.29 USD) per month. Dining in Poland can range from
affordable to pricy, depending on your personal preferences. At a high-end restaurant,
you could dine for 85.55-113.35 PLN ($26.13-34.62 USD), while at a regular pizza
place, a meal will cost 13.62-33.39 PLN ($4.16-10.20 USD). 13.62-33.39 PLN
($4.16-10.20 USD).

The country has a lot to offer, from a number of museums and theaters, to impressive
architecture and medieval towns.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
The Polish are warm-hearted people, eager to learn English and have high respect for
their teachers. Conveniently situated in central Europe, Poland is definitely a great
place to teach English.

Job Links
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
http://www.esljobfind.com/
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/centralandeasterneurope.sht
ml
http://www.jobsabroad.com/search/poland
http://www.esljobs.com/teach-english/poland/
http://www.learn4good.com/jobs/language/english/list/country/poland/

What It’s Like To Teach In Poland
Jenna Makowski is a freelance writer, editor and English teacher whose first journey
coincides with the first book she ever read. She has lived in Russia, Poland and
Ireland. Currently based in Washington DC, she grapples to understand place
experientially, through people, music and daily life. She blogs at
http://jennagmakowski.com/. She talks about what it’s like to teach English in
Poland.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
I was in the process of transitioning from a Masters program to a Doctoral program
when I was suddenly hit with a moment of panic – do I want to be a perpetual
student/academic? I decided I needed a hiatus to think about it, and I wanted to travel.
So I made the choice to teach English abroad.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I taught for one year in Moscow, Russia and one year in Wroclaw, Poland.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
I completed a 4-week TEFL certification before I signed my first contract. I also had
experience teaching as a graduate assistant instructor, although in a completely
different field.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
Yes. Teaching in Europe is virtually impossible without – at the very least – a
certificate. In fact, some private schools in Poland will not even hire teachers without
a CELTA, which is the Cambridge version of the TEFL and the Holy Grail for some
European schools. I was rejected from International House, one of the largest chains
in Poland, simply because I had a TEFL certificate and not a CELTA (even though
they are, more or less, the exact same thing. The only difference is where you get it;
you can get CELTA-certified in the UK, and TEFL-certified in America). If you want
to teach at an international school or a public school in Poland, you will also probably
need an education degree of some sort.

What was your experience like?
I taught at private language schools, mostly adult evening classes. The curriculum was
largely based on the New English File series. My school had a syllabus prepared for
me, and I just had to create lessons around the material for that day. I also worked in
tandem with a co-teacher; we split material and taught alternate classes throughout the
week.

Was it easy to find work?
Since Poland has entered the EU, it’s becoming slightly harder for non-EU passport
holders to find work, though there are plenty of native English speaker positions out
there. It’s much more difficult to find a job in Poland over the internet – more schools
are willing to hire teachers who come in on the spot. Also, I’ve found that it’s rare for
schools in Poland to pay for accommodation or flights. In fact, in Wroclaw (which is
the 3rd largest city in Poland), if you want to teach at the private language schools,
you have to set up your own company with the local government, get a temporary
residence card and be hired as a self-employed freelance teacher. My school helped
me with this process, but I was essentially responsible for myself – I paid my own

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
taxes each month and my own insurance (as part of the Polish social insurance
program), and I was responsible for renewing my residency card when it expired. I
was also free to teach at other schools at the same time.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
I would have kept better track of the supplemental teaching materials that I
photocopied and used. Had I kept everything organized in a folder, I would have had a
huge arsenal of additional activities and worksheets at my disposal, making lesson
planning easier and quicker.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
Living in Poland, especially a larger city, is manageable if you don’t speak any Polish,
as English is fairly widespread, especially with the younger population. Salaries in
Poland can be pretty low, even for native speakers and beyond, in many other careers
and job types. The city of Wroclaw has a great, central location – it’s possible to go to
Berlin, Krakow, Prague, Budapest or Vienna for an extended weekend.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
In Poland, I’ve had trouble adjusting to the lack of grocery stores with a wide range of
vegetables, spices and other items. The Polish diet can be pretty uniform, sometimes.

What are your top three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
1. If you open your own company and teach as a freelancer, stay in control of
your own schedule. Don’t let schools manhandle or manipulate you into taking
more classes than you want or can handle. Be upfront with when you are
available to teach.
2. Be open to working on weekends – Saturday morning classes are often highly
attended and well paid.
3. Take advantage of the methodologist. Many private schools in Poland have
regular methodologists who work and observe teachers. Take advantage of the

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
expertise, ask for questions and advice. Little modifications can go far when it
comes to better teaching practices.


RUSSIA
General Information
There is a high demand for native English speakers in Russia in major cities like
Moscow and St. Petersburg, and in smaller, secondary cities in both western Russia
and Siberia. Many private language schools require teachers to have an
internationally-recognized TEFL certification, and public schools and universities will
likely require a university degree or a background in education.

Working Conditions
To meet the demand for English language education, numerous private language
schools have opened in Russia in the last decade. Many of these schools are chains,
with multiple branches in Moscow and other cities across Russia. While being hired at
a private school usually requires TEFL certification, some schools – particularly the
chains – offer their own certification programs, which participants pay for. Graduates
are then filtered into full-time, paid teaching positions.

Most teachers hired at private language schools in Russia are considered full-time, and
teach between 24 and 30 hours per week. One teaching hour may be equivalent to
anywhere between 45 and 60 minutes. Schools run classes for students of all ages,
from young learners to adults. While English is part of the general curriculum in
elementary and secondary schools, many students seek additional instruction, and
classes are often held in the afternoons and evenings.

General English, Business English and Exam Prep courses are all standard
components of most private school curriculums. Some schools focus more heavily, or

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
even exclusively, on hiring teachers for Business English contracts. Known as ‘in-
company’ work, these teachers teach in offices at the contracted company. Schools
may also offer classes for individual students, and it is not uncommon for teachers to
travel to students’ homes or offices for individual lessons, as arranged by the school.
Sometimes teachers may be asked to work split shifts, teaching individual lessons in
the mornings and adult classes in the evenings. Multiple daily commutes to students’
homes or between school branches is common, especially in Moscow.

Some public schools and universities hire teachers as well, but a degree in education
will likely be part of the job description. It may also be possible to find teaching work
directly with companies.

Teacher Salary Information
Most of the major schools in Russia offer similar salary packages. Salaries are paid in
rubles and average between 25,000 – 36,000 rubles per month ($800 - $1150 USD per
month). Salaries will be higher in Moscow than other cities, to compensate for higher
costs of living.

There is also a demand for private lessons. In Moscow, a 90-minute lesson may be
valued upwards of 1500 – 2000 rubles ($45 - $60 USD). Private lessons in smaller
cities run much less. It’s best to check with fellow teachers to get a sense of what the
going rates are in your area.

Benefits
Most private schools offer free accommodation or a generous accommodation stipend.
When schools provide accommodation, it is often shared with other teachers.
Packages also usually include flight reimbursement and visa fees on completion of the
contract, and they should also pay for taxes and insurance. There are over a dozen
public holidays in Russia, including 10 at Christmas. Private schools often offer up to
10 vacation days, in addition to the national public holidays.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Working Visa Information
All foreigners need a visa to enter Russia. After hiring, a school will apply for a letter
of invitation from the government. Once approved, they will forward the letter of
invitation, along with a sponsoring cover letter, to the teacher. The teacher must then
apply for a visa. The application can be found on the Russian consulate website, and
can be sent via the mail through an accredited agency or done in person at a consulate.
The current visa fee is $131 USD. It’s important to check your local Russian consulate
website for information; requirements differ slightly depending on which country you
are applying from. Most schools provide extensive visa assistance, especially as many
teachers enter Russia on a tourist visa and switch to a work visa after 90 days.

Russian law stipulates that everyone (citizens and foreigners) must be registered at a
valid address. Schools will register their teachers at the address of accommodation. If
a foreigner intends to leave the city in which he/she is registered for longer than 3
days, he/she must inform local officials and re-register upon return (most schools will
take care of this, but it is important to inform your employer when you plan to leave
and return for vacation). Likewise, if you plan to visit another city in Russia, you must
register there as well for the duration of your stay. This is either done through your
hotel or, if you are staying at an individual address, through the local government
office.

Cost of Living Guide
Even though Moscow often carries the stereotype of being one of the most expensive
cities in the world, it is affordable with a teacher’s salary and a bit of caution. As with
most major metropolitan cities in the world, luxury options exist alongside more
affordable ones. Food costs in Moscow average between 1500 and 3000 rubles per
week for groceries ($45 - $90 USD). A pint of beer at an average bar ranges from 80 –
150 rubles ($3 - $6 USD).

Housing can be on the expensive side in Moscow, and if a school offers
accommodation coverage or stipends, take advantage of it. To rent a room in an
apartment near a metro station may run 15,000 – 20,000 rubles per month ($500- $650

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
USD). To rent a room in a city besides Moscow may run anywhere between 5,000 and
15,000 rubles per month, depending on the location ($160 - $500 USD).

Transportation is a cost that must be factored into a Moscow budget. A 90-day metro
pass runs around 2400 rubles ($80 USD). Individual metro tickets and bus tickets and
run around 30 rubles ($1 USD). The cost of living in general is much lower outside of
Moscow, and salaries will be lower as well.

Job Links
http://www.waytorussia.net/Expat/Teaching.html
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0101/russia.shtml
http://jobs.goabroad.com/search/russia/jobs-abroad-1
http://www.esljobs.com/russia/

What It’s Like To Teach In Russia
Jenna Makowski is a freelance writer, editor and English teacher whose first journey
coincides with the first book she ever read. She has lived in Russia, Poland and
Ireland. Currently based in Washington DC, she grapples to understand place
experientially, through people, music and daily life. She blogs at
http://jennagmakowski.com/. She talks about what it’s like to teach English in
Russia.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
I was in the process of transitioning from a Masters program to a Doctoral program
when I was suddenly hit with a moment of panic – do I want to be a perpetual
student/academic? I decided I needed a hiatus to think about it, and I wanted to travel.
So I made the choice to teach English abroad.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I taught for one year in Moscow, Russia and one year in Wroclaw, Poland.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
I completed a 4-week TEFL certification before I signed my first contract in Moscow.
I also had experience teaching as a graduate assistant instructor, although in a
completely different field.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
Absolutely. In Russia, the majority of schools will not consider hiring teachers
without a certificate. Some of the private language schools even offer their own
certification programs that prospective teachers can pay for before being filtered into
full-time, paid work.

What was your experience like?
I taught at private language schools, mostly adult evening classes. In general, I was
expected to follow the given text (New English File), and to cover the material in a
given period of time. I had freedom to design my own curriculum based on the book,
and could supplement with outside material.

Was it easy to find work?
There are plenty of opportunities for teaching English in Russia. My school took care
of my visa and all of my documents.

They also paid for my accommodation, insurance and reimbursed me for my flight.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
I would have kept better track of the supplemental teaching materials that I
photocopied and used. Had I kept everything organized in a folder, I would have had a
huge arsenal of additional activities and worksheets at my disposal, making lesson
planning easier and quicker.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
I found that life in Moscow, for me, had fairly extreme ups and downs. It’s a huge
city, and the amount of people can be overwhelming at times. I would recommend

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
learning a bit of Russian before going, as it’s not so easy to find English speakers in
stores and restaurants. And if you can’t at least read the Cyrillic subway signs, you
won’t be able to function on a day-to-day basis. Moscow is a city with a fascinating
history, and there is plenty to do on weekends and during holidays (museums,
concerts, restaurants, day-trips around the Golden Ring). There’s excellent public
transportation.

Even though my school wasn’t always very well organized or communicative, the
teachers were treated very well. By the end of the school year, I felt like part of a
family.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
My school was rooted in a lot of needless bureaucracy, and it was often difficult to get
seemingly simple information, like the level of a new student or a supplemental
listening CD from the library.

What are your top three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
1. Go with the flow. Don’t expect to be showered with instructions. After getting
my job and visa, I was simply told to fly to Moscow and meet Vladimir at the
airport. I had no idea who Vladimir was, nor did I speak any Russian
(Vladimir, as I soon found out, also didn’t speak any English). I arrived at the
airport; Vladimir was waiting. He shook my hand, asked for my passport,
handed me his, and walked away. While the instinctual response might have
been to panic, I didn’t, and it was fine. He only had to make a photocopy for
some sort of bureaucratic red tape, and he eventually returned; he’d given me
his own passport as collateral, after all.

My time in Russia was filled with in-the-moment information (I only found out
which classes I’d be teaching 2 hours before I was meant to start) and last
minute communications (text messages at midnight: you have a new student
tomorrow!) I also never managed to open a bank account (I opened my sock
drawer instead), and am pretty sure I unknowingly collaborated in a tax evasion

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
scheme. But in the end, everything worked out, and I came away with great
teacher-student relationships and friendships with the staff.
2. Learn a bit of Russian before you go.
3. Supplement your income with private students. There is a huge market for
native speakers, and people are willing to pay for the service. Be aware of
whether or not the contract you’ve signed with the school has any stipulations
about whether you can teach independently, outside of the school. Observe and
talk to other fellow teachers about what they do – and go with the flow.
Chances are, the w ords in the contract don’t match up with the generally
accepted practices

SAUDI ARABIA
General Information
Like Dubai or other Arab states, Saudi Arabia pays very well. You will make a lot of
money here and all of it is tax free.

However, unlike Dubai, you don’t get nearly as many freedoms as you do there.
Moreover, since much of the country is hostile to westerners, most of your jobs will
be restricted to Riyadh and on western compounds and a few universities. You won’t
be able to travel very openly outside certain areas.

Working Conditions
The working week in Saudi Arabia tends to vary between 40 and 48 hours, depending
on the particular company’s policy. Office hours are usually from 8.30 or 9.00 am to
5.30 or 6.00 pm. There are no differences in time keeping between summer and
winter. In the month of Ramadan, the working day is reduced to six hours and legally
this should apply to all staff, but many companies only apply it to Muslims, who fast
during daylight hours.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Saudi is one of the few countries where teachers can make good money. There are
jobs available in schools or through teaching private lessons. Although in the past
there has been some resistance to teaching English in primary schools, the Saudi
government announced in June 2011 that it was reducing the age at which English
teaching would be taught in state schools from 11 to 9.

In an elementary school working hours are generally 7am to 3pm. In a private school
or university the hours are mainly in the evening. Most schools are sex segregated
with female teachers teaching women and girls and male teachers teaching men and
boys.

Teacher Salary Information
Teacher’s salaries in Saudi Arabia can range from 6,000- 11251.2 SAR ($1,600-3000
USD) per month, depending on your experience and qualifications. If you have a
Master’s degree and experience, you can earn upwards of 180019.2 SAR ($48,000
USD) per year. Many English teachers also provide private tutoring, as this is in high
demand, and you can charge about 100.39-150 SAR ($26.77-40 USD) per hour. No
income tax will be taken out of these salaries. But because the region has no personal
taxation, net income is usually much greater, which is one of the major attractions of
working in Saudi Arabia.

Benefits
In Saudi Arabia, you get tax-free income; housing, medical coverage, paid holidays,
and vacations. Moreover, sometimes you even get return airfare. In addition to their
salary, contract workers are awarded an ‘indemnity’ at the end of the contract period.
Saudi Arabia legislates that the indemnity is based on the value of the entire
remuneration package including performance bonuses. The indemnity can be a
significant amount of money if you’ve been working in Saudi Arabia for a long time.
Indemnity scales usually amount to 15 (in some cases 20) days of basic pay per year
of employment for the first three years and thereafter a month’s salary per year of
employment.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

Working Visa Information
You must be at least 22 years old and have a residence and a work permit in order to
get a visa to legally teach English in Saudi Arabia (also, some individuals of certain
religious faiths are not permitted). Before applying for these permits or arriving in
Saudi Arabia, you must have secured an offer of employment. The process of
receiving your visa can still take up to two months.

Your prospective employer must sponsor your work permit application to the Ministry
of Employment, and they must be satisfied that you are required for work. Once the
Ministry of Employment approves your application, they will send it to the Ministry
of the Interior to issue a residence permit. Once both the work permit and residence
permit are approved, you must apply for a visa with the Saudi embassy in your home
country.

The embassy requires the following authenticated documents in order to process your
visa request:
• Completed application form
• Certified and notarized copy of the educational degrees with official transcripts
• Copy of signed contract
• Original Letter of Invitation certified by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce
• Police certificates
• Medical report (including an AIDs test)
• Three passport-size photographs
• Application fee

Cost of Living
The overall cost of living in Saudi Arabia is similar to that in most European
countries, if you’re living in the style of the average western expatriate.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
You will find that you have a very low cost of living in Saudi Arabia because your
employer will provide for your housing, utilities, health insurance, and amenities.
Food, leisure activities, and shopping are primarily your only expenses. Dining in
Saudi Arabia is quite affordable. Dinner at a restaurant with three courses will cost
about 102.38 SAR ($27.30 USD), and eating fast food will cost about 15-30 SAR ($4-
8.00 USD). Having a cup of coffee at a café costs about 3.75-7 SAR ($1-1.87 USD).

A three-course dinner might cost around SAR 70 (US$18.67) while a fast-food meal
will be SAR 10-15 (US$2.67-4.00).

A cup of coffee in a cafe costs SAR 2-6 (US$0.53-1.60) depending upon the
establishment and area. Local buses cost around SAR 3 (US$0.80) for a 3km/1.86
mile ride. Car hire for a regular sedan costs around SAR (US$53.28) per day. Web
cafes charge SAR 8 (US$1.14) per hour. Annual membership at a fitness club costs
around SAR 2,000 (US$532).

Job Links
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
http://www.eslemployment.com/esl-jobs/middle-east/
http://www.esljobs.com/teach-english/saudi-arabia/
http://www.getesljobs.com/search.asp?search=job&countryexperience=Saudi%2
0Arabia





© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

SPAIN
General Information
EU residents have a much easier time finding work in Spain than Americans. While
native English speakers generally get priority, Americans may find it difficult to get a
teaching job in Spain because they tend to prefer England- and Irelandborn English
speakers. Though difficult, some companies, such as larger corporations, prefer hiring
American English speakers, especially teachers for teaching students that will be
communicating with the western world.

Working Conditions
Teaching in Spain only lasts from mid-September through late-June, and there are not
many opportunities to teach over the summer. Like elsewhere in Europe, students like
to take the summer off and in August nearly everyone goes on vacation, so you won’t
find any work then.

Typically, teachers are treated well here. Again, like Belgium, there’s nothing either
really great or really bad about teaching in Spain. Normal working conditions apply.
That being said, you do get a lot of siestas. That’s a big, big plus.

Teacher Salary Information
Teaching English in Madrid, you can expect to earn about € 1,100.55- 1,324.65EUR
($1,488-1,791 USD) per month. If you have more experience, you can sometimes earn
between €2,000-3,000 EUR ($1,479.23- 2,218.85USD) per month.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

Benefits
Spain offers teachers health insurance, paid holidays, and sick days. Sometimes you
will find jobs that provide accommodation but it is rare. Many of the international
schools offer a completion bonus. Teachers are offered free monthly cultural
excursions around the country. It is unusual for schools to offer free accommodation
and reimbursement of flight tickets. It is therefore advisable to save a portion of your
salary for a plane ticket to get you home during the holidays.

Working Visa Information
In order to legally teach in Spain, you must have a work permit. To get a work permit,
your employer has to sponsor you and submit a petition to the Spanish government
proving why the job cannot be done by a Spanish citizen. Since Spain is part of
European Union, the same visa rules that apply in other countries apply here. Thus it
is much easier for U.K. residents to get a job teaching English than other people. That
being said, in recent years Spain has pushed to make English more widespread and
thus there are a lot of job openings.
1. Attend interviews with the desired company of employment, with the intention
of being selected.
2. Submit ALL the following documents to the Subdelegación del Gobierno in the
city you are trying to move to and work in. (Note that this involves many hours
in queues or, alternatively, contracting a Spanish Lawyer):
• Official application form (EX-1), signed and stamped by EMPLOYER.
• 3 passport photos (not high-gloss)
• Photocopy and original of passport (must be valid for dur ation of work-term)
• Official job offer form (EX-5), signed and stamped by EMPLOYER. The job
offered must be full-time and 10 months or longer
• Original official company fiscal identity document (CIF) • Original official
company social security inscription document, as well as documents TC-1 and TC-
2

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
• Certified originals from the Tesoreria General de la Seguridad Social and the
Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria proving that the company is fully up
to date in its tax and social security payments.
• Official certification that the job on offer has already been advertised in the official
Provincial Unemployment Office and that no suitable European candidate has
applied.
• Document describing the services offered by the company and why a non-
European should be employed to work there.
• Original and photocopies of degree transcripts/certifications and credentials, with
the official seal of convalidatation of the Spanish Ministry of Education and
Culture (Madrid)
3. Make an appointment with the Spanish Consulate serving your official home
address (in country of origin) in order to process all the documentation which
they require for a work visa.
4. Once your home country’s Spanish Consulate has processed your work visa ,
you have to fetch it in person. It can not be handed to anyone other than you.
5. As soon as you have your work visa you can return to Spain, finalize the
application for a work/residence permit and start work. Please note that there is
no legal right nor any guarantee to a work visa /permit. All applications are
evaluated by the authorities in Spain.

Cost of Living
The cost of living in the larger cities is pretty high too, so when you’re thinking of
teaching English in Spain, you’ll need to take into account that you’ll have a great
time, but you won’t be able to save a great deal of money.

Eating out is still more variable. A menú del día (daily set menu) can cost as little as
8€ to 14€. Bank on spending a minimum of 27€-57€ on a full dinner (including house
wine). Most sights are fairly cheap. Keep an eye out for free days (especially on
Sunday and set days for EU citizens).

When compared to other parts of Europe, you find a lot better deals on
accommodation in Spain. A studio apartment, Large city: ~325€ - 800€ /month while

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
one in a small city will cost 240€ - 600€ /month. A 2Br apartment, Large city: ~585€ -
1400€ /month while 2Br apartment, Small center: ~400€ - 1000€ /month. Public
transportation in Spain is reasonably cheap and efficient.

Public transport is reasonably priced, although high-speed trains are pricey. To save
money on transportation, however, travel passes are available for €40 (US$58). These
allow you to use the metro, town buses, and commuter trains for a month without
restrictions. You can get a lot of savings from this as a one way ticket would cost €1
Euro (US$1.42) and a ten- trip pass would cost €6.40 Euros ($9.11).

Job Links
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
http://www.esljobfind.com/
http://www.teachabroad.com/search/spain
http://www.intercambio-es.com/jobs.php
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/spain.shtm
http://www.eslbase.com/jobs/spain/
http://tesljobs.com/filter.php?id_country=Spain
http://www.tefl.com/jobs/results.html?rs_so=1

What It’s Like To Teach In Spain: Part I
Liz Pitt is an English teacher in Bilbao, Spain. In addition to trying to eat as many
pintxos as possible and trying to navigate Euskera, she writes about the funny things
that happen to her in her corner of Spain. She can be found at her blog
lizenespana.com or on Twitter at @lizenespana. This is how she describes her
experience:

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
After college, I wasn’t quite ready to jump into the rat race. I’d always wanted to go
back to Europe, but knew I needed some sort of paycheck. When I discovered the
North American Language and Cultural Assistants in Spain program, I knew it was

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
perfect for me. Minimal working hours meant more time to explore Europe and make
a little cash to finance my travels.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I just started my second year at a secondary school in the center of Bilbao, Basque
Country, Spain.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
I had a degree in Journalism/Advertising, and 0 experience teaching before I came to
Spain. I had never even worked with high-school aged students before I came here, so
it was little intimidating to get up in front of a class of kids not much younger than I
was. It was sink or swim for me.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
With my program, all you need is a college degree-any college degree. Getting a work
visa is difficult if you’re not an EU citizen, so the NALCA program was the best
option for me, since it gave me a student visa. However, you can free-lance private
English lessons easily, and having a TEFL or CELTA boosts your value, making it
easy to live here day-to-day.

What was your experience like?
My experience here has been great so far. At my school, I plan classes that center
around cultural themes from the United States (and sometimes England).

I teach middle/high school aged kids, and I think they’re great. I work in a school with
a really high immigrant population, so I’m getting a very different experience than a
lot of other teachers in Bilbao that only teach Spanish/Basque kids. It can be
challenging, with kids that don’t care and teachers that care even less, but I’m learning
a lot, and I usually leave work happy. If or when I go back to the States, I would like
to continue working with immigrants in some way, shape or form.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
With my private classes, I work with students aged 4-30. With some, it’s just
conversation, with some I teach grammar, and with others I help with homework. It’s
a huge variety and keeps me on my toes.

Was it easy to find work?
With the NACLA program, they accept around 2,000 people, so if you apply, you
usually get the job.

Private lessons were very easy to come by. I got a lot of them through word of mouth.
Once I started with family, they told their friends and before I knew it, I was turning
classes down. I know a lot of people that aren’t here with a specific program, and just
freelance private lessons and get along fine.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
I would have given myself a little crash course in English grammar before I left the
States. When it comes to your first language, you don’t always know the rules for
everything, and people learning your language are going to want to know why. I can’t
count the number of times I had to tell someone, “I don’t know…it just sounds right?”
in the first couple weeks of teaching.

There are a lot of resources for TEFL at libraries and online. There’s even a “Teaching
ESL for Dummies”. I wish I had taken a little time before I left to brush up on things I
hadn’t thought about since 3rd grade.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
I have everything I want in Bilbao. The food is amazing, the beach is a metro ride
away, and travelling is easy because of how well connected with the rest of Europe
Bilbao is. I’ve gotten to travel all over Spain and Europe, and have had some great
experiences.

I get to experience a part of Spain that not a lot of people know about. I get to hear a
language that’s only spoken by about a million people. The culture in Basque Country
is very different, and I have loved learning about Basque culture.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

Life in Spain is great. As a country, it is one of the highest with days off, so you’ll
have a lot of time to travel and explore. The nightlife is great, there’s history
everywhere you look, and it’s pretty hard to find a bad meal. It’s wonderfully
connected to the rest of Europe, and the weather isn’t too bad either.

In almost any city, you can find other English teacher and expats to hang out with, if
that’s your thing. Spain in general has a huge expat population, those from the UK and
the States, so if you’re looking for English speakers, you won’t have too much of a
problem finding them.

If you’re looking to meet locals, I highly recommend Couchsurfing. Most cities have
weekly meet-ups and events that you can look up on the website. I’ve met a lot of
great people through setting up intercambios (language exchanges) with local
Couchsurfing members. It’s a great way to practice my Spanish and get the insider
scoop on Bilbao.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
I’ve lived in Spain before, but never in Basque Country, which is very different from
the “tapas, flamenco, and bullfighting” that everyone thinks of when they think of
Spain. Sometimes the “anti-Spain” sentiments can be a little much, especially since I
came here because I love Spain. However, living here has helped me open my mind to
a culture within a culture, and I can appreciate everything that the Basque Country is
(and isn’t).

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
Do your research. There are lots of companies that take advantage of eager people
wanting to move to Spain. The Internet is your friend; use it to figure out what is
legitimate and what is a scam. There are people that will try and rip you off, so be
alert and if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Save as much as you can before you leave. Even if you’re going into a paid teaching
gig, you never know what might come up. The first couple months in a foreign
country are the most expensive-paying for rent, food, and transportation can add up
really fast, especially if the exchange rate is not in your favor.

Realize that living in another country is different than visiting it. Life is life, no matter
where you live. You’ll still get sick, you’ll still have to pay rent, and you’ll still meet
people that rub you the wrong way. Sometimes you’ll be homesick, and sometimes
the tiniest things will drive you crazy. I’m not saying you’re not going to have an
amazing experience, but expecting things to be 100% perfect all the time will leave
you sorely disappointed.

What It’s Like To Teach In Spain: Part II
Lauren is a wannabe Top Chef expat living with her Spanish husband in Madrid,
Spain. When she’s not busy stewing pig’s cheek or slicing cured ham, she works as a
freelance TEFL teacher. She also gives Spanish cooking classes and writes for her
two blogs, http://www.spanishsabores.com and
http://www.recetasamericanas.com. She also writes about her experience in Spain.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
I was a senior in college and in the midst of perfecting my resume, choosing the right
business suit, and learning to make just the right amount of small talk when
networking. But then I realized I wasn’t even excited about the jobs I was applying for
and I knew I had to look for other more exciting and challenging opportunities.
Luckily, one fell into my lap when my Spanish professor emailed me with an
opportunity to be a North American Language and Culture Assistant in Spain. The
second I saw the email I knew that was my escape route from the 9-5 life I was about
to choose! I applied and never looked back!

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
Before leaving I got my TESOL certification in Massachusetts. I taught a bit while
taking the course, and my students were mostly Spanish speaking immigrants. In

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
September of 2009 I left for Seville, Spain and I taught in a small town outside of the
city for two years. I was technically a language assistant and shouldn’t have had my
own classroom, but I did. In the evenings, I also taught private students (adults and
children) in their homes. I currently teach freelance ESL classes in Madrid, Spain.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
Prior to becoming TESOL certified I had a few years of experience tutoring teenagers,
but I’d never taught English. My command of grammar was a bit rusty, but after the
course and some self-study I felt well prepared!

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
While experience and qualifications are quite helpful, the Language Assistant program
in Spain doesn’t require them.

You are supposed to be a learning resource and co-teach with the classroom teacher.
You might be asked to prepare power point presentations or games based on your
culture or city. However, many times I was asked to teach grammar and also left alone
in the classroom. If you want to teach private classes (besides general conversation) I
think that experience and qualifications are extremely important. People hire you to
help their child pass English class or to pass an important exam like the TOEFL. That
is a large responsibility and I wouldn’t have felt as prepared without my TESOL
course.

What was your experience like?
I had my ups and downs. My school in Seville was quite disorganized. The teachers
had no experience with a language assistant and didn’t know how to take advantage of
a native speaker in the classroom. I often was given too much responsibility (like
having my own classroom) that wasn’t included in the contract.

I really enjoy, however, giving private lessons. You are able to see a lot more progress
and form a bond with students. I tailor my lessons to the students’ needs and interests,

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
which makes for some very interesting classes. I’m also my own boss, which is
always great!

Was it easy to find work?
The language assistant program is a question of meeting the requirements and getting
the application in early. If you do that, you will be accepted, although you don’t have
much control over where you are placed. You are able to renew the position for at
least a second year. Finding private students was also easy. There are many websites
(similar to Craigslist.com in the US) that have a section specifically dedicated to
private classes. I’ve gotten hundreds of responses from these sites over the years!
Also, in Spain the people love posting flyers with tear-off phone numbers. I did this in
my neighborhood in Seville and suddenly had many students who lived quite close. It
was perfect!

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
I would have made sure to read and print out my work contract and discuss my
responsibilities in detail with the entire English department at my school. I also would
have been more assertive when I didn’t agree with something that seemed to be the
norm there. In Spain, you really have to speak up for yourself because there are a lot
of strong
personalities and self-interest in the public school system!

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
Life was (and is) pretty great! Spain is a wonderful country with great food, wine,
festivals, weather, people, beaches, shopping… It’s only the size of Oregon but you
would be surprised how much the food and traditions vary from region to region. I
think that my quality of life here in Spain is definitely higher than in the US, although
sometimes I get frustrated with some cultural differences and, of course, the
bureaucracy!

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
It was difficult to make good Spanish friends, as I found most people were friendly
but didn’t want much more than a superficial relationship. It was also difficult to

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
adjust to the low standards of customer service—cell phone companies are a
nightmare for example! I also realized quickly that although the average salary in
Spain is lower than in the US, many things like clothing and electronics actually cost a
lot more! It’s made me be much less materialistic.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
1. Research the different regions of Spain and choose wisely—some are as
different as night and day!
2. Do become certified before looking for a job because it is competitive here and
most academies require certification. Also, for private classes you will be better
prepared and able to charge more.
3. Don’t constantly compare Spain and the US (or your home country). Many
people think that just because the people look and dress more or less like back
home that the culture should be just as similar. Don’t forget you are a guest in a
different culture!

TAIWAN
General Information
Taiwan is an extremely popular destination for people because it is easy to find work.
I found work within days of arriving in Taipei. Teachers, especially those with
experience and credentials, are in high demand. Many times employers will hire you
overseas without even seeing you.

Working Conditions
Teachers work very little in Taiwan. Most schools only offer around 15 hours a week and
most classes are lumped together during one time of day. This means that most people
have two jobs in order to have a full work week, though you can live off the salary of just
one job.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
The exact number of hours you end up working depends on what kind of school you teach
in. Having said that, the majority of private schools will offer you, on average, anywhere
from 20 - 30 hours of actual teaching hours per week. Compared to most 9 - 5 jobs back
home, you will be working fewer than 40 hours per week. However, don’t forget that
many schools
require you to turn up at least 30 minutes before class, so you can usually expect to add 2
or 3 hours on top of whatever your school claims as your work load. Public schools will
require you to be at work all day.

Teachers are expected to prepare for their classrooms on their own time and sometimes
even come in for meetings. In some schools, you get paid for these extras but the general
rule of thumb is you don’t. The language schools are often quite good.

Teacher Salary Information
English teachers make quite good money in Taiwan, with a monthly salary of about
65,739.92TWD ($2,172 USD). If you earn money hourly, you can expect to make
about 302.67- 696.14 TWD ($10-23 USD). With the cost of living being so low, you
can expect to save up a lot of money working here. Full-time salaries are usually
calculated on a monthly basis.

A typical full-time position at a kindergarten could last from 9am to 5pm, Monday to
Friday, and pay NT$50,000 to NT$60,000 per month.

Job Benefits
Full-time English teachers are usually offered flight reimbursement from their school
of employment, with two-year contracts receiving a full reimbursement and one-year
contracts receiving a half reimbursement. Part-time teachers usually do not receive
any flight reimbursement. Always make sure you are very clear about your
expectations of reimbursement before accepting employment. Larger schools are
generally good about keeping their commitments, but smaller schools can sometimes
fall between the cracks. Some schools provide accommodations for their teachers,
which is usually a shared living space with other teachers.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

Other schools offer temporary residences for teachers for a few weeks until you can
find your own accommodation. However, the school will often help you find a place
to live and help you get set up there.

Working Visa Information
In order to legally search for and accept a job in Taiwan, you need to have a resident
visa. Therefore, it is recommended that you look for work before actually coming to
the country. Also, if you find work before coming to Taiwan, your employer will take
care of all of your paperwork, and you will not have to leave the country to get your
visa status renewed and then come back again.


Many people come to Taiwan first and then begin to look for work on a visitor’s visa.
This is technically illegal, so if you decide to do this, do not give this as your reason
for visiting when you arrive in the country. Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Ireland,
Australia, and New Zealand do not need a special visa to visit Taiwan, but they can
obtain a visitor’s visa when they arrive at the airport that is valid for two weeks. If you
are coming to work, it is advised that you obtain a “landing visa” at the Taiwanese
embassy outside of Taiwan so that you can stay without a work visa for 30-60 days,
depending on your visa and home country. The landing visa cannot be renewed. Once
you find employment, you must leave the country and visit a Taiwanese embassy to
get your resident visa validated. If your landing visa expires before you find a job, you
can leave Taiwan to go to a nearby country and start the process from the beginning
again.

You are required to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) within 15 days of
your arrival in Taiwan, and this must be validated by your employer. To apply for
your ARC, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date
of entry, a copy of your work permit, and two passport-sized photos. If you would like
to travel outside of Taiwan, you also need to visit the Foreign Affairs police station to
apply for exit and re-entry visas before leaving the country.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

Cost of Living Guide
The cost of living in Taiwan is very inexpensive. You can find a fully furnished
apartment for about 4,842.72-8,650.30 TWD ($160-285.80 USD). Accommodations
are cheaper in rural areas and will get more expensive the closer you get to Taipei.

Dining in Taiwan is a delicious and affordable. You can find food stalls everywhere
that sell full meals with meat, rice, and vegetables for only 113.50-121.06 TWD
($3.75-4 USD). Fast food restaurants designed for westerners cost a little more at
90.80-151.33 TWD ($3-5 USD). When visiting a bar, local Taiwanese beers are just
60.53 TWD ($2 USD), while imported beers can cost 105.93 TWD ($3.50 USD).

Public transportation is available in Taiwan, but many schools suggest that their
teachers buy a scooter to commute to work. You can find a used scooter in good
condition for about 8,000-29,000 TWD ($264.31-958.13 USD). The government in
Taiwan requires foreign teachers to purchase medical insurance, which costs about
806-968 TWD ($25-30 USD) per month, plus regular check-ups which cost about
121.06-181.60 TWD ($4-6 USD).

Job Links
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
http://www.esljobfind.com/
http://www.taiwanjoblink.com/taiwan/index.asp
http://www.tealit.com/ (The only site you really need to check out!)

Thailand
General Information

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Thailand is a popular destination for backpackers and people looking for quick work.
As a major stop on the Southeast Asia, lots of people tend to stop in Thailand, find a
job, work for a few months, and then quit to travel again. Moreover, a lot of teachers
are attracted by the beautiful beaches, cheap food, cheap cost of living, and great
nightlife. Thailand teaching jobs tend to attract a lot of younger people or older people
looking to semi-retire.

Working Conditions
English teachers in Thailand can expect to work about 20 hours per week at a
language school or teaching test prep or corporate training. If you work at a public,
private, or international school, you can expect to work a full school day, even if you
are not teaching.

At schools, you’ll be expected to hold office hours and fulfill the responsibilities of a
teacher as you would back home. At other language schools, you’ll be expected to
create lessons, grade papers, and make exams on your own unpaid time. At test prep
or corporate training companies, lessons typically follow a pre-made curriculum.

Teacher Salary Information
Salary rates for teaching English will depend on many different factors, such as a
teacher’s qualifications and experience, the place where you work, public
kindergarten, schools. Colleges and universities or private institutions or even
corporations or holiday resorts. (Complete sentence fragment.) Usually private
institutions pay better than public schools, but also it depends on the size of the
organization. A private university might find you earning quite good money for only
15 hours of teaching a week. For a native speaker without experience, a degree and a
freshly minted TEFL Certificate, the starting salaries can range from THB 25,000-
40,000 and up depending on the region of the country and the type of school. Wages
in Bangkok are usually the best in the country. Popular tourist destinations such as
Phuket, Samui and Krabi will often pay a bit less as many people will want to work
and live there.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

Teachers can expect to make an average salary of about THB 36,000-45,000
($1,160.91-1,451.14 USD) at the language schools and public schools in the larger
cities in Thailand. In the smaller towns, you can earn about THB 20,000-35,000
($644.95-1,128.66USD). Working at a university, you can make about THB 25,000
($806.19 USD), and you will have a better chance of doing private tutoring here as
well. Corporate training and test prep jobs generally pay 600 THB per hour.
International schools pay 80,000 to 120,000 THB per month.

Benefits
In Thailand, you don’t get very many benefits. In language schools, you will have a
few days off but that is it. At international schools, you will get paid leave and
holidays. However, there is no accommodation or airfare provided for you. If you sign
a 2 year contract at a private school, some of them will provide a completion bonus of
up to 2 months salary. Accommodation is also provided for the duration of the TEFL
course. Benefits are often quite modest in Thailand - rudimentary health/medical
insurance is often included but not much else.

Many schools in Thailand will offer some type of health insurance for teachers.
According to Thai labor law, an employee must be given sick leave every year. This
varies depending on the company but most schools will give at least 10 days with a
note from a doctor required after an absence of three consecutive days.

Working Visa Information
In order to work in Thailand legally, you need to have a work permit and a non-
immigrant B visa, and you must apply for this at a Thai embassy outside of the
country. To apply for this visa, you need to have the completed visa application, a
letter confirming your job offer from your employer, and two passport-sized photos.
Your employer might also need to provide documents related to their company
registration. Many times, your visa can be processed the next day, but it can also take
longer.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

If you decide to come to Thailand to find work, once you do, you’ll need to do a “visa
run,” where you leave to go to a nearby country to get your Thai visa legally. Some
employers will also hire English teachers illegally, but in this case, you’d have to step
out of the country every three months in order to renew your tourist visa, which can
get costly and annoying.
Once you receive the non-immigrant B visa, you are allowed to enter the country. You
then need to complete more forms, provide more photos, and give your passport to
your employer so they can complete the rest of the application on your behalf. After
that is done, you need to visit the Department of Labor in person to sign your work
permit and have it laminated. You will then bring your work permit and visa to the
Immigration Department, where they will extend the visa in your passport for another
12 months from when you originally entered the country. Lastly, you need to go to the
Tax Department to get a tax card, which should always be kept on you. You will also
need this tax card if you decide to change jobs, so make sure you don’t lose it.

Cost of Living Guide
Living in Thailand is very affordable, especially if you can live like a local.
Accommodation can be quite comfortable and inexpensive here, with cheaper
apartments costing only THB 3,038.98-5,103.62 ($98-164.58 US) per month, plus
utilities.

Utilities, including electricity, water, cable TV, and Internet generally cost about THB
1,868.66-3,101 ($60.26-100 US). These apartments may be a poorly maintained or
well maintained, so make sure you shop around before deciding on a place. Also,
some come with basic furnishings; not including bed linens, but the TV or refrigerator
may or may not be included.

If you decide to dine out in restaurants regularly, you can expect to pay about THB
5,144-9,054 ($1.30-4.87 US) on food per month. Fast food will cost less, with a
hamburger costing about THB 112.87 ($3.64 US) and a large pizza costing about
THB 250 ($7.20 USD). However, if you choose to cook and eat at home more often,

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
you can end up spending about THB 3,101- 7,132 ($100-230 USD) on food per
month.

Public transportation is quite inexpensive in Thailand. Local buses cost THB 10.23
($0.33 USD). A taxi around town usually charges TRB 36.28 ($1.17 USD) plus THB
7.75($0.25 USD) per km. You can also take a motorbike taxi and try to haggle for the
price, but these are generally more dangerous, so be careful. If you want to travel
around Thailand, a roundtrip flight from Bangkok to Phuket or Chiang Mai is about
THB 7,752.5 ($250 USD).

Entertainment cost is an important aspect of cost of living in Thailand. Movie tickets
at good theaters will cost you 120- 140 baht. The charge for a DSL broadband
connection for a month is usually between 1000- 1500 baht. You can have a standard
modem connection at 10 baht per hour.

International phone calls from a private phone can be very expensive, upwards of
THB 23.25 ($0.75 USD) per minute, so it’s better to get a discount calling card or use
Skype for overseas calls. Local calls are inexpensive at THB 5 ($0.15 USD) per call.
You can also get a mobile phone for THB 1,209.39 ($39 USD) with basic phone
coverage starting at THB 350.72 ($11.31 USD) per month.

Job Links
http://www.eslcafe.com/joblist/
http://www.esljobfind.com/
http://www.ajarn.com (This is really the only resource you need- if there is a job to
be found in Thailand, it is posted here.)

UKRAINE
General Information

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Ukraine is a former Soviet Republic country that lies in Eastern Europe with borders
to Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Romania and Moldova. It is the second
largest country in Europe, but it is a new territory for travel and tourism in that part of
the world.

Overall the country is fairly poor, but there are plenty of people that have money in
the larger cities, some sporting fancy cars, designer clothing and $2000 per month
apartments. The large gap, however, between the rich and poor can easily be seen in
Kiev (the capital city, also referred to as Kyiv), which is probably the result of the
blatant corruption that is present in business and political life in the country. In 2008,
the global financial crisis hit the Ukrainian economy quite hard, resulting in a
devalued currency, bankrupt businesses and a high unemployment rate. The local
currency, the hryvnia, dropped 38% against the U.S. Dollar at the time; the economy
is still recovering. One industry, however, that was not adversely affected by the crisis
was that of English as a second language since those that had lost their jobs decided to
invest in becoming more competitive in the business field.

Working Conditions
English lessons will generally take place in local schools or office buildings
depending on the company you teach with. If these are business English courses, it is
not uncommon to travel to the local business workplace to teach the language in a
convenient time for the students. School buildings will have typical classroom
arrangements with desks and a blackboard or whiteboard. If teaching during the
winter, expect the building to be quite cold, and expect the opposite in the summer.

Teaching hours can range between 20 to 40 hours a week. If you’re working in a state
school you can expect to work for several hours a day but pay will be low, if you’re
paid at all; bed and board will be more likely.

Conditions in private language schools and teaching for private language firms are
better, offering better pay though schedule are often changed around and you may be
required to work in the evenings during the week.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

Depending on the school, a teacher can expect to work 6 to 8 hour shifts with
sufficient breaks in between. Evening classes are most common in order to
accommodate those that are pursuing the language outside of their normal studies or
work. However, day or morning lessons are also a possibility for people teaching
business or specialty English courses.
Local holidays are generally respected with the English lessons, and some language
schools will offer breaks in between terms of a week or more, especially during winter
holiday time.

Teacher Salary Information
Pay will vary according to qualifications and experience. On average 2,000 USD a
month is considered a very competitive salary. Some schools give the opportunity to
work additional hours, often in the form of in-house corporate tutoring. Opportunities
for private tutoring abound and many teachers supplement their income with private
lessons.
English teachers at private language schools can expect to earn about 80.16-104.21
UAH ($10-13 USD) per hour in Kiev and a bit less in other large cities in the Ukraine.
If you work more than your contracted hours, you can earn as much as 120.24-160.33
UAH ($15-20 USD) per hour in overtime pay. Taxes will normally be between 15-
20%.

Benefits
Benefits vary by school, but may include student retention bonuses, longevity bonuses
and set rates for apartments. Student retention bonuses may be obtained if your
students end up signing on for another term. Longevity bonuses are applied to teachers
that stick around for a certain period of time. Accommodation may be provided in
some areas in addition to salary. Airfare is also rare and is not covered. Schools will
often help with the legalization and visa process. They will also offer free introductory
Russian lessons.


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Working Visa Information
Citizens of the European Union, United States of America and Canada can stay in
Ukraine for up to 180 days without a visa, as long as they enter the country with a
valid ticket and passport. Some schools will have the teachers enter the country to
start working and then draw up the supporting paperwork so that you can apply for a
proper working visa.

This may involve a quick trip outside of the country to obtain. If the school is
proactive about your employment, and there is sufficient time to do so, they may draw
up the necessary supporting paperwork beforehand so that you do not have to leave
the country mid-stay for the visa.

Getting a work permit for a foreign employee can be quite costly, and the work permit
must be renewed each year. This route is usually chosen by well-established
companies who will be hiring a foreigner for full-time work on site.

Cost of Living Guide
Cost of living in the Ukraine is affordable, and you can find a two-room apartment
(outside of the main city center) for 6,012.37 UAH ($750 USD)per month, plus
utilities, which averages about 480.99- 601.23 UAH ($60-75 USD) per month for
electricity, gas, and water. Please note that two-room generally means one bedroom
and a living room, and it is quite common for many families to use the living room as
an additional bedroom, especially since the typical Ukrainian’s income is lower than a
teacher’s salary. Internet costs can be 56.11- 160.33 UAH ($7-20 USD) per month,
and you should expect to spend about 801.65 UAH ($100 USD) per week on food.
These costs are less expensive for smaller cities in the country.

Job Links
http://www.lse.ua/
http://americanenglish.ua/
http://www.ukraine-english.com

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
http://www.english.in.ua/eng/index.php
http://www.ihdnipro.com
http://www.langland.com.ua

What It’s Like To Teach In Ukraine
Steven Sirski is a writer, musician, filmmaker, English teacher and sometimes a
tractor driver. He has been travelling all over the world since 2009. You can find out
more about his travels and other adventures at his website, stevensirski.com, follow
him on Twitter, or find him on Facebook.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
Teaching in Ukraine was a chance to discover my ancestral home. I’d never been to
Ukraine before but some of my friends and family had gone before. They told me
what it was like but I wanted to see it for myself. I’ve grown up with Ukrainian
culture my entire life so I wanted to see what was becoming of my grandparents’
homeland. I decided that living and working there would be one of the best ways to
find out more about the country, its people, and how the country is growing.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I taught in Kharkiv for four months.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
Yes, I had completed a BA and MA while in Canada and had done some teaching
before travelling to Ukraine. But I had only taught children in South Korea and
Cambodia. In
Ukraine I taught adults.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
For Ukraine? Sadly, no, most people could probably find a job there quite easily. It’s a
good thing because you’ll be able to find work and the students’ expectations won’t be

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
very high. The sad thing, however, is exactly that, you’re students are probably used
to bad teachers.

What was your experience like?
Living in Ukraine for such a short period of time wasn’t enough, I want to go back. I
experienced a greater culture shock in Ukraine than I did teaching in other countries.
The teaching experience itself was alright. The school had a text book from which I
taught and the students were bright and eager to learn English. The students especially
loved hearing about my travels and playing games. Apparently playing games is a
favourite thing for students of all ages do in class!

Was it easy to find work?
At first it was difficult to research and to trust what I was finding out. But I didn’t let
that deter me. I established contact with a school before going to Ukraine but within
my first month there I realized just how many opportunities exist in the major
Ukrainian cities.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
I would’ve gotten the appropriate visa and stayed longer.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
Nerve racking because I’d been told numerous horror stories of the cops stopping
people on the streets and harassing foreigners - especially English speakers - because
they are seen to have money. Not only that, border trouble stories were commonplace.
Some people had no problem, others had bad experiences. I think it comes down to
how you handle stress and difficult situations. Getting angry rarely solves anything,
but I kept to myself and tried not to speakEnglish when there were cops around.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
Finding out the difference between the idea of Ukraine in my head - developed from
years of growing up in the Ukrainian-Canadian community- and finding out what the

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
country was really like. Ukraine truly is a country in transition and it is fascinating to
watch it grow.

What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
1. Research on the internet; though be cautious of all the “horror stories.” Yes,
some bad things happened to some people who were breaking the laws here,
but people who don’t go looking for trouble typically do fine. Not only that,
internet research will help you get an idea of what to expect and provide up-to-
date information about Ukraine. And it’s free.
2. Depending on your exposure to living abroad or Ukrainian culture (especially
its language), your experience will vary.
3. Go. Ukraine is a country in transition and it doesn’t take much to witness, and
partake, in its transition.

Teaching in Countries Not
on the List
What It’s Like To Teach In Ghana
Lillie Marshall is a world-traveling, Boston-based teacher and writer. Her extensive
personal travels (including a year of solo ravel around the world) are documented at
www.AroundTheWorldL.com. Her other site, www.TeachingTraveling.com
features interviews with all types of teacher-travelers (in the broadest sense of the
term) in order to inspire and assist more teachers to travel and more travelers to
teach. She spent time traveling around the world and teaching in Ghana in Africa and
describes her experience this way:

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
After 5 years of teaching in the U.S., I became burned out. To re-find my zest for life,
I took a Leave of Absence to travel around the world for a year. I thought, when I flew
out of the country, that I would not want to teach again... but how wrong I was! Four
months in my trip, I began to miss teaching, and I became curious about whether it
would be a different experience teaching abroad than teaching at home. Sure enough,
how different and how rejuvenating it was to teach abroad once I finally did! After 3
months teaching in Ghana with amazing students and coworkers and seeing a whole
other philosophy and style of education, I regained my passion for teaching!

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
The most full teaching abroad experience I’ve had was when I volunteer-taught
writing and reading at a locally-run educational nonprofit called Youth Creating
Change in Ghana for three months in 2010.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
Yes and yes. I had a Master’s in Teaching English and TEFL certification, as well as 5
years of experience teaching High School English in Boston.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
In any country, there are places you can teach where you do need qualifications and
experience and places where you don’t. At the youth center in Ghana where I
volunteer-taught, it certainly helped my teaching quality a lot that I had qualifications
and experience, but there were several volunteers who had no experience and figured
out how to teach on the job.

If you have little experience or few qualifications, the most important thing is
motivation and believing that you can get better with practice. There were several
times when a fellow volunteer in Ghana would get frustrated with planning a lesson
and then exclaim, “I’m not even a teacher! How should I know how to do this?!”
Unfortunately, in these circumstances I often ended up teaching for that person
because I knew how to do it and there wasn’t time to train the volunteer. It would have

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
been possible for them to do it, but because they didn’t see themselves as a teacher,
they gave up.

What was your experience like?
I LOVED living and teaching in Ghana because it was so very different from home,
but the people were wonderfully friendly, and the work exhilarating.

My teaching position was flexible in that it could be what I made it-- and I made it
have about 20 different parts! Every day I traveled (on foot, by bike, or by rickety
shared taxi) to a different school, accompanied by a Ghanaian colleague. At these
schools, I sometimes was scheduled to teach a reading class, and sometimes helped
run the writing and reading sections of the international penpal exchange I helped
coordinate. Throughout the week, I would also teach reading, computers, and “cross-
culture exchange” with the students at the youth center.

Though English is the official language of Ghana, many elements of my classes were
ESL-class-style because there are so many U.S. and European terms in books that
Ghanaian students don’t understand because the cultures are so different. Ex:
“Halloween.”

Was it easy to find work?
Yes, it’s easy to find volunteer teaching opportunities in developing countries, but the
tricky thing can be vetting opportunities to make sure they are good. To find this
volunteer teaching job in Ghana, I joined the “Ghana” group on Couchsurfing.org and
posted that I was interested in volunteer teaching in Ghana. Several local nonprofits
and schools wrote me back, but YCC stood out. I wrote back to them asking for the
contact info of past volunteers. After corresponding with those volunteers I deemed
the position legitimate and flew into the country!

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
Nothin’!

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
At Youth Creating Change of Ghana, I lived in a modern (German-designed) guest
house alongside 3-5 of my Ghanaian co-teachers, and 0-5 international volunteers.
(During the three months I lived there, people cycled in and out of the house, but a
core group of colleagues-who-became-friends remained.) This modern house is not
necessarily standard in Ghana because it is still very much a developing country.

It was very, very, very hot and I learned to move very slowly and stay out of the sun.
The country is very safe (except you need to take your anti-Malaria pills and be
careful on the roads), but I never went out at night alone because it would have
scandalized my coworkers and been culturally inappropriate in the small town I lived
in.

For leisure, I had a wonderful time spending time chatting with Ghanaian friends,
eating delicious Ghanaian food (with bare hands!) and getting beautiful, inexpensive
custom-made dresses.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?
The heat (SO HOT!) and the terrifying driving on the roads in rickety shared taxis.

What are your top three suggestions for someone looking to become a
volunteer teacher in Ghana?
A. Do it! It’s the best way to travel in Ghana because Ghana’s jewels are its
people and schools.
B. Ask for the contact info of past volunteers/teachers in the program you’re
interested in so you can hear their tips.
C. Have faith in yourself as a teacher, whether you have experience or not.
Students are so appreciative of foreign teachers, and my former students in
Ghana Facebook message me all the time to say they wish I could come back
soon, and other volunteers will come soon!

What It’s Like To Teach In Honduras

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Tom Mcloughlin writes the travel blog Top Backpacking Destinations and runs
SEO Travel, a specialist SEO agency for travel companies. He discovered his love
for travel many moons ago when teaching English on the island of Roatan in
Honduras. He describes his experience here.

Why did you decide to teach English overseas?
I was keen to travel, but liked the idea of staying in one place where you could get
fully immersed in the community and a different culture. Teaching in a local village
school seemed like a great way to do that.

Where did you teach exactly and for how long?
I taught at a local school in a village called Punta Gorda on the island of Roatan.
Roatan is a small island off the north coast of Honduras with beautiful beaches,
amazing blue sea and fantastic people. I taught there for 12 months and enjoyed every
second.

Did you have any prior experience or qualifications?
No, I just did a weekend long training course with the charity I went away with before
I left.

Do you think you need any prior experience or qualifications for the
country you taught in?
No, I don’t think so. However, I think you do need some guidance in terms of how to
plan lessons, what to cover and tips on discipline. The weekend training I did covered
this for me, though I’m sure there are plenty of online resources you can use which
would give you sufficient tips.

What was your experience like?
The teaching experience was quite difficult as I was working with large numbers in
the classes, huge variation in ability and the school itself was very disrupted with
teacher strikes throughout the year. It was still lots of fun though and really rewarding
when the kids took in what you were teaching and responded positively.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

Was it easy to find work?
My position was arranged through a charity, Project Trust, before I went away so I
had no worries on that front!


As I went through a charity everything was arranged for me in terms of the job and
school. However, I would suggest this is a more reliable, safer way to do it to ensure
you end up in a good school and with the role you are looking for. In any case I would
suggest asking around for advice, whether that is with local people if you are already
in the place you want to teach, or experienced bloggers who have done similar things
in the area.

If there were anything you could do differently, what would it be?
Probably spend more time planning lessons. It’s amazing what a difference a bit of
planning makes when you’re in front of a classroom of 40 kids! When exercises don’t
work or go quicker than you expect it’s always good to have another one up your
sleeve in reserve.

Moving beyond teaching, what was life like in your host country?
Incredible. The local people were fantastic and totally accepted me and the other
English teacher into the community. The village was beautiful, we were right on the
beach and used to go and swim after every day in the classroom.

On Roatan life was very laidback! There were regularly teacher strikes and the
education of the children certainly took second place behind the politics. There were
days we would turn up at school only to find no-one there! This was fine for us (there
were only 2 of us (non-locals) teaching in the school), but if the teaching element is
very important to you and you are looking for a structured role then this may become
a frustration. From a social perspective life was great, the locals took us under their
wing and we got totally immersed in the community and the day to day fun they had.

What did you find most difficult about adjusting to life in that country?

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels
Missing friends and family. As it was my first time on an extended trip away it took a
while to acclimatize and get over the homesickness. And also not having my
Yorkshire Puddings on a Sunday afternoon!


What are your tops three suggestions for someone looking to become an
ESL teacher in your country?
Be open minded and enthusiastic in everything you do. Get involved and experience
everything you can in the local community as it will really help you be accepted and
make the teaching side of things easier as well.
Always prepare well!
Teaching English somewhere in the world a really enjoyable experience and it’s
something I recommend people who want to look into a foreign country look into. It’s
an easy way to work in a foreign country. It was a great experience that I fondly look
back on. I hope this ebook helped you better understand what it takes to become an
English teacher; what you can expect when becoming an English teacher, and the
resources you need to become one. At the end of the day, it’s not hard to become an
English teacher, it just a lot of hoops to jump through.

Before I close, I want to give a special thanks to Candice Walsh of Candice does the
world. She helped me research and update a lot of the information in this book to
make sure this book was the best guide to teaching English there is. Without her help,
I could have written this book in a timely manner. She was an invailble help and I
hope you visit her


© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels


website. She’s a great writer, funny, and overall, just really cool.
I’d also like to thank all the teachers who gave their time to answer the interview
questions. They helped a lot and their insights are invaluable for new teachers. Please
feel free to contact them for more information and visit their websites for more stories
about life overseas. A big thank you to all of them.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at
[email protected] with the title “ESL Book Questions.”

I’m happy to answer anything you feel I didn’t answer in the book or if you want to
just give me feedback, I’m always happy to take it.

© 2012 Sheyi Shobayo – Suxes Travels

Sincerely,

Sheyi Shobayo
Want to know more? Follow me, my travels, and my tips
here:
Twitter: @suxes2005
Website: http://www.TravelAbroadSecret.com