Ever wonder about getting the hell out of Dodge and teaching English Asia? Get on it now, since Korea started using robots to teach English!
It was mind-blowing how many possibilities I came across during the search process and all of the aspects of the job. Living standards, pay, visa processes, Skype interviews, health care, finding housing, job benefits, job scams, job descriptions, culturally sound resumés, work environment and expectations... the list goes on; all of these things, I discovered, varied significantly by country, or even company, even though its all "teaching English."
Getting Started
Pick a country and go with it. I studied Japan and China extensively throughout undergrad, motivated by the lack of coverage in secondary textbooks, hence my application choices. The job prospects in each place, however, were so different. Once you've got your country(s) nailed down, just research like its your friggin' job.
Documents You Need to Apply Anywhere
Any legit operation will require the following for your application to be considered.
China
China has a plethora of opportunities to teach English as a native speaker. Both chain english schools and small independent schools are scattered throughout the country, and public schools hire as well. Recruiters also advertise their services to assist you in finding positions...be on guard! One must be ever vigilant of job scams or recruiter scams when applying in Asia, but especially China.
"Scams" can mean sending money ahead of time to get a job or be connected with schools (no job should require wired money). "Scams" can also mean working for a school that will over work you, not pay you overtime, withhold your wages, and not care about your well being in any way. You'll find some horror stories out there.
Though the 2nd biggest world economy, China is still a developing country. Your pay will be more than enough for living there - more than Chinese teachers even - but compared to home its below the poverty line; traveling outside of the country may seem a bit limited. Working hours, job benefits, and accommodations are all clutch things I checked and rechecked when applying, especially with current teachers at the school.
I applied to both chain schools and smaller, independent locations, but also used a recruiting agency run by former ESL teachers in China.
Long story short, I spoke with some legit schools, some poorly run legit schools, and some sketchy people that gave last minute ultimatums for accepting a position I had not even interviewed for. As far as recruiters, they helped, but I ended up being more successful speaking to schools directly on my own; however, I did learn a lot about the job search process and job opportunities and what was out there by using the agency.
Rather than ramble on, here are some awesome resources for your own homework.
Middle Kingdom Life: Run by two foreign professor's in China, this site has everything! This is most comprehensive China teaching site by far, with guides and examples for culturally sound resumés, when to apply, types of schools/jobs, what to watch out for, and links to the only legit recruiters out there, and what to expect when you're on the job and living there. Culture differences are addressed throughout as well. It even has a pollution map of the cleanest cities to work in!
Dave's ESL Café: Another good site for China & Korea jobs. They have a lot of job postings and discussion boards, so you can acclimate yourself to the process. You'll quickly get an idea of who's fo' real and who's sketchy as you get replies.
CHINA TIPS
Japan
Japan being much more developed, the English teaching gigs there pay much better. Classes tend to be smaller and benefits are more cushy - though cost of living is higher.
I initially applied to the JET Program, which had an intense application process. As I learned more about it, I found that they receive so many qualified applicants that its almost arbitrary how they hire; don't put all your eggs in it.
Commercial English schools (or "eikaiwa") are a major industry there, with four major companies and loads of smaller chains or individual schools throughout Japan. The online application processes for the "Big 4" tend to be drawn out. Some recruit abroad and require face-to-face interviews/information sessions which last all day. Others have a step-by-step process with take-home interview questions and Skype interviews. Like China, all have different benefits with flight reimbursements, accommodations, setting up bank accounts, pay, scheduling, time off, and work environment.
Since Japan is one of the more competitive countries, there are LOADS of forum discussions and resources about what to expect when applying to certain schools - even step-by-step accounts of interviews! Work experiences are also extensively covered. Do your bloody homework and you'll know exactly what you're getting into with any given company, as some are better than others.
Japan Resources
All About Teaching English in Japan: Great site that has general info on nearly every topic about Japan english gigs specifically. While not updated too often, it still has a ton of info for the application process, interview rundowns, links to schools, tips & tricks, and info for after you've arrived.
Transitions Abroad: Provides a lot of info on the JET Program, but has extensive guidelines to follow when searching for any other gig over there, with the resources and links to do so as well.
Gaijin Pot: Great for job postings and browsing forums for dirt on more prominent schools.
JAPAN TIPS
Getting Started
Pick a country and go with it. I studied Japan and China extensively throughout undergrad, motivated by the lack of coverage in secondary textbooks, hence my application choices. The job prospects in each place, however, were so different. Once you've got your country(s) nailed down, just research like its your friggin' job.
Documents You Need to Apply Anywhere
Any legit operation will require the following for your application to be considered.
- Copy of Degree/Teaching Certificates (Most require a BA in anything, or higher)
- Copy of Passport (I blacked out my passport # for the initial application, just to be safe)
- Resumé (written in a manner suitable to that country; resources below, or research it)
- Small Picture (professional, but a passport photo would suffice, make it a small file size too)
- Cover Letter
- References (get signed letters in order and even tailored to teaching abroad then scan 'em in)
China
China has a plethora of opportunities to teach English as a native speaker. Both chain english schools and small independent schools are scattered throughout the country, and public schools hire as well. Recruiters also advertise their services to assist you in finding positions...be on guard! One must be ever vigilant of job scams or recruiter scams when applying in Asia, but especially China.
"Scams" can mean sending money ahead of time to get a job or be connected with schools (no job should require wired money). "Scams" can also mean working for a school that will over work you, not pay you overtime, withhold your wages, and not care about your well being in any way. You'll find some horror stories out there.
Though the 2nd biggest world economy, China is still a developing country. Your pay will be more than enough for living there - more than Chinese teachers even - but compared to home its below the poverty line; traveling outside of the country may seem a bit limited. Working hours, job benefits, and accommodations are all clutch things I checked and rechecked when applying, especially with current teachers at the school.
I applied to both chain schools and smaller, independent locations, but also used a recruiting agency run by former ESL teachers in China.
Long story short, I spoke with some legit schools, some poorly run legit schools, and some sketchy people that gave last minute ultimatums for accepting a position I had not even interviewed for. As far as recruiters, they helped, but I ended up being more successful speaking to schools directly on my own; however, I did learn a lot about the job search process and job opportunities and what was out there by using the agency.
Rather than ramble on, here are some awesome resources for your own homework.
Middle Kingdom Life: Run by two foreign professor's in China, this site has everything! This is most comprehensive China teaching site by far, with guides and examples for culturally sound resumés, when to apply, types of schools/jobs, what to watch out for, and links to the only legit recruiters out there, and what to expect when you're on the job and living there. Culture differences are addressed throughout as well. It even has a pollution map of the cleanest cities to work in!
Dave's ESL Café: Another good site for China & Korea jobs. They have a lot of job postings and discussion boards, so you can acclimate yourself to the process. You'll quickly get an idea of who's fo' real and who's sketchy as you get replies.
CHINA TIPS
- Read and ReRead Middle Kingdom Life! No topic is neglected!
- Enter on a Z-visa (not a Tourist visa, no matter what the school says) with a school you feel comfortable with - shop around.
- Once you have established correspondance and the school expresses interest in you, ask to speak with current and/or former teachers! This confirms legitimacy but says a lot about the specific school - even one chain-school branch can be so different from the next.
- Except for public schools (which hire around the start/end of the school year), many of the commercial schools can have relatively quick start dates, as in 1 to 2 months from applying, since they take teachers year round. Be wary of ultimatums though ("must accept within 2 days of this email", etc).
- Chain schools have online apps on their main page, but many individual branches advertise and recruit on their own due to the lack of coordination with the head office. I applied in both ways.
- Remember, accommodations for English teachers in China are typically much more humble than in the West and their definition of "standard" is much different...that's putting it nicely. Talk to those teachers and do your research!
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You're more likely to get treated like dirt by your school if you just jump in - do your homework.
Japan
Japan being much more developed, the English teaching gigs there pay much better. Classes tend to be smaller and benefits are more cushy - though cost of living is higher.
I initially applied to the JET Program, which had an intense application process. As I learned more about it, I found that they receive so many qualified applicants that its almost arbitrary how they hire; don't put all your eggs in it.
Commercial English schools (or "eikaiwa") are a major industry there, with four major companies and loads of smaller chains or individual schools throughout Japan. The online application processes for the "Big 4" tend to be drawn out. Some recruit abroad and require face-to-face interviews/information sessions which last all day. Others have a step-by-step process with take-home interview questions and Skype interviews. Like China, all have different benefits with flight reimbursements, accommodations, setting up bank accounts, pay, scheduling, time off, and work environment.
Since Japan is one of the more competitive countries, there are LOADS of forum discussions and resources about what to expect when applying to certain schools - even step-by-step accounts of interviews! Work experiences are also extensively covered. Do your bloody homework and you'll know exactly what you're getting into with any given company, as some are better than others.
Japan Resources
All About Teaching English in Japan: Great site that has general info on nearly every topic about Japan english gigs specifically. While not updated too often, it still has a ton of info for the application process, interview rundowns, links to schools, tips & tricks, and info for after you've arrived.
Transitions Abroad: Provides a lot of info on the JET Program, but has extensive guidelines to follow when searching for any other gig over there, with the resources and links to do so as well.
Gaijin Pot: Great for job postings and browsing forums for dirt on more prominent schools.
JAPAN TIPS
- Enthusiasm and Energy typically go further than job experience when applying, especially with major chains and JET.
- Be prepared to do it "their way," especially for the mock lesson plans during the interview.
- Research your school's interview/application process!
- Be prepared for a bit of paper work and a long wait time before getting over there.
- Life is SO MUCH easier if they can help you out with housing, taxes, banking, etc.
