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Just wondering if anyone has done this. I'm not putting any serious thought into it, more or less experiences. Is this something that is on a contract basis or a summer job type deal? How is the pay/standard of living with these jobs?
Just wondering if anyone has done this. I'm not putting any serious thought into it, more or less experiences. Is this something that is on a contract basis or a summer job type deal? How is the pay/standard of living with these jobs?
I've been at it for 15 years...with a few breaks imbetween. Went back to the US once for a year and another time for 2 1/2 years.
Pay varies tremendously between each country. Generally speaking, Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia pay ridiculously low. Places like the Middle East, Japan, and Korea pay alright.
It can either be a career, or you can do it short-term, like anything I suppose.
I've been doing it for about 8 years now. Always in Rio de Janeiro except one year I spent in Mexico City. As far as Latin America paying low, that really depends. Many people come here FOB (Fresh off the boat) and don't take it very seriously because they aren't planning on sticking around long term and don't have a residency permit. Basically they are working illegally. I did it myself when I first arrived so I am not knocking anyone for doing this. Most of them accept jobs for the equivalent of 12 dollars an hour and don't work many hours either. (of course they don't realize the school is charging the student the equivalent of 40 dollars an hour) But, if you stay long term, learn the language, take it seriously, and work privately, you can make decent money. You have to treat it like a business. You are a professional service provider and and a freelancer. That means you must do your own marketing, budgeting, and provide you customers (students) with a level of service with which they are satisfied. If you do this you can make decent money. I am on the low end of this spectrum and I live OK (my own apartment, go out to eat and drink a couple times a week) but I know two other people who are more ambitious than me and both are able to support a wife and child through English teaching. Now I'm not saying they live like kings or anything but they both are able to provide for their family a decent middle class living.
Pay varies tremendously between each country. Generally speaking, Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia pay ridiculously low. Places like the Middle East, Japan, and Korea pay alright.
I spend a year teaching at a private university in Ecuador where the pay was quite high as it was linked to the dollar before the dollarization of the Ecuadorian economy. But in order to get such a job one must have a M.A. in TESOL. Otherwise, the pay in South America is usually quite low.
I've been doing it for about 8 years now. Always in Rio de Janeiro except one year I spent in Mexico City. As far as Latin America paying low, that really depends. Many people come here FOB (Fresh off the boat) and don't take it very seriously because they aren't planning on sticking around long term and don't have a residency permit. Basically they are working illegally. I did it myself when I first arrived so I am not knocking anyone for doing this. Most of them accept jobs for the equivalent of 12 dollars an hour and don't work many hours either. (of course they don't realize the school is charging the student the equivalent of 40 dollars an hour) But, if you stay long term, learn the language, take it seriously, and work privately, you can make decent money. You have to treat it like a business. You are a professional service provider and and a freelancer. That means you must do your own marketing, budgeting, and provide you customers (students) with a level of service with which they are satisfied. If you do this you can make decent money. I am on the low end of this spectrum and I live OK (my own apartment, go out to eat and drink a couple times a week) but I know two other people who are more ambitious than me and both are able to support a wife and child through English teaching. Now I'm not saying they live like kings or anything but they both are able to provide for their family a decent middle class living.
Cool, didn't realize you were in Brazil.
I was in Sao Paulo and Rio de Jainero for six months in 1997-1998, teaching English. Was making 15 reils per 90 minute lesson living in Sao Paulo. Had to go to different companies either before their work shift, their lunch break, or after their work shift. WIth the cost of subways eating meals from being out of the house all day running around, I wasn't saving much at all. Impossible to get a work visa as well.
Still, I loved Brazil though. Still dream of the place...saudade and all that.
I guess I would have definitely been one of the FOB at the time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chava61
I spend a year teaching at a private university in Ecuador where the pay was quite high as it was linked to the dollar before the dollarization of the Ecuadorian economy. But in order to get such a job one must have a M.A. in TESOL. Otherwise, the pay in South America is usually quite low.
True! I have M.A. in TESOL now. But, back when I was in South America, and I spent about a month in Ecuador, they pay was equivalent to $3 hour! On the other hand, things were pretty cheap there in 1998.
Yeah , I was actually looking at that TEFL site. If I did it, I'd 100% go to Rio. The teaching thing seems like it could be a lot of fun, plus I like languages a lot. I do speak Spanish and Portuguese, so I'd want to probably stay in South America. Thanks for the good advice though!
Yeah , I was actually looking at that TEFL site. If I did it, I'd 100% go to Rio. The teaching thing seems like it could be a lot of fun, plus I like languages a lot. I do speak Spanish and Portuguese, so I'd want to probably stay in South America. Thanks for the good advice though!
I've always taught adults, which is great. Instant social network, and wealth of information.
True! I have M.A. in TESOL now. But, back when I was in South America, and I spent about a month in Ecuador, they pay was equivalent to $3 hour! On the other hand, things were pretty cheap there in 1998.
I was in Guayaquil in 1996/7 and the language schools paid the equivalent of $3 an hour approx but the university I worked for paid a good salary linked to the dollar. The same university later changed its system (after I left Ecuador) and the new teachers were paid a lower salary as the pay was no longer linked to dollar.
I'm on my second year in China and I'm planning on a third. Pay is good for IN CHINA, but the exchange rate back to USD is awful. Then on to grad school!
I'm on my second year in China and I'm planning on a third. Pay is good for IN CHINA, but the exchange rate back to USD is awful. Then on to grad school!
You think the exchange rate going from RMB to USD is awful? Are you serious?
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