Looking into living and teaching English in Asia - South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan etc.

[justtryingtosurvivemy20s]

Hi there,

I'm hoping to get some advice and some stories regarding teaching English over in Asia!

I'm 26 with a creative degree. I've been thinking about working with children in the UK for years but cannot afford a teaching masters and it doesn't seem to be possible to be a teacher or TA in the UK without the correct degree/past experience. I also really want to travel more and have been to Thailand and Vietnam in the past. So know that I love it over there and would love to be there more.

I'd love to travel whilst earning a living!

I have a bachelors degree and British passport. I don't have a TEFL yet which I would be willing to get online before travelling (If anyone knows of any trustworthy affordable sites to get your online TEFL please do let me know?)

I would want to head out there this September if possible!

If anyone has any first hand stories - or any parents who's daughters/ children are out there. I want to know people's experiences - especially if there's any tips for finding the right school for you? Making friends out there? Any top tips for living out there? Going through the process of paperwork to get over there?

Any advice is much appreciated!!x

Thanks in advance!

Make sure you do a CELTA course rather than any generic TEFL. Most reputable organisation is International House, who have an online course, but even online courses will have a face-to-face teaching element - it's a requirement. The courses are harder than you might think, but provide excellent teacher training. I worked in that industry for many years, and know it well.

Apply to the JET scheme for Japan?

As well as the JET programme in Japan there is EPIK in Korea (I think it's still running) - and you might want to check out Dave's ESL cafe at https://www.eslcafe.com/ - best of luck, it will change the way you look at the world.

I've heard a few horror stories recently about hagwons in South Korea, so would avoid those (sexual harassment, bullying, confiscating passports, exploiting workers with threats of extortionate fees if they leave etc to name a few)

Another vote for looking into the JET program for Japan.

Although the actual job is to teach English, absolutely no teaching experience required (just need a degree in any subject). It’s predominantly a cultural exchange program. They want people who will throw themselves into local community life, then return home and gush about how wonderful Japan is.

You can’t choose the area or school that you’re allocated to - although you can put some preferences which may or may not happen.

It’s very competitive, and there’s quite a long drawn out application process. But you’re guided through every stage well. Then if successful, you’re guided through all the rest of it (including help with visas, accommodation etc, with discounts in some areas). They also pay for flights and putting you up in a hotel for the orientation.

And you get a ready-made group of potential new friends in your fellow JETs from around the globe. The program puts events on etc to help get to know both JETs and the community.

It’s a long established, well-oiled machine.