Re: Teaching in Asia

beating the recession · 2013-02-07T02:54:54+01:00

Explore insights on teaching in Asia, including requirements, challenges, and the changing landscape for educators without formal degrees.

beating the recession Member

Member since 03 February 2013

beating the recessionMember07 February 2013 00:54:54

May I just add this.
I personally know some teachers who have no college/University degree, but they do have lots of experience. I also know many more who come with nothing and leave with nothing.

The days of, 聯have white face, can speak English and can travel聰 are long gone. The question I would put is this; if in your own country you can聮t even get employment at your local supermarket as a checkout operator, what makes you think you can come to Asia with no formal education and no experience and suddenly find yourself in the equivalent of a middle class profession?

Asia has now started to tighten up; backpackers are being removed, Africans especially are no longer welcome in many countries, criminal record checks are starting to be asked for and those with internet degrees, (or forgeries), are being weeded out. Yes, it聮s a good life, but you now need something more than a plane ticket and a white face to succeed.

Just some thoughts on what is and what isn't possible before you try it

Peter2013 Guest

Peter2013Guest07 February 2013 04:12:26

I agree!

Bridgeway New member

Member since 26 August 2013

BridgewayNew member26 August 2013 14:52:31

I first taught in Asia in 2005. I recieved dozens of offers from Korea, Taiwan, China, Japan, Vietnam, etc. primarily because I was experienced. I ended up getting a fabulous job in Hong Kong but for a weeks before landing that job, I was in Taiwan. During that time, it was all about the white face and less about the quality of the teacher although in Hong Kong, schools were more open to take non-Caucasian teachers.

In 2011 after taking the bar exam, I needed work so I taught for five months in Korea. I found the market to be far less about the white face and more about the quality of the teacher. Long gone are the days where somebody with a criminal record could slip through the cracks. Instead, countries like Korea require federal background checks and because the market is so competitive, there are fewer open positions. Considering that the US economy is not expected to get any better anytime soon, my prediction is that the teaching English in Asia will only be harder.