If you want to teach English in Hong Kong, you can find yourself in one of the most culturally diverse and modern Asian countries. When you mention Hong Kong, most people picture a big, crazy city, but actually the country is full of nice places where you won’t feel too squeezed in. In Hong Kong, lots of people can speak English, but this doesn’t mean that the demand for English teachers is any lower.

Living In Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, you can make pretty good cash. You can easily make $30,000 a year at a full-time, entry level teaching job. And, unlike Japan, the cost of living is not so high that you end up spending it all to pay your bills.

Hong Kong is also an excellent location. If you live and teach in Hong Kong, you can easily get to other great sightseeing places in Asia, like Thailand, China and Japan. Plus, your salary in Hong Kong will be high enough that you can spend your vacation time hopping around the various countries of Asia.

Getting The Job

Unfortunately, you need more than English to get a job as an English teacher in Hong Kong. For pretty much any teaching job you will need something more than just a 4-year degree. An excellent thing to do before you start looking for a job is to get a TESOL certification. You can do this pretty cheaply and in a short period of time.

Most teachers end up working either at an international school, a government position or a commercial English school. The international schools are the best in terms of pay and workload. You also get great benefits. But as you might expect, the competition is pretty stiff for these jobs. The government jobs also have good benefits, but the pay is not as good.

Finally, the commercial English schools are pretty much the bottom of the heap, although they treat you much better than commercial English schools in countries such as Japan or Korea.

In Hong Kong, employers are stricter about passport and visa issues. This is a good thing because it means that you won’t get scammed or screwed around. On the other hand, you have to make sure that your paperwork is in order and everything is legit.

You can get a job in Hong Kong before you land there. Using the internet, you can find a good job and get set up with accommodation before you go. You can also take care of your visa paperwork online. It is best to have an employment visa before you go, and you can do this from home. It just involves a heap of paperwork.

One of the best advantages of Hong Kong, other than just the pay and lifestyle, is that there is a huge demand for teachers. There is actually a shortage of English teachers, so the demand far outweighs the supply. This means that, if you are qualified and motivated, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a job.

Hong Kong has a unique cultural blend, and it is a modern country with all the conveniences and comforts. It is a great place for teachers abroad to live.

- A Dream Come True

How would you like to be sitting in a street-side cafe with a cup of delicious coffee in front of you watching the Parisians pass you by? It would be wonderful to teach English in France, wouldn’t it? But, chances are, most everyone in France can speak English already, so there’s no way it can be done!

This is not exactly true, actually. While more people in France than, say, Japan can speak English, there are still opportunities if you want to teach English there. The only problem is that the jobs are pretty hard to come by. As you can imagine, the competition is pretty stiff.

Be An Assistant Teacher!

France has a program where they hire Americans to be assistant conversational English teachers in their public schools. They give you a pretty light schedule of teaching, rarely more than 15 hours a week. The pay is generous and the life is good.

The only problem is that they choose less than 2,000 a year. The good news is that not many Americans know about this program, so there aren’t too many applicants each year.

Sign Me Up!

Probably the biggest challenge is sifting through all the paperwork. It can be pretty daunting, and much of it will be in French! It’s a lot of work, but it will pay off.

The best source for information is your local French cultural center. If you are a college student, talk to the school’s French department. Most applicants for this program are students of French, so they will be able to help you get the things you need together.

Private Lessons

Another option for teaching in France is to teach private lessons. For most teachers, private lessons offer a little extra income on the side. With private lessons alone, it’s tough to make a living.

There are companies that specialize in providing English lessons, but these are especially hard to get a job with. Your best bet would probably be to go over with an assistant teacher program and make connections while you are there.

A few things that will help you get a good job teaching English in France are:

- At least a little French under your belt. If you have some familiarity with French, this will help a lot. People who go to France to teach and don’t bother trying to learn the language don’t survive very well. Study a little before you go, and it will be a big help to you.

- Some teaching experience or credentials. Most people who teach English overseas are not originally English teachers. In fact, teaching overseas is a great way to get a taste of teaching and decide if you like it. You can always volunteer to teach a few English classes at your local library or community center. A little experience can go a long way, and you can always put it on your resume when you apply.

Teaching English in France is a dream, but it doesn’t have to be just a fantasy. Every year, Americans go to France to teach and soak up the culture, and you could be one of them!

…And Make A Difference

The good news if you want to teach English in Africa is that there is tons of demand for English teachers. Actually, many countries in Africa need all kinds of educators to teach a wide variety of subjects. As they are modernizing, English is essential for them to be competitive. Students are highly motivated.

The downside is that there is no money. Teaching English in Africa is done on a volunteer basis. So, why would anybody want to volunteer to teach English? Isn’t it all about the money? Well, not to some people. Some of the reasons why teachers choose Africa include:

- The desire to learn about a culture that is radically different than your own. Africa is nothing like anything you’ve experienced before. If you can’t live without your creature comforts, you probably wouldn’t choose Africa. But, in cultural terms, Africa is a mind blower. Few people get a chance to live and work in a totally different world than what they know.

- The desire to contribute. Are you looking to do something meaningful with your time? Most of us work to chase a paycheck, but imagine working to actually make a difference in a community. Volunteers help out communities all over the world, and you could be part of it.

- The teaching experience. Africa is a world apart from wealthy, industrialized countries where studying English is a hobby to pass the day. Your efforts as a teacher will not go unappreciated in Africa. As a teacher there, you really will make a difference in peoples’ lives. Your students will not be spoiled and indifferent. In Africa, people are eager to learn English.

- Your resume. The teaching experience also helps build up your resume. Volunteering is a great way for new, inexperienced teachers to learn the ropes. And, it looks great when you start applying for other jobs.

Volunteering means working without pay, but in most places in Africa, you will be given free accommodation and meals. Some programs will pay for your plane ticket, and some will offer free training. On the one hand you don’t get paid, but on the other hand, you get a lot out of the deal if you look at it as a valuable learning experience.

Many volunteer programs are short-term and can be as little as 2 months. For a program like this, you don’t need to worry about your visa. For most countries, you can stay and teach with a simple tourist visa. If you plan to stay for longer, you’ll need an official visa. The bureaucracies of most African countries are notoriously slow, so you may have to help remind them to take care of your visa.

Africa is truly a different world than North America or Europe. Teaching in Africa can be a life-changing experience. It can also be a stepping stone in your career in teaching.

Leaving Japan To Teach English In South Korea

Once you’ve gone as far as you can go teaching in Japan, and once you’ve gotten used to the culture shock and the routine, it might be tempting to try a teaching gig in another country. Because Korea is so close, this may lead you to decide to teach English in South Korea. From there, you may end up hopping all over the world, who knows?

South Korea is culturally quite similar to Japan, and teaching there isn’t much different at all, but there are some differences. Here’s a little of what you might expect if you go hopping across the Japan Sea!

How Is The Teaching Different?

Well, on this point, the experience may be virtually the same. You can teach in a conversation school (called “hogwons” instead of “eikaiwa”) which is quite similar to those in Japan. You can also teach at an international school, or work as an assistant language teacher in a public school, much like a Japanese ALT position.

Your students will be pretty much the same, although Koreans are known to be more vocal than Japanese, who are known for their shyness. Overall, your actual teaching will probably be about the same. There are no major surprises waiting for you there.

How Is The Pay?

By world standards, the Korean currency is not as strong as the Japanese yen. This means you’ll be getting paid less. But, you’ll be making lots more in terms of the local currency. In Japan, it’s virtually impossible to live in a large apartment on a teacher’s salary. In Korea, you can do quite well.

In Korea, you’ll also have lots more disposable income. If you save and live frugally, you can have some money left over to save or use traveling if you teach in Japan. In Korea, however, it’s a guarantee that you’ll have money left over. And, nightlife in Korea is much cheaper than in Japan. If you want to go out to clubs and hang out, you’re money will go much further in Korea than in Japan.

What About The Language?

Well, there’s no way around the difficulty of the language. Korean, like Japanese, is tough for westerners to learn. But, from people I’ve talked to, it seems somewhat easier to learn Korean. The writing system is definitely much easier to learn.

How Are Foreigners Treated In South Korea?

This, of course, depends entirely on who you ask. Some say that Koreans are warmer and friendlier to foreigners than the Japanese, who are often polite but distant. Others say that Koreans are often rude to foreigners and sometimes outright hostile.

The truth is that it probably depends on your personal situation. In Seoul there are quite a lot of foreigners, but when you get out into the sticks, you may meet people who have never seen a westerner in their entire lives.

As far as treatment of foreigners goes, the main difference is that Japanese people usually keep their feelings to themselves, whereas Koreans are much more open and direct. This may actually make making friends with Koreans easier than with Japanese, but it also could be unpleasant if you feel uncomfortable being an outsider.

If you plan to teach for the long term, trying out a few different countries is a great idea. It gives you some idea of what kinds of situations are out there. If you teach in Japan, South Korea is a logical choice for a next destination. You may find that the lifestyle suits you better!

- A Unique Cultural Experience

Nowadays, Viet Nam is a peaceful country where traditional lifestyles meet the modern world. The Vietnamese are eager for foreign teachers to teach English in Viet Nam. It is a friendly, vibrant country with lots of sightseeing and things to do.

Getting A Job

First of all, you need to have a 4-year Bachelors Degree. It used to be that practically anybody could head to Viet Nam and get a good job, but nowadays you need the degree. It’s the law, and it’s strictly enforced.

Aside from that, you don’t need any special experience or qualifications, but a TEFL certification will help. Any experience or special training that you have will make you a more desirable candidate for jobs.

Teaching

The best jobs in Viet Nam are in the universities. These jobs are a little tougher to get than others, but with nothing but a 4-year degree you can still get one. Just remember that they are the most sought after jobs, so you’ll be competing with lots of other applicants.

Most of the jobs are at universities. There are also private English conversation schools, but these usually hire teachers on a part-time basis. There isn’t as much demand for private English lessons. You can also make some money teaching private students.

In Viet Nam, the pay is pretty low for English teaching by world standards. This means that you won’t be able to save much or leave Viet Nam with a bundle, but if you want to live in Viet Nam and experience the culture, it’s more than enough to live well on. Of course, the pay is more in big cities.

Living

Viet Nam is a spectacular culture, and that is one of the main reasons why people like to teach there. Vietnamese culture is very traditional, and it’s worlds apart from more modern countries like Japan or Korea. Vietnamese culture is rooted in Buddhism and places a strong emphasis on family.

Vietnamese people are warm, friendly and generous people. They welcome foreigners, and everybody will want to practice whatever English they know with you.

In Viet Nam, the country and the city are very different. In the cities, there is much more opportunity for teachers, and the pay is better. But, some people prefer living in the countryside, where they can see Vietnamese culture up close.

The best opportunities are in Ho Chi Minh City, in the northern part of Viet Nam. It is a diverse city with lots of Chinese influence. The villages in the rural south have a wide variety of cultures as well.

Viet Nam is a great experience for English teachers. You may not make a stack of cash teaching there, but you’ll come away with an amazing experience.

China is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with some of the world’s tastiest food and most interesting history. Most people who choose to teach English in China do so because it’s an amazing cultural experience. It is also a good place to get teaching experience.

But, one word of warning: It’s not a place to bring home a bundle of cash from. English teachers in China can expect to make 4,500 RMB or more a month, which is much more than most people make. But, it’s not the best option if you’re intent on saving money.

China is a unique cultural experience and lots of teachers have had a rewarding experience there. So, how do you go about getting a job in China?

Education Requirements

Like Japan, China requires only that you have a four-year university degree. It doesn’t matter what your degree is in. Teaching experience and Chinese language ability are not required, but they can help you get a better job. They also can help you make the adjustment to teaching and living there.

Getting The Job

If you want to go to China, there are several channels you can go through to get a job.

-The Internet. There are sites all over the place that say, “Teach English in China…” The wonder of the internet is that you can apply online, right in front of the computer. This is probably the most common way that people get jobs in China.

It sounds like a great deal, but some of these sites are dodgy. Another great thing about the internet is that it allows you to do research and find useful information. If you’re thinking of applying online with a company to teach in China, do a little surfing and see what other people have to say about them.

-Universities. Lots of people get teaching jobs by contacting universities directly. You can call the school’s English or foreign languages department and talk to the chair, who is usually a fluent English speaker. You’ll have to send a resume and go through the application process, but university jobs tend to be rewarding.

-Placement Agencies. These are companies that are in touch with schools. They hire foreign teachers and dispatch them to different kinds of schools. This is a good option for foreign teachers because the agency does all the work getting you the job. The downside is that they take a cut of your pay.

-Go To China In Person. This way, you can meet face to face with those who may hire you. Bring everything you will need to apply, including any official documents. If you get a job, you will probably have to leave the country and come back in order to get a new visa.

A Word Of Warning

To anyone who is looking for a job in China, be very careful of scams and dodgy operations. It is still all too common for schools to illegally hire teachers and mess around with their pay. Research your company well, get in touch with other teachers who have worked for them, and always read your contract very carefully. Ask lots of questions at your interview and remember that if it’s not in the contract, there’s no guarantee.

Teaching in China is a wonderful learning experience. Very few westerners get to spend time in China and see the culture up close. Make the best of it and enjoy your experience teaching in China!

Teach English In Brazil - An Amazing Experience Awaits!

Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world, and the biggest country in South America. Many people who teach English in Brazil have no idea before arrival what an amazing country it is. Brazil has a remarkably diverse population, beautiful scenery and a very unique culture. And, if you like soccer? Well, I don’t even have to tell you how crazy Brazilians are for the sport!

In Brazil there is lots of demand for English. Brazil has the world’s 10th largest economy. Because of trade agreements with the United States and other English-speaking countries, the demand for English is soaring. The only tricky part is getting there and landing a job.

The Visa Scene

Your biggest hurdle is the visa. Brazil is notorious for making it tough.

In order to teach in Brazil, you must have a work visa. Although many people teach with just a tourist visa, it is illegal, and getting caught means getting kicked out. If this happens, you’ll find it even tougher to get back.

It is pretty much impossible to get a work visa if you are outside of Brazil. It is especially difficult for people to get work visas in order to teach English. Most English schools will not sponsor their teachers’ visas.

Why is this? The main reason is that it’s a very expensive process. Even if you find a school that will sponsor your visa, which is completely possible, they will probably make you pay for it. So, save your pennies!

Landing A Job From Overseas

First off, as far as requirements go, there aren’t any particularly. It is recommended that you have a Bachelor’s degree in something or other. Teaching experience or certification helps but is not required.

There are lots and lots of short-term volunteer or teach abroad programs. If you do a web search, you’ll find many of these, and they will allow you to come to Brazil and work legitimately as an English teacher. Unfortunately, these are short-term. Still, if you’d like to get a taste of Brazil, it would be a good experience. It also might help pave the way to a long-term teaching job.

There are also TEFL and TESOL programs where you take the course and then they place you in a job afterwards. This offers a nice, safe way to get into the country on a long-term basis. The only problem is that you have to pay for the course, moving expenses, and most likely your work visa.

Come And Look For Yourself

By far, the most successful way to find a teaching job in Brazil is to come and look for yourself. Brazil is a fairly cheap country to stay in, so you can stretch your money out a bit. You can also network with teachers who are already here and can hook you up.

If you choose to come to Brazil and look, it’s a good idea to have a little Portuguese under your belt. Just learn the basics, and you can pick up the rest when you get here.

Everything you’ve heard about Brazil is true. It’s a wonderful country with a rich culture. The people are friendly, the food is good, and the English teaching industry is exploding. Just get through the red tape, and let the adventure begin!

Teach English In Vietnam - A Unique Cultural Experience

Nowadays, Vietnam is a peaceful country where traditional lifestyles meet the modern world. The Vietnamese are eager for foreign teachers to teach English in Viet Nam. It is a friendly, vibrant country with lots of sightseeing and things to do.

Getting A Job

First of all, you need to have a 4-year Bachelors Degree. It used to be that practically anybody could head to Vietnam and get a good job, but nowadays you need the degree. It’s the law, and it’s strictly enforced.

Aside from that, you don’t need any special experience or qualifications, but a TEFL certification will help. Any experience or special training that you have will make you a more desirable candidate for jobs.

Teaching

The best jobs in Vietnam are in the universities. These jobs are a little tougher to get than others, but with nothing but a 4-year degree you can still get one. Just remember that they are the most sought after jobs, so you’ll be competing with lots of other applicants.

Most of the jobs are at universities. There are also private English conversation schools, but these usually hire teachers on a part-time basis. There isn’t as much demand for private English lessons. You can also make some money teaching private students.

In Vietnam, the pay is pretty low for English teaching by world standards. This means that you won’t be able to save much or leave Vietnam with a bundle, but if you want to live in Vietnam and experience the culture, it’s more than enough to live well on. Of course, the pay is more in big cities.

Living

Vietnam is a spectacular culture, and that is one of the main reasons why people like to teach there. Vietnamese culture is very traditional, and it’s worlds apart from more modern countries like Japan or Korea. Vietnamese culture is rooted in Buddhism and places a strong emphasis on family.

Vietnamese people are warm, friendly and generous people. They welcome foreigners, and everybody will want to practice whatever English they know with you.

In Vietnam, the country and the city are very different. In the cities, there is much more opportunity for teachers, and the pay is better. But, some people prefer living in the countryside, where they can see Vietnamese culture up close.

The best opportunities are in Ho Chi Minh City, in the northern part of Vietnam. It is a diverse city with lots of Chinese influence. The villages in the rural south have a wide variety of cultures as well.

Vietnam is a great experience for English teachers. You may not make a stack of cash teaching there, but you’ll come away with an amazing experience.

What Do I Need To Teach English In Japan?

If you want to teach English in Japan, I’ll tell you right now that it’s a wonderful experience. Not only that, the money is great. The demand for English (and native English speakers to teach) has never been higher and shows no signs of falling.

Most people who come to Japan to teach English are actually not teachers at all. Like the job ads tell you, you do not need any teaching experience or Japanese language ability to teach in Japan. It sounds unbelievable, but it’s true.

So, what do you need to become an English teacher in Japan?

- Native English Speaker. First off, you have to speak English as a native. Actually, even if English is your second language and you speak it well, you may be able to teach in Japan. Still, the demand is highest for those who grew up in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK or South Africa. Most people want to learn from a native speaker, even if you’re teaching experience is pretty limited.

- A Bachelor’s Degree. Japanese law states that you have to have a BA to teach in Japan. There are stories about people that come here fresh out of high school and score teaching jobs, but there are many more stories about those same people who end up going home after a few months because nobody will risk hiring them.

The good news is that your degree can be in anything at all. It doesn’t have to be English, education or anything else remotely related to teaching. So, YES you can get a job with your art history degree making 36K a year!

- Other Skills. There has been increasing demand in the last few years, especially in Japanese public schools, for native teachers who have other specialized skills, like music or sports. Lots of progressive English schools have programs where other subjects, such as PE or computer science, are taught in English. You don’t need to have any other special skills, but if you happen to be a musician, athlete or expert in some other field, you may be able to put that skill to use in Japan.

- Be Fun. Kids in Japan aren’t interested in English because they are bored to death by their teachers and textbooks. There is no creative, fun approach to teaching in Japan, so your fun ideas and creativity are what they need.

The first step in teaching is to show the kids that learning English is fun. You will find yourself spending more time playing games or doing activities with kids than lecturing at the blackboard and giving tests.

- Willingness To Learn. Japan is very different from the west, and the more you learn about Japan, the better equipped you’ll be to live here. Culture shock is a natural thing that happens to everybody, but if you meet Japan halfway and learn a little about them, it will make life much more rewarding.

You don’t need much to be an English teacher in Japan. If it doesn’t work out, you can always head home with all the money you’ve saved. But, for those who really want to teach and enjoy the culture, Japan is an amazing experience. Check out teaching in Japan guide for everything you’ll ever need to make the most out of teaching in Japan.

Teach English Thailand - The Basics Of Teaching English In Thailand

The English teaching industry is booming in Thailand. More and more Thais feel that they need to learn English in order to increase Thailand’s tourism trade and help its economy. For this reason, they are very motivated to learn. If you want to teach English Thailand, there is no shortage of jobs available. It’s just a matter of choosing the right one, and getting ready for a great adventure.

The Pay Scale

If you’re a first-time teacher in Thailand, you can expect to make somewhere around 25-30,000 baht a month. If you’re looking at schools and somebody offers you a lower salary than this, keep looking. On the other hand, at an international school or high school, you can make much more. There are wild stories of people making over 100,000 baht a month, but this is definitely not the norm.

Thailand is not a country where you can teach English for a while and bring a bundle back home to pay off your debts or get started on your professional career. Most people go to Thailand to experience the culture, get teaching experience and have fun. Thailand is a wonderful place to live, and most teachers go (and stay) because they love it, not because of money.

Get Out Of The City

Although everybody usually wants to live in Bangkok, competition is pretty fierce. It’s an exciting and interesting place, but it is also crowded. Bangkok is famous for having the worst traffic in the world. Of course, I’m not trying to put down Bangkok; it’s a wonderful city. But, what most people never consider is that it might be better to settle in a smaller town.

Cities like Chiang Mai and Hat Yai have just as much sightseeing, beautiful scenery and cultural richness as Bangkok. And, there’s even more demand for English teachers. For each available teaching position in Thailand, you have to fight it out with all the other teachers who are already settled and experienced. Once you try a place like Chiang Mai, you might find that you like it better than Bangkok, and you always have the mountains to explore on your days off!

Landing A Job

It is usually no problem at all to find a job in Thailand before you land. There are lots of reputable online services that will help place you in a good teaching position. Just be sure to check out whichever company you are thinking about, and see what other teachers have to say about them.

You can apply directly with an English conversation school, or you can go through a volunteer placement organization that will put you into a Thai school. In Thailand, there are several big English schools such as ECC and Berlitz that offer employment to foreign English teachers. These schools are big chains, and many teachers feel that they are impersonal “English mills.” Still, it may be a good way to get experience and meet other foreigners.

Most teachers in Thailand choose to go with a volunteer organization that places them in a school. The pay is often better, and they get to experience Thai culture firsthand.

Teaching in Thailand is a unique experience, and there are many ways to go about getting a job. Make sure that you are well-informed before you get on the plane. But, most of all, enjoy your stay in Thailand!