ESL jobs in Cambodia, S.E. Asia, or elsewhere

ErinErin · 2012-10-04T09:15:37+02:00

Explore opportunities for ESL teaching in Cambodia and beyond. Insights on demand, experience, and prospects for English teachers without foreign language skills.

ErinErin Member

Member since 24 February 2012

ErinErinMember04 October 2012 07:15:37

Hi everyone,
I am a college student about to finish an associates degree and planning to finish up my bachelors in English as soon as money permits. Afterwards I plan to get a TEFL certificate and hopefully do some ESL teaching. My goal is to teach ESL abroad and after some years become a professor at the college level.
My question is, which country/city will it be possible for me to do this in? I am not overly concerned about pay. My primary reasons for wanting to teach don't involve money. I don't want to live in complete poverty, but I don't need much extra either.
Is there any kind of demand for English teachers in Asia/Latin America, etc.? I'm not fluent in any foreign languages. I realize that my lack of language skills will hold me back. I'd like to hear from people who have actually had experience with this. Are my job prospects good in developing countries even with my lack or foreign language skills, or should I just stay in the U.S.?

Thanks for reading this.

Erin

samwa Active member

Member since 01 August 2012

samwaActive member04 October 2012 11:52:21

I teach esl in phnom penh, there's generally always demand for teachers but it's a bit slow as the school year really only started a month ago. as long as you're fuent in English they won't mind that you don't speak another language. i think you can teach anywhere, the cost of living vs salary levels out across s.e asia.

phnom-penh-services Contributor

Member since 23 September 2012

phnom-penh-servicesContributor06 October 2012 07:07:02

136

I think there is a steady demand in Cambodia and the pay is around $1,000 per month, Vietnam $1,500 per month (you will need a criminal background check from the last 6 months), Thailand is around $1,000 per month but the standard if living higher than Cambodia and Vietnam.

Higher wages can be had in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, but again the living costs are far higher. China has many teachers as well, but I hear they are slow with payments and the class rooms have many children, work environment worse here I have been told.

As for South America, the pay is not great, but there is a growing demand in Brazil as they want to speak more English.
It would be hard to live on the wages in Peru, so South America does not attrack as many people as Asia.

Laughing Brook Active member

Member since 30 March 2012

Laughing BrookActive member06 October 2012 12:14:12

Erin, you could even take a basic TEFL course as part of a Master's degree in T EFL, or at least get graduate credit, depending upon whom you study with.

Sam6913 Member

Member since 30 October 2012

Sam6913Member30 October 2012 04:02:18

Hi Erin,

I currently work for a private company in service and based in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

We are currently looking for more teacher/trainers and a "lack or foreign language skills" to use your words is not a real concern for us. Here are my contact details if you wish to contact me to discuss this further:

Name: Sam.
Phone: +855 787 499 12
email: e.i.s.cambodia@gmail.com

Hope this answers your questions and give you even more confidence in the possibilities Asia has to offer.

Regards,
Sam.

础耻谤茅濒颈别 ViP

Member since 02 May 2012

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础耻谤茅濒颈别ViP30 October 2012 09:31:22

22735

Hello Sam, can you please post an advert in the Jobs in Cambodia section as well?

Thank you,
础耻谤茅濒颈别

Sam6913 Member

Member since 30 October 2012

Sam6913Member30 October 2012 23:11:15

Hi Aurelie,

Thanks for your post.

Well, my response to Erin was more about answering someone's questions along with offering an opportunity rather than an advert for a role within our organisation. Therefore I, for now, decline your "offer" to post an advert in the Jobs in Cambodia section.

Thanks and regards,
Sam.