I Think Ive Decided On My Change Of Career

[CraigT]

For ages now Ive been thinking hard about what I want to do next. I worked in a Hospital for eight and a half years but even though the job was interesting the pay was nothing special.

I left there to start a job with computers, something I had a keen interest in, but over three years on and I can honestly say that I pretty much hate computers now.

Ive been planning on leaving for a while but really dont want to walk into another sad mundane office job or anything else computer related. I need something which I can look back on and it will stand out in my life as being interesting.

So, I think Ive found it

I started looking into teaching english language in foreign countries. You dont need any previous teaching experience to be able to do it either. All you need to do is complete a tefl course which you can complete in a weekend if you go for the intensive option. Once you have this you can pretty much work in any country in the world. Apparently there are more jobs in this field than people to fill them. You mainly teach kindergarden children. So its basic english not advanced.

My friends brother left my workplace to do this. Him and his GF and baby moved to Japan and are loving every min of it. I think this may just be the change of scenery Ive been looking for.

Id like to teach in somewhere like Asia, preferrably Japan. Im still reading up on whay my options are and Im not going to rush into it without researching it properly. Saying that I plan to do the course after christmas either way. It would be a great thing to have under your belt even if you dont use it straight away.

Anyone here had any experience with this field of work?

[System~G]

A friend of mine from South Africa did the same in Singapore. She landed up learning the local language in months. It was a laugh listening to her speak it so fluently after three years She loved the experience and if her urge to start a family hadn't taken over, she'd still be there.

[Bibbs]

A friend is in Thailand doing exactly this ..

And he's set up a company to get English people setup out there ..

Let me know if you want his details, he'd be able to sort out everything for you. I'd do it, but I know I hate kids.

[CraigT]

A friend is in Thailand doing exactly this ..

And he's set up a company to get English people setup out there ..

Let me know if you want his details, he'd be able to sort out everything for you. I'd do it, but I know I hate kids.

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Ben that would be ideal mate. I wouldnt mind asking him a few questions about it all, I find thats the best way to get an honest truthful idea about what its really like.

If he doesnt mind, then yeah his details would be very handy

[LORD_ED]

Good job going at moment is a sommelier for gordon ramseys new restaurant in tokyo only get £30k a year whihc in top end sommelier terms aint much but u get a visa and a house,

[gordypix]

My Bro did this in China for 2 years. He now speaks great Mandarin and came back here and ending up working for one of the biggest banks in the world. He loved it - except the bit where he had to eat - COBRA.........The man is a vegetarian..Painful.....

[CraigT]

My Bro did this in China for 2 years. He now speaks great Mandarin and came back here and ending up working for one of the biggest banks in the world. He loved it - except the bit where he had to eat - COBRA.........The man is a vegetarian..Painful.....

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Cobra? Lovely! LOL

Does anyone know how long a working holiday visa is for by the way?

[gordypix]

Not sure but I think a visa depends on the country. I know someone who has just got a 2 year working hol visa from Zimbabwe to England.

[CraigT]

Had a reply back from an ad I saw on the net for english teachers in Hiroshima, Japan.

Turns out, the person who replied noticed my ad as she is from Cardiff. Small world.

The strange thing is, even though there will be a lot to do and sort out before I can get there. I KNOW Im going to do this. Its not often that I feel so certain about anything.

[Bibbs]

May mate is back over Xmas .. will try and get a few details ..

[~Rach~]

My best mate went to teach english in SA for 6months and absolutely loved it. Shes considering leaving uni to go back again :)

[alanbradley]

I taught english and maths in Bangkok one summer and I had a fantastic time. The pay wasn't much, but then the cost of living's almost a pittance out there.

I was working in a place that specialised in after-schools and holiday tutoring, teaching children up to about 11 and a couple of (very lazy) older teenagers. Many of the parents basically just wanted their sprogs to speak with a native English speaker.

I was working for a friend of the royal family there (almost demi-gods btw) so I had a 90 day tourist visa which you have to get in this country. It states clearly on the stamp that employment is prohibited. You have to leave the country every 3 months (there are, naturally, services that help you get round this ;) ) by going to malaysia for a day or suchlike to renew the visa.

Try here for help on this stuff Thai Embassy London - there's a consulate in Glasgow too. You would be looking at the long stay visa - NOT the tourist one... Get in touch with Bibbs' mate though - you'll need it sorted before you go out there.

I had a flat with the job, just off Sukhumvit so I was very lucky and in a great, upmarket area rather than some slum...

BKK is an absolutely fantastic place too - on the go 24 hours a day - but some people really just don't get on with it. For the first couple of weeks the culture shock was phenomenal - it's not like visiting anywhere in Europe, but once you get into the swing of things it becomes totally normal. I seem to remember not eating much other than icecream for the first 2 days!

Take the plunge - you might absolutely love it and if you don't then you can always come back to the real world!

Hope that helps, but if you have any questions then feel free to ask!

Cheers,

Alan

Sorry - it's a bit long...

PS - Here's another useful website Bangkok Post

[Chappers]

How about emigrating to Australia?.. a bit off topic but, Sun, Sea, Surf..ssstuff..

Went there a few years ago and have been planning ever since.. 2 Years work experience and I'll be gone :D