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Keep in mind I'm a single American male in his 30's looking to take advantage of that opportunity.
| Russia | 9 | |
| China | 6 | |
| Japan | 24 | |
| Taiwan | 1 | |
| South Korea | 6 | |
| Thailand | 4 | |
| Vietnam | 3 | |
| Turkey | 6 | |
| Saudi Arabia | 2 | |
| United Arab Emirates | 4 | |
| Kazakhstan | 1 |
Frankly, any of those would be an interesting and rewarding experience.
People on this site will probably vote Japan, since there are a lot of animé dorks here.
But each country on your list has a distinct culture, language and history.
One factor you may wish to consider is the ease of learning the native language of that country. Certain languages are easier for an English speaker to pick up.
Also consider what percentage of that country's population speak some English already, since it might help you initially to socialise and get along with colleagues; for example, many people in UAE speak fluent English, whereas the number of English speakers in Japan is low.
And of course consider the politics and culture of the country. You'll get along better in a place where your behaviour and values are accepted:
- Would you be bothered by the strict religious conservatism of somewhere like Saudi Arabia?
- Would you be bothered by the introversion and complex conservative etiquette of Japan?
Ask yourself these questions. Don't bother going by the results of this poll.
Also, in UAE you can't drink. Maybe Saudi Arabia too? Idk that's another cultural factor to consider.
Firstly, it's 'the' UAE. Just like the US.
Secondly, clubs, hotels and lounge cafes have been serving alcohol for over a decade, what are you even talking about? Ah, I see it says so on wikipedia. I understand now why my professors cried so much over wiki being an unreliable source of information.
Alcohol isn't sold in supermarkets or hypermarkets. Liquor stores exist but are very few. Drinking in public isn't legal, and any level of intoxication while driving is a jailable offense.
Source: Years lived in the country.
Good point! I can tell you right now Saudi Arabia and the UAE are out. I won't go anywhere in the Middle East. I'm not so sure I even want to go to Turkey and be next door to Syria and Iraq with ISIS on the loose. I don't trust China, either. It's one of the most polluted countries in the world. Those four are out, but the rest might be doable.
I don't know you but Id say Japan or Thailand because they are pretty safe, a lot f people already speak English and I think youd enjoy the contrast of culture.
I think Russia would be too dark and glum, and the Arab ones are still beheading people left and right.
Turkey might be interesting but they have their share of violence problems too.
China? maybe interesting, maybe boring depending on the city. I don't know anything about Vietnam except they have giant centipedes...
The people, the food and we don't need much money there.
Edit: the night life!!!!!!!!!!!
You can also get damn good plastic surgery or any kind of surgery for that matter for next to nothing compared to what it would cost in the United States. Thailand is one of the top spots for medical tourism.
Don't understand how comes that no one votes China. It's very easy being an English teacher/earning high incomes in China just only if you have a caucasion look. I've seen a bunch of so called "foreign English teacher". They might not have friends in their own country so that they come to China, became an English teacher, being respected, hook on girls, easily get to live a life which they'll never get in their own country.
Out of that list I can only speak for the UAE:
disthing makes a good point. Given that an enormous percentage of the UAE population are immigrants, of various nationalities, English is very commonly spoken. The reason I barely learned the national language Arabic is because you could get by speaking English almost anywhere. Though knowing Arabic would give you a huge plus. There are more private schools than public schools, understandable if you consider that private-schools are english-medium. You will find more Europeans than you will Americans, nevertheless, that means you'll be among plenty of people who are monolingual.
The night life is smashing, the food and restaurants are diverse and from all over the world, the beaches are great, and shopping is inexpensive compared to the US. Relative to other middle eastern countries, the UAE is very liberal and westernized. And as Incomplet said, your appearance alone will give you an edge given that you're teaching English. It is ridiculously safe, cars rarely ever get broken into or places get robbed. You could leave your laptop on the hood of your car and go into the store. Come back, and it would still be there (though I don't advise intentionally being so careless!)
The only downside that I can think of at the moment is that it is a relatively expensive place to live.
That's awesome! The UAE almost sounds good, but I'm not sure I want to go anywhere in the Middle East quite frankly. They may not have Sharia Law in Dubai per se, but the men there still overwhelmingly outnumber the women which means I'll have major competition. They may not persecute their women per se, but I suspect they at least hide them away. I frankly don't trust UAE, China, or Saudi Arabia. I'm not sure I feel comfortable going to Turkey, either.
Big Chinese corporations will essentially hire you for appearance sake. So if you have blonde hair, blue eyes and if you're at least six foot - you'll be a great catch for them.
But essentially China, S. Korea and Japan will all look into you for the appearance factors to some extent. There's a fair number of Asian English teachers, but they want the "authentic" vibe from a westerner.
You should also note that they get plenty of applications every year. Do you have a diploma in any of their languages? How about a teaching degree from the States?
all fuckin day long. go to japan and be glad yalls not in a hellhole
but im basin that on hellhole/filth factor, not ease of teachin, partyin or a gittin laid. clean safe and stable
if yall wants to come home with a yalls head spinnin and an achin pecker id say thailand or russia
Now how do you know? Have you ever been to Thailand or Russia? The problem with Japan is that it's incredibly crowded. I'm on the fence about Russia because it's so damn cold there, and I'm not sure I want to be there with Vladimir Putin trying to start another Cold War.
been to all 3 fool. numerous times
yall dint lay out no criteria like what yalls goals are or what yall thinks important or not
Well first I need to finish the course and get my certificate. I want to live somewhere where I can find some nice beautiful ladies and enjoy being single if you catch my drift. The only thing that worries me about Russia is the cold. If you've been to all, then tell me this. Is it true Russian girls don't shave?
Do you speak all the languages of those countries? Or would it be very advanced English?
Depends what kind of adventure you want. Japan and South Korea would be my choice from your list. Vietnam or Thailand could be fun too.
Also, what is your race? Doesn't matter to me but to be honest it can be a huge factor in some of the places on your list.
I'm a white guy with blond hair and blue eyes not that it matters. I can tell you right now, I won't be going to China, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE. The Middle East is out. So is Turkey. I'm not sure I want to be next door to Syria and Iraq right now with ISIS on the loose. I don't trust China, either, but I'm willing to gamble with the rest of them.