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July 06, 2005
How Much Can You Earn Teaching ESL?
Many times people new to the industry write in and ask how much they can expect to earn as an ESL teacher. Well...here's my favorite answer again...it depends.
Hello everyone!
As someone who has been on both ends of the spectrum (I've taught in Japan as well as Mexico), I can honestly say this: it's not how much you earn, it's what lifestyle your salary will afford you.
Perhaps a better question would be: How well can I live on the salary offered? Teacher’s salaries in the ESL world vary wildly—depending on many factors. One of the most important is the country in which you will be teaching. For example, a teacher in Asia will certainly make much more money than a teacher in Mexico, but the standard of living may not be all that different.
You first need to ask yourself what it is that you want to get out of the experience. Here are a few questions that should point you in the right direction.
1)Do you want to earn as much money as you can, or do you simply want to enjoy the experience?
If making a lot of money is your goal, then you should probably look at some of the Asian countries, or Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, if experience is what you’re after, you’ll need to sit down and make a list of what you enjoy. For example, would you prefer the historical, romantic atmosphere of Greece, or the friendly, laid-back feel of Mexico?
2)How much do you want to work?
Some countries lend themselves to hectic, fast paced lifestyles while others are more relaxed and don’t offer as many opportunities for extra private classes or overtime at a school. You’ll have to decide on the right pace for you.
By pinpointing what you want to get out of your teaching experience, you will have taken the first step in deciding what type of salary to expect.
In next month's newsletter (out next week!) I have dedicated the entire issue to answering questions such as these. Read it and you'll know everything you ever wanted to (and probably more) about the ESL teaching life.
Until then!
Michelle
Posted by msimmons at July 6, 2005 05:11 PM
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Comments
Hi everyone
I am in my 40s.I would like to go to Asia or Middle East to teach ESL.I have a student loan I want to repay ASAP.
Does anyone have an idea?
Thanks
Posted by: Jean M Olibrice at July 8, 2005 01:06 AM
Olibrice, you may have a better response, if you post your message on the forum at
http://www.esl-jobs-forum.com/
Firstly, there is nothing wrong with earning substantial amounts of money from your profession. I think, sometimes, because you enjoy your job, employers will take advantage of you. Don't let them. You should get the correct rate for the job. Remember the correct rate for the job should include sufficient money to compensate for sick leave, holidays, pension contributions, keeping two homes and lastly, your pocket money.
Posted by: kenneth at July 10, 2005 09:26 PM
Michelle,
The main problem seems to be the greed of the owners of schools. these owners have no concern about the quality of the curriculum or of the teaching implemeted and they go for the cheapest teachers available. They see teachers as an expendable commodity. The students suffer and at the most only develop recognition skills as opposed to production skills. Most of these schools also grab money and their only concern is that the students will be entertained enough not to understand that the progress of their education is minimal.
İt took me a while to find a position with a university but the terms of the position are much much better than those offered by swot shop schools.
İf most teachers refused to accept the poor pay being offered by most private ESL schools then they would have little alternative but to raise salaries and benmefits. For the average North American university graduate working in Walmart unfortunately little is better that the meagre offerings being offered and so spine emerges in the negotiating process and they jump at the first thing being offered and gripe and whine for the duration of their contract.
John
Posted by: john at January 25, 2006 05:27 AM
