The wage packages can be so different between countries and what looks like a great offer – might actually be bettered by what appears to be a more modest offer.

Things to consider when calculating your wages and benefits . . .

Cost of Living.

In some countries you might get paid a lot, but the cost of living can be very high and what you do earn, you may well spend on basics.  Jobs in Europe and the Middle East might fall into this category.

Benefits: Accommodation, Medical Insurance and more . . .

Some jobs provide free accommodation.  But look even deeper.  Some jobs in China, for example, may even offer a basic level of electricity, cooking gas and water as part of your package.  Some schools provide free medical care (but do inquire carefully about coverage and quality of care).

Income Taxes.

A lot?  A little?  Does you employer pay them for you?

Paid Vacation Time.

University jobs often pay modestly but sometimes offer three- or four-day work weeks and even up to twenty (yes, 20!) weeks paid vacation per year.  That is literally a half-time job for full-time wages.  Be careful though, some colleges and universities might pay a reduced rate during vacations and some might not pay at all.

Overtime Pay.

Some jobs will start to pay you overtime when you have taught only nine classroom hours in a week (university jobs again), but others may not pay overtime until you exceed as many as 25 or 30 hours per week and some might not pay until you exceed a certain monthly total.  Make sure you understand how this works before you sign that contract.

Payment of Visa  and Related Fees.

In some countries visa processing and associated paperwork can be quite expensive.  Will your employer cover all or part of these expenses?

Airfare.

Will your employer reimburse airfare?  All or part of it?  Or up to a certain limit?  This often varies by country and sometimes even within a country.

Add it all up

Add it all up and figure what your basic package might be worth and how much you might be able to SAVE per month.  Some jobs in China, for example, can have you saving a lot more than similar jobs in Vietnam or Thailand that pay more but where you have to pay for your own accommodation, airfare and get minimal paid time off.

TED’s Tips™ #1: Don’t compare just the wages of a job.  Add in all the other factors and make sure you leave some money for travel and exploring your new country.  If you have big student loans that need to be paid, Korea is probably your best bet.  If you have better-than-average qualifications and experience then parts of the Middle East are excellent for savings as well.

The BEST EFL Teaching Jobs in China: Government Colleges, Universities and Secondary Schools offer the most reliable and worry-free jobs in China. Click on the Link if you would like to Teach English in China

I want to share with the readers of this blog one of the most frequently asked questions that I get. And I want to give a good answer to it. Cut to the meat of the issue: How much can I earn, can I pay off bills and student loans, can I do it even at 30+ years of age? My answers are below the questions – but bottom line is “A lot, but it depends” “Yes” and “Yes” – but for the details, read on . . .

A reader wrote:

I wanted to ask you a question regarding the age topic and relative ease at which someone can make a decent living at esl teaching abroad.

My questions are, in one of the top paying ESL locations in Asia specifically Taiwan, can I expect to earn at least $2,500 – $3,000 dollars a month if I work 30 to 40 hrs at one job or would I need to have a part time job i.e.:(tutoring, another school, etc)? I am trying to make sure that I can afford to live and pay off my school loans from teaching esl abroad. I understand the reality is you make a lot less compared to US salaries, but I want to make sure I will have enough to live and pay off loans and save a little.

Also I am 32, have a TESOL cert and an MBA and think its time to live abroad and learn a new language/culture. I have traveled abroad to Asia in the past but never lived or worked there, so would the fact that I am 32 hinder my chances of getting a job in ESL? Also could I make a career out of ESL and teach abroad indefinitely? Any insight would be helpful especially from someone who’s already done it!

It is important to understand that it is not how much you can earn – but rather how much you can bank (your discretionary income).

While Taiwan ranks high in Asia for wages, the benefits provided with jobs often do not match other countries that pay a bit less. For example, Korea pays only a bit less than Taiwan, but you get free accommodation, paid air tickets and a lower overall tax rate – and, bottom line, you have more bankable income than in Taiwan.

The overall cost of living in Taiwan is higher than in Korea also. I found it less stressful to teach private classes in Taiwan, but they were less plentiful than in Korea and private classes paid more in Korea.

China should not be ruled out either. With your MBA, you should be aware that there is a demand for Business English that far exceeds the interest in it in Taiwan and Korea. Lower cost of living, even lower taxes and sometimes, you could even bank more money in China than in Korea (not always, but sometimes).

And again – in China, free accommodation, reimbursed air tickets and sometimes even free utilities (which are expensive in both Korea and Taiwan).

True Bottom Line? You can save far more in Korea, China and Taiwan than you can in the States. And it looks like taxes and FICA in the USA are going to be going up up up soon to pay for all the debt associated with the “Stimulus” spending.

Contact me at Ted@TEFLteacherTraining.com and let me see if I can connect you with a good Business English job in China. You mention your age, it won’t be a problem and in fact will be a bit of an advantage. Middle-aged businesspeople don’t want to learn Business English from a young kid with no business experience. You will be better able to relate to them, their work, the demands and pressures of the lives; far more so than a 21-year-old fresh out of university.

You also asked,

Can I make a career out of TEFL and teach abroad indefinitely?

You bet you can – I did – and many others have and are doing it right now. But be forewarned, it is such a different and enjoyable life you may never go back . . .

Go get ‘em!

TED’s Tips™ #1: For those whom money is a concern the question isn’t “How much can I make” – it’s “How much can I BANK”.

TED’s Tips™ #2: Be sure to look at the full package: total wages, taxes, cost of living, ability to earn extra income legally (or quasi-legally) on the side and benefits provided such as free accommodation, subsidized utilities and air tickets when computing your bankable wages.

What’s up in China? Learn what kind of jobs are on offer if would like to Teach English in China I help place people in China – it is great fun – and you can start your career often at a higher level in China than you would in Korea or Taiwan.

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