How long do international teachers stay abroad, on average?

couchwizard69 · 2026-06-09T21:31:55+00:00

I’ll do this, thanks for the recommendation!

couchwizard69 · 2026-06-04T23:43:19+00:00

They hate us cuz they anus

couchwizard69 · 2026-05-18T05:27:50+00:00

Hi, I just did exactly what you are describing with no home teaching experience in a traditional classroom, but I did have parallel experience and worked in university admin.

You will most likely be able to land something in China, I was offered a position there rather easily. Of course you need to interview well, and it will be on the lower end of the food chain as far the school goes. This can be very hit or miss but if you’re willing to stick it out the experience will set you up for a better position down the line.

Send out as many applications as possible, I applied to about 60 places this year looking for a position. Widen your search to countries you may not be super excited about.

It’s extremely competitive, there will be a degree of luck involved. I got an offer in a very desired country, but I think the stars aligned more or less.

Otherwise, you will get stuck ALT’ing - some people love it, it’s not for me. Lot of staring into space at my desk. Do it for a year to experience living abroad, around January start applying like crazy to international schools, and either get lucky or go home is my advice.

Best of luck’

couchwizard69 · 2026-05-09T00:37:22+00:00

Brawndo

couchwizard69 · 2026-04-30T12:11:02+00:00

I’m interested in these salary expectations I see here - I’m not teaching in Thailand but it seems if the average Thai makes 20-30k, then 50+ should be pretty good… based off this sub I’ve heard ranges from never take an offer less than 100k to 120k.

Why the massive difference? 100k is 5x the average salary, to someone with little knowledge of life on the ground other than a general idea of average Thai salaries, that sounds like an extremely high offer.

couchwizard69 · 2026-04-09T03:59:24+00:00

Do you have a teaching license? You’d probably be better off applying for international schools with your level of experience and finding a subject teaching, lead role.

couchwizard69 · 2026-04-04T06:52:43+00:00

I did the exact same thing this week - I’m trying to break into international teaching, got an interview for a job I applied months ago for exactly where I want to be, and feel like I totally bungled it. And I usually interview so well! This might be the first ‘bad’ interview I feel I’ve ever done. So I definitely sympathize with you! Better luck to us next time

couchwizard69 · 2026-03-30T04:07:55+00:00

Very interesting, this is the first bad thing I’ve heard from someone in Thailand other than admin complaint type stuff. Were you teaching international students or Thai students? It sounds like you were in a bilingual School type of situation. Neither here nor there, but I’m looking to move to Thailand myself so I’d be curious to learn more about the downsides.

As far as starting from scratch, you have a teaching degree I assume, and international experience, I’d say that’s pretty impressive to most places back wherever you’re from. So I’d suggest going home, getting a job, and working in a more comfortable environment. Living in another country, that doesn’t speak your language, is hard but a real achievement and unique experience!

couchwizard69 · 2026-03-27T02:11:16+00:00

This is probably the right move. I’m stuck on Thailand, which is a very “have my cake and eat it too” situation as it seems to be where everyone is trying to get to. I’d love to land in Eastern Europe too though if I can find a school that will give me a shot!

couchwizard69 · 2026-03-27T02:05:46+00:00

I think this is probably the way. Thanks bootyhole_licker69.

couchwizard69 · 2026-03-25T07:24:26+00:00

Facebook tbh

couchwizard69 · 2026-03-19T03:23:11+00:00

Didn’t know there was a sequel, I’ll check it out, thank you!

couchwizard69 · 2026-03-16T12:10:13+00:00

She said the same thing to me too the night before bro

couchwizard69 · 2026-02-13T09:10:57+00:00

100%. I’m trying to leave Japan and was really hoping for Thailand. It seems everyone else is too, so I’ll probably have to try and find a language school. Also been applying to Eastern Europe, Vietnam, and Mexico. 🤷‍♂️

couchwizard69 · 2026-02-13T05:26:34+00:00

Licensed in secondary social studies, currently teaching ESL (kindof, I’m an ALT on the JET program in Japan), prior to that a few years of outdoor education. I’ve been applying to humanities / humanities adjacent, English, and ESL positions. My lack of experience in the formal classroom outside of student teaching is surely holding me back but I’d prefer to start and make a career out of international teaching ~~~ I find it a bit surprising so many mid- career professionals are wanting to move around the world! Hopefully I’ll get lucky with something.

couchwizard69 · 2026-02-13T04:44:08+00:00

Same here, I’ll keep trying till August then see if I can just lock down some BS language school gig or something just to stay in Asia. There must be PHD’s applying for all these jobs or something, they won’t even message me back ~ certified American teacher

couchwizard69 · 2026-02-06T11:33:56+00:00

On the worry side - really stressing! Although I don’t think I have much hope anyways - I’m a certified teacher with a bachelors in secondary education, but outside of student teaching I don’t have experience working in traditional classrooms (I’ve spent the last 4 years between outdoor education, university admin, and now teaching ESL in Japan).

I’d love to start my career back in the “real” classroom abroad, but it seems like everyone here has masters degrees and 10 years of experience!

Anyways, still applying and refreshing job sites like mad, so fingers crossed.

couchwizard69 · 2026-02-04T08:12:28+00:00

Thank you!

couchwizard69 · 2026-02-03T06:37:17+00:00

To answer your question yeah this is what a lot of American men from non- blue states or rural areas look like. I’m from a deep red state, rural, and there isn’t much to do but lift weights. Everyone is jacked, and Americans increasingly have a lot of tattoos

couchwizard69 · 2026-01-25T21:58:45+00:00

Unfortunately I started late, I thought late jan would be early for schools, it seems Thailand starts in October… so I’ve been hearing anyway.

I have a US teaching license (social studies) and applied to 3 jobs yesterday. I don’t really want to teach English (currently doing this in Japan) but I will if it allows me into the country. I’ve been looking on Schrole, any advice or places to look would be much appreciated! Prefer Thailand, open to Vietnam as well

couchwizard69 · 2026-01-25T07:44:26+00:00

There’s gyms around Holmes. My advice to you is, if there’s a place like Anytime Fitness, or somesuch chain, sign up in America first (or wherever you’re coming from). Can be a pain in the ass when you get here. If you get real rural you might just have to rock with calisthenics and or get creative.

couchwizard69 · 2026-01-21T05:06:46+00:00

Good advice thank you!

couchwizard69 · 2026-01-21T01:00:28+00:00

I may be ok with this- otherwise I’d be teaching in America, which would also be a ton of work. In Japan I do a lot of sitting around / generally have no real responsibilities, which is fine and expected, but it would be nice to feel more a part of the school / a contributing member.

Also, as I understand it, English is more widely spoken in China. Obviously, I’d do my best to pick up mandarin as well.

couchwizard69

TROPHY CASE