Teaching English in Mongolia

•   There are lots of schools in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital city, unfortunately not many of them advertise on the Internet. The best way to find work in Mongolia, which I've learned through experience is to get a tourist visa, for Brits you can get a 30 day tourist visa (ENTRY EXIT), for US you can get a 90 day visa free. If you find a job, the school organize the visa for you - this is advice I was given by a few ex-pats living in Mongolia and it worked out fine. They had a good time working and teaching in Ulaanbaatar. The schools are screaming out for English teachers and they will welcome you with open arms.
  
  BEWARE of schools that offer you employment and send you a LETTER OF INVITATION for your visa, these schools often only provide you with a one-way entry only visa and because you travelled on their invitation you can't leave the country again without their permission, which means possible hefty fees, that shouldn't exist. Or they ask for money you don't need to part with.
  
  The English Pub which you can find in the Lonely Planet is a good place to ask about teaching jobs and Dave the owner is generally quite helpful and if he doesn't know of any jobs, he'll definitely know someone who does!
  
  Some schools:
  
  No. 3 Joint Russian Mongolian School (state school) recommended by most people that have taught there, most of whom stay so jobs can be tough to get. $1000.
  
  Success School of English - a new private school, the director is very friendly and helpful and can offer part time positions. Varies according to hours.
  
  The American school of Ulaanbaatar (Canadian Curriculum!) - good and bad reviews regarding hours of work. $2000.
  
  Hartford Institute (from Singapore) - same as above $2000.
  
  Santis - I was warned about by a lot of people, Brits, Americans and Canadians, as the hours are not dissimilar to Hartford if more but pays less than half as much.
  
  It's a bit of a culture shock and even though it is a 'developing country' it is non the less Third World."
  Dan, 25/02/08

•   Be aware that Ulan Bator is the most impatient city in the world! Mongolians have no hesitation in jumping queues, will sound their car horns incessantly if their way is blocked (they don't brake for pedestrians even on a zebra crossing), and will push you in a crowd if it isn't moving fast enough. They will also just rush onto a bus without waiting for disembarking passengers to get off.
  
  Hazards include open manholes (where on earth do the covers go?), drunks, drunks, drunks, stray dogs, pickpockets and muggers. Many of the pickpockets are surprisingly well-dressed. Don't stroll alone at night.
  
  Perhaps the nomadic history of the people has resulted in a culture that seems unaware of pollution by trash - rubbish is just thrown outside, the city streams are sewers, and vodka bottles litter the countryside even.
  
  There are no gardens as other countries know them, and trees are regarded as almost a nuisance. I lived here half a year and never saw a flower. Indoors, Mongolians are hospitable, kind, and friendly - just don't expect smiles and courtesy in public places."
  Mangawhio, 15/04/08

• "I am currently living and teaching English in Mongolia, but not in Ulaanbaatar. Ulaanbaatar is not the place to work in Mongolia - it has all of the usual big city problems - lack of safety and 100% pollution. Just 3 or 4 days in this city will affect anyone's eyes, sinuses, breathing etc. However, other cities and even small towns in Mongolia desperately need English teachers, and these towns are safe, friendly and although not clean, they are tolerable. I currently teach in the second largest city and it is totally safe. The people are friendly, and although third world, I am able to find most of what I need here."
  Anonymous, 15/08/08

• "Most English teachers need a visa renewal after 6 months, and this requires a few days in Ulaanbaatar with this sh**** foreign office. What do they think - there's no social insurance to rip off. Ulaanbaatar is terrible in the winter, people seem to burn rubber from car tyres and rubbish... The best place to stay and teach seems to be Suhbataar, or even Darhan. Erdenet has some open-earth copper mines, and a lot of dirt from mining. Deep in the west, Khovd is a nice city to stay - green and rather clean. Bayan Olgii is also nice, mostly a marketplace and as cold as Lhasa."
  Andreas, 08/10/08

Other links for Mongolia

TEFL jobs in Asia
English language schools in Mongolia
Teaching in Asia Forum
Travel information for Mongolia
Learn Mongolian

Mongolia Lonely Planet

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