Job Discussion Forums

[SunShan]

I'm looking for advice on my situation:

33-year-old British male
BA English and Linguistics degree
CELTA
Less than a year's teaching experience

It's taken me over four years to achieve the above qualifications as I know Asia is where I want to spend the majority/all of my life. The thought of staying in England any longer is really depressing! My natural thoughts are to just work in many countries and not come back.

However, I have an opportunity to get my teacher's licence/PGCE/QTS in England, which means staying, I'm guessing, maybe three more years - one to get qualified, another two for experience. I'm thinking that career-wise this could be good as I can work in international schools/better paid places etc. Whereas staying on the TEFL path, although very enjoyable, could cause me problems if I get married & start a family, not save money for retirement etc.

Is the three-year sacrifice worth it given that I really just want to stay abroad? Maybe I could come back in a few years to do the PGCE.

If I get my teacher's licence, would I be more employable abroad doing primary (5-11 year-olds) teaching a wide subject curriculum, or secondary (12-16) teaching my BA subjects?

I've thought about doing a Master's and DELTA instead, but with my lack of experience and current finances, they're some way off. At the moment in England, I can get £9,000 wages for my PGCE year, which is more than the usual £6,000 (payment difference between graduating with a 1st Class and a 2.1 or below degree). This money would make the year more financially bearable, and may even change for the worse in the future.

In a nutshell, it's taken me over four years to get to the point where I can finally go. I was in my '20s when I started this journey, now in my '30s it's kind of hit me that I should be a bit more responsible for the rest of my life (though I hate to think so conservatively).

The countries I see myself in are: Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. I don't want to come back to the UK.

Any advice much appreciated. Especially from those who have been in a similar situation, wished they could go back and get a certain qualification... Or just went out there and TEFLed without a care in the world.

[suphanburi]

[SunShan]

[SunShan]

[quote="suphanburi]

[SunShan]

Guys, I posted this on multiple boards, which was a mistake. Please post onto Newbie forum from now on.

Thanks for your advice.

[EFL Educator]

Career Advice....??" Look before you leap"!!...especially on this board...

[LifterMan]

If you love TEFL then just do it. I have held high paid suit jobs in the US and I was miserable, do what you love and the rest will fall in place.

If you want money (for some, $ = happiness)then a teaching credential is your golden ticket. Not only that, but you will no longer be limited, instead you can go to any low paid asian countries like Thailand or Cambodia and make real money at international schools. Some offer retirement plans too. For this reason alone, I believe its worth it. Another thing is status, you will be looked upon as a real teacher. This is debatable, but much of the developed world view TEFLers and licensed teachers in a different light.

The thing is, 3 years is a lot of time and anything can happen, the news shows people dying everyday. "You only live once so live life for the moment" (thats the best advice I have ever been given). oh and by the way, age is really just a number, dont put yourself into a box like society tells us to do. Travel, teach, hook up with many girls, drugs, whatever makes you happy....life will be much more enjoyable

[EFL Educator]

Career Advice =.. TEFL + SUCCESS! Sometimes when we have no choice in a career we look for Happiness as a choice. Good luck!