Job Discussion Forums

[RunItTwice]

I moved to the UK last year to do a 1 year MA TESOL program. The idea was to get out of the entry level jobs I've been doing for 7 years*.

However, I am concerned that if I stay in the UK that I will get more of the same entry level work. EAP jobs tend to require previous EAP experience which I don't have. Other positions where I could put my MA to use seem to go to people with previous connections. A lot of the openings I find online seem to require nothing more than a CELTA/BA and a clean criminal record and pay peanuts.

So I guess I'm wondering where I can best put a brand new MA to use without falling back on jobs of the past. I prefer teaching older teens/adults far more than kids if that helps at all.

*The experience has been split over public schools, universities, and private academies in South Korea, China and Spain

[Elicit]

Congrats on the MA.

It is now prime presessional recruiting time in the U.K.. I’d check the BALEAP and jobs.ac.uk websites and apply to whatever is advertised, unless your uni where you completed the MA has something going. University presessionals don’t always manage to recruit according to their requirements, so emphasize any previous relevant experience you have.

The easiest way to gain relevant EAP experience is of course to head back abroad again and return back to the U.K. after securing a similar position there. However, from your post it is not clear if this is an option or not. If not, it’ll probably take a while to find a U.K. EAP position but something will come up eventually. You could always do some language school work in the meantime.

[RunItTwice]

Tragically, I'm pretty set to living where I live until my lease is up in late August. I'm hoping for opportunities to pop up for insessional EAP and banking on nearby unis having openings for EAP.

I suppose the US, Canada and Ireland has their share of EAP programs. What about countries where English is not spoken as a first language?

[Londonlover]

It would be extremely difficult for you to get in-sessional work. Firstly, in-sessional provision tends to be on a far smaller scale than pre-sessional. Summer pre-sessionals are by far the peak period when universities need temporary EAP staff. Secondly, it would be extemely rare for someone just to walk into in-sessional work without any prior connections to the university's EAP department, as universities tend to rely on their existing long-term staff and/or give any work that occurs during the academic year to people they've employed on their summer pre-sessionals who they have seen work at close hand and deem to be effective and reliable. This is a reason why in-sessional work is never advertised.
If you have an MATESOL that should help you secure some summer pre-sessional work and that likelihood increases further if combined with a DELTA (or if someone has a DELTA but no MA TESOL).
It is definitely worth you applying to summer pre-sessionals now. This is the way you get your foot in the door in U.K. EAP provision. The work may be seasonal for a couple of years but with a bit of luck, you would then be in the queue for any extra work that comes up during the year.
You said you 'moved to the U.K' to do the MA TESOL course. Are you are American, Canadian, Australian/Kiwi?

[nomad soul]

I can't offer info about the UK's TESOL market, but for connections, check out IATEFL's Special Interest Groups to meet others who share your interests. Also create a Linkedin profile and start networking.

[RunItTwice]

[Elicit]

[Londonlover]

[RunItTwice]

Yeah I sent an application to the uni I went to but haven't received a response. I also haven't seen them advertise anything. Perhaps their positions are already filled.

Do universities themselves directly advertise EAP jobs? Or is it only through sites like jobs.ac.uk? I ask because the unis that I've seen on jobs.ac.uk for presessional EAP would require me to move house which I cannot do at this time.

[twowheel]

[Londonlover]

[nomad soul]

Give Higheredjobs, IATEFL, and TESOL International Association a look.

Also check out A professional ePortfolio can help you stand out.