Job Discussion Forums

Lynden · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 24 Location: Alberta, Canada

Is there anyone out there who went to Japan (or anywhere else abroad) with a BA in something non-related to TESL, had a horrible experience selling English in a private school, then went back with an MA in ESL and had a completely different experience? I'm curious because of my first experience teaching in Japan. Basically I worked my butt off and still got threatened by head office because of my sales figures. The thing is I love to travel and I think I was a good teacher. Does anyone have any similar first-hand stories? I've applied to the U of Minnesota for their MA ESL degree because I think it's one of the best programs I've seen. Is college/university teaching really that much different from teaching in a private school? Also, that job was my first "real" job and I remember being physically sick every day before class because of my nerves. Perhaps I tried too hard to cater to unrealistic expectations. Did anyone have that happen and did it get better?

Lynden · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Posts: 24 Location: Alberta, Canada

I should qualify the last post. If I get the MA ESL I would try to find a position in Germany where I understand the language better than I understood Japanese.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Sorry if that last post didn't quite use the quote function as planned, but I think you get the idea of my answer.