Job Discussion Forums

[cj100]

Hello out there,

I'm thinking of moving back to Chicago after a stint of several years in the SF Bay Area--can anyone comment on the ESL market in Chicagoland?

I should mention that I have the MA in TESOL as well as several (7ish) years of experience teaching in the US and Mexico. I've done teacher training in the US and Hong Kong and have also enjoyed some curriculum design. My BA is in English (I guess I'm not the most diverse person in the world in terms of my interests and talents!).

I would be particularly interested in ESL in community colleges or academic director positions in language schools or university IEPs. I have a possible longterm goal of getting certified to teach ESL in the public schools. Other possibilites--depending on experience and credentials required--would be working as a publisher's rep or doing materials development.

Grateful for any info or advice that can be provided!

Thanks in advance.
CJ100

[J-Pop]

I spent a year in Chicago [99-00] &, among other things, taught ESL at a university.

One lasting impression about Chicago: there seemed to be a noticeable abundance of very well qualified--VERY well qualified--people looking for work. It seems that many of these folks came to Chicago with their (equally, or even better, qualified) spouses. IT IS truly COMPETITIVE, or it was, when I was there.

It can be done, of course. Especially (perhaps, maybe) if you can strategically plan on entering the job market at either end of the academic school year--when turnover is more likely to occur--when new programs are starting, old ones ending.

It also helps (surprise, surprise!) if you know someone. Many of the ESL people are quite nice (though busy), so establishing contact is not overly difficult if you plan ahead, do your research, make those phone calls, send those emails--and follow up.