Job Discussion Forums

nomadder · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 1:23 am Post subject: Job Satisfaction

So how much we do really like this line of work? With the option of leaving after one year maybe many are apt to get tired of their job, see too many negatives and just move on. It's easy to not try to improve things.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I voted the last choice on my present job. This doesn't mean that I hate teaching EFL, just that I hate almost every aspect of my present job.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

I voted for "can't wait to leave" as I am currently in a dead-end part-time disposable job situation. Actually I can't wait to get back into TEFL/TESL. Regarding my last teaching job, I would have voted "love it!"

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

"Love it" is a little strong, but really like it, yes. I enjoy the perks and holidays the most. I know I'll be spoiled for life when it comes to time off.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

I like the school and students. I enjoy my work, but don't like where I'm living. Neutral

I think when my contract ends I'll be happy to move on to a new country.

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

I'm given the chance to actually teach. My students actually try to learn. My classes are not micr-managed into banality. Oh, and I get to choose class content, etc. Professionally, I'm happy.

leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

When my lessons are good, it puts me in a good mood for the rest of the day. When my lessons are shit, it puts me in a shitty mood - and lessons aren't consistently good (...enough for me) all the time. My teaching is always getting better - but my idea of a "good" lesson rises at the same rate. Consequently, I am becoming a better teacher by the day but am no more "satisfied"...

I remember asking a senior teacher at my old school about this - she had been in it for 10 years, had a masters, and was married to a lawyer (hence had no need for money). I wanted to know if you reached a point where you no longer improve - your lessons simply become so good that you reach a plateau. Did teaching become "no longer interesting" because you had simply learned everything there was to learn? She said no, naturally...

I think being critical of my teaching has both a positive and negative influence on my job satisfaction. On the one hand, I know (ahem) that I'm an effective teacher. Students regularly tell me "you are better than last teacher", "we want you again" - which I brush off with modesty (but secretly enjoy).

Lots of teachers don't make a lot of effort, aren't very good, know they aren't very good, and are completely secure with it. Personally, if I fudge up 2 minutes of feedback I'll be going over it in my head while having a cigarette outside. So in some ways you could say my job satisfaction is less than theirs. Others might argue, though, that they do not get any "job satisfaction" - they only lack guilt (or a conscience?).

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

If you are out of a job and badly need the cash, then you probably "love" any job that comes your way... I am currently remaining "independent" so that I can accept THE good job if and when it does come my way. WHich means that I sometimes go for days without...not money or food but work. Then I begin missing my work... Actually, it gives me a lot of good vibes. ...bad ones too, to be sure. But, compared to other jobs I performed before, this is still the best of all my jobs!

joe-joe · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 100 Location: Baku, Azerbaijan

I find my job as a teacher generally pretty good, and I would concur with Roger that compared to the jobs that I did before, it is infinitely better.

nomadder · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 5:28 pm Post subject:

Why do people like teaching better than other jobs? I think it must be things like control(when you can choose what and how you teach), the sense of helping others and seeing progress among other things.

joe-joe · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 100 Location: Baku, Azerbaijan

Speaking for myself, TEFL teaching offered me a way to get out of a rut. I was stuck in a factory with people working for me, and bosses above me. You would not believe the amount of BS I had to deal with on a daily basis from above and below me in the organisation, and the whole system was geared to reward ass kissers, not capable people.

Sure there is some element of office politics in any job, but at least with teaching it is usually my personal ability which is directly reflected in my performance. I like the environment where I can use my imagination, and see some purpose to what I'm doing, both for myself and my students.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

For the first time in 12 years I don't enjoy my job. I can put up with it. (The end is in sight, only four more months to go) The reason I'm not enjoying it as much as I should is probably linked to the culture, students who don't want or have to study and incompetent admin.

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

ntropy · Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 671 Location: ghurba

I voted so-so. I'm currently teachcing at home (Canada) at a uni and I probably would've liked it had I not been spoiled at my last job, which I absolutely, unequivocally loved. Was working for an oil company in the Middle East. One month there, 12 hours a day, 28 straight days but then a month at home on holiday with pay. Lovely co-workers and in charge of my own corner of the English dept so could do as a I liked as long as I got results. Fantastic. Can't wait to find a similar position Laughing

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I love teaching, although I approach it in a way similar to that described by Leeroy, so sometimes I just don't feel satisfied with my performance. That said, though, I love having the opportunity to improve, I love seeing things "click" for my students, love getting them to trust me and open up in class, love not having a dull office job, love being able to get out of the States and get a different perspective on life, etc.

My school is not perfect--I seriously doubt that anything out there is perfect--but overall I am quite happy.

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