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EFLeducator
Joined: 16 Dec 2011
Posts: 595
Location: NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS
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 Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 2:25 pm Post subject: Re: A Career Progression |
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| jpvanderwerf2001 wrote: |
Hi all,
Well, after 11 years, 6 jobs, and 5 countries, I'm heading back to the USA in April.
The best (and most amazing) part of the move is that the position I've attained in the US is directly related to English language education: I am the new Center Director of a language school (which is part of a large company) on the campus of a university in the South (as a Yank, it'll be just as foreign as India was  ). It is a salaried position with full benefits in what appears to be a solid company; I am very lucky to have been hired from abroad (especially in light of "this economy").
EFL as a career has been great to me. I will most definitely miss the challenges, adventures, and people I have met along the way. However, I have two little kiddos to think about, so my wife and I have decided to make this move (although the immigration process for the US--my wife is Russian--is making us second-guess the move more and more).
I wanted to share my news not because I'm looking for a bunch of pats on the back (I'll take 'em though  ) but because I wanted to be living proof that EFL can be a career abroad which then leads to a career "back home" (if that's one's desire). When I started EFL, I had no teaching experience, no TEFL certificate, a BA, and only the clothes on my back (ok, ok, that last one is for dramatic effect; I did only have like $250 after buying a plane ticket, though). I have since attained a CELTA, have been serving as an IELTS examiner, and will complete a Master's degree in a couple of months' time. I hope to eventually start an Ed. D or Phd in educational management (or curriculum?...haven't decided!) sometime in the next few years.
In 2001, I started out as a teacher making $300/month in Ukraine, then took a $700/month job in Mexico, then lived off of cockroaches in Argentina (again, dramatic) before taking a $1200/month job in India. From India, I came to Russia where I have been a senior teacher, then an ADOS, then a Managing Director of what has eventually become a chain of three good-sized English schools.
Again, I'm not posting my life story to brag: I'd like to share how I was able to make "this EFL thing" work as a career (as many others have done, in various ways). There is a clear progression to my career path thus far, and I hope this progression will continue down the road.
Here's to hoping that everyone out there enjoys their time in this industry as much as I have, and that everyone's future will be a bright one.
It would be great if others shared how their careers have progressed! |
Congrats my fellow professional TEFLer. It is always great to hear the exceptions to the rule when it comes to getting a good job back in ones home country after having spent some time abroad. WHERE one spends that time teaching helsp as well.
Continued luck to you sir and keep us posted on your upward mobility.
FAIR & BALANCED. |
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jpvanderwerf2001
Joined: 02 Oct 2003
Posts: 1117
Location: New York
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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EFL Educator,
I can't tell whether or not you're being facetious (your avatar and style of writing has thrown me!)...but thanks anyway! |
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EFLeducator
Joined: 16 Dec 2011
Posts: 595
Location: NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS
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| Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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| jpvanderwerf2001 wrote: |
EFL Educator,
I can't tell whether or not you're being facetious (your avatar and style of writing has thrown me!)...but thanks anyway! |
You're very welcome professional TEFLer. I wish you well in your future career. Live long and prosper!!  |
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