Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

I feel very sorry for those who find that this 2004 article accurately describes their TELF experiences.

Having taught EFL for 23 years and ESL for 10 years, I've found it to be an very rewarding career, one that has allowed me to see so much of the globe on someone else's dime, has provided very fulfilling teaching experiences, and has given me financial security in my "geezerhood."

At 70, I'm still teaching about 15 classroom hours a week, but that's not because I have to; it's because I want to. I'm having too much fun to give it up.

Regards,
John

[fat_chris]

[Hod]

The same author didn’t have much luck in Poland

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3651856/Down-and-Out-in-Poland-and-London.html

or England

http://rocketspage.wordpress.com/2010/01/07/1168/

where he was born with a whole drawer of silver spoons in his mouth (part of the article only)

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/style/fashion/trends/article63793.ece

Google his name, though. He makes some sort of income nowadays through writing, which I imagine was helped by his experiences (eking out a) living in Europe. If he’d stayed in England working with daddy, I doubt he’d have the mind to writing anything publishable or of interest. Anyway, just a beer costs over €10 in Rome, what did he expect?

EU teachers in Europe have the opportunity of a lifetime. Do that for a few years to learn a new/useful language and a different culture, never be more than a two-hour flight from your family and head back after a few years as a much better and more interesting person who can achieve things a stayed-at-home UK landlubber can only marvel at. I don’t recommend a long spell of European TEFLism, but up to five years for younger people should be made compulsory.

[sixthchild]

Sasha,
I stand by my comments earlier, could not really care if it was unkind, it is factual and that counts more. True, I was generalizing with language schools in this country and I have not met many people who have stayed working for them for more than 5 years, even fewer who ould argue with my critic of them. I have no doubt there are good language schools as there bad universities, just going by my own experience. I also agree that as long as you can teach and want to, it can be a life long and fulfilling way to earn a living, I also happen to think it has set me up for my "geezerhood" in many different ways.

[johnslat]

What I also find amusing is that the OP, who "slaved away" many years in TEFL, is now enjoying a financially secure retirement in his homeland, too.



Regards,
John

[corniche]

[santi84]

[corniche]

[santi84]

[corniche]

The hijab thing -- are all gender-based, modesty coverings subject to the Charte des valeurs? Does that mean Pauline will be topless in Ft Laud at her new 2,5 million condo and wearing a thong?

[santi84]

[TeacherTim]

TEFL doesn't need to be slave labour. I have been teaching for fourteen years and have always had a good salary (Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong).

I've been in Hong Kong since 2007 and since then have bought a beach, a farm, three condos and two houses in the Philippines as well as been able to fund two master degrees and a TESOL Diploma.

I'm also married with two lovely kids and life is good.

I've never looked back and I'd hate to return to the UK. At the moment I'm earning probably three times what I would have
earned if I'd stayed in my lecturing position.

It isn't all doom and gloom but you do need to go for it and treat TEFL as a serious career and if there is something holding you back like lack of qualifications, experience etc ... then change it

Just my thoughts.

[fat_chris]

[oxi]

[TeacherTim]