Job Discussion Forums

[Worldtraveler]

I am about to enter into the amTESL certification program offered by the American Language Institute at San Diego State University. It is exciting to think of the possibilities for teaching ESL; however, I have some questions regarding the profession.

Is there a degree of professionalism among ESL teachers? How does an ESL teacher abroad establish oneself as being a professional?

[denise]

I think it largely depends on where you go--specifically, what school you end up at. There are schools out there that will hire anybody (native speaker) with a pulse, regardless of training or skills. Although I personally do not have experience with such places, I'd be willing to bet that schools that do not carefully screen their hires probably a) don't treat them very well and b) really aren't interested in providing a quality education to their students--they're just providing edutainment. Teachers in such schools might not act professionally because a) they see that they are not treated professionally or b) they really aren't interested in teaching anyway.

With proper training and qualifications, you make yourself eligible for the more demanding (and rewarding) schools that focus more on education than on having a smiling foreign face in the room.

By the way, this topic has been debated a bit recently. I was upset that some people within the field had ridiculed it (why put yourselves down, folks?!?!) and started a thread about professionalism.

d

[Gordon]

I'd also like to add that with only a BA and TEFL certificate and no experience you will have a difficult (not impossible) time finding a "professional" EFL job. The best jobs are for people who have put in their time at lower quality schools or have more education than just a bachelors. You sort have to "do your time", but you do learn valuable lessons at these places about what not to do. Of course there are exceptions but I rarely see good jobs advertised where experience isn't required. But why should there be? If anyone could do my job than it wouldn't be as good and the benefits would be worse.
I also want to say that you can act professional in any school you work at. You may not be appreciated and it will be a struggle, but your students will see the difference between you and the others.
To be professional, take your job seriously. Try to improve yourself as a teacher and reflect back on your lesson and see what you could have done better and write it down. Be organized and try to anticipate for questions students might ask you in the course of a lesson. It will all get easier over time, but students will always ask you something you never thought about before. That is what makes this job interesting.

[stillnosheep]

further to denise and gordon ...

Training and qualifications help obtain higher status positions but professionalism can be demonstrated from the word go. Your students will definitely appreciate it. My first job was girls from a Japanese Junior High School on a summer homestay in England. They took it seriously. I took it seriously. We all had a good time and I have the Birthday and Christmas cards I received from Japan to prove it.

Relax and enjoy!