Job Discussion Forums

[TheGinjaNinja]

Hey all! First time poster here, so I'm hoping that I'm not repeating any topics or addressing something that is already in a sticky, but if I am please point it out.

So here's a little background info: I'm a twenty three year old English major, plan on graduating in two years with a TESOL certificate and a little knowledge of Mandarin (I'll be taking a class for it in my last semester). Currently I'm looking toward Taiwan as my university here has some contacts at a university there. On top of that, a friend of mine was born in Taiwan and has family there that may be able to introduce me to some friends and spread my name around as a tutor.

My question is this: should I build up experience teaching English to non native speakers here in the states first and then go abroad, or should I just hop on the plane and set out? Obviously what little Mandarin I have picked up will be diminished if I stay here and try to gain some experience, but it could pay dividends in terms of how comfortable I am in a classroom setting. I am also unsure of how much experience plays a factor in pay and job opportunity. I have been hearing a lot that the Taiwanese market for ESL is currently flooded, but since this is two years down the road I'm not sure if I should be concerned with my relative newbie status.

I appreciate any and all feedback!

[nomad soul]

Best to post this on the Taiwan discussion forum.

[fluffyhamster]

As you have two years still to go until graduation, I'd try to start learning a little Mandarin and indeed a bit about TESOL now rather than later (but I appreciate that it may be difficult to find time with your current degree studies etc). That way you will then be in a better position to fly straight out if you'd prefer that to trying to gain teaching experience between graduation and departure. Generally a cert and experience will always help rather than hinder though (but there's always a chance you'll end up working alongside colleagues with neither LOL). And if you do decide to build a bit more experience stateside beforehand, it'll also give you more time to learn some extra Mandarin and use the insights to inform your TESOL and vice-versa. By the way, just ask if you want some recommendations for Chinese-learning and indeed ELT materials. Oh, and it might be an idea to post this in the Taiwan forum also! ( http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewforum.php?f=12 )

[esl_prof]

There's certainly no reason why you couldn't use the next two years strategically, between now and graduation, to get some experience that would help you in Taiwan.

I would suggest . . .

1) Volunteer to teach/tutor ESL at a local adult education program in your community. Typically, such programs will offer 6-12 hours of free training up front and require you to commit to two hours of tutoring per week.

OR

2) If your university (or another college or university in your community) has an intensive English program (IEP) for foreign students, check and see if they need native speakers to help with tutoring, serve as conversation partners, etc.

OR

3) In the absence of formal programs for ESL students, volunteer to tutor (sometimes these positions pay as well) in your college's Writing Center or a local GED program. Even helping native-speakers with basic writing and grammar skills will look good on your resume when you go overseas and will help you get a feel for explaining the basics of English grammar (though, not at the same depth that you'll ultimately need to explain to non-English speakers).

OR

4) Any combination of the above-mentioned options.

I actually did some of each of these things during my last 2 1/2 years as a student, all of which helped significantly when I went overseas for my first teaching job.

[TheGinjaNinja]

Thanks for the responses guys! Definitely going to check some things out at my unversity and see if they can get me anywhere closer to my goals. I'll repost it over to the Taiwan board.

[esl_prof]

Your welcome, GingaNinga!

Please keep us posted as you move forward with your preparations for teaching in Taiwan. Sharing these kinds of experiences on the board will only make it easier for the next person who follows in your footsteps.

Good luck!