Job Discussion Forums

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Looking back, I can see now that I came to spend years in this "game" because I screwed up in the "Real World"

If I had my time over again I would go to Eton and Cambridge and get a real job.

Does anyone out there really believe that EFL is a real career for grown-ups ?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

If you can get a job at Eton or Cambridge, that's a real job:-)

For me, it's real, but I'm more in academia than the private language school thingy.

I guess in my eyes, the lower levels of the profession are more about 'escape' and upper levels (quals, experience, etc.) are 'profession.'

Which I guess makes you a pro, scot. Wink

johnslat · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 5:58 pm Post subject:

Pet Peeve:

"real job" - definition: one in which you can make oodles of cash; what you actually do is irrelevant.

Actually, I've never worked in ESL/ESL. It's not really work when you enjoy doing it.

One of these days, they're going to figure that out and atop paying me. Very Happy

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

My quip about Eton and Cambridge was meant to indicate that had I gone to these two institutions in my youth, I would not have spent my working life as an EFLer !

Alas, Mater and Pater did not have the dosh that is required for that !

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 7:27 pm Post subject:

My real job is fomenting revolution. EFL is but a means to an end, a way of destroying the Piggie system from the inside out. I've been making some good headway recently due to my cutting edge interpretation of Marxism-Leninism - it's the business, let me tell you. The rising star of Communism burns brightly!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 7:34 pm Post subject:

Yes, I do... Look again carefully for more hidden meaning embedded in my post. A little fieldwork and tradecraft...

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Ach. I'm clearly unqualified. I vaguely know something called Inside Out, and the infamous Headway. Are there more? This ignorance is fallout from the fact that I haven't taught lower level learners or general EFL/ESL for years.....

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 9:24 pm Post subject:

Hmmm... But do you at least have charisma to make up for those deficiencies???

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Obviously

Otherwise, how could I POSSIBLY have made it so far as I have;-)

Hehehehehehe Laughing

Sudz · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 438

Started as neither for myself: was 22, and thought it would be an interesting thing to try. Worked my way up into a fairly lucrative job in Ho Chi Minh over the years (considering my lack of qualifications) and became comfortable with the lifestyle: never having to worry about money, traveling frequently, etc. Way better off than I had it in Canada.

I then decided to upgrade my qualifications (MA TESOL) which I completed during my last year in Vietnam, and my first year here in Japan (I had to leave my job in HCMC due to the inability to get a work permit.....was a long time coming, and no big shock). Japan served as a bit of a wake up call (perhaps to the typical TESOL world): Meager savings potential (this was entry level, though the veteran teacher at my school hardly made more than myself) a less gratifying job, and very little in the way of traveling potential. Could have been the small town living as well - and becoming a little tired of academic journals - as well as a less fulfilling job, but in my opinion staying in such a gig would not be any kind of career (good on people who enjoy it long term). Looking back on it, I think my time in HCMC - while definitely a positive experience - may have given my a deluded perspective as to what many people are experiencing.

I'm now awaiting my MA TESOL in the mail, have would up with a slightly more interesting gig in a more interesting town, and am feeling far more positive than last year.

I'll get back to you on the career thing : )

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

Might as well say teaching in general isn't a real career...!!!!

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

Prior to TESL, I used to work for the RCMP. Now, driving around at 3 a.m. chatting with the ladies of the night and fighting with taxi drivers? That was an escape. Got paid really well, too. TESL is hard work for less pay, it's a real job Wink

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

Teaching is clearly not a real job.

All teachers should hang their heads in shame and realise that they are not needed. Idiots.

Troll, Troll, Troll, Troll Scot.

When will you actually start a topic that's not just done for the sake of trolling?

Cheers!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

When Benjamin Franklin was a student at the University of St Andrews he noticed that Scots are a disputatious lot. The word "troll" had a different meaning then.