Job Discussion Forums

[markcmc]

It's still a good way to see the world – so yes. But I probably wouldn't plan to stay in ELT longterm.

[Teacher in Rome]

Long answer: Yes!

I've worked in many different sectors and in many different companies around the world. ELT is hands-down the most flexible and the most portable job I have ever had. It's also a great catapault into other things. Right now I'm more focussed on writing and publishing than on classroom teaching, and I can more or less take my pick of students. I'm not rich by anyone's standards, but I do get to live in a fun country and not have to work all the hours of the week / year to live well.

But there are certain things which have helped me:

- always have a secondary income / money in the bank if poss
Employers aren't always on your side. Have a getaway fund or way of making a bit of extra if necessary

- nurture your network
Basic common sense for anyone. Make sure people know about you, keep your finger on the pulse of where there are jobs, don't become a hermit. When bad things happen, tap your network. If you've done a good job of being personable and helpful when you can, they'll help you in return

- learn and develop other skills
I can't stress this enough. When everyone around you just ploughs through the coursebook, be the one that knows how to use cool apps, write materials, harness stuff on the net, use a CMS system, write and publish ebooks ... You name it, if it sets you apart, it's helpful. Be the most indispensable person on the team

- get a decent pension scheme / buy the most affordable place you can in a desirable location in your home country
OK, this is one I'm struggling with, but it always pays to have this sort of insurance. Get in as early as you can, make the payments, and cash in if necessary.

[Hod]

Yes.

But only for five years.

I did TEFLing, as you may have guessed for five years, at the middle to average IH and British Council. I'm not going on discuss either of those, but I had a top time living and working overseas, which you'd be amazed to hear is still experienced by so few.

The majority of people are mundanity personified and would give anything to experience another country or culture, but kids and mortgages end these dreams. Oh well. Point is, do it before you become mundane.

[grahamb]

[3701 W.119th]

I'm only in my 2nd year, but I don't regret the decision at all. I worked in corporate banking for the best part of a decade after graduating, made great money, but was bored with the grind. I love teaching, genuinely look forward to going to work, wake up on a Monday morning with a smile on my face.

I make a small fraction of what I did back home, but I'm all the richer for it (cheesy, I know).

I still keep up with my National Insurance payments in the UK, so I know I have that to fall back on, eventually (though with the way the current govt are heading, God knows what's in store). I have enough savings to comfortably support myself in any case. With family and friends back home, I'll never be homeless

Obviously, if I have a kid, all bets are off. Supporting myself is one thing, but a family is something else entirely.

[Hod]

[MotherF]

I started in TEFL right out of college in 1995. I can only assume that the typical 2015 grads are no older nor wiser than I was then. So...
Probably.

[scot47]

I have lived in places and visited countries that others have not even heard of ! Local magistrate here said that he would give his right arm to have experienced my education and my travels !

That brought home to me that my life has had its highlights.

Now my excitement is reading the newspaper and a shopping trip to the mainland !

[grahamb]

[Hod]

Fair enuf

[buravirgil]

[Hod]

I'd rather have my own opinions, however flawed or misunderstood, than have to quote others.

The majority of people I come into contact with are mundane. That's a fact.

The 3.5 billion figure didn't come from me, and whilst it's fine to quote clichéd latin, maybe your own thoughts would be a refreshing change.

[buravirgil]

[iknowwhatiamtalkingabout]

I'd still make the same choice.

I've been in the game for around a decade. Before doing this I worked as a civil servant and for a major bank. Utterly horrific jobs despite being well-paid.

In the decade since leaving that behind I have lived in three countries in two continents, learned two new languages, got a sun tan, made loads of great friends, watched football all over the world, had holidays several times a year of the kind that people at home treat as a huge occasion, had swimming pools in my last four flats and currently a jacuzzi and all the while I've had a job that I usually enjoy. My job has me on my feet, there's good variety and I like the knowledge that pretty much whenever I choose I can go and try somewhere else. Or stay put.

I understand that living abroad is not for everyone, but I can't imagine having stayed at home all that time and just been doing the same things as I had always done.

I've got some savings, my jobs have allowed my to put some money away. I'd be richer at home, but I wouldn't swap it. If I'd been told on my first day of the CELTA that things would turn out like this, I'd have been delighted. Good days and bad days, of course, but hat's the same for everyone.

Anyone reading with a bit of a sense of adventure and who enjoys a bit of freedom and a good lifestyle, give this a shot.

[grahamb]

There's a wealth of difference in meaning between