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zbird
Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 33
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:21 am Post subject: Returning home to teach ESL? |
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I have recently accepted an offer to teach in China, and I am doing so with the intent of coming back to the US after a few years (after gaining experience, promotions and certifications) to teach at a language school here in the US.
What I'd like to ask is, is this a sound idea? What is the job market and salary like for ESL teachers in the US? Is it a job with which you can support yourself? I've heard of some teachers who need to teach at more than one school to make ends meet. Will it be hard to come back and find a job as an ESL teacher in the States?
Also, what are the pros and cons of the language school option versus public schools or universities? Would the qualifications required be different (for example, I know that you would need state certification for K-12)? Which leads to the question of whether getting a public school certification after coming back from abroad is a viable idea, or is it unrealistic? |
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mitsui
Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:50 am Post subject: |
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Get it before you go back. That is what I did.
I will focus on high school teaching in the US.
Getting certified is not enough, since they expire without passing tests or taking classes. Depends on the state. |
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zbird
Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 33
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 3:42 am Post subject: |
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Can I ask why you're focusing on public schools rather than language schools?
Is it possible to get state certification online? |
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mitsui
Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 5:47 am Post subject: |
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Yes, online. Public schools pay better.
Pick a state and start looking.
You can take tests overseas. I took one in Tokyo. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 9:42 am Post subject: |
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zbird wrote: |
I have recently accepted an offer to teach in China, and I am doing so with the intent of coming back to the US after a few years (after gaining experience, promotions and certifications) to teach at a language school here in the US.
What I'd like to ask is, is this a sound idea? What is the job market and salary like for ESL teachers in the US? Is it a job with which you can support yourself? I've heard of some teachers who need to teach at more than one school to make ends meet. Will it be hard to come back and find a job as an ESL teacher in the States? |
You'll want to take a look at Student slump. Teaching in China will likely net you a better income than TESL in the US.
and zbird wrote: |
Also, what are the pros and cons of the language school option versus public schools or universities? Would the qualifications required be different (for example, I know that you would need state certification for K-12)? Which leads to the question of whether getting a public school certification after coming back from abroad is a viable idea, or is it unrealistic? |
University IEP's require a TESOL-related MA and university experience, so teaching k-12 is the smarter move. There's a teacher shortage in the US which several teacher-ready programs are addressing by helping prospective teachers get trained and certified. However, depending on your target city, that may mean focusing on one of the STEM subjects rather than ESOL. |
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