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roywebcafe
Joined: 13 Jan 2006
Posts: 259
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 Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2016 11:37 am Post subject: Mind the gaps |
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| getbehindthemule wrote: |
Teaching was my plan B also. In China three years, enjoying a great lifestyle and haven't been put off teaching yet 
I don't and would never work in a language center though, don't get me wrong there are some decent ones here but there are also a lot of bad ones. This could be a major reason why some people only last a short time in China I reckon.
I wish you the same good luck as I've had in my second career thus far  |
I second that about private language centers - i tried a few tho not in China but elsewhere they only served to put me off teaching EFL/ESOL - Many use split shifts. I have not taught in last two and half years, not just because of private centres. Working for British Red Cross in UK as a volunteer was a positive reason. Now in UK working and it is shit - also split shifts - Not teaching but driving for registered charity. Now paying rent on flat in UK and consider returning to China for Govt school position. like to keep flat in UK but it is City council and would probably lose it - i don't mean British council but one of those UK govt councils. I taught from 2003 until 2014 but when you consider the gaps it is more like 7 or 8 years experience. Will consider other countries in that region. Just in case anyone suggests sub letting is illegal in UK unless you own property. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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There are other tenants of local authorities who work outside the UK and continue as tenants. I did it myself for a while.
Go and ask them. |
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roywebcafe
Joined: 13 Jan 2006
Posts: 259
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| Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 1:23 pm Post subject: keeping flat while working outside country |
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| scot47 wrote: |
There are other tenants of local authorities who work outside the UK and continue as tenants. I did it myself for a while.
Go and ask them. |
Is there a time limit? At my tenancy agreement stage was told i could go and work outside for 4 weeks or possibly 4 months? |
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twowheel
Joined: 03 Jul 2015
Posts: 753
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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2 years as teaching assistant in Austria
3 years as Peace Corps TEFL Volunteer in China
3 years as 4th grade ESL classroom teacher in New York City
5 years on JET Programme in Japan (ALT & PA)
4 years in China as English Language Fellow and English Language Specialist
17 years of TESOL? Hmm...
I also have two and a half years of teaching German in there for a misch-masch of a roughly twenty-year career. I feel like I am just getting started. Where to next and what to do?
I am interested in earning more paper, perhaps a DELTA and an M.Ed. to keep it all going?
twowheel |
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alonzo9772
Joined: 23 Sep 2016
Posts: 55
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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| twowheel wrote: |
2 years as teaching assistant in Austria
3 years as Peace Corps TEFL Volunteer in China
3 years as 4th grade ESL classroom teacher in New York City
5 years on JET Programme in Japan (ALT & PA)
4 years in China as English Language Fellow and English Language Specialist
17 years of TESOL? Hmm...
I also have two and a half years of teaching German in there for a misch-masch of a roughly twenty-year career. I feel like I am just getting started. Where to next and what to do?
I am interested in earning more paper, perhaps a DELTA and an M.Ed. to keep it all going?
twowheel |
I was actually thinking of doing Peace Corps China, but I changed my mind once I saw the low living conditions that they make the volunteers live in order to be at the same level as the local residents. How was it? I am guessing that the stipend you were given was about half of what could be earned if you would have worked in a language center. |
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twowheel
Joined: 03 Jul 2015
Posts: 753
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| Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 4:34 am Post subject: |
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| alonzo9772 wrote: |
| I was actually thinking of doing Peace Corps China, but I changed my mind once I saw the low living conditions that they make the volunteers live in order to be at the same level as the local residents. How was it? I am guessing that the stipend you were given was about half of what could be earned if you would have worked in a language center. |
Living conditions were actually adequate. As I was living on a university campus, I had an apartment in an apartment block with locals...living conditions were simple, but not low.
Sure, my basic stipend was low (in comparison to working at a language center), but indeed, if a Peace Corps candidate's intent is primarily to make money, then I would strongly urge that candidate to reconsider submitting an application.
Regarding Peace Corps, a nice rule of thumb to follow is to think of tomorrow's tangible benefits, rather than today's. Many go into the Corps knowing that putting Peace Corps on a resume will look good. The same may not be said about working at a language center. Do you want to go to graduate school later? The Peace Corps experience may very well bolster your application.
When it comes to the Peace Corps and what one receives, one must look beyond the basic monthly living allowance provided. My residence permit was always paid for. I was encouraged to hire a private tutor for Chinese tuition and I was given money to pay for this. I received regular professional development and my travel for this professional development was always paid for.
In my first year I had a hernia and it was arranged for me to fly to Thailand for surgery. When I asked my medical officer how much I would have to pay, she laughed. That's right, round-trip flight from Chengdu to Bangkok, surgery from a Western-trained doctor with impeccable English, one-week stay in my own hospital room (as good as any in the West), one week of recuperation in Bangkok including hotel and meals and per diem...100% of it paid for, I paid zero.
I also think of the immense support I received from Peace Corps in difficult situations, both personally and professionally. If things get dicey with the language center, who can one turn to to get help?
twowheel |
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simon44
Joined: 15 Mar 2013
Posts: 118
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| Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:59 am Post subject: |
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For me, about 12 years of ESL teaching/schools management.
Teaching is actually my third career.
Career 1 - Satcomms and mobile comms project manager/designer in the UK/mainland Europe
Career 2 - Building/managing small hotels in Phuket (Thailand) with my Thai wives
Career 3 - Teaching ESL outside Thailand to avoid my ex-wives LoL!
Approaching 58 years old, I enjoy work and see no reason to stop teaching |
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twowheel
Joined: 03 Jul 2015
Posts: 753
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| Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 1:53 am Post subject: |
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| simon44 wrote: |
For me, about 12 years of ESL teaching/schools management.
Teaching is actually my third career.
Career 1 - Satcomms and mobile comms project manager/designer in the UK/mainland Europe
Career 2 - Building/managing small hotels in Phuket (Thailand) with my Thai wives
Career 3 - Teaching ESL outside Thailand to avoid my ex-wives LoL!
Approaching 58 years old, I enjoy work and see no reason to stop teaching |
LOL! 
Some go into TESOL to meet women, some go into it to stay away from 'em!
This is a new one to me, but it amused me. Good luck with the third career, simon44!
twowheel |
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mitsui
Joined: 10 Jun 2007
Posts: 1562
Location: Kawasaki
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| Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 9:19 am Post subject: |
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20 years in EFL. I think I am near the end. Maybe one more year.
It is a little sad. My expat life must come to a close and then I will deal with the reverse culture shock that is supposed to be bad.
I have to make money. I think I can get more in the US than in Japan. |
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alonzo9772
Joined: 23 Sep 2016
Posts: 55
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| Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2016 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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| mitsui wrote: |
| I have to make money. I think I can get more in the US than in Japan. |
Teaching English in Japan is not as lucrative as it used to be in the 80s and 90s when the JET program began. Foreign teachers in Japan no longer receive free housing or even a housing allowance. You need to go out and look for your own apartment, pay the huge key money bill, then pay the first and last months rent. Most schools in China and Korea are willing to pay for all of this. It's just with Japan that has grown alligator arms against their foreign workers. |
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CHINOISE
Joined: 09 Dec 2012
Posts: 62
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| Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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My mom stills teaches about 10 hours a week for an adult basic education program in the states. She's in her 70's and has been doing it for over 35 years.
She loves it but will probably retire in the next few years. |
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