Job Discussion Forums

[biffinbridge]

I think you'll find that a lot of people chose this job as a first resort.Long timers incompetents?Speak for yourself.Itslatedoors aka biffinbridge has been troubled by your generalizations for a long time now.Do you yourself regret being a teacher?Anger and confrontation seem to be prevalent in your posts...why's that?My point on this site has always been to take the piss a bit because TEFL is not the b all and end all of my life.I'm good at my job,the money's good and my family is great.I take neither my job nor myself very seriously but that in no way effects what I do in the workplace.I've been winding you up for ages.....surely you must have seen that.

[R]

I think most newbies don't quite know what to expect from this board. It's an unusualy involved board where responders to queries are professionals with a keen interest in their careers. I spent some time reading through the board and guaging what was expected of me before I posted my queries. As a result I received helpful and polite answers to my questions. Had I not taken the time to get a sense of the board I might well have posted something daft (for this board) like:

"Hi! I haven't got a degree but can't wait to start travelling. seeing new places and teaching! Any tips on certificates and whatever?"

I would have been slaughtered. The above is an extreme example, but you know what I mean. Perhaps what's called for is a sticky in the general forum with advice for newbies. You know, 'be sure to post plenty of information about your position.', that sort of thing.

Also, remember that just because somebody mentions that they are looking forward to travelling and new adventures, that doesn't mean it's the only reason that they're interested in this career. I am, and that's why I'm looking to teach overseas. But that doesn't mean that I expect to prioritise these things over my students' needs. Surely we all want these things, or we'd be teaching English back in our home towns?

I'm just starting to look into a TEFL career. Feel free to pick this newbie's brains as to my attitude.

Rob.

[R]

Hello.

Me again.

Thinking about it, would it be such a bad idea to have a Newbie forum next to the General Discussions forum? A nice safe play area for young innocent with enquiries, where gloves are kept on and knives sheathed? A bit of general pertinent information at the top, along with some posting tips, and a haven is created...

Then we can all get good and nasty in the rest of the forums.

[johnslat]

Dear R,
I kind of like the idea - sort of a " wading pool " for those not ready to go off the deep end. But who would the newbies get advice from then - not themselves, surely? And what would stop any nasty, knife-wielding long-timers from jumping in that pool to slash away?
Regards,
John

[R]

Everybody else could go in to offer advice, of course. Perhaps the moderators could be a little more severe in the forum or, better, I'm sure that all of the regular posters would behave themselves anyway in a special Newbie forum. Those who get driven to distraction by these sort of enquiries could just stay away, knowing that their own hunting grounds/forums would be all the better for this informal ghettoisation?

Those who like the idea of helping newbies could go in and play to their heart's content. This is, after all, a place for teachers...

[johnslat]

Dear R,
Well, your idea has my vote - although I do have some reservsations. I may be too cynical, but I suspect that some few posters might enjoy seeing newbie blood in the water.
Regards,
John

[R]

I know what you mean. I'm deliberately being a bit naive and idealistic. Still, I'm sure it would have at least some positive effect.

So HEY, Big Brother!! How about it?

Thanks for your support John.

Rob.

[R]

I've just checked the doors and they're locked as well. Looks like we're trapped in here.

Hello?!?!

HELLO?!?!?!

Er, anybody know all the verses to '*beep* by ya?'

rob.

[R]

Okay, it looks like I win the record for funniest censored word in a post!!

[MissMolly]

Was that "(coom) by ya" that just got censored? Oh, for crying out loud!

[MissMolly]

So, Rob, lets have it
Why are you considering a career in TEFL?
Consider yourself picked.
Molly

[R]

Right... (rubs hands together, prepares for an interview rehearsal).

Well, firstly I have a keen* interest in the English language. I've always read an awful lot and my pipe dream is to be an author. So ideally I would like a career that allows me to explore this interest in my language. This interest might not come across in my forum spelling and grammar, but then it's hard to be perfect when you're typing brief, grim messages with a badly rolled cigarette threatening to spill its contents into your keyboard at any given moment.

I'm not a particularly roots-y person. I like to spend a few years getting to know a place and then move on to explore somewhere else. This makes for a strange combination of travelling and settling down, to which the career seems well suited. If I go to another country, I would like to think that I am giving something back to the country through my work. I enjoy learning languages and am currently making a hilariously bad attempt to teach myself Japanese. So far I have about a dozen words and the Hiragana for 'shi' in my vocabulary.

I like the idea of helping people to learn the language, advising them, coaching them in the direction that they want to go. I imagine that this is probably best done in private one-to-one classes but I get the impression that it's best to pick up the classroom experience (and work) first. Especially as it would be hard, if not impossible for me to get Visas without company sponsorship.

So here I am, loloking at a career which will involve a Hell of a lot of work before I can even get started, but promises good rewards. The first step is to get onto a CELTA course and get a taster of the work. Then it's a case of getting work where I can while I study for my (long delayed) degree. Then I'll come out with the suitable qualiifications and experience and can take it from there.

Um, did I miss anything? I'm 26 and I take a shoe size 11 (UK). Pleased to meet you!

Rob.

*obligatory CV/interview word.

[Celeste]

R-
Here is a whole Japanese sentence to practice:

O-te-a-ri doko desu-ka?

(where is the washroom?)

That is my favorite sentence in a lot of languages. Great for airports and bars.

[R]

Thanks Celeste!

I'm going to Tokyo for a fortnight in November and without that line, well, things could have got a little unpleasant!

Rob.

[Shonai Ben]

Actually I think you can say "toilet doko desu ka?" and it works as well.
Easier to remember too.
Rob have fun in Tokyo!