Job Discussion Forums

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

There are all sorts of personality types, but most of the folks that I have met and/or worked with have been decent people whom I have genuinely liked. They're usually fairly aware of the world (yes, even the AMERICANS!) and capable of having intelligent discussions. Even the ones who just do this job to travel and score with members of the opposite sex can carry on a meaningful conversation.

d

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I have also met or worked with all types--from decent folks I liked to complete social screwballs. Many have been running from something: cops, child support enforcers, family, failed marriages, debts (including with the IRS) and THEMSELVES. The decent ones I liked have been such a small minority that I normally choose to avoid ESL teachers (I didn't say other ESL teachers because lately I have been teaching in Spanish.)

extoere · Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 543

Denise: "EVEN Americans?" Do try to get over it, dear.

Although I'm not sure how typical I am, were I to use myself as an example, I'd say in three words, "handsome, dashing Boulevardier."

Were I to add a few more words to that description, I'd say, "in China for the travel and continuing, daily meditations in ancient temples with lithe young Chinese Novitiates in search of Eternal Truth and New and Startling Techniques in the Improvement of Oral Skills.

There now. See? Not all Americans are in it simply for the lavish lifestyle!

cheers,
ex

merlin · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:20 am Post subject:

I have one word:
nonconfomists
We who choose to leave the path laid out before us by society and take another represent a very small percentage of the population.

Of course in EFL some paths are broader and easier to spot/follow than other but compared to the average joe we're a bit odd and can never really fit in again with the dilbert culture.

deezy · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:12 am Post subject:

Not three words, but three 'types' (I never did follow 'rules'):

1. Those who are wanting a career

2. Those who are wanting to experience a different culture/country - passing through backpackers etc.

3...Those who are trying to escape something.

valley_girl · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:22 am Post subject:

I wasn't aware that the verb want could be used in the progressive tenses. Is this something new?

sojourner · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 11:22 am Post subject:

deleted

sojourner · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:24 pm Post subject:

'Nonconformists' ? Yes, I'd suppose a lot of us would be - especially those of us who are both of a 'mature age' and who are into this lifestyle for the long haul - unlike the recent uni graduates who take up teaching for a maximum of two years, or so, in order to see the world or to 'find themselves' before returning home for graduate school - and then, middle class suburbia.

However, there would appear to be several categories of nonconformists in the ESL world. Many of those that I've come across are absolute nohopers, weirdos - and, even a few utter scumbags. The rest of us could, I suppose, be regarded as social misfits and opportunists. Regarding the former, many of us simply do not fit into the dreary, conformist, materialistic, soul destroying routine of middle class suburbia, with its mortgage and 'normal' career path fetishes. Yet, when we arrive o'seas, we are almost immediately given a new boost to life - many of us find our forte through living and working o'seas, especially in exotic places.Yet, to survive, we often have to act in opportunistic ways - for some, this can often, unfortunately, mean resorting to unethical means (eg using forged degrees in order to get jobs) - for others, however, it simply means using networking to the maximum effect, using the survival skills developed over a lifetime to detect bs on the part of prospective employers, especially when negotiating contracts ,etc.

When I'm feeling a bit cynical, I sometimes seem to think that the ESL world is simply one gigantic 'sheltered workshop' - for those who can't 'fit in', back in 'normal' society ! I suppose that the ESL world, especially in Asia, is somewhat analogous to the approaches that mainstream society a hundred or so years ago devised in order to get those who were considered a 'bit strange', etc, out of sight - the Foreign Legion and the 'remittance man' options.

Peter

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

From this thread it does appear that EFL teachers have an opinion of their talents, personality and lifestyle, that doesn't require any validation by reality.

Ailian · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 192 Location: PRC!

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Chris_Crossley

sojourner · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:43 pm Post subject:

deleted

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Sojourner, you obviously want to say something. You have deleted two posts now. spit it out. You've got me intrigued.