Job Discussion Forums

womanoftheworld · Joined: 22 Nov 2004 Posts: 2

Yesterday I posted a request for information hoping it wd guide me in my decisions on where to go.

I got back - for the most part - smart ass and judgmental responses.

First of all, I have to be concerned about money. I am not a wealthy person, perhaps like you, I do not have a lot to fall back on.

Secondly, if I want a travel agent I know where to find one.

Thirdly, most of you seem like smug know-it-alls but have no content.

If anyone can be helpful, I would still like to hear from them.

joshua2004 · Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 7:05 pm Post subject:

I think its a hard question to answer. From what I gather most poeple in the EFL world are stuggling to find what you are looking for as well. Reality is that some people find what you are looking for and many do not. I would suggest just deciding on a location you would most like to go to and research into how to make it possible to make a good living there. It really depends where you want to go as to how you go about making it there. Once you decide, go to the forum for that country and ask around about jobs, living arrangements, etc. Well, thats what I would do.

Have fun!

Josh

madrid26 · Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 7 Location: Portland, OR USA

I'm no expert, but from all that I've read Korea is the only country where one can teach ESL and save money.

Here are a couple links:
http://www.huntesl.com/korea/
http://education.guardian.co.uk/tefl/story/0,5500,531964,00.html

Good luck! Smile

madrid

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

You asked where in the world you could work at your age (presumably because you thought you were too old for some countries), so I responded by asking what your qualifications were (for visa purposes).

What is so smug and smart-arsed about that? To this point, you STILL have not answered that vital question. Can't help you if you don't provide some basic information.

Look at the sticky note at the top of this newbie section. I was here when this section of the ESL Cafe forum was created and stressed that something like this be posted.

AsiaTraveller · Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: Older and Wiser but ....

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Have you contacted Rhonda Place?

Seriously, she will help you because she was coming at this from exactly your perspective.

Check out her profile and send her a private message
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=3961

... and don't get discouraged or read too much into people's replies. Most of us are genuinely trying to help you. The first hurdle is a hard place to fall...

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

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

I read your original post and the responses to it, and I found none of them to be smart-assed or judgmental. It is just the simple truth that there is not a lot of money in this field, and that complete strangers on an internet forum cannot decide where you should go. And Glenski still has a very important point--nobody can say which countries might be good for you without knowing your qualifications. Some places require a BA for a visa, some require one for most jobs, some require more, and some require less or nothing.

Instead of responding angrily and calling people smart-asses, why not respond by giving more information about yourself so that you can get some answers to your questions?

d

Volodiya · Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 2:36 am Post subject: Older and wiser but

Right, each of us has personal experience with a finite number of countries and, by hearsay, information about many others. But, we need a place to start before giving recommedations: this relates to the individual first (their qualifications, interests, experience of life, etc.), then the country....

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Smart asses we are!

I'm going to go so far as to recommend the top poster in this thread consider not teaching. Too quick to anger has seen a lot of teachers fired in my part of the world.

Ma'am, I think that aside from the difficulties of locating the job, you should also consider if you would be ready for living in a country other than your own. The pressures of teaching are equalled if not surpassed by the pressures of living, learning, and loving a foreign land. Perhaps ask yourself first if you really can handle another country before anything else.

AsiaTraveller · Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 3:59 am Post subject:

Good point, Guy!

She will definitely need to be strong enough to survive being called "Sir" in whatever country she eventually lands in.

Wink

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Thank the creator for the Edit button

Ma'am

Chabui · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 35

WOTworld I went back and read your previous thread. I am still in the US and will probably be here for another year or so, but I have spent the last 7 months researching everything I can get my hands on. I think the answers you were provided all made sense to me. I am not leaving for about a year because money is a foreign language in my life!! But I am 44 years old and I already know that I want to go to China and start by teaching kindergarten. Have you thought about what age students you will want. There are alot of differences in the curriculums and lesson planning dep[ending on the age you pick. There is also the difference of the "big" cities and the smaller towns or villages.

I too think you need to take an inventory of your credentials, research all the different countries represented on discussion forums and give it all a great deal of thought.

Spend time reading the forum!!

Shocked

It will open your EYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AsiaTraveller · Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 7:55 am Post subject:

Ah, the voice of mature reason!

Good summary, Chabui...

Guest · Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 8:52 am Post subject:

Yes, I am here and I am only too happy to answer any questions from Newbie's at any time.

I arrived in China 15 months ago with NO MONEY, no Degree, no qualifications and no Experience.

A few people on Daves told me to STAY HOME. I am glad I did not listen to them as China is now my home.

If you have any questions, please contact me and I will do my best to answer you. On average, I reply to about 5 people every day by email on the subject of "teaching conversational English" here.