Job Discussion Forums

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

Gosh. Gawain, it sounds like you've made up your mind and won't be going into EFL - so I guess you have no need to visit this forum anymore...

Good luck with whatever new 'career' you begin, and don't the door hit you in your arse on the way out of here. Wink

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

i'm another who disagrees. what you get out of something depends on how much you put into it. I'm 35.

Irish · Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 371

Disagree, 36, master's degree paid for through hard work and loans.

carnac · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 4:37 pm Post subject:

This is really stupid.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Gawain:

You know what, it's time you grew up. And I don't believe setting up a poll on Dave's and then moaning because most of us don't agree with you is the path to maturity.

You had some bad experiences--apparently--but with your whining attitude I have a feeling that you attracted them to you like iron filings to a magnet.

Life is not always fair. We all learn that early on, but you seem to lack the necessary elasticity to turn negative experiences into opportunities. Until you learn to stretch yourself and let go of the juice you get from playing the victim, any career path you set off on will find you complaining and whining.

Pull up your socks and get a life.

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

Nicely put

MO39 · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 8:32 pm Post subject:

I agree with Guy. And thank you, Moonraven, for offering some wise advice that may help me get through a difficult place (both emotional and financial) I've been stuck in the last year or so.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Http://www.englishteacherx.com is a fabulous site. Got some excellent teaching tips also.

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

I wish I'd jumped on this thread a little earlier, as most of what I wanted to say has been said.

I'm in my late 20's and have had a more than satisfying career in this field since graduating from university. Like the others have said, you get out what you put in, and you need to take responsibility for yourself and your professional development.

I'm on a semi-detour now and am doing a teacher certificate back in Canada. Turns out, however, that it's more than what I expected and a lot of the TEFL skills are transferable. I get along well with my colleagues, and there is the same sort of rapport, common interests, open-mindedness, etc. that I had with my colleagues overseas.

Once this is done, I hope to get back to Asia and land one of the international school jobs and/or get going on an MA.

Steve

distiller · Joined: 31 May 2004 Posts: 249

gwain,

I don't see the point in putting up other people's rants about teaching as if that somehow proves your point. The poll is decidedly going against you and the replies are almost all against you. Where are the supporters?

You've contradicted yourself a bit as well in saying that you are very well qualified but get trapped into terrible jobs. I know one of the best things about being a qualified in demand teacher is that I don't have to take any crap. I know job standards and if people try anything over the line I can get another job in a heartbeat. Like raven said, it seems you've had some bad experiences that have led you to the preposterous conclusion that all teaching jobs are exploitative. There are plenty of great schools out there and quite a few other jobs where the exploitation is much much worse. Plus if you don't like it, then quit as anyone who doesn't enjoy their profession ought to. You can stop trying to convince us of the evils of teaching though because we for the most part enjoy our jobs and consider it a much more fulfilling profession than 99% of what other people do for money.

Deconstructor · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 775 Location: Montreal

Teaching is a great profession. If all you got is a CELTA, then overseas you shall remain. If you got better qualifications, you shall find everything you're looking for.

With a Master's in English and TESL Certificate (30 credit, 2 year program) I found my dream job. I see myself teaching until the day I die.

ContemporaryDog · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 1477 Location: Wuhan, China

I am glad I went into TEFL. I think as long as you have a career mapped out its a good thing to do.

I plan to stay one more year in China then returnt to the UK to get better qualified (currently BA + CELTA). I want to do a full PGCE like Struelle, get proper teaching qualifications.

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

XXX · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 10:23 pm Post subject:

Pal, it seems as if you might need to get the **** out of Kalifornia. Go someplace else in the states where you might find your talents in demand. EFL got my foot in the door in an area that is tough to find a job in ( at least in my field ). Right now I am trying to find a teaching gig somewhere overseas for the summer. Hey, I have my summers off and I might as well make hay while the sun shines.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Considering it's EFL, I wonder just what door your foot DID get into....