Job Discussion Forums

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

I am having a discussion with another member of the site on one of the local forums about this. I argue that although very difficult, you can indeed make a pretty successful career in EFL and although you may never make the big bucks, you can carve yourself a pretty decent career and lifestyle if the desire is there.

He says (I think) that no teachers are in the business to make a career, in fact to quote him directly he says: "What exactly is a 'career teacher' in EFL? I've never heard anyone, anywhere describe EFL as a realistic career"

The 40 or so people I work with and the thousands of others who work for the same organisation worldwide would strongly disagree with that comment but I just wondered what everyone else thought. Thoughts please.

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

Gawain reckons not:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=21183

I think yes, depending on what you're running from and how long you need to run for... Wink

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

Thanks for that link -interesting reading. Wonder if opinion has changed since????

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

Can you tell me where exactly you can carve out this pretty good career so I can apply immediately?

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

It depends on what your definition of 'career' is. If by career, you mean a job path that lets you build up more power, control, and money, then perhaps EFL is not for you.
On the other hand, if 'career' means having a job that puts a roof over your head and food in the fridge - and maybe even enjoy doing, then by all means EFL is a 'career'.

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

Oh, I don't know- my immediate boss earns around $100,000 a year plus accommodation allowance and all the trimmings. She's no Donald Trump, but that's pretty nice, you have to admit.

ntropy · Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 671 Location: ghurba

A teacher at my school is starting her 27th consecutive year working at this school alone and still going strong.

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

I have an extremely successful career in ESL/EFL. First of all, I love what I do; no, let me rephrase that: I am in love with what I do. I can make $500 a week doing it and that's enough for me. I have no stress what so ever and when I wake up in the morning, my feeling is: woo hooooooooooooo! When it comes to my job, I dare anyone who can be more satisfied than me.

If someone offered me $100,000 a year for any other job, I would turn it down faster than he could blink his eyes.

Now that's what I call success!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

It's whatever you make of it. If you take it seriously, get properly trained, and enjoy it (in spite of the low salaries, lack of understanding back home, etc.), then yes, it can be a career.

If you see it as a way to travel around the world while hiding from reality and avoiding a "real job," then no, it's not a career because of your perception of it.

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