Job Discussion Forums

nellychess · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 187 Location: USA

You wouldn't be able to because tennis is harder. Much harder.

A better parallel for you would be that because you can teach English,You can teach Drawing.

nellychess · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 187 Location: USA

In fact, because I teach tennis, I am not even going to bother getting any TEFL training because I am guaranteed to be good at it and like it. I am also going to demand that I be paid more than anyone else, and I know I will get it.

Teaching tennis is exactly the same as teaching English, but harder. I also already know what Taipei will be like because i have been to Chinatown in San Fran and NYC, and I love Chinese food. I would like Japan also, because I love sushi.

I have it all set. This is going to be so easy. I'm glad I spent so many years teaching tennis, because I will be better at teaching English than anyone.

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

tedkarma · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:05 pm Post subject:

Nelly,

I like your humor and spunk. Don't take any of us too seriously - as I can see we shouldn't take you too seriously. Wink

Major resorts and hotels in places like Thailand would expect you to teach tennis (and/or English) in English - as the guests would. Of course, if you were teaching in a non-tourist destination - the local language would prevail.
Tennis might not be a supplementary option in Korea - except at some "international" schools. You might find tourist areas of Thailand much more open to your combination of skills - but a little harder to save money there - particularly early in the game.

Glenski - is a long and honored member of these forums and I think his comments should be carefully reviewed - even if/though he has thoroughly reviewed your possibilities/capabilities/experience.

That said, however, if you want to be successful out here - and if you have the spunk - you will be. Expect setbacks, disappointments, problems - but geezzzz - we have all those at home too. I'd still advocate trying to piggy back all your skills to make yourself a unique package.

nellychess · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 187 Location: USA

Regarding Glenski: Hear , Hear...What an amazing guy for being of service to the people of this site. There's no doubt he's had a major role in helping people change and improve their lives due to his efforts, and knowledge.

This posting has gone in such a ridiculous direction that I want to clarify.

All I said in the beginning was that I am good at teaching tennis, and enjoy helping and working with people, and I thought that some of my skills, and things I like about it would be things I'd see in teaching English.

I can't change the mind of someone who doesn't see any parallels in that.

No matter what you teach, and to who, there are certain things that you must be good at, and certain things you get out of it in my opinion.

I guess for others, I may as well have been working on an assembly line in a toothbrush factory for the last 10 years.

tedkarma · Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:47 pm Post subject:

Don't let it get to you - there are people who pooh pooh everything. Some want to protect territory - some want to feel special - some really are trying to be helpful. Many things about this occupation/career can be quite problemmatic - so, as with everything, it's worth picking through the chaff for the wheat.

Go for it!

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

nellychess,
Please read what I wrote again about those parallels you brought up. Your ideas have merit, but I think you are trying to put too much western thinking into applying those parallels. I've seen scores of resumes from potential teachers, and many try to do the same thing -- espouse various experiences and virtues from different backgrounds in order to make it seem that they can do the teaching job.

Hey, no problem if people really believe that patience, encouraging students, surviving a hard schedule, etc. will be things needed in teaching English, but I really hope you honestly realize that the parallels end there. My examples of how those things fit in an EFL teaching world are pretty much dead on, and you'd better be prepared for each of those examples (and more), or you are going to be seriously disappointed in your job.

One in particular stands out:

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:11 am Post subject:

Glenski,

I was hoping she was kidding on some of those comments - thus my: Wink

This occupation does require some sense of humor.

Your comments as always, spot on.

T

nellychess · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 187 Location: USA

Glenski - How do you say "sarcastic" in Japanese.

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

nellychess,
Just answer the simple questions, and you'll get a lot more respect here (and not just from me).

In Japan, you are pretty much eligible to get only a JET program job (in which you are an assistant to a Japanese teacher) or a bottom-run conversation school job. If you can't come here to look for work, you are faced with the prospect of landing an interview with one of the very few places that do so in other countries:
GEOS
AEON
ECC
NOVA
Altia
JET programme
James English School
Language House
Peppy Kids Club
Earlham College
Westgate Corporation

Most of those have set teaching formats, and you will need a boatload of patience. "Hustling" will be a way of life if you want to make more, but you will be under some pretty harsh time constraints. From these entry-level opportunities, you pretty much get what you make out of life, so as for that career you want, that's what you face.