Job Discussion Forums

[distiller]

To say that you get one life is simply just an observation of the outward appearances of life. People die and then you don't see them again. What one believes and takes on faith without the slightest bit of verifiable evidence or expereince does not need to be taken into account everytime one speaks or writes. Maybe we are reincarnated, maybe we go to heaven maybe a spaceship comes and tkaes us to an alternate reality. You can't hold people responsibe for side stepping every possible belief regarding the nature of life on earth. It's all conjecture. There are people who will be offended by you telling them what the time is and those are the people who get offended by statements like "we only get one life." Get over it.

[Mark]

[Mark]

As for the reincarnation debate, that's pretty far afield from this topic, but....

I don't see any logical reason for believing that we have more than one life. The fact that some people believe they've lived before is, I think, somewhat invalidated by the fact that a suprisingly large number of them seem to think that they were famous historical figures. Often the same historical figure.

I also don't see any logical reason for believing in heaven, nirvana, or any particular version of the afterlife.

I don't see any logical reason to believe in life after death at all.

However, most people suspect, or hope, that there is life after death. Nothing wrong with that. I think that people usually just believe whatever they were told as children. Or, failing that, they choose whatever belief seems most likely, most desirable, or most helpful. Also nothing wrong with that.

But, it's certainly not racist to assume that there's no such thing as reincarnation.

The bottom line, I think, is that nobody has any idea whatsoever as to what happens when we die. It's all just guesswork.

[Spinoza]

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[Mchristophermsw]

Wow, this Post really got Hi-Jacked LOL!

To get back on topic, to the OP.

Work a year as a vocational counselor and you would be surprised to see that many people in many different careers feel the same way about their chosen profession and vocation ( except for Rock Stars but then agian alot of them slowly kill themselves with drug use.)

But seriously, it all comes down to looking at your values, goals and were you find home (in your heart); where and what you feel most comfortable doing.

I had a google executive as a client. He had a horrible drug addiction problem but he was making more money that I have ever seen.
He hated his life, his job (loved his Lamberghini) and was self medicating to mask the pain----for him life became Hell.

For everyone on this forum, Iam sure we all more choices than having to cut sugar cane is some third world country 12 hours a day for pennies. Someone in that situation probably does not have the choices or education to create other oppertunities. To the OP, it is evident ESL is not your chosen profession, so it is good you know that. Now you can move on and find something you will love to do.

Goodluck

[merlin]

[fingerpanit]

The main reason I plan to teach English abroad is so I can become fluent in Japanese & Spanish (and then later, hopefully Urdu).

If a TEFLer is worried about the job market back in the United States, then I wholeheartedly believe that he/she should learn the language of the country they are teaching in. This will drastically increase your marketability in the U.S. job market.

Besides being a translator or interpreter...

You could become a paralegal or a full blown attorney in immigration law...

Set up a business between your native country and the country you have taught in for 5 years...

Work for the CIA/FBI/Foreign Service...

Go to grad school for anthropology, then go to desired countries and carry out excellent ethnographic & cultural studies since your know the language

There are soooo many options for you if you become fluent in languages that are not your native tongue.

I think it a monumental waste of opportunity to not learn the language of a country you are living in. I met a 35 year old dude in my accelerated Japanese class that had taught English in Japan for 10 years, and the only things he could say were "arigatoo" and "aa aa soo desu ka". I couldn't believe it.

Of course, I am a linguistics major, so I'm biased. I love learning languages and analyzing/comparing them...

[Mchristophermsw]

I agree whole heartily with you on the importance of learning a new language, as a Social Worker, I have come to love culture and language is a huge part of culture. I do not speak any language fluently but bits and pieces of many languages----but I will commit when I do finally pick a country to stay in for awhile. It makes perfect sense

And while there are many oppertunities for some many may not be viable for example a law degree......After a Masters Degree, I cant see it viable to fork out 50 thousand dollars in student loans for that. I cant imagine having almost a hundred grand of student loans to have to repay. Life would be dread in any field with that type of financial burden----but your point is well taken.

However, a grad degree wil definately be the icing on the cake ( most people never attain that level of education statistically speaking so you are already in a small group). But language adds another tool and skill at your disposal and adds to ones diversity. More importantly it illustrates that you are also interested and sensitive to your host countries culture.
That should score anyone big points especially with the greater than thou attitude the West has seemed to fostered.

Great post! Now all I got to do is settle on one country and learn the language