Job Discussion Forums

mmm... pancakes · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 92

(or ESL depending on preference)

Did you have any idea about the possibility of teaching overseas before someone point-blank said "look into it"?

I know for sure it wasn't listed on the database of jobs I was constantly referred to during high school and university. One day I saw an ad in the paper for an EFL teacher training course, and that was basically the first I'd realistically thought of the options.

I belong to a writer's forum as well as this one. The other day I mentioned to someone that they might consider teaching abroad, and I got lots of people interested. It seems to me that the idea isn't one that people can conjure by themselves. The options are often the traditional policeman, lawyer, businessman, retailer, computer whiz, etc.

Was there a time in your life when you sat down and thought "I know. I'm going to go to a different country and teach English," or - like me and the people on the writer's forum - did it have to smack you in the face before you even considered it?

Songbird · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:46 pm Post subject:

I thought about doing this after seeing a segment on Aussie tv about working (not just teaching) overseas. I thought this was only for crazy people, adverturous, outgoing people.....none of which are me! I finally woke up the day after my birthday last year and decided this was it, I'm doing it.....

BTW, my birthday is tomorrow, so it's exactly 1 year since deciding to take the plunge Very Happy

frigginhippie · Joined: 13 Mar 2004 Posts: 188 Location: over here

smacked me in the face. I still feel the sting.

Don McChesney · Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 656

Newspaper article I was reading, a guy said he had just retired and wanted to do 'something' overseas, and they suggested teaching English and gave a phone number.
I called, out of curiosity,and followed it up. Suddenly I was doing TESOL, to get ideas of overseas work, and 2 months later was in China !!
I'm back here for my second trip, and wish I had known about it many years ago.
I reckon if any country wants teachers, a big spread in any Sunday paper would give thousands of responses, follow it up with positive help, and it's a winner, for the country, the students, and the individuals who apply.
Hmmm, maybe this is my big new venture.

LeiShan · Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 41

My wife's cousin teaches in South Korea. One day, while feeling bored at my government job with lots of security, I phoned him. Didn't go to S.K. but ended up here instead. Starting my 3rd. year here and loving it....

Super Mario · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 3:39 am Post subject:

I'd been wanting to work OS for some time and had had some offers from international schools in the UAE.
However, teaching white kids was what I was already doing. I saw an ad for Australian Volunteers International and went for it. Best move ever.
Nine years later I'm back home, still teaching ESL to east Asian students, but with first world pay, conditions...............and prices.