Job Discussion Forums

[Chelsea Cakes]

Hello all

I was interested in undertaking the Tefl course but after reading your comments in the newbie forum its enough to put anyone considering this off.

Is it really that bad teaching English abroad? From most of the info I have read it seems to be as everyone is so negative about it.

Is there anyone out there that has any positive comments? Many of you seem so bitter about the work you undertake and seem only grateful of the places you have visited and not the teaching you provide. Surely some of you must be committed in seeing your students develop and feel satisfied that this has been achieved thru your help, support and knowledge. If not why the hell choose a teaching career!!!

I also find many of your postings confusing rather than helpful, especially when it comes to deciding what course to take and whether or not a degree is required. I feel my best option would be not to give up my day job just yet.

If there is anyone with some sound advice I'd be glad to hear from you.

Kind regards

Chelsea

[ls650]

People tend to complain a lot more loudly than they praise.

[Cdaniels]

Yes. Sound advice: Stay home! Leave us to wallow in our misery!
If you're discouraged by a little venting, you probably are better off where you are. Too many people have the reverse problem of hearing how wonderful and what an exciting adventure it is, only to end up taking the first flight home. This happens to people volunteering abroad as well as "professional' teachers.
The postings can be confusing partly because its a confusing and chaotic field! You'll have to do a lot of research outside of the eslcafe to be prepared. If you can't figure out why many of us would do this despite the very many awful and discouraging complaints, than just accept that you can't figure it out and Do Something Else!

[Glenski]

[Gregor]

I agree with Glenski's statement:

[dajiang]

I like it.

I kinda rolled into the business as a backpacker, and found out I liked it better than anything I'd done before. So, I got a TEFL, taught for a year and a half in China, and now I'm studying for a bachelor's degree in education, doing parttime teaching at my uni and another high school.

It's a great life you know. Just being able to get a job anywhere in the world, help people in the process, earn enough money to get by, finding new challenges as you learn more. It's social, intellectual, (inter-)active... not many jobs that have these kind of perks.

Perks and jerks of course. You'll find it's not a perfect world out here. Lots of idiots in the business as well (a few on the forum), and you've got to keep your eyes open for scams. You've got culture shock, language problems, crappy working conditions, and you're basically on your own.

This forum is here to give you an idea that you're not completely alone.
Seeya around,

Dajiang

[denise]

No, it�s not all that bad. I love my job, and not just for the "adventure" aspect of it. I really enjoy the teaching, as well.

I don�t know what threads you have read that have put you off EFL, but I usually find that most of the posters here actually do have helpful and even positive information if you ask clear and specific questions. No, they won�t always tell you how rosy and perfect this life is, but that�s reality.

If you want to get into this field, for either the experience of living abroad or the teaching itself, then do a bit of research, ask the right questions, and make your own decisions. Why let an occasional negative post make up your mind for you?

Oh, and coming to the forum and basically saying how unhelpful it has been really isn�t very helpful!

d

[Perpetual Traveller]

It's also important to remember that behind all the cute...or not so cute user IDs and avatars there are real people. Just like in the real world they will have differing opinions and experiences so what works for some will naturally not work for everyone. If you find the contradictions in advice confusing just remember to take EVERYTHING with a grain of salt, positive and negative posts alike.

PT

[Cdaniels]

I leave a stern warning, full of attitude, and a bunch of people post with thoughtful, helpful advice.

Hrrumph! I'm beginning to think Dave's is too helpful and not confusing and chaotic enough.
Think: job security, people!

[Perpetual Traveller]

WHOA! Good point Cdaniels!

It's a tough, hard life, you'll have no friends, the pay sucks, every country you consider will miraculously become war-torn overnight...

Better?

PT

[London10]

Don't be put off by what you have read on Dave�s cafe. You have to consider the psychology of posting on the net. When you are having a great time somewhere there are people you can share that with - your colleagues, friends you've made around you, other teachers having a good time, etc. When you are having a bad time there are less people around you that you can share that with. This is because�

a) Other people around you are having a good time
b) You don't want colleagues and the management of the school to find out you hate it - it doesn't look good for you or do any favours for you.
c) You don't feel inclined to share you negative views of where you are with local people - telling them you hate their country never goes down well.

Therefore where else to vent your misery and negativity - the Internet!! and where better then the ESL forums of Dave�s ESL cafe where other disgruntled people have been doing the same thing - although not everybody I have to add.

When you are working you will meet enough people who enjoy what they are doing and hopefully you will too.

[ask_murderer]

My first teaching experience was a serious mess. The main reason? I did hardly any research before going over. I just went by what my recruiter told me.

I made a lot of mistakes my first time around in the teaching arena. I looked at teaching as a way to kill time between going out and not like a job. I didn't adequately prepare myself mentally for the culture shock (& even some of the classes). I looked at it more like travelling than living. My expectations were completely different from the reality of the situation. Even though things weren't that bad, they seemed all that much worse because of my faulty expectations.

That's probly why I ended up home early.

However, I'm looking into it again because it was a rewarding experience and I want a job where I'm able to help people (working as an analyst just isn't doing it for me). That being said, now that I know what to expect, what questions to ask, and what conditions to look for, I know the next time will go a lot more smoothly.

So far, I've gotten some really good info from Dave's ESL, but that's largely due to the fact that I'm taking it for what it is...mostly opinions, with a few facts thrown in there to hold it together. If I'd looked this up last time, I'd probably still be overseas, but that's something I plan to remedy shortly.

[Gregor]

ask_murderer makes a good point (this is what I read into it, anyway) - it's safer if you stay away from recruiters. Get a TEFL certificate from a school with some job placement assistance and just get hired by a school. You don't NEED a recruiter.
Some people have no problem with them, but they just want the commission - they WILL lie to you, and in any case they have no direct control over the situation that they put you in. They're in the middleman position. You do not need them if you are properly qualified. I have never, ever used a recruiter. You will never need to either, unless you just decide to get too picky (with regards to location or other particulars), and/or greedy, and then you deserve whatever you get.
If you'll just relax and be chill, you'll be fine.
And PT has another good point that I will freely admit to - this is what's worked for ME.
OH! One more piece of advice, this time regarding Dave's - from what I've seen, the whingingest forum is China, and the most up-beat, positive and truly helpful forum is Latin America. Have a look and see if I'm not right.

[Fatcat]

Chelsea Cakes, I think your main mistake was staying in the newbie forum too long. Like someone above said, pick a few places you would like to go and check out those forums. For some reason people like to bash newbies and/or tefl in general (maybe to dissuade competition) in the newbie forum. I'm not saying take warnings with a grain of salt; of course it's better to be prepared for the worst when picking up and moving. Most people (from what I've heard) overall enjoy their job. Some even (gasp!) love it. Personally I haven't been abroad to teach yet but after reading all the commentary on the Mexico thread there's no way I would change my mind now. Yes, there will be difficulties. Yes, I will be frustrated. I know this. But that intrigues me too, that is figuring out another culture and living in it. But from the descriptions and personal accounts I can pretty much say that I have a really good shot of liking it and sticking with it.

Bottom line is that you know yourself best. If other people's qualms with their country or job seem childish or menial in the big picture, then you have your answer. You know what will grate on your nerves and what won't. Don't let the Debbie Downers get your down!
Good luck!