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joshua2004

There are many rumors about traveling and teaching English and that it is a lucrative job. I am beginning to see that the same people that say this, have a lot to gain off your hard work and little pay.

These people are:
1. English Schools that treat their teachers like slaves and make a handsome profit by promising much and then they can't deliver.
2. TEFL certification programs, who want to tell you about the wonderful "cultural," yet modest, experience you will have abroad. This basically means that it will be like it was in college. You have to get creative with the little resources you have ESPECIALLY if you have any debt or dependents when coming. If you have both, I would not advise coming unless you have some connections or support system where you are going.
3. Recruiters, place people in TEFL courses and/or schools.
4. "Volunteer programs," which basically mean you pay someone else so you can go work somewhere else.

You can find yourself working in China or Mexico and getting $600 a month and "survive" since the cost of living in these places is so low. But with the average pay of less than a thousand US dollars a month, you can't expect to retire off just teaching English.

I think to make the big money in this business you need to run your own school or be an administrator in a very successful one. OR work in a place like Japan or the Middle east which have somewhat decent salary ranges in the 25k+ a year. But the cost of living in those places is high as well.

So to end on a more positive note, here's what I advise people wanting to get into this field. Go back to school and get a Masters in something related to teaching English or Education. (All you need is a bachelors in anything and that will let you teach just about anywhere) Get some classroom experience at a local school volunteering, working as a teacher aid, or teaching something. Wherever you are going, take a few thousand equivalent US dollars or more to float you by until you get settled in. And bon voyage! This way you can go teach just about anywhere and when the time comes for a promotion, you have the background to do it.

I think all the horror stories from English teaching, and there are many, comes from the would-be traveler who has no teaching experience, credentials, or money, and gets sold an "idea" about teaching abroad from recruiters, English schools and the like.

Some people are real happy teaching English. I am one of them. Do I make lots of money? No, but I will find a way to in the long run. But that's true for any profession. You always have to start at the bottom and the rewards come later as you slowly build your knowledge and expertise.

This is something left out of those job ads and brochures about teaching English abroad. It take YEARS to get good at this job. I have my Masters in Education, teaching credentials from the States, taught at community college and now in middle school, volunteered so much, worked as a teacher's aid for a couple years and substitute taught. I am just now, 7 years later, beginning to profess in what I do.

I have nothing to gain or lose by telling you my perspective on the English teaching field. I don't want to discourage anyone either. But I think you will thank me later if you can take what I say to keep you from getting into a situation like on www.englishschoolwatch.com

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

fluffyhamster

Cdaniels · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 4:02 pm Post subject: Why Post?

I don't really think warnings are terrribly helpful, especially without anecdotes (at least they could be more entertaining) I am reminded of warnings about U.S doctors becoming General Practitioners. The fact that Medical School costs are enormous, and interns make no or little money while training. This is all relative to what specialists can earn, however. A friend of mine told me that in Russia, Jewish mothers tell their children not to become doctors. Laughing

At least we haven't got to that point here! There are also warnings told about becoming a schoolteacher in the U.S., although there are conflicting stories about upcoming teacher shortages and opportunities for career-changers Confused

For me, getting a Masters is too big investment to go into a low paying feild that I'm not sure I really like yet! After I get a chance to see if I really want to do this as a career, then I'll consider Grad School. The low barriers to overseas employment probably depresses wages, but I don't think recommending a second degreeto people is going to fix this.

Fatcat · Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 92 Location: Athens, Georgia

"For me, getting a Masters is too big investment to go into a low paying feild that I'm not sure I really like yet! After I get a chance to see if I really want to do this as a career, then I'll consider Grad School. The low barriers to overseas employment probably depresses wages, but I don't think recommending a second degreeto people is going to fix this."

I totally agree with this. I know going abroad is the first step in figuring out exactly what I want my Masters in. I applied to grad school for History and didn't get in (thank goodness!) because now I'm leaning more towards International relations/Hispanic-American relations and linguistics. Two years of money and time on a History degree...nice to have, but is that what I really want to do? Nahhh.....

Cdaniels · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:34 am Post subject: Re: Grumble grumble

Aramas · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 1:31 pm Post subject:

I'm so paralysed with terror after reading this post that I've decided to cancel my travel plans, change my name to 'Soylent Green', and join the public service. I'm told that if I buy nice clothes at K Mart, keep my desk neat and tidy, and keep a running inventory of my stationary supplies I can have my own office in under fifteen years!

I'm so excited, I peed my pants! Shocked