Job Discussion Forums

jessicah632 · Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Posts: 36 Location: Texas, USA

Hi all,

Well, I'll be leaving in a few months for Ecuador in search of a job and I'm starting to get a wee bit nervous. I have a couple of random questions and would appreciate some help.

1) My Bachelor's degree is called a B.A. in "Literary Studies." This was my university's equivalent of an English degree -- I don't know why they didn't simply call it English, but hey. Anyway, is that going to make future employers confused or worried, or am I simply overreacting?

2) Do appearances matter substantially in getting a job? I know there's been debate about non-Caucasians not finding as much work (although more so in Asia.) My concern is not so much race (I am Caucasian) as age -- I'm 23 and look like I'm in my teens. I do fine at my current job teaching high schoolers here in the US, since they obviously can relate to me more and so forth, they think I'm "cool", they highly respect my intelligence, etc. -- but I'm a little worried about teaching adults older than me (perhaps SUBSTANTIALLY older than me.) What, generally, is the typical age makeup of students in most private language schools in Latin America? I had assumed it was almost entirely adults?

3) Typically, what level of students are new TEFL teachers assigned? Brand-new English-learners, more advanced students, or whatever? Is it pretty arbitrary what a teacher is assigned? I'm just a little concerned because at present my Spanish is barely functional (though I'm working to change that) and to me, to have to stand up in front of a group of students who have little to no English when I have little to no Spanish would be a bit daunting -- even for schools that don't want ANY Spanish spoken in class.

Thanks for any advice!

--Jessicah

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:34 pm Post subject:

Dear Jessicah,
I suspect this was left for me, as Ecuador is sort of becoming my territory on this board.

Alitas · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 187 Location: Maine

I'm 29, yet this year at a new position was welcomed heartily by all teachers the first day as a "first year". When I calmly told the well-wishers it was my seventh year teaching they were shocked. Yes, I look quite young!

Anyway, last spring when I interviewed in Venezuela, I brought down my nicest suit--very classy and tailored affair. I went the whole nine yards, looking more like my sister (a corporate lawyer) than a teacher (most of the teachers there were in jeans).

I think this helped my case. They offered me a job which I took but later declined due to personal circumstances.

My recommendation is to dress professionally. On the other hand, Latin American culture is more apt to give younger people positions of authority whereas here in the US you have to be gray haired to have any clout, it seems!

Incidentally the students at my new school treat me well; they know I am young but I am a good teacher and they respect me. However on teacher dress down day I wore blue jeans and a sweater along with my favorite sneakers. Lots of students at school wanted to know who the new girl was!

It doesn't bother me looking so young anymore but it used to. Now that I am 29 I figure I don't have much longer....so I like it.

jessicah632 · Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Posts: 36 Location: Texas, USA

Thanks guys for your insights!

--Jessicah